Phuket Piers and Ferries to the islands
Phuket is an island surrounded by more islands, some of them, such as Phi Phi Islands, are world-famous, so it is not a surprise why there are so many piers all around.
What to Do in Phuket? What not to miss, and what are the must-see? There are so many answers. Phuket is blessed with many activities and attractions. Some are on the island, and the most impressive are near enough to visit one or more in a single day. After 25 years here, it is quite easy to answer, and we listed all the places we love most in this ‘Phuket Attractions’ section… have fun!
Phuket is an island surrounded by more islands, some of them, such as Phi Phi Islands, are world-famous, so it is not a surprise why there are so many piers all around.
Let’s Relax Spa has been around in Thailand for a few years now, and it started in 1998 with a single shop in Chiang Mai. There are now more than 30 branches around Thailand, including seven spas in Phuket.
Phuket windmill viewpoint, also occasionally called wind turbine, is a panoramic hill in the very south of Phuket Island. From up there, you can enjoy a birdview of the very popular Ya Nui Beach on one side and the bay of Nai Harn on the other.
Happy Kids Club is a great children’s playground conveniently located inside Central Floresta, on the outskirts of Phuket Town.
Wat Thepnimit Phuket is a monastic residence with a fantastic panoramic view over Patong beach. You can see its iconic white pagoda from the beach, if you know in which direction to look, of course, it’s pretty tiny.
Ice Arena Phuket is one of the most surprising attractions on the island, and it came a bit as a surprise. An ice rink on a hot tropical island is somewhat unexpected. Great for kids and family time, ice skating is a fun activity to escape the rain or even the heat! It’s not cheap, but it’s fun.
Go Kart Phuket is a fast, loud and exciting activity, and it is fun to compete with (or against) friends. There are a few Go-Kart tracks on the island, and strangely, two of them are facing each other near Patong, just past the hill and close to Kathu,
Phuket Indy Night Market is a fun, young, creative little night market in Phuket Town, located on Limelight Avenue, a small lane off Dibuk Road, not far from the well-known Raya Restaurant.
There are several ways to catch a ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Islands. You can prebook in advance and include your hotel transfer, or if you are on a super tight budget you can even go to the Rassada Pier in Phuket Town and buy your ferry ticket from there. Not sure this second option is worth the hassle though.
Rang Hill (Khao Rang), located in the middle of Phuket, is famous for its scenic restaurants, temple, monkeys, and a new viewpoint bridge.
The Upside Down House Museum is one of the most surprising attractions in Phuket. Once you see it with your own eyes, there will be no need for any explanation as this pink house is standing upside down on its roof in a garden, as if some giant kid had casually dropped it after playing with it.
The Sarasin Bridge connects Phuket island to Phang Nga province on the mainland of Thailand. The original 600 meters bridge was built in 1967 and was known to be the scene of some sad love story, the way bridges often do.
The Kee Sky Lounge rooftop bar at the Kee Resort in Patong Beach has been popular for years. The rooftop bar invites you to the sun deck of a luxury cruiser, one of the best places in Patong, to enjoy a sunset with a cocktail and great music.
Fun Friday Avenue Market is a small weekend market popping up every Friday evening at Boat Avenue on the way to Phuket Laguna. It’s modest in size but fun to visit if you stay in the Bangtao Beach area.
Splash Jungle Water Park is a popular theme park on Mai Khao Beach, just next to Phuket International Airport. It’s not huge and a bit pricey, but it’s a great way to spend the day with the kids and the family having fun.
The charming Ya Nui Beach is a tiny bay tucked in a cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and the famous Promthep Cape in the very south of Phuket Island. It is easy to recognise for its little rocky hill in the middle. It looks like a secret beach, but it is very well known and can be busy sometimes.
The Shrine of the Serene Light is a beautifully decorated Chinese Temple on Phang Nga Road, one of the most famous streets of Phuket Town. It used to be ‘the little hidden Chinese temple’ tucked away at the end of a small path, right under your nose. While most Thais knew all about it, only a few foreigners were aware of its existence, and those who knew would proudly whisper its secret location to newbies like an old secret passage to some mystic temple.
Khao Rang Hill has always been a viewpoint at the top of a famous hill in Phuket town. It’s not strikingly beautiful and not very high either, but it’s a pleasant stop. A lot of youngsters go there for a selfie and a romantic moment.
Wat Sri Sunthon (Wat Srisoonthorn) is known for the immense golden Buddha reclining at the top of a large building in the ‘Pang Sai Yat’ posture, which corresponds to “Realizing Nirvana”. The statue seems to be staring endlessly at the frantic traffic on the nearby road to Phuket International Airport. Of course, you already knew that ‘Wat’ is the Thai word for ‘Temple’.
The Tiger Kingdom Phuket might not be to everyone’s taste, but we took an hour to stop and see if the animals were well treated. The place is surprisingly large, clean and very well organised.