Located off Thailands mainland western coast, Phuket is a hugely popular tourist destination and has something to offer to travellers of all ages and budgets. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ it boasts stunning white sand beaches, fringed with palm trees and giving onto vibrant coral reef systems. There are gorgeous interiors with a diverse flora and fauna and there are some charming little fishing villages.
As well as its idyllic natural beauty, Phuket is also a very popular for its party scene – with Patong as the island’s party capital and home to a great number of bars, nightclubs and music venues. Badly affected by the Tsunami of 2004, Phuket has bounced back exceptionally well in recent years. It is regarded as one of the premier spa destinations in the world and offers a great number of state of the art massage and therapy centres. It is also a highly popular scuba diving destination – with the best sites concentrated around Chalong Bay. Other popular activities in Phuket include fishing, canoeing, yachting and sailing whilst cruises to the Similan Islands National Park is among the excellent onward travel options available. Phuket is best visited between November and April when it is warm but not unbearably hot and when there is very little rainfall.
