PHUKET

Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Located in Southern Thailand of the Andaman Sea – about 850 kilometers (528 miles) south of Bangkok, the island of Phuket is frequented by millions of tourists every year from all across the globe.

Phuket is famous for its exotic white sand beaches, clear turquoise blue waters and beautiful sunsets, colorful night markets and delicious seafoods, adventurous watersports, and its vibrant nightlife.

A Weekend in Phuket

Spending a long weekend in Phuket is fairly easy...

There are plenty of things to do here; With a great weather all-year round, there are tons of options for travelers on every budget.

This “pearl of the Andaman” has always been a magnet for beach lovers, offering an abundance of beautiful white sand beaches to choose from.

Phuket is a popular destination mostly for diving and snorkeling, however thanks to its dense, forested landscape, tourists can also enjoy hiking.

HOW TO SPEND A WEEKEND IN PHUKET

Find out why Phuket makes a perfect relaxing and romantic getaway, and what are the must things to do on this beautiful island, if you only have a long weekend to spare.

DAY 1: Arriving in Phuket / Renting a car / Checking-in your preferred hotel / Relax by the pool or on the beach

Arriving in Phuket

Phuket International Airport (HKT) is one of Thailand’s busiest airports. Over 16 million passengers pass through its 2 terminals every year. Phuket it’s just a short one-hour flight from Bangkok.

Getting around Phuket

Motorcycle is the preferred transportation mode on this island, as it allows easier access to off-road beaches and the island’s smaller neighborhoods, however renting a car is recomended (just make sure to drive on the left side of the road).

Renting a car in Phuket is cheap. There are few car rental counters inside the arrivals hall and many more are located just outside the airport.

Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

Located about 45 minutes drive from HKT airport, Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa is surrounded by lush vegetation, raised slightly on the hillside. Its elevated position ensures great views and its tranquil setting is peaceful and private.

Without a doubt, it’s one of the most beautiful resorts in Phuket.

The resort is of contemporary Asian design, and comprises of two wings separated by a central raised entrance and lobby area. Each wing is surrounded by nature and has its own pool complex.

My accommodation was set at the Club Wing area of the Resort, an exclusive paradise mostly for adults only with tranquil gardens and had its own pool area.

On arrival, I was greeted with a cold towel and refreshing welcome drink.

The room was beautifully decorated with tropical flowers; in addition I received a complimentary fruit basket and a bottle of house wine! That is the best way to start my holiday weekend – in style.

DAY 2: Visit Big Buddha and Wat Chalong / Stroll in Phuket Town / Relax on the popular Patong Beach

Karon Viewpoint

Start your day nice and early at Karon Viewpoint, which does not fail to deliver fresh, picturesque views of the mountains, beaches and the sea. It’s a nice stopover if you are driving past and it gives you a bit of perspective of the island.

From above, north of the viewpoint, you will be able to see three of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches: Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon Beach. This is one of the island’s most photographed vistas. Far off in the distance and over the hills, you will be able to peak at the Big Buddha.

Big Buddha

Afterward, pay a visit to Phuket’s most distinctive landmark, the Big Buddha. Sitting serenely above the island at the top of Nakkerd hills, the Big Buddha is a 45 meter-high, and 25 meter-wide image made of white Burmese jade marble, and it weighs around 135 tons. Spectacular 360-degree views greet you once you reach the summit.

It’s a peaceful spot to take time out from your day. If possible, pick a clear day for the best views; mornings are generally less crowded.

Phuket Town

Spend the afternoon at Phuket Old Town, which offers a glimpse into the heritage-rich past of the island. Phuket Town lies on the southeastern coast of the island on a picturesque bay.

The architecture reflects the influence of Chinese and Portuguese immigrants, providing an interesting contrast to the more traditional Thai style seen elsewhere.

Make sure you stroll through the streets of Old Phuket Town, with its well-preserved shop-houses, Sino-Portuguese style colloquial buildings, Thai and Chinese temples and shrines.

Other things to do in town include sampling some street food at Phuket Weekend Market and paying your respects at the Jui Tui Shrine, a colorful Chinese temple, or at Wat Naka Ram, a Buddhist temple.

Stop for lunch at Gluay Nam Wa Restaurant, a great option for a delicious and authentic Thai meal in a very friendly atmosphere.

Wat Chalong

Not far from Phuket Town is the stunning Wat Chalong, one of the largest, most popular, and arguably the most beautiful temples in Phuket. The intricate detailing all over its exterior will leave you in awe. The temple is covered in gold and ornate decorations.

It is dedicated to two highly respected monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. The pagoda walls features murals depicting images from the Buddha’s life story. As you wander through the complex, notice the many golden buddhas in various poses.

As in any other temples throughout Thailand, make sure you dress respectfully; no shoes allowed inside the temple, and women must cover their shoulders and knees.

