Thailand's largest island has white-sand beaches along the Andaman Sea, with water temperatures around 29°C year-round. Local markets sell fresh seafood and handmade batik fabrics.
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, stretches along the Andaman Sea. Swim at Kata Beach where the water temperature stays around 29°C year-round, or climb to the 45-meter-high Big Buddha statue overlooking the southern coastline. In Phuket Town, join locals at the Weekend Night Market where vendors cook fresh seafood and sell handmade crafts. Take a boat through Phang Nga Bay to see limestone cliffs rising 300 meters above the water. The island's Chinese heritage comes alive during October's Vegetarian Festival, when participants walk on hot coals and pierce their cheeks at shrines like Jui Tui and Bang Neow.
Swimming Safety at Phuket's Beaches
Look for safety flags and follow lifeguard instructions on Phuket's west coast beaches. Red flags mean no swimming allowed, while yellow flags indicate moderate waves and currents. The calmest swimming conditions occur between November and April. Mai Khao Beach in the north has fewer swimmers than Kata and Patong beaches in the south.
Getting Around Phuket
Tuk-tuks wait on most street corners for short trips, charging higher rates than mainland Thailand. Songthaews (local buses) run regular routes between Phuket Town and main beach areas. Rent a motorbike or car to reach viewpoints like Promthep Cape or Radar Hill, but expect steep mountain roads and congested traffic near Patong and Kata beaches.
Buddhist Temples and Chinese Shrines
The white Burmese marble Big Buddha sits 45 meters above the Nakkerd Hills, with views extending to Kata Bay and Chalong Bay. Inside Wat Chalong's three-story pagoda, a glass case contains a splinter of Buddha's bone. The temple walls show paintings of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. In Phuket Town, the Jui Tui and Bang Neow shrines fill with incense smoke and worshippers during the Vegetarian Festival each October.
Markets and Local Food
The Weekend Night Market in Phuket Town spreads across several blocks with stalls cooking som tam (papaya salad) and tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup). Local vendors sell batik prints, carved wooden elephants, and fresh coconut oil. At Banzaan Fresh Market in Patong, fish merchants auction their morning catch from 5 AM, while fruit sellers stack pyramids of durian, mangosteen, and rambutan.
Day Trips to Nearby Islands
Speedboats make the 45-minute journey to Phi Phi Islands multiple times daily. In Phang Nga Bay, limestone karsts rise 300 meters from green-tinted water. Koh Tapu, nicknamed James Bond Island after its appearance in "The Man with the Golden Gun," draws photographers. Tour boats stop at snorkeling spots near Koh Kai Nok and Koh Panyee floating village.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
The dry season runs from November to April, while the wet season spans May to October. Temperatures range between 25°C and 32°C throughout the year. Afternoon rain showers last 1-2 hours during wet season. The dry season brings sunshine and calm seas. December and January see the highest accommodation rates and largest crowds.
