Patong Beach
The loud one. Every water sport, every shop, and never a quiet moment.
- Crowds
- Busiest
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; rip currents May to Oct
PatongMap
Explore Phuket — guides, beaches and things to book
HALALGuide
Best halal food in Phuket
Including Bang Tao and Laguna, which most guides skip
ADVENTUREBook it
Erawan Seaview Zipline & ATV
5.0 rated · 4h · Hotel pickup
MICHELINGuide
Michelin cheap eats in Phuket
The 2026 Bib Gourmand list, and what it means if you eat halal
WATERBook it
Jet Ski Adventure
4.9 rated · 3.5h · Hotel pickup
PRAYERGuide
Mosques and prayer in Phuket
Where to pray in every area you are likely to stay
RAMADANGuide
Ramadan in Phuket
The dates, where iftar actually happens, and what changes
Best of PhuketTop rated by travellers
See all →Erawan Seaview Zipline & ATV
5.0(3)·4h
AED 111/person
Jet Ski Adventure
4.9(3)·3.5h
AED 686/jet ski
Siam Niramit
4.8(3)
AED 194/person
ATV on Tour
4.7(3)
AED 111/person
INDIGO Luxury Yacht
4.7(3)·8h
AED 498/person
Phuket FantaSea
4.4(3)·5h
AED 177/person
Andamanda Water Park
4.3(3)
AED 166/person
James Bond Island Big Boat
4.3(3)·9h
AED 155/person
Where to goBeaches, islands, viewpoints
See all →
8 places
Quiet beaches away from the crowds
Where to go when Patong and Kata are full
Phuket's best viewpoints
Which ones are worth it, and when to actually turn up
6 places
Which island trip is worth it
Phi Phi, James Bond and the rest, honestly compared
1 places
Phuket with kids
Calmer beaches, indoor days out, and one real warning
7 places
Temples, landmarks and what to wear
The Big Buddha, Wat Chalong and the rules nobody tells you
6 places
The beachesBusiest to quietest
Karon Beach
Patong's space and sand without Patong's noise. The sand squeaks underfoot.
- Crowds
- Busy
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; steep drop-off, low-season surf
KaronMap
Kata Beach
Calm water in high season, surf lessons in low, and a town behind it.
- Crowds
- Busy
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; surf break May to Oct
KataMap
Kata Noi Beach
Kata's smaller sister. One road in, so the crowd never really builds.
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; small bay, clear water
KataMap
Nai Harn Beach
Locals' favourite. A lagoon behind it, hills around it, and deep water.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; deep, not a shore break
RawaiMap
Ya Nui Beach
A tiny cove below the windmill. Snorkel gear is worth carrying down.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; rocks at both ends
RawaiMap
Bang Tao Beach
Six kilometres of sand. Beach clubs at one end, near-empty at the other.
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; long open bay
Bang TaoMap
Layan Beach
The quiet northern tip of Bang Tao, with a lagoon and far fewer people.
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; calmer in high season
Bang TaoMap
For familiesKids welcome
See all →On the waterIslands and jet skis
See all →Where to eatMichelin value and the halal map
See all →
Where to eat at sunset
West coast for the sunset, east coast for the bay — both, honestly
8 places
What actually changed in Phuket this year
Flights, hotels and rules — each one dated and sourced
Read guide
Massage and spas in Phuket
What an hour actually costs, from shophouse to garden villa
5 places
Night markets, by the night they are on
Pick the market by the day of the week, not by the map
10 places
Phuket's malls, and what each one is for
Every real mall on the island, with ratings and the honest verdict
7 places
Before you flyVisa, season, costs, scams, what to pack
- 1Thailand visa rules right nowWhat changed, what has not, and what GCC passports get
- 2When to come, and what the sea is doingDry season, wet season, and the months nobody warns you about
- 3The scams, and how they actually workJet skis, taxi meters, rental deposits and fake fees
- 4SIM cards, taxis and moneyThe three things that cost you most in the first hour
- 5What a day in Phuket actually costsBuilt up from sourced prices, not a guess at a daily total
- 6What to pack, and what to leaveA short list — most of the rest is cheaper once you land
- 7When it rains, and it willThe days out that do not need the sky to cooperate
19Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants on the island — 13 cash only, 1 with halal optionsMichelin cheap eats
30days visa-free once the new rule is published. Approved, not yet law — all GCC passports keep entryThailand visa rules
6mosques covering every area visitors stay in, from Patong to Bang TaoMosques and prayer
What changed this monthRules, closures, openings
Thailand is cutting visa-free stays to 30 days
For a one or two week Phuket holiday this changes nothing — but fill in the free TDAC before you fly, because that one does catch people.
Saudia is flying direct to Phuket again
Eleven hours, no connection, three times a week from both Riyadh and Jeddah — and for now you still land on a 60-day stamp.
Phuket now has 19 Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants
You can eat award-listed food here for the price of a sandwich at home — but bring cash, and if you eat halal, check the halal guide instead.
Maya Bay closes on 1 August
Book a Phi Phi trip in August or September and you will see the islands from the water, but you will not set foot on Maya Bay.
AreasWhere to base yourself
All areas →Pin positions from real coordinates. Island outline is stylised.
- PatongEverything within walking distance and none of it quiet. Best if you want shops, water sports and nightlife on your doorstep.
- Phuket TownSino-Portuguese shophouses, the island's best cheap eating, and the only genuinely walkable part of Phuket. Sunday night the main street closes for a food market.
- Karon BeachThree kilometres of wide sand, so it never feels as full as Patong. The shore drops off sharply — watch the flags in low season.
- ChalongNot a beach area — this is where the boats leave from. Most island and diving trips depart Chalong pier early in the morning.
- Kata BeachThe all-rounder: a deep bay rather than a shore break, a proper town behind the sand, and the island's main surf break from May to October.
- RawaiA working Muslim fishing village on the southern tip. Buy seafood off the ice at the market and hand it to a stall to cook.
All activities
11 activities in Phuket
Erawan Seaview Zipline & ATV
5.0(3)·4h
FromAED 111/person
Excludes 3% processing feeJet Ski Adventure
4.9(3)·3.5h
FromAED 686/jet ski
Excludes 3% processing feeSiam Niramit
4.8(3)
FromAED 194/person
Excludes 3% processing feeATV on Tour
4.7(3)
FromAED 111/person
Excludes 3% processing feeINDIGO Luxury Yacht
4.7(3)·8h
FromAED 498/person
Excludes 3% processing feePhuket FantaSea
4.4(3)·5h
FromAED 177/person
Excludes 3% processing feeAndamanda Water Park
4.3(3)
FromAED 166/person
Excludes 3% processing feeJames Bond Island Big Boat
4.3(3)·9h
FromAED 155/person
Excludes 3% processing fee
D-Day Lounge Catamaran
4.2(3)
FromAED 299/person
Excludes 3% processing fee
Blue Phoenix Fishing & Boat Trip
4.1(3)
FromAED 188/person
Excludes 3% processing fee
Carnival Magic
New
FromAED 194/person
Excludes 3% processing feeFree cancellation up to 48hSecure payment24/7 supportVISAMastercardPaystripe