You MUST See and Do in Phuket

You MUST See

• AC's Phuket Fishing Park, Thepkrasattri Rd, Koh Keaw District, Muang, Phuket, 83000. 08:00-18:00. A great freshwater fishing experience. Catch many species from three different continents such as arapaimas, red-tailed catfish, alligator gars, Siamese giant carps, piranhas, Siamese sharks and many more. Equipment and local guide included.

• Chalong Temple: Visit the ancient temple of Phuket's monks who helped the people during the Chinese rebellion.

• Crocodile Farm: Watch the staff at Chana Charoen Road tame crocodiles and alligators right in front of you.

• Phuket Aquarium: Located at Cape Panwa, this tropical aquarium offers a variety of fish and corals.

• Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World, 71/6 Moo 5, Soi Paneung, Yaowarat Rd (near Tesco Lotus on Bypass Rd), ☎ +66 76 210 861(info@phuketbutterfly.com, fax: +66 76 523 609), [36]. 09:00-17:00. Adults: 300 baht, Children: 150 baht. 

• Phuket FantaSea: This is referred to as the Disneyland of South East Asia. It's the ultimate in night entertainment on Phuket.

• Prom Thep Cape, Tambon Rawai. 24 hours. Literally translated as "God's Cape", the Prom Thep Cape is one of the islands most notable natural landmarks and lies to the far south, around 2 km/1.5 mi from Rawai Beach. With high cliffs and uninterrupted views, Prom Thep is most famous for its dramatic sunsets, which regularly attract crowds. Close to the cape's peak you will find a small and interesting shrine, which features a number of wooden elephants. There is a fine Thai restaurant not far away from this. 

• Waterfalls: Explore the biggest waterfalls in Thailand, especially in the rainy season. The largest drop measures 10 m and is just 22 km outside Phuket.

You MUST Do

Swimming, snorkelling, diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on the island. Other activities include Freediving, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and deep sea fishing. Popular kite surfing locations include Nai Yang in summer and Chalong Bay in winter season. Sea Canoeing is a popular activity in the Phang Nga Bay, as many grottoes are only accessible by canoe.

Freediving

Phuket is the beating heart of diving in Thailand and has recently become the center of activity in the emerging Southeast Asian Freediving scene. It is also the home of the area's only AIDA Instructor Training Center.

Most freediving trips go out with SCUBA dive boats to the well-known dive sites, but some freediving off the beach is also possible. The local operators are usually very happy to find like-minded divers and will happily give pointers.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling can be enjoyed in sheltered bays all around Phuket. It 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. Full and half day trips are available to the islands surrounding Phuket. Most popular are Ko Hae, Ko Racha Yai, Ko Khai (a hidden gem in the Phang Nga Bay), and Ko Phi Phi. There are many tours available at very cheap rates and the speedboats will be filled with up to 65 people. Research your options before signing up for any tour.

Snorkelling trips to Racha & Phi Phi IslandsAgencies sell all-inclusive day trips from all over Phuket, and most everywhere else on Phuket Island. Prices for group tours range from 1,400 baht/person to 3,900 baht/person. Quality and safety seem to match the prices paid.

The cheaper speedboat tours take approx. 30-35 passengers per 2-engine speedboat and 50-60+ passengers on 3-engine speedboats. Very cheap tours take over 100 people in a speedboat.

The higher-end tours take approx 15 to 18 passengers on 2-engine speedboats. Insist on knowing the exact number of guests that will be on the boat. Keep in mind that tour desks will tell you anything to get your money, as they receive up to 65% commissions from the lower-end tours. It is always best to contact the company running the tour directly to ensure that you are getting what you pay for.

The more people on the boat the longer it takes to get on and off at each stop, decreasing the time one gets to spend off the boat. A packed boat is not very fun or safe when there are large waves.

Private companies providing small group tours are few (currently only 3 - 1 is listed below). Full day tour prices range from 3,200 baht to 3,900 (no discounts are offered; can only be booked direct). The tours include stops at all the major sights, higher quality lunches (from picnic to seaside sit-down restaurant meals), full sets of snorkelling equipment, minibus transport, fresh tropical fruits, snacks & drinks on-board, foreign owner/guide, small groups, attention to safety, and national park fee. Prices vary based on services, amenities, and extras that are provided.

Diving

Phuket has some decent dive sites and is the centre of diving in Thailand. Most dive sites are off nearby islands, but distances are fairly short and there are dozens of dive shops and boats to cater to your needs, mostly based near Chalong Bay. The reefs around the area are in a healthy condition with both solid hard corals and colorfully soft corals. There is also an abundance of marine life. Most of the dive locations are suitable for all levels of divers but there are also some that are quite deep.

The most well-known dive site in the Phuket area is Racha Yai with its sloping rocky reefs and its plenitude of solid coral forests. It is home to Ter Bay where there is an exciting wreck in the depths of 25-35 meters. The island south of Racha Yai, Racha Noi, is a haven for experienced divers as the depths are greater and the currents stronger. The overall topography is strikingly different from Racha Yai with huge granite boulders. The diving in Racha Noi compared to Racha Yai is definitely more challenging but the rewards are far greater.

Just off Phuket, is the limestone island of Ko Doc Mai that soars vertically from the sea-bed. It is home to a diversity of fish and offers the opportunity to view leopard sharks, moray eels, octopus and turtles. Phuket can also function as a base for dives further afield, such as Ko Phi Phi. Diving in Phuket's warm clear blue waters is best from mid-October to May, when the calm seas and rain free days make Phuket diving a truly unique experience.

Snuba diving is the safest and easiest way to try diving on holiday in Phuket. Popular in Hawaii, the Carribbean, Mexico, and Japan, Snuba gives an introduction into the world of diving. No certification required, children 8+, just like scuba diving except easier. SNUBA trips go to most Phuket dive sites. No heavy equipment to wear, no long classes, maximum depth of 7 meters, professional dive guides accompany each group.

Sailing and yachting

Phuket has become the sailing and yachting center of Thailand and adjacent countries. It's the home of Six the Senses Phuket Raceweek web, King's Cup Regatta web, Phang Nga Bay Regatta web, the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) web, four marinas, two yacht clubs, Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) web and Phuket Yacht Club (PYC) web and some well-sheltered anchorages which are teeming with yachts. The marinas are all located at the eastern side of the island which makes them an ideal starting point to explore the natural wonders of Phang Nga Bay. An entire fleet of traditional junk-rigged boats is located there, offering day trips. But as well real sailing yachts are on offer for this.

Phuket has sailing yachts of virtually every size and for all budgets on offer to explore the surrounding beautiful islands on a yacht charter. Sailing Thailand Island Cruises web operates a wide array of sailing catamarans from budget to luxury, most of them located in Chalong Bay. SweetDreamers also many different sailing tours from Chalong Bay in Southeastern Phuket. Small sailing craft like Hobie Cats and Lasers are available at most of the tourist hot spots on the west side, e.g. Patong and Kata.

• Boat Charter Thailand, ☎ +66 88 490 7290, [44]. Sailing yachts, motor boats, bare boat or crewed, luxury charters, fishing trips, traditional boat tours.

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