Phuket attractions

Temple of the Protruding Buddha (Wat Phra Thong) is most famous for the half-buried golden Buddha statue—only the head and shoulders are visible—found on its grounds. The temple, believed to be one of the island’s oldest, holds special significance to the local Thai-Chinese population, who often visit during the Chinese New Year.

Located midway between Phuket and Krabi in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi (Ko Yao Noi) is replete with mangrove forests and white-sand beaches. While the primarily Muslim island is home to a few high-end resorts and restaurants, it offers a much more relaxed alternative to its rowdy neighbors.

Sister island to Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai (also written Ko Yao Yai) is an unspoiled gem that sprawls amid the karst seascapes of Phang Nga Bay (Ao Phang Nga). The coast offers white sand beaches, fishing villages (many on stilts), and mangrove forests; inland are timeless landscapes of orchards, rice fields, and rubber plantations.

One of a number of stadiums in Patong dedicated to the martial art of muay thai (Thai boxing), the 350-capacity Patong Boxing Stadium offers fights three nights a week. Fighters come from all around the globe, and the stadium hosts men’s, women’s, and junior bouts, including title matches. Drinks, french fries, and popcorn are for sale.

Kata Beach is both the name of a small town on Phuket’s west coast and its popular beach. The mile- (1.5 kilometer-) long, picture-perfect crescent of sand is lined with shade-giving trees and seafood restaurants and is a go-to spot for sun worshippers, families, and water sports enthusiasts.

Sold around the globe, Chalong Bay Rum is Thailand’s best-known rum brand. At the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery in Phuket, travelers can go behind-the-scenes to discover how the facility uses centuries-old French distillation techniques to transform freshly pressed sugarcane into smooth white rum.

Though only a 10-minute boat ride from the bustle of Patong, Freedom Beach feels like a remote island. Known as Hidden Beach, the white sands of Freedom Beach offer a far quieter alternative to Phuket’s other beaches. Forested hills, palm trees, and translucent waters provide a scenic backdrop to the sands.

Put yourself at the heart of the action in Phuket Trickeye Museum, one of the optical illusion galleries that have taken Asia by storm. Large-scale paintings turn 2D into 3D and deliver hilarious selfies. Scale a waterfall, extinguish a blazing superhero, cling to the ceiling to escape an alligator, or get the boot from a giant foot.

Encircled by jungle-clad mountains and lapped by turquoise waters, Nai Harn Beach is a far cry from the crowded shores of Patong. The horseshoe-shaped bay is home to only a few hotels and restaurants, which allows the beach to maintain a quiet charm—it's also a prime place to go kitesurfing or windsurfing.

The calls of birds and monkeys can be heard throughout the leafy Ton Pariwant Wildlife Sanctuary, a 139-square-mile (224-square-kilometer forest in the southern province of Phang Nga. Hidden beneath the low-lying mountain forest are ATV trails, ziplines, boardwalks, and the bubbling Klong Song Phrek River.

Splash Jungle Water Park's exhilarating rides–including Boomerango and the Superbowl–and the six-level wave pool attract hundreds of visitors to this coastal Phuket destination every day. Themed rides give a nod to the ancient Mayans, lush landscapes of Turkey, old-world architecture of Northern Europe, and the culture and colors of Africa.

An acrobatic, dramatic journey through Thai history and culture, performed in a 1,740-seat theater, the Siam Niramit Phuket stage show is a visual feast. Around 100 performers in gorgeous, ever-changing costumes explore ancient kingdoms, Buddhist hell, traditional festivals, and more, backed by epic effects and sumptuous sets.

Set in the 3,000-seat Palace of the Elephants Theater at the Thai-themed Phuket FantaSea amusement park, the family-friendly Fantasy of a Kingdom stage show treats guests to a mythical story that combines traditional Thai dance, music, and costumes with colorful special effects, magical illusions, and pyrotechnics.

Every Saturday and Sunday, a road in east Phuket comes to life with the sights, sounds, and smells of Thai culture. At Phuket Weekend Market (Naka Market, you’ll find fragrant street food stalls offering everything from pad thai to papaya salad, and local artisans selling hand-crafted souvenirs.

Opening its doors in 2012, the Phuket Botanic Garden offers a collection of rare and exotic plants, with everything from tropical palms to colorful orchids, presented over a series of 12 landscaped gardens. Highlights of the small garden include the paddy field and the koi pond, where visitors can purchase pellets and feed the fish.

Khao Toh Sae, better known as Monkey Hill, is a popular Phuket landmark. At 360 feet (110 meters) high, it’s one of the town’s highest hills and offers panoramic views of Phuket Town, the surrounding islands, and the Andaman Sea. Its popular name comes from the hundreds of macaques that call the hill home.

Sea creatures are the stars at Aquaria Phuket, a large aquarium on the basement level of the Central Phuket Floresta mall. The aquarium is home to around 6,000 fish and animals, and features a solid schedule of feedings, presentations, and even “mermaid” shows.

With over 1,000 birds including more than 100 different species ranging from colorful parrots and hornbills to giant ostrich and peacock, Phuket Bird Park offers a comprehensive introduction to Thailand’s exotic birdlife. Visitors can see the birds show off their natural skills during a live show and feed them under supervision from the staff.

Phuket is a huge island, loaded with beaches that all have their own feel. Surin is perfect for those who want a more relaxed vibe, but who still want the comforts of being able to rent beach chairs and try some local goodies from food vendors. Stay for sunset, if you like a bit of a party atmosphere.

The first of its kind in Thailand, Phuket’s Upside Down House (Baan Teelanka) defies gravity by letting you walk on the ceiling and climb the walls. It might feel mind-bending as you grow accustomed to the strange sensation of having the floor above and the ceiling below, but once you do, you’ll emerge with a collection of snaps that’ll take social media by storm.

Downtown Phuket’s one-stop shop for fashion, dining, and entertainment, Jungceylon is a megamall with a jungle theme, designed with high, airy spaces and lots of indoor greenery and water features. It’s one of the biggest shopping centers in southern Thailand, where you’ll find more than 200 stores selling everything from clothes and computers to perfume and sunglasses.

The volunteer-run, not-for-profit Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Phuket rescues gibbons (a type of ape) that have been poached and held in captivity (a serious problem in Phuket). The staff then rehabilitates them before safely reintroducing them to their natural habitats, when possible.

Designed by renowned UK hedge maze designer Adrian Fisher, A-Maze Garden is the only garden maze in Phuket. Built from around 10,760 square feet (1,000 square meters) of hedges, A-Maze offers fun for families with kids, and is located next to several other family friendly attractions on the popular Thai island.