Phuket

This guide uses Patong as a starting point for all of Phuket. Just south are the family-friendly beaches of Karon and Kata, to the north the quieter bays of Kamala and Surin, and across the hills the Sino-Portuguese streets of Phuket Old Town, the provincial capital. Boats head out to the limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi islands and, in season, the Similan Islands. Hillside villas with pools, condos near the beach and family apartments make the island a popular choice for groups and long winter stays.

Where to stay in Patong and around Phuket

Patong itself suits travellers who want everything within walking distance: the beach, restaurants, shopping and the nightlife of Bangla Road, which stays loud until late. The northern end of the bay, towards Kalim, and the hillsides above town are quieter while still close to the action.

Karon and Kata, a short drive south, are calmer and popular with families, and Kata Noi and Nai Harn further south feel more relaxed still. North of Patong, Kamala and Surin have a village feel, and the long beaches of Bang Tao and Mai Khao are closer to the airport. Phuket Old Town, on the east side of the island, suits visitors who prefer culture, food and local life to the beach.

Thailand's Hotel Act of 2004 covers businesses that provide temporary accommodation for payment, and many condominium buildings on Phuket set their own rules on short stays, so check the current rules before booking.

Beaches and the sea

Patong Beach runs for about 2.85 kilometres around the bay, with soft sand, beach sports and a promenade behind it. Small coves nearby, such as Kalim to the north and Tri Trang to the south, are good for a quieter swim, and longtail boats can drop you at others along the coast.

From December to March, the dry season, the Andaman Sea is usually calm and clear, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding. In the wet season, which covers most of the rest of the year, the southwest monsoon can send big waves and strong rip currents onto the west coast, even on sunny days. Lifeguards raise red flags when swimming is unsafe; always respect them. Patong was badly damaged by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 and has long since been rebuilt, with evacuation route signs posted around town.

Phuket Old Town, temples and viewpoints

Phuket's wealth came from tin, mined on the island for centuries, and the merchants who prospered built the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions of Phuket Old Town, around Thalang, Dibuk, Yaowarat, Phang Nga and Krabi roads. Restored façades, Chinese shrines and small museums make a rewarding half-day, and the island's food culture earned Phuket a place in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for gastronomy in 2015.

The Big Buddha, a seated white figure 45 metres tall on a hilltop between Chalong and Kata, overlooks Chalong Bay. Wat Chalong, officially Wat Chaiyathararam, honours Luang Pho Cham, a monk who helped residents during an uprising in 1876. Promthep Cape, at the southern tip, is a favourite sunset viewpoint. In Thalang, a monument recalls the sisters Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, who led the defence against a Burmese siege that ended in March 1785.

Island trips from Phuket

Boat trips are a highlight of any stay. Ao Phang Nga National Park, north-east of Phuket, covers about 400 square kilometres of sea dotted with sheer limestone islands; Khao Phing Kan, known as James Bond Island after it appeared in a Bond film, is the best known. The Phi Phi islands, in neighbouring Krabi province, are famous for steep cliffs and clear water, and smaller islands such as Ko Racha Yai lie a short ride south of Phuket.

Mu Ko Similan National Park, in the Andaman Sea off Phang Nga province, is known for diving and snorkelling. It closes every year for the rainy season, usually from mid-May to mid-October, and the exact dates are announced by the national park authority. Most tours leave from piers in the south and east of the island, and sea conditions can force cancellations, so keep a spare day in your plans.

Getting there and around

Phuket International Airport (HKT) is in Thalang district at the north of the island, about 32 kilometres north of Phuket Town, and is one of the busiest airports in Thailand, with flights from Bangkok and many international routes. The drive to Patong takes roughly an hour, depending on traffic. At the northern tip, the Sarasin Bridge links Phuket to the mainland, and long-distance buses run to Bangkok and other provinces.

Public transport is limited: shared buses link Phuket Town with the main beaches, and the rest is covered by taxis, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps. Many visitors rent a car or scooter. Roads between the beaches are hilly and winding, and the climb over the hill from Patong is steep, so take care in the rain; traffic keeps to the left, and riders need a valid motorcycle licence and a helmet.

Weather, festivals and when to visit

Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate with about 2,200 millimetres of rain a year. The dry season, from December to March, brings calm seas, sunshine and the most visitors, and the Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year weeks are the busiest of all. The wet season fills the rest of the year: heavy showers come and go, rough seas on the west coast can close beaches to swimming, and the island is greener and quieter.

A distinctive Phuket celebration is the Vegetarian Festival, or Nine Emperor Gods Festival, which begins on the first day of the ninth Chinese lunar month, usually in late September or October. For nine days devotees keep a vegetarian diet, and Chinese shrines in Phuket Town hold processions and rituals such as fire-walking. Songkran, the Thai New Year in mid-April, is marked with lively water fights in Patong.