Phuket Island Attractions

What to See and Do!

Bang Pae is located in the central part of the island. The falls spill about 40 feet into a charming swimming area.

Chalong Temple enshrines the gilt statues of two revered monks : Luang Poh Cham and Luang Poh Chuang.

Phra Thong Temple is famous for a half-buried Buddha unearthed by a farmer mourning his son who died at the site.

Phra Nang Sang Temple is located in Thalang. This old monastery houses three 1,000-year-old bronze Buddha images concealed in the middle of 3 other bigger ones.

Phuket Aquarium, in the area of Cape Panwa, is open to public everyday.

Thalang Museum has an interesting collection of Phuket relics.

Small islets around Phuket such as Coral Island, Dokmai Island, Lone Island, Kaeo Phitsadan Island etc. offer excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. Also Naka Island with unspoilt natural beauty and a pearl farm.

Sports Apart from jogging, tennis at major hotels and golf at Surin Beach,' Phuket's major sporting opportunities are found at major beaches. They include: Windsurfing is available at all major beaches. Boards may be rented by the hour, half-day, full day or week.

Tuition from expert Thai teachers is free. Sailing is available largely at Patong and Kata beaches. Toppers and dingies are available at Patong. Catamaran Hobie Cats and Top Cats are available at Kata. Water Skiing is available at Patong on a half-hour or hourly basis.

Deep Sea Fishing tours are available on a daily basis, making early morning departures and late afternoon returns, mostly to lesser islands to fish for red snappers, rainbow runners and other game fish.

Swimming can be enjoyed all the year round and is mostly safe. Undertows can be problematic during the Rains Season. It is best to seek the advice of local people regarding swimming conditions. snorkelling can be enjoyed in sheltered bays all around Phuket, and is particularly enjoyable at easily accessible reefs at Patong, Karon and Kata beaches.. Fins, mask and snorkel can be rented on a daily basis from shops all over the island.

Scuba diving expeditions regularly leave Phuket for dives around offshore islands, and further afield, most particularly around the enduringly popular Phi Phi islands, some 3 hours east of Phuket, and the Similan islands, some 110 kilometres Northwest of Phuket. Several dive shops concentrated in the Patong area have expatriate and English-speaking dive instructors who offer inexpensive beginner's courses. All diving equipment is available for hire.