Checked · 10 min read · 13 places · 30 sources
The short answer: start with two slow beach days, put the two boat days in the middle of the week, and leave the Old Town and the shopping for the end. Boats are cancelled when the sea is bad, so keep the jungle day and the water day free to swap with them.
Every place and trip below is from a guide or a trip page on this site, so each day links to the detail.
At a glance
- Boat days
- Day 3 and Day 4 — if the sea is bad, swap one with Day 5 or Day 6
- Slow days
- Day 1, Day 2 and Day 7
- No entry fee
- Promthep Cape, Karon Viewpoint, the Big Buddha and Phuket Old Town
- Getting around
- Grab or Bolt — the price is agreed in the app
- If it rains
- Swap the day with Day 7 — rain comes in bursts, rarely all day
13 places
Listed in the order we would work through them.
13 places
Kata Beach
Kata
Calm water in high season, surf lessons in low, and a town behind it.
The all-rounder: calm water through most of the high season, a proper little town behind it, and Phuket's main surf break from roughly May to October when board hire and lessons appear along the sand. Busy but never Patong-busy.
- Crowds
- Busy, calmer than Patong
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; surf break May to Oct
- Facilities
- Sunbeds, food and surf hire
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabKaron Beach
Karon
Patong's space and sand without Patong's noise. The sand squeaks underfoot.
Three kilometres long and much wider than Patong, so even on a busy day you can put your towel down away from everyone. The sand famously squeaks underfoot. The shore drops off sharply in places and the surf builds in low season.
- Crowds
- Busy but wide enough to spread out
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; steep drop-off, low-season surf
- Facilities
- Sunbeds and food along the road
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabPromthep Cape
Rawai · Price: Cheap
The island's sunset headline. Go early or you will park a long way down.
The postcard sunset spot at the island's southern tip, with a lighthouse, a shrine and a very large car park that still fills. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset or you will park far down the hill and walk up in fading light. Free, open around the clock.
- Best time
- Sunset, arrive 30-45 min early
- Entry
- Free, open 24/7
- Getting there
- Easy — car park at the top
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabWindmill Viewpoint
Rawai · Price: Cheap
Quieter than Promthep and the better sunset of the two, if you ask locals.
Just along from Promthep on the Nai Harn road, looking over Ya Nui and the southern capes. Locals will tell you it is the better sunset of the two and it is reliably less crowded. Free, with a short walk from the road.
- Best time
- Sunset
- Entry
- Free
- Getting there
- Easy — short walk from the road
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabKaron Viewpoint
Kata · Price: Cheap
Three bays in one frame. The photo everyone comes back to Phuket with.
The roadside stop on the Kata to Nai Harn road that frames Kata Noi, Kata and Karon bays in one shot. It is the single most photographed view on the island. Free, with parking, and best in early morning or late afternoon when the light softens.
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon
- Entry
- Free
- Getting there
- Easy — roadside stop with parking
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabThe Big Buddha
Chalong · Price: Cheap
A 45m marble Buddha on the ridge, with views over both coasts.
A 45-metre marble Buddha on the Nakkerd ridge, visible from most of southern Phuket. The access road is steep and narrow, so take a taxi or a car rather than a scooter if you are not confident. Shoulders and knees covered; sarongs are lent at the top. Free, donations invited.
- Best time
- Morning, before it gets hot
- Entry
- Free, donations invited
- Getting there
- Easy — steep access road, taxi it
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabNai Harn Beach
Rawai
Locals' favourite. A lagoon behind it, hills around it, and deep water.
The beach Phuket residents actually use at weekends. A freshwater lagoon sits behind it, hills close in on both sides, and the bay is deep rather than a shore break. Parking fills early on Saturday and Sunday.
- Crowds
- Moderate, busier at weekends
- Swimming
- Red flag means out; deep, not a shore break
- Facilities
- Sunbeds and food available
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabPhuket Old Town
Phuket Town · Price: Cheap
Sino-Portuguese shophouses, coffee shops and the island's best street food.
The Sino-Portuguese quarter around Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi Roads: shophouses, coffee shops, street art and the island's best cheap eating. Thalang Road closes to traffic on Sunday evening and becomes a food market. Flat and genuinely walkable, unlike most of Phuket.
- Best time
- Late afternoon, Sunday for the market
- Entry
- Free to walk
- Getting there
- Easy — flat and walkable
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabLard Yai Sunday Walking Street
Phuket Town · Price: Cheap
Thalang Road closes to traffic and the Old Town becomes the market.
The one to build a Sunday around. Thalang Road shuts to cars and the Sino-Portuguese shophouses do the rest. This is where the Phuket specialities are — a-pong coconut pancakes, o-eaw shaved ice, loba — rather than the same fried squid you get everywhere. Sources disagree on the closing time: Phuket 101 says it winds down about 9pm, others say 10. It starts at 4pm and the first two hours are the good ones.
