Visiting Route

Surin Beach

Surin is one of the favored beaches for tourists in Phuket, with its casuarinaslined beachfront, fine white sand and turquoise waters. Although popular, the beach is not a busy resort town, but more like a coastal village. A variety of high end hotels and housing serves this market, which in turn has resulted in opportunities for swanky restaurants and wine bars to spring up in the area.

Due to the lack of a proper launch area, speedboats and jet skis are a rarity, which is to the liking of many tourists. During the high season between December and April, Surin’s waters are exceptionally clear and calm, which is suited for kayaking and snorkeling by the rocks at the north and south ends of the beach. In the low season from May to October, boogie boarding and surfing are popular but the water can be rough and the tide strong, so due caution must be taken.

Patong Beach

The largest and most popular beach on the island (and consequently the most well-developed stretch), Patong Beach is located on the west coast of Phuket, about 15 kilometers from the city and 30 kilometers from the airport. This 2 kilometer strip of golden sand offers a wide variety of activities and exciting night life.

During the day, the beach is busy with activities from swimming, snorkeling, jet-skiing, surfing, parasailing to massages for many of the visitors relaxing on beach chairs. From November to April (the Northeast monsoon season) the water is quite flat and calm. But from May to October (Southwest monsoon) there can be some larger waves on some days, but the water is usually safe to swim in most days; pay attention to red flags warning of rough surf and strong undertow.

But Patong is arguably more famous for its kinetic nightlife than the beach itself, with numerous ‘entertainment complexes’ and countless bars and restaurants centered on two main areas of Bangla Road and Paradise Complex. Various large hotel and many chain hotels serving every price bracket are located in Patong.

	Kata Beach
	The lovely bay of Kata, not far from Karon Beach, attracts many visitors with its white sands and clear waters. It is well-beloved by families as the beach has safe swimming and does not have many drop-offs, making it safe for children and non swimmers. (However, it is better to always take notice of the flags indicating the rare times when it is not safe to swim). Not only famous for its calm and clear waters, Kata also features a beautiful palm-lined beach, scores of great restaurants, various accommodations and a lively but not-too-raucous nightlife.

Karon Beach

South of Patong is beautiful "Karon" - one of the most well-liked beaches among tourists, with its pleasantly long stretch of sand and plenty of beach umbrellas available for rent. Since it faces west, Karon is one of the best places to catch beautiful views of the sunset. Smaller and less busy than Patong, Karon still offers a full range of facilities, dining and activities for all budgets.

There are nice snorkeling and diving sites located just off Karon beach. But it is recommended to check local information before diving and snorkeling in Phuket, as dangerous currents are present at certain times of the year.

Laem Singh Beach

Laem Singh Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, lies on the west coast between Kamala and Surin beaches, about 20 minutes north of Patong. This 150-meter long beach is not visible from the road but situated under a steep promontory, nestled in a hidden bay surrounded by palm trees, giving it the alluring atmosphere of a secret beach.

The rock formations along the beach offer some the best snorkeling spots on Phuket. Because of its limited size, Laem Singh can get quite crowded during the high season, but it is nevertheless a pleasant little beach worth going out of the way to visit and spend the day.

Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape is a peninsula on the extreme south end of Phuket. “Prom” is Thai for the Hindu term, “Brahma,” signifying purity, while “Thep” means ‘Angel’. Local villagers used to refer to the cape as “Leam Jao”, or the Cape of God, and it has traditionally been a prominent navigable feature for mariners approaching the island.

This southern point also offers a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the southern tip of the Phuket–it is often said a trip to Phuket is not complete without visiting the cape. The best time to visit Promthep is in the evening, to observe the stunning view and seaside atmosphere as the golden sun sets over the Andaman Sea.

Royal Phuket Marina

A high roller’s paradise, the Royal Phuket Marina, offers luxury shopping, gourmet dining, and large yacht berths that can accommodate floating mansions. As one of Asia’s most sophisticated yachting havens, the marina has garnered international acclaim, including the ‘Marina Five Gold Anchors Award’ from the British Marine Federation. The pristine turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay are just 20-minutes away as are hundreds of unspoiled tropical islands.

Aspiring mariners can order a charter yacht, take a 10-minute cruise to the private island beach club, or kayak up river. If shopping is your fancy, the Royal Phuket Marina boasts an impressive array of world-class boutiques, designer shops, and prestigious local brands.

The Royal Phuket Marina is the ultimate luxury destination on Phuket, with its lavish shops, world-class dining venues, and opulent leisure facilities. Don’t worry, if you fall in love with the marina, you can purchase a luxury condominium, penthouse, or villa estate, bedecked with private yacht berths, stunning modern Thai design, and a host of amenities that will leave you in awe.

68 Moo 2, Thepkasattri Road, Koh Kaew, Phuket, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 76 360 811-4
Email: paradise@royalphuketmarina.com
www.royalphuketmarina.com

Phuket Boat Lagoon

One of the finest marinas in Thailand, the Phuket Boat Lagoon, features an ideal location, superb facilities, and fully protected berths. Situated between the airport and town on the East coast of Phuket, the marina is ideally located for exploring the tranquil waters and verdant island paradises that dot the area. The marina provides everything a sailor needs, including 170 service berths in the fully enclosed lagoon, a delectable restaurant, and access to hundreds of unspoiled beaches.

