Phuket's most famous beach and town, known for nightlife, entertainment and water sports. It is the place to stay if you want to be in the middle of the action.

"Phuket's most famous beach and town, known for nightlife, entertainment and water sports. It is the "

A historic district of restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses with museums, art galleries, cafes and legendary restaurants. It is best explored on foot.

"A historic district of restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses with museums, art galleries, cafes and le"

A huge beach with pristine sand and turquoise water. Accommodation ranges from budget bungalows to big resort hotels.

"A huge beach with pristine sand and turquoise water. Accommodation ranges from budget bungalows to b"

A beach known for its waves, which attract surfers. It reportedly hosts an annual surfing competition.

"A beach known for its waves, which attract surfers. It reportedly hosts an annual surfing competitio"

A 45-metre-tall Buddha statue on a hilltop with amazing views over the island.

"A 45-metre-tall Buddha statue on a hilltop with amazing views over the island."

One of the most important and significant Buddhist temples in Phuket.

"One of the most important and significant Buddhist temples in Phuket."

A viewpoint overlooking the west coast's pattern of capes and beaches, one after another.

"A viewpoint overlooking the west coast's pattern of capes and beaches, one after another."

A famous rocky viewpoint at the southern tip of Phuket. Crowds gather around 5:30–6 pm to photograph the sunset.

"A famous rocky viewpoint at the southern tip of Phuket. Crowds gather around 5:30–6 pm to photograph"

A famous island named after the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. If you go into the water, watch out for monitor lizards, stingrays and broken shells.

"A famous island named after the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. If you go into the"

The notorious heart of Phuket's nightlife, packed with live-music bars and nightclubs. It becomes a pedestrian street after 6 pm and gets very crowded later in the evening.

"The notorious heart of Phuket's nightlife, packed with live-music bars and nightclubs. It becomes a "

A stunning bay of towering limestone cliffs, emerald waters and numerous islands, easily visited on a one-day tour from Phuket.

"A stunning bay of towering limestone cliffs, emerald waters and numerous islands, easily visited on "

An island reached by longtail boat, known for its fishing village built on stilts. The hosts explored the village and enjoyed Thai food there.

"An island reached by longtail boat, known for its fishing village built on stilts. The hosts explore"

The most popular day-tour islands from Phuket, with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and spectacular natural scenery.

"The most popular day-tour islands from Phuket, with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and sp"

A laid-back fishing community beach at the southern tip of Phuket, known for longtail boats and relaxed restaurants. It is the departure point for trips to nearby islands.

"A laid-back fishing community beach at the southern tip of Phuket, known for longtail boats and rela"

An island just off Rawai, reached by longtail or speedboat, with a nice beach and snorkeling. It is also a hornbill sanctuary.

"An island just off Rawai, reached by longtail or speedboat, with a nice beach and snorkeling. It is "

An idyllic bay in the Phi Phi Islands, recognisable from the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach.

"An idyllic bay in the Phi Phi Islands, recognisable from the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach."

One of Phuket's most spectacular beaches, with crystal-clear water and plenty of shade or sun. Afternoon food stalls sell snacks, drinks and coconuts.

"One of Phuket's most spectacular beaches, with crystal-clear water and plenty of shade or sun. After"

A quieter, more serene beach, suggested for travellers who want to avoid the crowds.

"A quieter, more serene beach, suggested for travellers who want to avoid the crowds."

A picture-perfect Andaman beach reachable only by boat or by hiking down a steep trail.

"A picture-perfect Andaman beach reachable only by boat or by hiking down a steep trail."

A walking street night market typically held on Sunday nights in Old Town, described as a must when in Phuket.

"A walking street night market typically held on Sunday nights in Old Town, described as a must when "

One of the better beaches in Phuket, just over the cape from Kata Beach.

"One of the better beaches in Phuket, just over the cape from Kata Beach."

Considered one of the best beaches in Thailand thanks to limited development, with forest, trees and only one hotel nearby.

"Considered one of the best beaches in Thailand thanks to limited development, with forest, trees and"

Suggested as a less crowded island destination to visit from Phuket.

"Suggested as a less crowded island destination to visit from Phuket."

A lagoon in Phang Nga Bay where local guides take visitors around by kayak. Its name means 'house' in Thai, because fishermen once sheltered there in bad weather.

"A lagoon in Phang Nga Bay where local guides take visitors around by kayak. Its name means 'house' i"

A coastal viewpoint near a wind turbine in the south of the island, shown with scenic views.

"A coastal viewpoint near a wind turbine in the south of the island, shown with scenic views."

One of Phuket's longest beaches, with about six kilometres of sand lined by evergreen trees. The area is known for higher-end resorts, private villas and an expat community.

