About Phuket
Thailand's largest island — 540 km² of beaches, limestone, rainforest and one very good old town.
Phuket sits off Thailand's Andaman coast, connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. For centuries it grew rich on tin and rubber; the Chinese and Portuguese traders who ran that trade left behind the pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses of Phuket Town. Tourism came later, drawn by the west-coast beaches — Patong, Kata, Karon — and the islands scattered south and east.
West coast beaches
Sunset side. Patong for nightlife, Kata and Nai Harn for calmer sand.
Phang Nga Bay
Just north-east — the drowned karst seascape of James Bond Island.
Old Town
Thalang Road, Soi Romanee, clan mansions and Hokkien food.
Best time to visit
November to April is the dry, calm season — the best sea conditions and the busiest months. May to October is the green season: warm, cheaper, greener, with afternoon downpours and bigger swells on the west coast. The Similan Islands National Park is only open mid-October to mid-May.
Getting around
Grab (ride-hailing) works well. Songthaews (converted pickups) run set routes to and from Phuket Town. Most of our tours include hotel pickup, so you rarely need to sort your own transport on a tour day.