The two resorts feature marina and tropical garden locations, 300 luxuriously decorated rooms, and an internationally acclaimed restaurant. Guests can enjoy a multitude of recreational activities, including boat trips, fishing, and scuba diving. Additionally, the resort boasts a conference room with a capacity for up to 350 people, and a special wedding arrangement for 600 guests.

If you want to stay a little longer in the privacy of your own residence, the marina offers four housing property styles, designed in a modern Sino-Portuguese style. Guests can also buy a plot of land and design the abode of their dreams, all within a fully equipped marina community.

The Phuket Boat Lagoon is an excellent place from which to explore all of Phuket, and offers a vast selection of intriguing activities on-site as well.

22/1 Moo 2 Thepkasattri Road, Koh Kaew, Phuket
Tel: +66 (0) 7623 9055
Email: marina@phuketboatlagoon.com
www.phuketboatlagoon.com

Tawan Cruises

For island hopping the Andaman Sea in sybaritic style, nothing compares to Tawan Cruises for its chartered motor yachts, with state of the art entertainment systems along with generous eating and seating facilities. All Tawan Cruises vessels are equipped for a very high level of safety with the latest onboard navigational equipment, with well-appointed sleeping cabins for overnight excursions and these are the perfect boat for extended cruises as well as exhilarating day-long expeditions.

Tel: +66 (0) 81 894 3234
Fax: +66 (0) 76 239 711
www.tawancruises.com

Excursion

Island Hopping

From Phuket International Airport, transfer to Phi Phi Don Island via Destination Air seaplane (www.destinationair.com), twenty minutes later, land at the floating dock just offshore from Zeavola Resort (11 Moo 8, Laem Tong, Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang, Krabi Tel: +66 (0) 75 627 000, www.zeavola.com). The resort’s boat and porters take you and your luggage back to shore for check in. Enjoy all the resort has to offer, borrow kayaks or snorkels and fins from the resort’s dive center to explore reefs just offshore, take in a spa treatment in the Zeavola Spa, or just relax on the beach and dinner on the beach at Baxil.

In the morning, breakfast at Tacada, then take a speedboat tour to Phi Phi Leh, James Bond Island, Viking Cave, Racha Island, Koh Naka. Explore hidden beaches and coves, and snorkel shallow offshore reefs with abundant underwater fauna and schools of curious, brightly colored fish. Check out of Zeavola, board the Destination Air seaplane, and head back to Phuket International airport or you can go by public boat at nearby pier.

You can spend the last day for shopping, spa treatments, or sightseeing around Phuket.

Phi Phi Leh

Phi Phi Leh is a paradise of lush vegetation steep cliffs, wildlife, and natural caves. Diving and snorkeling around Phi Phi Leh is a prime attraction as well, with clear waters and interesting coral a short swim offshore.

James Bond Island

Originally known as Koh Tapu (or Nail Island) this is where part of The Man with the Golden Gun starring Ian Fleming’s world-renowned 007 was filmed. A stop here makes for a pleasant short-jungle trek through an island jungle to a secluded beach.

Viking Cave

This is where to see where swift bird nests are harvested, with natives climbing precariously long bamboo ladders in striking primordial seaside caves. The nests-made of the birds’ saliva-is highly prized for purported health properties in Asian cultures.

Racha Island

The Racha (or Raya) islands, directly south of Phuket, offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the area with fantastic coral formations and multitudes of fishes in crystal clear turquoise waters. The diving between Racha Yai and Racha Noi is usually very good and offers a chance to see large fish and even dolphins.

Naka Island

Naka Yai is a classic postcard image of paradise, with fine white sands beaches shaded by tall coconut trees, incredible views across Phang Nga Bay, no roads, and genuine solitude… aside from chirping birds, cicadas, and lapping waves. Naka Noi is most famous for its pearl farms, which can be visited on a day trip.

Phuket Butterfly Garden & Insect World

With over 15 years of experience, Phuket Butterfly Garden & Insect World has developed itself into one of the best butterfly gardens of the world. You can choose self-guided tours or have a volunteer take you around. The gardens are designed and built specifically for the hosting and breeding of tropical butterflies and moths. Various kinds of flowers, both domestic and international, have been grown in the nursery and the garden presentation allows people to observe butterfly life cycle in action. You will have an opportunity to watch when they feed, mate, lay eggs, and if you are lucky, emerge from their cocoons to take flight.

The Garden contains over 40 native species. Some butterflies are always present but others are only available seasonally, so you might see many different butterflies each time you visit.

Open daily between 09.00 to 17.00 hrs. (last admission), regular Entrance Fees are 300 Baht for adults and 150 Baht for children.

71/6 Moo 5, Soi Paneung, Yaowaraj Road,
Rasada, Muang District, Phuket, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 7621 0861
www.phuketbutterfly.com

Bang Pae and Ton Sai Waterfalls

Bang Pae and Ton Sai Waterfall are located in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park 22 kilometers north of Phuket Town on the way to the airport.

