Travel in Phuket - Our Beaches, Food and Adventure Guide

A Buddha statue among the cliffs at Nai Harn

Phuket is located on the south west coast of Thailand and is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque places to visit in South East Asia. On the trip described in this account, we spent 10 days there and of all the places we have visited around the world this has to be in our top 5 holiday destinations.

Fortunately, we made connections that made our experiences even more memorable therefore, we want to pass on this knowledge onto our readers. What we will cover in this guide to our Phuket trip:

• The best places to visit in Phuket for couples

• Where to stay in Phuket?

• What to eat in Phuket?

• Adventure activities in Phuket

• Surfing in Phuket

• Kitesurfing in Phuket, 

• Coworking spaces in Phuket

Best places to visit in phuket for couples

For us, Phuket was one of the most romantic getaway destinations we had been to where you can relax by an infinity pool, looking at the best nature has to offer and sipping on your favourite cocktails. Not only this, Phuket can cater to almost any budget with affordable accommodation options through to the more exquisite luxury experience. 

Kamala Beach

One of the best places to visit in Phuket for couples is the Kamala Beach area. Located only 30 minutes from the airport, this part of the island is known for its beautiful beaches, as well as its range of restaurants and shops. For accommodation, check the exact beach location before booking: Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is at Karon Beach, not Kamala.

Patong

Patong is located approximately 1 hour south of Phuket international airport and although it has the reputation of being the party capital of Phuket, you can still find tranquility, beauty and luxury for those who want a romantic getaway. We chose to stay at Lubd, a young vibrant hotel which was a pleasant surprise considering it was tagged for backpackers. Conveniently located next door to the Coffee Club (and only 200m from the beach front). The private rooms far exceeded our expectations and we were treated like royalty. 

Nai Harn

For couples looking for a more secluded setting, the Nai Harn Beach area is a great option. This part of the island offers beautiful beaches, as well as a range of outdoor activities, beach volleyball, and surfboard hire. The Nai Harn Beach Resort is a popular choice for couples, with an amazing bar for sunset cocktails. Further up the road, you can find the very romantic and secluded Baan Krathing Phuket Resort.

Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands are a group of small islands located in the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Phuket in southern Thailand. The islands are known for their beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning natural beauty and an absolute must for anyone visiting Phuket!

The largest and most developed of the Phi Phi Islands is Phi Phi Don. This island is home to the main town and port, where you can find a range of accommodation, dining, and shopping options. Maya Bay, made famous by the film "The Beach", is on the separate island of Phi Phi Leh. Check national park access and restrictions before booking an excursion.

We stayed at the HIP Seaview Resort which was nestled right on the point with an unobstructed view of Phi Phi Don (this place was perfect for a peaceful and romantic getaway, far away from the party side of Phi Phi).

HIP Seaview Resort offered an unrivalled view of Phi Phi Don

The other main island in the Phi Phi archipelago is Phi Phi Leh. This island is uninhabited, except for a small National Park ranger station, and is known for its stunning natural beauty. The island is home to several beautiful beaches, including Loh Samah Bay and Pileh Lagoon, as well as a variety of wildlife, including monkeys and sea turtles.

Getting to and from Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands are accessible for day trips from Phuket, with many tour operators offering boat trips to the islands. To maximize your experience we recommend staying a minimum of 3 nights. The islands are a perfect place for scuba diving, with many dive sites in the area offering great visibility and a variety of marine life.

Where to stay in Phuket

Phuket has such a wide variety of accommodation options it's no wonder it is a popular destination among travelers. Our own stays described here were at Lub d in Patong and HIP Seaview Resort on Phi Phi Don. Check current facilities and availability directly before booking; hotel names and management can change.

What to eat in Phuket

It goes without saying, Thailand is known for its delicious cuisine and Phuket delivers a range of dishes that showcase the fresh seafood and flavours of southern Thailand. Below are some of our favourite dishes to add to your food adventures whilst in Phuket:

Visit the Rawai beachside street stalls for authentic Thai and the best view!

1. Tom yum: A very typical a spicy soup that is a staple of Thai cuisine. Mostly with prawns, but sometimes with chicken

2. Pla pao: There is so much fresh fish in Thailand what better way to try grilled fish marinated in herbs and spices and wrapped in banana leaves

3. Pad Thai: The most popular noodle dish in Thailand. Made with rice noodles, shrimp, eggs, and peanuts (if you visit Phi Phi you have to find ONLY NOODLES, there is no website, or social media, just google)

4. Gaeng keow wan gai (aka green curry): A fragrant curry dish with chicken, eggplant, and bamboo shoots

5. Massuman curry: Another favourite among westerners for its mild and sweet curry flavours. Typically beef and potatoes in a curry sauce served with rice. 

