Phuket, Thailand: Andaman Beaches, Limestone Islands, and Old Town Shophouses

Phang Nga Bay, accessible by boat from the east coast of Phuket, is the landscape that defined Thailand's international visual identity in the 1970s — limestone karst pillars rising from emerald water, caves, and the floating Muslim fishing village of Koh Panyi. James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) is one of the karsts and receives heavy tourist traffic; the surrounding bay is more rewarding when explored by longtail boat rather than the tour-group speedboats that rush between photo stops. Half-day and full-day bay tours depart from Ao Por Pier on Phuket's east coast.

Phuket Old Town (the historic commercial district) is a walkable grid of Sino-Portuguese shophouses in the center of Phuket Town, about 30 minutes from the port by taxi. The tiled façades, art galleries, and weekend walking street are the photogenic version of the district; the working parts — the fresh market on Ranong Road, the small shrines tucked into alleyways — are more interesting. The Jui Tui Shrine and Wat Mongkol Nimit are worth a look. Local food in Phuket Town includes the crab curry eaten on rice cakes (moo hong and o aew) and the distinctive sweet pastries at Roti Talay.

The west coast beaches — Patong, Karon, and Kata — are the main tourist beach strip. Patong is the most developed and most crowded; Kata and Karon to the south are marginally calmer. All three have sun lounger rental, beach clubs, and watersports operations. The Andaman Sea's clearest water and calmest conditions are from November through April; May through October brings rougher swells and periodic beach closures.

The Phi Phi Islands are the archipelago most commonly associated with Phuket, though they are actually part of Krabi province and reached by speedboat (45 minutes) or slow ferry (2 hours) from Phuket's Rassada Pier. Maya Bay, where The Beach was filmed, reopened in 2022 after a multi-year ecological recovery closure with timed entry and reduced visitor numbers. The phi phi islands as a full-day excursion are the right format from Phuket; a 3-hour stop is not enough.

Phuket's Big Buddha, a 45-meter white marble statue on a hilltop in the center of the island, is visible from much of the island and is a 20-minute drive from town. The site is active and reverent; dress modestly (sarongs are available at the entrance). The hilltop views over both coasts of the island on a clear day justify the stop.