Bag Pae is the largest waterfall on the island, but still far from Thailand’s largest ones, at only 18 meter high. If you want to get a break from the beaches and sunbathing, or want to explore the island’s rain forest, this is a great place to start. Walking up to Bang Pae waterfall from the parking lot take around 10 minutes. Under the waterfall is a small pond where you can bathe in cool water. You can even leap from the waterfall out into the pond, but beware of the slippery surface when getting in and out of water.

To get there, coming from anywhere on the island, head for Thalang, then go to the Heroines of Phuket monument and take road 4027 northbound from there.

On the other side of the hill, not far from the highway in Thalang, is where Ton Sai Waterfall located. This is also where parts of the Robin Williams comedy Good Morning Vietnam was filmed. It is a perfect place for picnic, just a short walk from the parking lot. You can also go hiking and explore the jungle around the waterfall. There are maps of the park and guides waiting to take you through the jungle over to the Bang Pae falls.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP)

Near the Bang Pae parking lot is where the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GPR) is located. This volunteer project is meant for saving pet gibbons that have been abandoned, it is not actually a zoo. The gibbons living in the Project have to be “dehumanified” and are being acclimatized for a return to nature. So you can see them in their large cages, but only from a distance. The gibbons in the Project area are white handed gibbons, extremely beautiful ones with a white circle of hair around their face and white hair on the top of their hands and feet. They are highly sought after by illegal hunters, because of their rare beauty.

Nevertheless you can see them and enjoy their haunting singing. You can also read about the project and donate money to it, by sponsoring one or more of the gibbons, or even apply as a volunteer. The Center opens daily from 9.00 am to 16.00 hrs. and does not charge an entrance fee.

Afterwards, if you see any of these endangered gibbons in captivity, you can report it to GPR or Thai authorities by calling the Forestry Police at its hotline, 1362.

Bang Pae Waterfall, Pa Khlock, Thalang, Phuket, Thailand
Tel.: +66 (0) 7626 0492
www.gibbonproject.org
www.hasekamp.net/gibbon.htm

The Two Heroines Monument

This monument was established by local residents in 1966 to honor the heroic deeds of Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon when Thalang Town was surrounded by Burmese troops, who invaded the coastal area in 1785. Khunying Chan, the widow of the governor, and her sister, Muk, united local residents to successfully fight and drive the invaders out of Phuket. The battle lasted over 30 days before the defending troops of Phuket, under the command of Chan and Muk, could claim their victory. As a result of such heroic deeds, noble titles were granted to Chan and Muk as Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, respectively.

The monument is located at Tha Ruea Intersection, 12 kilometers to the north of Phuket City. They are still highly respected by Phuket residents even today, who still make offerings of flowers and joss sticks (as well as entreaties for good fortune) to the images of the women-warriors every day.

Phra Nang Sang Temple

The 200-year-old Phra Nang Sang temple is the oldest temple and a historical landmark of Phuket as it was built on the site of the famous Battle of Thalang in 1785. Enshrined in the main hall are three old Buddha statues made of tin; they are the largest in the world and date from an era when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal.

There are also statues of Phuket’s ‘two heroines’ Khun Ying Chan and Khun Ying Muk, a large reclining Buddha, a monument to the first abbot as well as a mummy of former abbot Luang Poh Bai (or Ziang) in the temple grounds. The temple itself has a wonderful interior, featuring wall-paintings of the Lord Buddha’s life and other important historical events.

Located in Thalang Town on Thepkasattri Road, at the Baan Kian intersection (at the traffic light), the entrance to the temple is located on the side of the road.

Phra Thong Temple

Built in the 1750’s, Phra Thong Temple received a royal visit from King Rama V in 1909, who gave it its current name. It is also commonly known as Wat Phra Phud which means ‘Temple of the protruding Buddha’ referring to its main attraction, the enigmatic ‘half-buried golden Buddha image’ in the temple floor.

The temple also houses a museum, exhibiting historical items and a collection of unique crafts donated by locals such as tin mining paraphernalia, a Chinese dowry basket, Chinese ‘Teen-tuk’ (foot binding) shoes and much more.

Wat Phra Thong is located about 20 km north of Phuket Town, near the Thalang District Office.

Chalong Temple

The largest and most important among the 29 Buddhist temples of Phuket is Chaitararam Temple, commonly known as Wat Chalong. It is not about its architecture, which is typical of temples found throughout Thailand, but the rich history and renowned founders of Wat Chalong makes it famous and sacred. The temple is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang who were famous for their work in herbal medicine and tending to the injured. During the tin miners’ rebellion of 1876 they mobilized aid for the injured on both sides. They also mediated in the rebellion, bringing the warring parties together to resolve their dispute. Statues honoring them stand in the sermon hall.

There is no admission fee for entering into the temple, but donation contributing to maintenance and restoration costs is highly appreciated. Located about 8 km outside Phuket town, you can takes Vichit Songkram Road to the Bypass Road and turn left, then drive for about 10 minutes. Wat Chalong is on the left.