6. Moo manao: a refreshing dish of sliced pork with lime juice and chili peppers

7. Tod mun pla: Thai fish cakes made with red curry paste and served with a sweet chili sauce

8. Gai tod: fried chicken that is marinated in herbs and spices and served with a tangy dipping sauce

9. Kanom jeen: fermented rice noodles served with a variety of curry sauces and toppings

10. Khanom khrok: small, sweet coconut pancakes that are a popular street food in Phuket.

Dont be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone! Some of our most favourite meals where served on the side of the street!

Adventure activities in Phuket

Phuket also has a wide range of adrenaline inducing activities for the more adventurous traveler. Here are some of the best adventure activities available in Phuket:

A bodyboarder making the most of the smaller swell in Nai Harn

1. Surfing: Phuket is known to have some great surfing spots, with waves that are suitable for beginners and experienced surfers alike (more details below). 

2. Kitesurfing: Depending on the time of year, kitesurfing in Phuket is possible and there are many kite schools to choose from (more details below). 

3. Paragliding: There is  the option for paragliding in Phuket, just outside of Nai Harn, check out https://paraglidingphuket.com/ 

4. Rock climbing: Phuket has many great spots for rock climbing, with routes for climbers of all levels.

5. Ziplining: zip through the treetops of Phuket's forests and enjoy breathtaking views of the island.

6. Kayaking: explore Phuket's coastline and discover hidden coves and beaches by kayak.

7. Scuba diving: Phuket is home to many beautiful dive sites, where you can see a variety of marine life.

8. Snorkeling: snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Phuket's beaches and see a variety of colorful fish and coral.

9. ATV tours: explore the jungle and countryside of Phuket on an ATV adventure tour.

10. Jungle trekking: discover the hidden beauty of Phuket's forests on a guided trek.

Overall, there are many exciting adventure activities to try in Phuket. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or just looking for a unique way to explore the island, there's plenty of adventure activities in Phuket that will satisfy your need for action! 

Kitesurfing in Phuket

Phuket is not the first destination that comes to mind when seeking out kitesurfing locations. However, we were pleasantly surprised with the amount of kiteschools on the island. 

We did not get to fly our kites on this trip: the wind arrived as we were heading to the airport. Ask a local school about the right location for the wind direction, launch restrictions, rescue cover and your level before planning a session. Our visit does not establish which Phuket beaches are suitable for beginners.

For places where we did get on the water, see our kitesurfing travel stories.

Surfing in Phuket

Phuket is typically not a surfers destination when compared to some other South East Asian surf spots. However, there are many surfing expats that have called Phuket home and have found a break to satisfy their needs.

Local surf school Saltwater Dreaming identifies May to October as the usual surf season on Phuket’s west coast. Conditions vary day to day. FCDO advice warns about strong currents and urges visitors to obey beach warning flags.

Here are some surf spots in Phuket:

Kata Beach:

Located on the west coast of Phuket, Kata Beach is probably the most recognised surf spots in Phuket as this is where the surfing community began. You can also rent boards from the beach if your just dropping in (pardon the pun)

Nai Harn Beach:

Located in the south of Phuket, Nai Harn Beach is a little more challenging than Kata Beach, with faster, more powerful waves. This spot is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers.

Kamala Beach:

Is popular for tourists and surfers alike. There are some beginner beach breaks but more importantly, there are some rocky reef breaks for the more experienced surfer. 

Surin Beach:

If you're into sucky shorebreaks (bodyboarders) then this might be the ideal surf spot for you. The headlands might offer some more point break style waves when the conditions are right!

All in all, Phuket has a variety of surf spots to wet the whistle. With a little planning and the right conditions, you may find a wave that suits your ability.

Co-working Spaces in Phuket

Thailand is widely known for its remote work lifestyle with the majority of digital nomads flocking to Chiang Mai on the mainland. However, for those who prefer the chilled vibes by the beach (or the party scenes after dusk) then Phuket shapes up to be a pretty good place for coworking!

We stayed at Lub d in Patong. Its official coworking page provides a starting point for checking work facilities. Ask about access, opening hours and suitability for calls before relying on a hotel as your office.

For any remote-work stay, confirm workspace access and connection quality directly with your accommodation or coworking provider. Facilities may have changed since our trip.

Phuket - In Summary

We absolutely loved our time in Phuket. It's affordable. It’s stunning. It’s fun. It’s relaxing. Whatever you need out of a vacation or a travel destination, Phuket has you covered!

Is there something missing from this guide? Let us know! Chances are we just forgot to include it!