- Which nights
- Sunday only, from 4pm — winds down 9 to 10pm
- What to eat
- A-pong pancakes, o-eaw shaved ice, loba
- Getting there
- Thalang Rd — walk in, the street is closed to cars
Halal: askFamily friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabCentral Phuket
Phuket Town · Price: Mid-range
The island’s biggest mall, and the wet-afternoon fallback. Rated 4.6.
Two connected malls on Vichitsongkram Road just outside Phuket Town — Floresta and Festival. This is the air-conditioned answer to a bad forecast: cinema, food hall, supermarket, and the Aquaria aquarium in the basement of Floresta. Rated 4.6 on Google Maps.
- Best time
- Any time — indoors and air-conditioned
- Entry
- No entry charge; Aquaria ticketed separately
- Getting there
- Easy — big car park, on every ride app
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabJungceylon
Patong · Price: Mid-range
Patong’s mall, a short walk back from the beach. Rated 4.3.
The mall in the middle of Patong, on Rat Uthit Road a few minutes back from the sand. Cinema, chain restaurants, supermarket and a lot of air conditioning. Banzaan fresh market sits directly behind it, which makes the pair a good hour when the beach is not an option. Rated 4.3.
- Best time
- Afternoon, when the beach is too hot or too rough
- Entry
- No entry charge
- Getting there
- Easy — walkable from most of Patong
Family friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabNaka Weekend Market
Phuket Town · Price: Cheap
The biggest and the most chaotic. Weekends only, and it is a lot.
On the edge of Phuket Town past Central Festival, and the largest market on the island. Also the hottest, loudest and hardest to park at — if crowds are not your thing, Sunday's Walking Street is the calmer choice. The market's own site says 4pm to 11pm; the surveyed hours say it thins out from about 9. Its separate food centre runs every day, which makes the site useful on a weekday too.
- Which nights
- Saturday and Sunday, 4pm until 9 to 11pm
- What to eat
- Grilled seafood, clothes, everything else
- Getting there
- Past Central Festival — drive or ride app, parking is bad
Halal: askFamily friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tabChillva Market
Phuket Town · Price: Cheap
Stacked shipping containers, young Thai crowd, and open six nights.
On Yaowarat Road, built out of stacked shipping containers and aimed at young Thais rather than tourists. It is the reason almost any weeknight works — closed Sundays only. Live music most nights, and a separate seafood section next door. Prices are local because the crowd is local.
- Which nights
- Monday to Saturday, about 4pm to 11pm — closed Sunday
- What to eat
- Grilled skewers, bubble tea, Thai-style dessert
- Getting there
- Yaowarat Rd — 10 minutes from the Old Town
Halal: askFamily friendlyOpen in Maps — opens Google Maps in a new tab
That is all of them.
The seven days, in short
Read down the table, then jump to the day you want.
| The day | Plan | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kata or Karon Beach, then sunset at Promthep Cape | Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset |
| Day 2 | Karon Viewpoint and the Big Buddha, then Nai Harn Beach | Cover shoulders and knees at the Big Buddha |
| Day 3 | Phi Phi by boat | 8 to 10 hours; Maya Bay is closed 1 August – 30 September |
| Day 4 | James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay | The calm-water day, about 9 hours |
| Day 5 | A zipline or a quad bike, then a night show | Each show opens on its own nights |
| Day 6 | Andamanda Water Park, or islands by jet ski | The water park has no hotel pickup |
| Day 7 | Phuket Old Town, shopping and a night market | On Sunday, Thalang Road becomes the market from 4pm |
Day 1: arrive and slow down
Nothing big on the first day. Pick the beach nearest your hotel, then go south for the sunset.
- Kata Beach: calm water in high season, the island's main surf break from about May to October, and a small town behind it.
- Karon Beach: three kilometres of sand, wide enough to spread out even on a busy day.
- Sunset at Promthep Cape: free and open around the clock. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset, or you will park far down the hill.
- A quieter sunset: Windmill Viewpoint, just along the road.
- A red flag means stay out of the water, on any beach.
Read more
Day 2: viewpoints and Nai Harn
A second slow day, before the boats. See the two viewpoints in the morning and go to the beach after lunch.
- Karon Viewpoint: three bays in one view — Kata Noi, Kata and Karon. Free, with parking, and best in the early morning.
- The Big Buddha: 45 metres of marble on the ridge, with views over both coasts. Free; cover shoulders and knees. The road up is steep, so take a taxi if you are not confident.
