Thailand's largest island, Phuket is incredibly diverse with rocky and sandy beaches, tall cliffs, forests, waterfalls and temples. Phuket caters to all, with a variety of holiday resorts offering accommodation from backpackers and simple guesthouses to modern luxury hotels, though the beachfront bungalows on unspoilt stretches of white sand are rarer now than they used to be. There are numerous activities in or near Phuket to enjoy on holiday, including mountain biking, bungy jumping and golf. It is even possible to go elephant trekking. A variety of tours offer day trips to the cliffs of nearby Phang Nga Bay, Koh Phi Phi, and the beaches and islands around Krabi. There is plenty to do on the island, whatever your budget, and several offshore islands are good for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Phuket has a huge variety of goods and shopping establishments, from markets and street stalls to department stores and specialist shops, and a range of restaurants from Thai seafood to Indian and Western cuisine. Phuket also has its own airport, making it easy to get to and from Bangkok, and although the island hosts thousands of tourists in peak season, its sheer size allows visitors to escape from the madding crowds. Patong Beach is the island's most famous and developed beach resort, offering a wide choice of holiday activities, dining options and nightlife. It is situated nine miles (15km) from Phuket City.
Many visitors come on holiday in Phuket simply for the beaches, but there are many things to see and do in Phuket out of the water. Phuket's long and fascinating history is detailed at the Thalang National Museum, while the island has 29 Buddhist temples, including the famous Wat Chalong. The 147-foot (45m) Big Buddha is also a popular attraction, visible from most of southern Phuket.
Phuket has rightly earned its reputation as a paradise for outdoor activities, and visitors will enjoy exploring some of the biggest waterfalls in Thailand, and other pastimes like fishing and hiking. Also interesting are the Muay Thai boxing matches staged in Saphan Hin Stadium.
Fun in the sun and sea is the main attraction of Phuket however, and there is no end of opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving, cliff diving, sailing kayaking and jet-skiing.
Nightlife
The epicenter of Phuket's nightlife is Patong Beach, and within the town, Bangla Road is the main concentration of bars and clubs, ranging from seriously dodgy beer bars to upscale cocktail lounges, as well as pumping nightclubs, rowdy karaoke bars, gay bars, jazz clubs, relaxed pubs and go-go bars. At the top end of Bangla Road are several side-by-side establishments to party into the early hours. Paradise Complex is Patong's gay area, with more than 50 bars, karaoke clubs, restaurants and discos.
The bars and nightclubs in Phuket have gotten stricter in the last few years about carding patrons, especially in venues offering more than food and drink. Tourists should take care not to go out alone at night, and to keep an eye on their drinks at all times.
Shopping
The best place to find Thai silk and other traditional Thai souvenirs in Phuket is Kamala Beach. Cheap souvenirs like hats and scarves are available along the beach walkway in high season, and there are a number of shops near the beach restaurants selling sarongs, toys, and hand-carved items. There are even shops along Kamala's main road that will turn out copies of your favourite suit remarkably quickly.
One popular souvenir from Phuket is pearl jewellery, available locally from the Phuket Pearl Factory in Sapam.
There are two main shopping malls in Phuket: Central Festival Phuket and Jungceylon Shopping Center. Central Festival Phuket is dominated by a single Central Department Store selling everything from silk sarongs to designer watches, while Jungceylon Shopping Center has more than 200 stores offering everything you can think of, from pirate DVDs to perfume.
Kids Attractions
There are plenty of attractions for children in Phuket that the whole family will enjoy. Kids will love getting up close and personal with wild creatures at the the Chana Charoen Road Crocodile Farm or the Phuket Aquarium at Cape Panwa. There's less thrill but plenty of enjoyment to be had at the Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World.
The biggest children's attraction in Phuket is Phuket FantaSea, an enormous theme park offering carnival games, elephant rides, shops, restaurants and a stunning floor show that will delight the whole family.
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate, with high temperatures and humidity all year round. March to May is the hottest time of the year on the island. Average daily temperatures range from 75°F (24°C) to 89°F (32°C). During the summer monsoon season from May to October, the island experiences thundershowers in the late afternoons and early evenings. The best time to visit Phuket is from December to March, when temperatures are slightly cooler.