"One of Phuket's longest beaches, with about six kilometres of sand lined by evergreen trees. The are"

A sanctuary where elephants live and roam in their natural habitat. Visitors can meet the elephants and learn about their care, such as eating up to 300 kg of food a day.

"A sanctuary where elephants live and roam in their natural habitat. Visitors can meet the elephants "

A popular beach on the west coast. It offers a mix of large resorts, budget and long-term accommodation.

"A popular beach on the west coast. It offers a mix of large resorts, budget and long-term accommodat"

The hill next to Khao Rang, reached only on foot along a road. It offers views over the city.

"The hill next to Khao Rang, reached only on foot along a road. It offers views over the city."

A less crowded alternative to the Phi Phi Islands for an island trip from Phuket.

"A less crowded alternative to the Phi Phi Islands for an island trip from Phuket."

Recommended as a quieter island alternative for a day trip from Phuket.

"Recommended as a quieter island alternative for a day trip from Phuket."

A typical stop on high-speed boat tours to Phi Phi.

"A typical stop on high-speed boat tours to Phi Phi."

A cape known for its natural beauty and some spectacular high-end hotels.

"A cape known for its natural beauty and some spectacular high-end hotels."

A famous local restaurant spread across bungalows and pavilions, with dishes you won't find elsewhere. It is known for its stuffed fish.

"A famous local restaurant spread across bungalows and pavilions, with dishes you won't find elsewher"

A cave temple that is usually the first stop on Phang Nga Bay tours, with brilliant Buddha images and lots of monkeys.

"A cave temple that is usually the first stop on Phang Nga Bay tours, with brilliant Buddha images an"

The biggest shopping mall on Phuket.

"The biggest shopping mall on Phuket."

Another elephant sanctuary option on Phuket for feeding and bathing with elephants.

"Another elephant sanctuary option on Phuket for feeding and bathing with elephants."

Phuket Town's big, famous weekend market, open Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday the best day. People travel from Rawai, Patong, Kata and Karon to try the food.

"Phuket Town's big, famous weekend market, open Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday the best day. People"

A shopping mall across the road from Central Patong with plenty of restaurants and shops. Its name comes from an old name for Phuket.

"A shopping mall across the road from Central Patong with plenty of restaurants and shops. Its name c"

A new floating beach club that takes guests out onto the ocean.

"A new floating beach club that takes guests out onto the ocean."

A zoo-like attraction where visitors see tigers and tiger cubs. The host didn't visit but notes it is popular with travellers.

"A zoo-like attraction where visitors see tigers and tiger cubs. The host didn't visit but notes it i"

A popular hour-long cabaret show in Patong with glittering costumes and high-energy acts, performed nightly at 6, 7:30 and 9 PM. Shows sell out in peak season, so booking early is advised.

"A popular hour-long cabaret show in Patong with glittering costumes and high-energy acts, performed "

A cave known for ancient wall paintings and bird's nest harvesting. Entry is restricted, so it is viewed from the boat.

"A cave known for ancient wall paintings and bird's nest harvesting. Entry is restricted, so it is vi"

The only inhabited island in the Phi Phi group, busy with eateries, bars and shops. Nearby waters offer clear-water snorkelling, with gear rental around $15.

"The only inhabited island in the Phi Phi group, busy with eateries, bars and shops. Nearby waters of"

A wave-riding attraction along the beach just past Bangla Road. It lets you try surfing on a rushing artificial wave without worrying about the ocean.

"A wave-riding attraction along the beach just past Bangla Road. It lets you try surfing on a rushing"

A beautiful viewpoint just south of Surin Beach and north of Kamala Beach.

"A beautiful viewpoint just south of Surin Beach and north of Kamala Beach."

A beach club in Bang Tao, one of many along Phuket's west coast.

"A beach club in Bang Tao, one of many along Phuket's west coast."

One of Phuket's bigger Muay Thai stadiums, just off Bangla Road. The fights are high quality thanks to the island's many top Muay Thai and MMA gyms.

"One of Phuket's bigger Muay Thai stadiums, just off Bangla Road. The fights are high quality thanks "

An 11-kilometre stretch of sand that is the longest and probably the quietest beach in Phuket. It suits travellers looking for privacy, relaxation and peaceful walks along the coast.

"An 11-kilometre stretch of sand that is the longest and probably the quietest beach in Phuket. It su"

A local seafood restaurant in a quiet community where you eat on a platform built over the sea. Dishes include sour orange curry with turmeric, garlic deep-fried fish and grape seaweed.

"A local seafood restaurant in a quiet community where you eat on a platform built over the sea. Dish"

A beautiful, perfect stretch of sand in south Thalang, with some mid-range accommodation nearby.