Patong Beach

Spend the remainder of your afternoon and your evening at Patong Beach, by far the most popular beach in Phuket. You may not be able to find a quiet spot on Patong, but you’ll find plenty of shopping and activity to keep you entertained.

Its sandy, crescent beach is lined with cafes, restaurants and bars. The famous nightlife scene features beer bars, go-go bars, nightclubs, massage parlors and cabarets that overflow into the street along the pulsing neon-lit Bangla Road.

DAY 3: Take a day trip to Phang Nga Bay / Kayak through sea caves / Visit James Bond Island / Enjoy the Sunset

A leisurely day trip cruising through Phang Nga Bay’s dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches is a must do while in Phuket. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just two of the more famous spots in this bay.

Spend the whole day exploring sea caves, and kayaking around the bay. Discover the unique karst formations and green mangrove forests. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery and having an unforgetable time.

Phang Nga Bay

The uninhabited Phang Nga National Marine Park is famous for its emerald waters, forty rocky islands, and classic karst vistas; is a great place for boating, kayaking, snorkeling and swimming. The interesting limestone cliffs create a picturesque backdrop, and its waters are mostly calm year-round.

Phang Nga Bay is a hot tourist destination and a popular day trip from Phuket. It holds the largest remaining primary mangrove forests in all of Thailand, and is home to an abundant wildlife including reptiles, amphibians, and over two-hundred species of mammals.

Koh Hong

Soon, we were pulling up to the first of the sea caves we’d set out to explore. Our first stop was the popular Koh Hong (aka “Hong Island”), a circle of rocks and limestone cliffs plunged into the sea surrounding the lagoon. Hongs (“Rooms” in Thai) that lie inside of these caves, are like microcosms, hidden realms rich in unspoiled flora and fauna, surrounded by towering limestone walls.

The entrance to the caves is by canoes only, accompanied by professional guides that emphasize safety. Each guest or couple were partnered with a personal paddle guide for the day. The tour is timed carefully to the tides, so the water won’t flood the caves and seal the lagoon.

Only a professional could paddle these sturdy fiberglass canoes through these caves into the mysterious heart of Hong Island. Some entrances were so tight, that we had to completely lay down flat in the kayak to get through. Nevertheless, it was a fascinating and unforgetable experience.

James Bond Island

Khao Phing Kan (aka “James Bond Island”) along with Khao Ta Pu (aka “Nail Island”), a mushroom-shaped rock as its signature rocky pinnacle, has been a major attraction since it was featured in the 1974 The Man with the Golden Gun movie.

As part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park, James Bond Island is a protected marine area, so boats aren’t allowed to get too close to the island. The entire area surrounding this island is indeed spectacular.

It’s always crowded with tourists, so it’s best to get there as early as possible to get to the perfect photo spots.

Koh Panyee

Mostly made up of huge and almost vertical limestone cliffs, Koh Panyee (which in Thai means “Island of the Flag”) is a small island community in Phang Nga province. Koh Panyee is a remarkable village – it’s built out over the water on stilts, with a giant rock monolith guarding its rear.

At first, fishing was the sole industry for this Muslim community. Nowadays, about half the locals service the tourism industry and the rest are still fisherman.

Lunch on Board

Back on the boat, you can refuel with a delicious buffet lunch and refreshments. The lunch offering was impressive. Buffet Lunch served on board included a variety of Thai options and lots of fresh fruit. Everything was delicious, nothing too spicy.

Koh Lawa Yai

Koh Lawa Yai (aka “Lawa Island”) is the last stop before heading back to the Phuket pier. We have spent over an hour on this beautiful island.

After lunch, you can kayak on your own on the calm waters of Lawa Island, swim in the warm, shallow bay or just stretch out on the quiet sandy beach. A perfect way to end this amazing day tour at Phang Nga Bay.

Sunset in Phuket

The best way to end a long weekend in Phuket is by indulging in a beautiful sunset. Phuket has some pretty spectacular sunsets. With a string of some fantastic sandy beaches lining on its west coast, finding a good spot to watch the sunset in Phuket is easy.

Some of the best beach spots to catch the sunset in Phuket are the beaches of Surin, Bangtao, Mai Khao, Kata and Karon.

To me Surin Beach had a superb sunset viewing spot. Located just a few kilometers north of Kamala, Surin Beach is a great spot for those who like to combine their sunset view while either sinking their toes into its soft sands or enjoying a delicious cocktail, with a string of restaurants and beach clubs to choose from.

By witnessing the beauty and awe of the sunset, you can slow down your perception of time. Sunsets are proof that no matter what happen, any day can end beautifully!

As you came to Phuket for spending the best time of your life, taking the time to watch the sunset is the best way to end your weekend holiday in this beautiful island.