21 best things To do in Phuket, Thailand

a lot of travellers to Thailand dedicate a good portion of their trip to exploring the country’s lots of islands. When it pertains to the Thai islands, Phuket is a top choice — beaches, waterfalls, markets, an old town, there are lots of things to do in Phuket to keep you busy!

Not only is Phuket the largest island in Thailand, but it’s also checked out by around one-third of all international visitors to the country. It’s also the only island in Thailand to be connected to the mainland by not one, but two bridges — Sarasin (which is used for pedestrian traffic) and Thepkasattri, which is used for motor vehicles.

On such a large and popular island, it must come as no surprise that there are plenty of fun things to do in Phuket. Whether you’re trying to find some R&R, adventure, or just to let your hair down and party, you’ll find it in Phuket. There’s so much going on here that you could max out your vacationer visa just exploring this one island.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys lounging on stunning beaches, partaking in a variety of water sports, or indulging in culinary and nightlife scenes, you’ll love the activities in Phuket. It’s absolutely one of the top places to visit in Thailand. 

With so much going on, planning a trip to Phuket can be a little intimidating. never concern — I’ve compiled a solid list of the 21 best things to do in Phuket for you to make life easier!

Table of Contents
1. beach Bumming
2. visit the big Buddha
3. Go Diving or Snorkeling
4. wander around the night Markets
5. excursion a Rum Distillery
6. Day trip to Phang Nga Bay
7. visit the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary 
8. Go temple Hopping
9. take in the Views
10. join a Thai cooking class (one of the top things to do in Phuket for foodies)
11. Partake in the Nightlife
12. Go Island Hopping
13. Monkey service on Toh Sae Hill
14. explore Phuket Town
15. Water sports Galore
16. See An outstanding Cabaret Show
17. treat yourself at The Spa
18. Experience Muay Thai
19. Dine at a Floating Restaurant
20. Go Chasing Waterfalls
21. visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Now You know What To do in Phuket!

1. beach Bumming

Before we get into all the things to do and places to visit in Phuket, let’s start out with a classic island holiday activity — beach bumming! On this huge island, you’ve got tons of choices for dipping your toes in the sand. but first, you’ll want to make sure you know which beaches come recommended and which ones are best avoided. 

With the explosive development of Phuket’s coastline in recent decades, lots of beaches are well past their glory days. In my opinion, Patong Beach, in particular, must be avoided. Unless you like being bombarded with touts and nearly run over by jet skis, I’d encourage you to give Patong a hard pass.

Now that we’ve gotten the bad news out-of-the-way, let’s step on to the good! despite its popularity, Phuket is still home to several pristine, hidden beaches. With a little bit of effort, you’re rewarded with postcard-worthy beaches that are devoid of chain hotels and pushy vendors. 

I could put together a whole guide on the beaches of Phuket – and maybe I will – but for now, here’s a quick list of some of the best beaches which feature a lot more picturesque appeal and less crowds: Ya Nui, Laem Singh, Pleumsuk, Nai Han Beach, Karon Beach, and Naiyang Beach. all of these are exceptional choices.

2. visit the big Buddha

One of the most revered landmarks in Phuket is the big Buddha. This 45-meter tall Buddha is made of white marble and can be seen from lots of points on the island. As it’s located atop the highest height of Nakkerd Hills, you can take pleasure in some extraordinary panoramic views from here as well.

The big Buddha is one of the top Phuket attractions. If you really want to see the place bustling with activity, time your visit on one of the lots of Buddhist holidays that are celebrated in Thailand. 

It’s complimentary to visit the big Buddha, but lots of people choose to make a donation to receive a small white tile that you can write a message on.

You can get yourself here on a motorbike if you’re an experienced rider. The road up is windy and steep, so you may just want to get a taxi or sign up for a tour. try to get here early in the morning or around sunset to beat the heat and crowds. check out this highly-rated excursion which takes in lots of of the popular sights around Phuket, including the big Buddha.

Address: ยอดเขานาคเกิด Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 

Hours: 6:00am – 7:00pm Monday to Sunday

Entrance: Free

Tours: check out thishalf-day excursion which takes in lots of sights around Phuket, including the big Buddha

3. Go Diving or Snorkeling

When it pertains to the best things to do in Phuket for couples, families or solo travellers, it’s all about getting in the water. There are some exceptional opportunities for both scuba divers and snorkelers alike here.

On lots of of the beaches in Phuket, you can simply rent a mask, snorkel, and fins to DIY. Alternatively, you can sign up for a excursion to hit a few different spots and take pleasure in a day out at sea.

There are several dive shops in Phuket where you can sign up for a course if you’re not already certified. once you’re ready to go, there are tons of world-class dive sites at your fingertips. With clear blue waters and an abundance of marine life, Phuket is one of the best places on the globe to go diving. 

If you really want a superior snorkeling/diving experience, consider tacking on a trip out to the Similan Islands. Liveaboard trips depart from Phuket regularly to this extraordinary national park, which is considered to be the best dive site in all of Thailand. 

After diving in Phuket for a while, why not check out the underwater scene on the other side of the country? Koh Tao is another world-famous diving destination, so be sure to add it to your Thailand travel plan as well.

4. wander around the night Markets

Back on land, there are still plenty of great things to do in Phuket. The island boasts several fantastic night markets that make for the best place to spend a casual evening out and about. 