- Nai Harn Beach after lunch: the beach Phuket residents use at weekends, with a lagoon behind it and hills around it.
Read more
Day 3: Phi Phi by boat
The clearest water and the most famous beaches in the region: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island. It is a full day of eight to ten hours, with open sea on the way.
- The boat: the Phi Phi trips we sell use a catamaran, which is steadier than a speedboat on the open stretch.
- Park fee: 400 baht per adult and 200 per child for foreign visitors. Some trips include it, so ask before you book.
- Maya Bay closes every year from 1 August to 30 September. The boats still go to Phi Phi; you just do not land at Maya Bay.
Book an island day
- Phi Phi by D-Day lounge catamaranMaya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island. Pickup and park fee included.
- Phi Phi by INDIGO luxury yachtSmall group, snorkelling and kayaks. Pickup and park fee included.
- Phi Phi Bamboo CatamaranA full day to Phi Phi. About 10 hours.
- National park fees at Phi Phi (TAT, Thai) (opens in a new tab)The Department of National Parks notice of 19 September 2022, as published by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Day 4: James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay
Limestone towers standing straight out of flat green water. The bay is sheltered, so this is the calm-water day: the easier one with small children, older relatives or anyone who gets seasick.
- By canoe: through the sea caves and the hidden lagoon at Hong Island.
- Lunch at Ko Panyi, the Muslim village built on stilts, on the speed catamaran trip.
- About nine hours, on both of the trips we sell.
Read and book
- James Bond Island by big boatTwo-deck boat, sea canoes at Panak and Hong, Thai buffet on board. About 9 hours.
- James Bond Island by speed catamaranSix islands, canoeing at Hong, lunch at Ko Panyi. About 9 hours.
- Phi Phi or James Bond Island: which tripThe two big island days from Phuket, and the trips we sell.
Day 5: the jungle and a night show
A morning in the trees or on a quad bike, then one of the big night shows after dark.
- Hanuman World, Chalong: a zipline course in three lengths — 32, 18 or 10 platforms.
- ATV on Tour, Thalang: automatic quad bikes through the jungle, for beginners from age 8.
- Erawan Seaview, above Patong: a sea-view zipline and a quad-bike ride in one trip.
- After dark: Phuket FantaSea and Carnival Magic are in Kamala; Siam Niramit is near Phuket Town.
- Check the night. Carnival Magic opens Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; Phuket FantaSea Tuesday, Friday and Sunday; Siam Niramit every night but Tuesday.
Book it
- Book Hanuman World Zipline & LugeChalong. About 3 hours.
- Book ATV on TourThalang. From age 8, free pickup from the main beaches.
- Book Erawan Seaview Zipline & ATVPatong. About 4 hours, pickup included.
- Book Carnival MagicKamala. Dinner ticket includes the buffet with the halal zone.
- Book Phuket FantaSeaKamala. Show at 21:00, about 70 minutes.
- Book Siam NiramitNear Phuket Town. Show at 20:30, about 80 minutes.
Day 6: a water day
Slides and a lazy river, or small islands by jet ski. Pick one.
- Andamanda Water Park, Kathu: 29 slides, a wave pool and a 550-metre lazy river. Open every day from 10am to 7pm.
- No hotel pickup at the water park, so take a Grab or a taxi.
- Islands by jet ski: about four hours around the small islands off the east coast, with a lesson first for beginners and a stop to eat.
Day 7: Old Town, shopping and a market
Phuket Old Town is Sino-Portuguese shophouses and coffee shops, flat and easy to walk. It costs nothing to walk around, and it is best in the late afternoon.
- On Sunday, Thalang Road closes to cars and becomes the Lard Yai walking street market, from 4pm.
- Shopping: Central Phuket is the island's biggest mall. In Patong, Jungceylon is a short walk back from the beach.
- Night markets: Friday is the best night. Naka, the biggest, is on Saturday and Sunday; Chillva is open Monday to Saturday.
If it rains, or the sea is rough
Rain usually comes in heavy bursts, not all day. Swap a beach day with Day 7, and move a boat day rather than cancel it.
From May to October, boat trips are cancelled when the sea is bad. That is why the boat days sit in the middle of the week, with Day 5 and Day 6 free to swap.
Before you book
Book the boat days first. The good boat trips fill in high season, and they are the days the weather moves.
- Eating halal? Halal food is easy to find, and the halal guide lists it by area.
- Looking for a mosque? The mosques guide shows the nearest one to each area.
Sources
30 sources behind this guide. The places were last checked on .
Photography is licensed stock, credited to Siarhei Nester on Pexels. Some images show the named place; where no photograph of a venue exists, the picture shows Thailand rather than that venue.
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10 minutes well spent. 13 places, all with a map link.