"A beautiful, perfect stretch of sand in south Thalang, with some mid-range accommodation nearby."

A mix of amusement park and shopping mall with outdoor facilities. It has jungle gyms, a massive water park and a launching slide.

"A mix of amusement park and shopping mall with outdoor facilities. It has jungle gyms, a massive wat"

A local restaurant whose name translates to "eat with auntie," run by a charismatic chef. It is known for crunchy deep-fried fish topped with curry paste.

"A local restaurant whose name translates to "eat with auntie," run by a charismatic chef. It is know"

A Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant at the Trisara resort, where Chef Jimmy cooks with local Thai ingredients. Dishes include salt-baked sunchoke and dry-aged duck.

"A Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant at the Trisara resort, where Chef Jimmy cooks with local"

A rocky area just north of central Patong with clear water and street food carts.

"A rocky area just north of central Patong with clear water and street food carts."

A forest restaurant beside a stream serving spicy, authentic local Phuket food. One dish is a southern Thai chili curry with sand fish and tree basil.

"A forest restaurant beside a stream serving spicy, authentic local Phuket food. One dish is a southe"

A hilltop viewpoint five minutes' drive from town with a 180-degree panoramic view of Phuket Town.

"A hilltop viewpoint five minutes' drive from town with a 180-degree panoramic view of Phuket Town."

One of the biggest indoor aquariums in Thailand, recommended for families with kids.

"One of the biggest indoor aquariums in Thailand, recommended for families with kids."

A legendary restaurant in a 130-year-old house. It serves classic Phuket dishes such as crab curry with rice noodles and wild betel leaf coconut curry.

"A legendary restaurant in a 130-year-old house. It serves classic Phuket dishes such as crab curry w"

A restored house restaurant where owner Khun Bon preserves his Peranakan family recipes. Its signature is a huge grouper fish head curry.

"A restored house restaurant where owner Khun Bon preserves his Peranakan family recipes. Its signatu"

A night market in Phuket Town that is an amazing spot for sampling local Thai dishes.

"A night market in Phuket Town that is an amazing spot for sampling local Thai dishes."

The hosts' favourite viewpoint, in the south of Phuket. Reaching it means driving a rough dirt road and then taking a steep walk of about 15 minutes from the last parking lot, though a longer trail is also an option.

"The hosts' favourite viewpoint, in the south of Phuket. Reaching it means driving a rough dirt road "

A hillside bar and restaurant facing west with panoramic views, about a three-minute drive from Karon Viewpoint. It offers a more relaxing sunset experience.

"A hillside bar and restaurant facing west with panoramic views, about a three-minute drive from Karo"

A Rasta-vibe bar at the edge of the south side of Kata Beach.

"A Rasta-vibe bar at the edge of the south side of Kata Beach."

A jungle adventure park best known for ziplining, with packages from about 1,000 to 3,500 baht per person depending on the number of lines and platforms. It is about a 25-minute drive from Patong.

"A jungle adventure park best known for ziplining, with packages from about 1,000 to 3,500 baht per p"

A jungle restaurant at Hanuman World with dome pods containing sofas and nest-style tables. Arriving at sunset is recommended.

"A jungle restaurant at Hanuman World with dome pods containing sofas and nest-style tables. Arriving"

A new mega water park with a large wave pool, thrilling slides and a FlowRider. Tickets start around 1,500 baht for adults and 1,000 baht for children, and a visit takes at least 6 hours.

"A new mega water park with a large wave pool, thrilling slides and a FlowRider. Tickets start around"

An elephant sanctuary where visitors can feed elephants or bathe with them, from about $84 per adult.

"An elephant sanctuary where visitors can feed elephants or bathe with them, from about $84 per adult"

Said to be the largest bird park in Thailand, with many species including hornbills. Adult tickets run about 437 to 640+ baht, and booking online gets cheaper deals.

"Said to be the largest bird park in Thailand, with many species including hornbills. Adult tickets r"

A fast go-kart track for adults and teens, with an even faster track across the road, for an afternoon adrenaline rush.

"A fast go-kart track for adults and teens, with an even faster track across the road, for an afterno"

A modern mall in Patong for stocking up on essentials, with a food court downstairs.

"A modern mall in Patong for stocking up on essentials, with a food court downstairs."

A pier area with nice seafood restaurants, good for an evening dinner of famous local lobster and prawns.

"A pier area with nice seafood restaurants, good for an evening dinner of famous local lobster and pr"

The aquarium on the Cape Panwa peninsula.

"The aquarium on the Cape Panwa peninsula."

One of the islands off Phuket's coast suggested for island hopping.

"One of the islands off Phuket's coast suggested for island hopping."

A peaceful island off Phuket's east coast, reachable by longtail or speedboat, with jet skis, beach massages and island time vibes. It also works as a base for more island hopping.

