| ext">Phuket is named the Jewel of the Andaman. | | | | Phi. This distinctive craggy island is formed like a |
| Or is it maybe the prime gem in the crown of | | | | butterfly. The island featured in the Hollywood |
| Thailand’s tourism? However, Phuket is | | | | movie The Beach and was world news because |
| just the core of a spacious wonderful playground. | | | | of the Tsunami tragedy. Actually there are |
| And the other part of the crown’ is | | | | several islands, and the majority of the available |
| worth discovering, even if the tropical fabulous | | | | trips stop off for some mind-boggling snorkelling |
| beaches you’re sunbathing on seems so | | | | adventures en-route. Food is mostly served once |
| great you never want to get away from them. | | | | you arrive at Phi Phi Ley’s paradisiacal |
| Phuket sightseeing tours are a must. | | | | Maya bay. Only campers and park rangers are |
| Making day trips from Phuket Island is definitely a | | | | allowed to spend the night here so you’ll |
| must when you visit this South East Asian tropical | | | | have the immaculate beach all to yourself. Phi Phi |
| piece of Heaven. Within a few hours ride or trip | | | | Don is more dramatic and was drastically |
| by boat are several mind-blowing landscapes | | | | overdeveloped before the gigantic Tsunami |
| including the renowned Phi Phi islands, the | | | | washed it all away. On a tiny sandwich of coconut |
| wonderful Khao Lak coast, the eye-opening Pha | | | | palms the resorts are found between two |
| Nga Bay, exclusive scuba diving off the Similan | | | | gorgeous bays, with rising to the blue sky karst |
| islands, and the breathtakingly beautiful | | | | cliffs all around. Once you’ve reached this |
| karst-scapes of Krabi. There are national parks | | | | spot you probably not want to make the trip |
| boasting lush forests, picturesque fishing villages, | | | | back to Phuket! |
| spectacular waterfalls, crystal clear waters, | | | | Similarly popular and impressive is Pha Nga |
| private tiny islands, pristine mangroves and | | | | Bay’s unique karst seascape, enjoyed free |
| exclusive beaches to seek out. | | | | promotion in the James Bond movie, The Man |
| Phuket is without a single doubt Thailand’s | | | | with the Golden Gun. Now also known as the |
| best developed and most popular island, a high | | | | James Bond Island, this is a must-see on all trips |
| standard, jet-set travel destination that has | | | | from Phuket but its all part of a gigantic theatre |
| become a very upmarket place during the last | | | | of pillars, dotting this vast bay and must be |
| decades. If you’re travelling to Phuket for | | | | ranking as the most photogenic spot in the whole |
| your next holiday you’ll invariably find | | | | Andaman. Lunch will be served at the idyllic fishing |
| yourself based at one of several wonderful bays | | | | village of Koh Phan Yee, which is positioned in the |
| lined along the West Coast. From this location you | | | | water on stilts. Don’t forget purchasing |
| can either rent a private car or use the option | | | | some souvenirs and stroll around this remarkable |
| taking one of the available day trip tours to a | | | | community. Kayaking among the karst cliffs and |
| destination of your choice. This is highly | | | | caves is especially rewarding. |
| recommendable and there are both many travel | | | | If diving is your thing and you have just one |
| agents and opportunities. | | | | opportunity to see the finest, then you may want |
| For first time visitors exploring the island itself is | | | | to join a few days lasting trip to the Similan |
| absolutely a great idea. There are numerous | | | | islands which are located West of Phuket. There is |
| exciting and splendid beaches. Towards the south | | | | also a protected marine reserve and diving |
| from Kamala you’ll find a cluster of the | | | | excursions or day trips are the only way to reach |
| best, past the popular and crowded Patong, and | | | | the area’s unspoilt reefs, or swim in the |
| onwards to the posh Kata and sweeping Karon. | | | | clear blue ocean. If you do not have a dive |
| Every beach is worth making a stop for a few | | | | certificate, no worries there are plenty of available |
| hours to sunbath or sample a spicy Thai papaya | | | | courses. As an alternative you could take a tour |
| salad (som tam) for lunch. Keep travelling south | | | | to Hong Island, between Krabi and Phuket and |
| and you’ll finally reach the untouched Nai | | | | simply enjoy underwater snorkelling and unwind. |
| Harn beach, a good spot for avoiding the crowds. | | | | This unique island boasts a hidden lagoon inside, |
| All beaches on Phuket have their own special | | | | reachable at low tide only through a cave tunnel. |
| ambience. | | | | Renting a car for a drive into the hinterland is also |
| To reach the island’s north takes about a | | | | a great option. Phuket is by a short causeway |
| one-hour drive. This area has not been developed | | | | linked to the mainland and after that you have |
| and tourists do not dominate the scene. The east | | | | the freedom, roaming the lush isthmus provinces |
| coast’s mangroves offer an altogether | | | | of Southern Thailand. Travel to the north to Khao |
| different look of Phuket. While visiting this area | | | | Lak, to explore a more untouched and wild |
| you might want to cool off in Khao Phra Thaeo | | | | shoreline, and some fabulous coastal parks. Khao |
| National Park’s Bang Phrae Waterfall or | | | | Sok National Park is a bit beyond this with its vast |
| drop in on the singing gibbons’ at the | | | | lake, magnificent rainforests and distinctive |
| Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre. Tours to this area of | | | | landscapes. In the park chalets you can even stay |
| Phuket are very rewarding. | | | | overnight. Thai tropical national parks feature |
| The best scenery can be found offshore, the first | | | | fantastic ecosystems full of streams, waterfalls, |
| thing on you itineraries list should be a trip to Phi | | | | nature trails, a few animals and varied birdlife. |