One of the coolest choices is absolutely the Chillva Market, which makes use of colourful shipping containers as storefronts. Whether you’re shopping for souvenirs or just seeking to dig into some tasty Thai street food, you’ll take pleasure in a stroll around. checking out the markets is one of the top things to do in Phuket at night. 

Address: 141/2 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town

Hours: 4-11PM Thursday-Saturday

Entrance: Free 

5. excursion a Rum Distillery

While Chang beer is great and all, once in a while it’s great to drink something different in Thailand. That’s where a trip to the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery comes in. Distilled from 100% pure sugarcane, this tasty white rum is just what you need when you get sick of watered-down beer!

Tours of the distillery run every day on the hour from 2-6PM. The cost is 450 Baht ($14.50) and includes a tasting plus a yummy mojito at the end. Click here for tickets.

They also run an awesome cocktail workshop on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday where you learn how to make three different drinks in addition to the guided visit of the distillery. This is one of the top places to visit in Phuket when it rains. learn a lot more about the cocktail workshop here.

Address: 14/2 Moo 2, Palai soi 2, Tambon Chalong, Amphur Muang Phuket

Hours: From 11AM-11PM daily

Cost: excursions are 450 THB ($14.50 USD) Click here to get your tickets ahead of time

6. Day trip to Phang Nga Bay

When travelling in Phuket, a day trip out to Phang Nga Bay is an absolute must. These sensational limestone cliffs that jut out of the sea are well worth the time and effort to reach.

If they look familiar, that’s probably because you’ve seen them in the James Bond film “The man With the golden Gun.” thanks to its starring role in the 007 film, one of the rock formations has even been dubbed James Bond Island. The bay also appeared in “Star Wars: Episode III” as the backdrop for the planet Kashyyyk.

How cool is that?!

Most people visit Phang Nga Bay on a excursion out of Phuket. excursions normally include stops at a few islands as well as a bit of snorkeling and kayaking. There are tons of options for excursions depending on your budget and tastes. You can even book a luxury sunset cruise if you really want to live it up!

7. visit the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary 

There’s no doubt that Thailand has a major problem with animal tourism, especially when it pertains to the country’s national animal. Elephants all across the country have been extremely abused for tourism and logging purposes over the years, but thankfully things are starting to change as a lot more people are standing up against this and wanting to make a difference when they travel.

Best of all, you can be a part of it here in Phuket!

Paying a visit to one of the elephant sanctuaries is absolutely one of the most satisfying things to do in Phuket. here you can interact with the peaceful pachyderms in an ethical way as you learn a lot more about them. There is absolutely no elephant riding going on here, and that’s a good thing.

While there are a few places to visit in Phuket that offer elephant “sanctuaries”, two that come highly recommended are the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and Tree Tops Elephant Reserve. Note: Many places are impersonating these ethical companies. make sure you are choosing a legit company that does not allow bathing the elephants, as this stresses out the animals.

At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, you can even volunteer for several days if you’re interested. Taking care of elephants is also one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai. 

8. Go temple Hopping

Once in a while, you need to leave your beach chair and go do something cultural! One great option for a dose of Thai culture is a day of temple hopping. As is the case all across Thailand, Phuket is home to several different Buddhist temples. 

The a lot of crucial and a lot of sensational Buddhist temple on the island is absolutely Wat Chalong. There’s a lot to see in this massive complex, with the highlight being the glittering Grand Pagoda. It’s said that the pagoda houses a splinter from a bone of Buddha himself. 

Address: Wat Chalong is located about 8km from Phuket Town. Click here for directions.

Hours: It’s open from 7AM-5PM every day.

Note: Be sure to wear modest clothes when checking out this and any other Buddhist temple in Thailand. save those neon singlets for the full Moon Party.   

SEE ALSO: Ayutthaya historical Park: A guide for Travellers

9. take in the Views

To genuinely admire the appeal of Phuket, you’ll want to head to one of the island’s lots of viewpoints. On this rather hilly island, there are plenty of places where you can take pleasure in some extraordinary panoramic views. 

In addition to the big Buddha, some of the best places to get an elevated perspective on Phuket include Promthep Cape at the southern idea of the island, the Karon viewpoint near the beach of the same name, and Rang hill in Phuket Town. Be sure to come hungry if you visit the latter so you can stick around to dine at the Tunk-Ka Cafe. 

10. join a Thai cooking class (one of the top things to do in Phuket for foodies)

One of the best things to do in Phuket (and Thailand in general) is to indulge in the country’s mouth-watering cuisine. While you’re here, why not try your hand at making it yourself? There are tons of exceptional cooking classes you can sign up for in Phuket so you can bring that tasty Thai food home with you!

I can’t tell you how lots of times I’ve had a longing for Thai food in places where it’s just impossible to find. By learning how to cook a few dishes yourself, you’ll never have to go without it again. You can also impress your friends by throwing a sweet dinner party and blowing their minds with your new skills.

There are plenty of great choices for cooking schools in Phuket. A couple that are highly recommended include cooking class By Tony and Phuket Thai Cookery School. Both include a trip to the local market to purchase ingredients, and vegetarian options are available. 

11. Partake in the Nightlife

If you like to party, then you’ve come to the ideal place! Phuket has some pretty epic nightlife regardless of what night of the week it is. From elegant cocktail lounges, to chilled out reggae bars, to pulsating discos, you can find it all on this Thai island.

Most of the action after dark goes on in Patong on Bangla Road. This place is like Khao San road in Bangkok on steroids. It can be a little intense (and absolutely seedy), but it’s worth checking out at least