3 Days of Adventures from Phuket

Ah Phuket! One of the most popular tourist destinations in all of South East Asia. Thailand‘s largest island is located in the southern part of the country, along the Andaman coast. Yes, Phuket is an island, although most people tend to forget that. The 700 metre Sarasin Bridge to the north forms the only connection to mainland Thailand. Home to beautiful beaches, turquoise waters and a vivid nightlife scene, Phuket is definitely on the radar of tourists from all over the world.

To many travellers, Phuket means relaxing on the beach and partying the night away on Patong’s Bangla Road. While these are definitely both great ideas, there’s far more to see and do on a trip to Phuket, so in this itinerary I’ll be looking at few different ways to spend your time here.

Day One: Exploring Phuket Island

Grab some breakfast to start the day, then make your way over to Phuket Town. Here you’ll be able to escape the crowds of tourists flocking all over Patong. While its relatively small, there’s plenty to see here. Venture through Old Town, soaking in the atmosphere as you step inside the various shops and admire the Sino-Portuguese architecture. If you want to get a sense of the history of Phuket, stop by the Thaihua Museum, where you’ll learn about the tin-mining industry that once boomed on the island as well as exhibits about local life and the various cultures that have impacted upon it. There are also tons of galleries and art studios around the town that you can visit to fill your morning.

After grabbing some lunch in town, head south to Wat Chalong. This is the largest temple in all of Phuket. As with all Buddhist sites in Thailand, make sure you dress appropriately (covering shoulders and removing shoes inside the temple shrines). The Grand Pagoda is beautiful and contains numerous Buddha statues and artwork. You can also head upstairs to the upper balcony where you can look across the rest of the temple site. Take your time here and take in the beauty of this place of worship – and don’t be startled by the frequent eruption of firecrackers believed to ward off evil spirits.

A short drive from Wat Chalong will take you to the Big Buddha. If you’ve been anywhere in the southern part of Phuket, you’ll have seen this massive statue overlooking the island from the top of the Nakkerd Hills. This huge statue is a fairly new addition to the Phuket landscape, with construction having begun as recently as 2004. Pay your respects but also take in the sweeping views over the island that you’ll be rewarded with for making the journey up here.

As the evening approaches, make your way to Laem Promthep at the southernmost point of the island. Here you’ll find a great outdoor restaurant serving some delicious Thai cuisine for dinner while overlooking the sea. Its the perfect spot to catch a sunset to end your day exploring Phuket Island with some traditional flavour.

Day Two: Ko Phi Phi

Today you’ll be heading out into the water on one of the most popular day trips from Phuket. Your hotel should be able to organise a tour out to the Phi Phi Islands (otherwise search online). Make an early start to your pier of departure (most trips will include transport from your accommodation) and board your speedboat. From there its around 45 minutes across the crystal clear waters until you reach your destination. Expect a bumpy ride!

The Phi Phi group consists of two main islands. Phi Phi Don is where tourists stay in the area and turns into a party resort at night. The smaller of the islands, Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited paradise and is where you’ll spend most of your time exploring. Your exact itinerary will vary depending on the tour group you’ve booked through, but most trips will take you to the following spots:

• Ao Maya (Maya Bay): this formerly crowded bay is surrounded by high cliffs and became famous after appearing in the Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Beach”. Perhaps the best known destination in the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay has since been closed indefinitely to tourists so as to restore the fragile ecosystem. Your trip will likely still visit and you’ll be able to swim off shore, but won’t be able to get off onto the beach.
• Vikings Cave: a brief stop alongside these caves in the limestone cliffs of the island surrounded by bamboo scaffolding. The caves are significant for the harvesting of valuable Swiftlet Bird nests.
• Ao Pileh (Pileh Bay): a popular swimming spot in the clear blue waters surrounding Phi Phi Leh. Too shallow for larger boats to dock, you’ll be able to enjoy the warm water right off your speedboat.
• Monkey Beach: located on the east side of Phi Phi Don, this tiny beach isn’t as picturesque as the famous bays of Phi Phi Leh, but is inhabited by a population of cute little monkeys. Hold onto your belongings!

Your tour will also include lunch at a restaurant on Phi Phi Don (most likely buffet style at a beachside resort). You’ll head back to Phuket around mid-afternoon, having enjoyed a day in paradise.

Day Three: Ao Phang Nga

Head out to another set of islands on your third day. You know what that means. Head out to Ao Por Pier for another boating expedition. The islands of Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park are another popular day trip for tourists, so you’ll once again be able to organise a trip through your hotel or online. Despite the fact that you’ve just been to the picturesque Phi Phi islands, you won’t want to miss this trip as Ao Phang Nga offers a whole new adventure. Assuming you’re on a larger boat, you’ll spend around 90 minutes enjoying the cruise out to the islands.

Your specific itinerary will again depend on the tour you’ve chosen (and the tides of the day), but at some point you’ll stop at Ko Khao Phing Kan. Known more commonly as James Bond Island, here you’ll see the towering rocky island that appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun. Take a dip in the warm waters of the bay or barter with the crowds of vendors at the on-shore market, before returning to your boat for the real highlight of the day to come.

Next its off to the Hongs (which means “rooms” in Thai). On your trip you’ll board a sea kayak and be canoed by an expert guide through numerous limestone caves that form tunnels through the islands into secluded lagoons and mangroves. You’ll spot all kinds of wildlife and I was in awe of the natural beauty found tucked away from the sea. Most trips will take you kayaking in at least 2 locations, so you’ll spend plenty of time on the water.

Your trip will also include a buffet lunch on board and probably another swimming spot on a secluded beach among the islands of Phang Nga. Depending on your tour, there may even be cultural entertainment provided on the trip back to Phuket. This is a day out on the water that you won’t want to miss.