"A peaceful island off Phuket's east coast, reachable by longtail or speedboat, with jet skis, beach "

A Chinese shrine in Phuket Old Town, within walking distance of Saeng Tham Shrine and recommended as a must-visit.

"A Chinese shrine in Phuket Old Town, within walking distance of Saeng Tham Shrine and recommended as"

A Chinese shrine in the heart of Phuket Old Town, a short walk from Jui Tui Shrine.

"A Chinese shrine in the heart of Phuket Old Town, a short walk from Jui Tui Shrine."

A museum in Phuket Old Town recommended for history buffs who want insight into the island's past.

"A museum in Phuket Old Town recommended for history buffs who want insight into the island's past."

A museum in Phuket Old Town offering insights into the island's rich history.

"A museum in Phuket Old Town offering insights into the island's rich history."

A laid-back night market a few minutes from Bangla Road, good for souvenirs and food stalls serving Thai iced tea and fresh seafood. Meals cost about $5–10.

"A laid-back night market a few minutes from Bangla Road, good for souvenirs and food stalls serving "

An award-winning Thai restaurant with cliff-top views over the Andaman Sea. Dishes such as pad thai with shrimp and green curry chicken cost about $15 each.

"An award-winning Thai restaurant with cliff-top views over the Andaman Sea. Dishes such as pad thai "

An island in Phang Nga Bay where guides paddle visitors by kayak through mangrove forests and caves. The video calls it the tranquil highlight of the day.

"An island in Phang Nga Bay where guides paddle visitors by kayak through mangrove forests and caves."

A turquoise lagoon enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs, good for swimming or viewing from the boat. It is often crowded with boats.

"A turquoise lagoon enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs, good for swimming or viewing from the boat. I"

A small island with white sand and clear azure water. Tours allow about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing on the beach.

"A small island with white sand and clear azure water. Tours allow about 1.5 hours for swimming, snor"

A large evening show, mentioned as an alternative to the Simon Cabaret show.

"A large evening show, mentioned as an alternative to the Simon Cabaret show."

A tailor shop on Bangla Road offering custom-fitted shirts and suits. Shirts cost around 1,000–1,500 baht depending on fabric quality.

"A tailor shop on Bangla Road offering custom-fitted shirts and suits. Shirts cost around 1,000–1,500"

A west-coast beach club that the host recommends checking out when in Phuket.

"A west-coast beach club that the host recommends checking out when in Phuket."

The main town on Phi Phi, home to Tonsai Pier, Tonsai Beach and nearby viewpoints.

"The main town on Phi Phi, home to Tonsai Pier, Tonsai Beach and nearby viewpoints."

An island south of Phuket recommended for island hopping. Some of these islands have resorts you can stay at.

"An island south of Phuket recommended for island hopping. Some of these islands have resorts you can"

One of the islands south of Phuket recommended for island hopping by longtail boat.

"One of the islands south of Phuket recommended for island hopping by longtail boat."

One of the Old Town's most famous street food spots, serving roti breads with curries.

"One of the Old Town's most famous street food spots, serving roti breads with curries."

A boutique ice cream shop set in an old colonial building in the Old Town.

"A boutique ice cream shop set in an old colonial building in the Old Town."

A French-owned distillery making rum, gin and vodka in a beautiful venue. Its cocktail-making class includes tastings and a distillery tour.

"A French-owned distillery making rum, gin and vodka in a beautiful venue. Its cocktail-making class "

The presenter's favourite of the clifftop sunset bars and restaurants near the island's southern tip, praised for its delicious food and ocean views.

"The presenter's favourite of the clifftop sunset bars and restaurants near the island's southern tip"

A small beach a short boat or scooter ride from Patong, with coral reefs just offshore. You can rent snorkels or kayaks to explore hidden coves, and there is a good bar and restaurant.

"A small beach a short boat or scooter ride from Patong, with coral reefs just offshore. You can rent"

Jungle zipline park with canopy bridges and two packages: about 1,500 baht for roughly one hour or 2,500 baht for about 1.5 hours. The shaded forest makes it a good option for the midday heat.

"Jungle zipline park with canopy bridges and two packages: about 1,500 baht for roughly one hour or 2"

Quieter, up-and-coming southern area known for seafood restaurants, villas, spas and Muay Thai gyms. It is less busy than the main beach towns.

"Quieter, up-and-coming southern area known for seafood restaurants, villas, spas and Muay Thai gyms."

Hidden hillside cafe with plant-filled seating on several levels stepping down toward the sea. At the bottom there is a swing for photos against the sunset.

"Hidden hillside cafe with plant-filled seating on several levels stepping down toward the sea. At th"