Things to do in Phuket

Sites & Bites: Phuket Old Town, night markets and street food

Shake up your Sunday with an evening out in Phuket. Surrounded by the elegance of a centuries-old Sino-Portuguese mansion, you'll first stop for tea and coffee inside the famous Blue Elephant Restaurant. Then, there's a walking tour of Phuket Old Town to hit the bustling night market, try typical street food, or pick-up a souvenir.

Full-day Phi Phi Islands tour with sunset by power catamaran from Phuket

Your day starts at the Royal Phuket Marina, where the TUI lounge welcomes you with light snacks and a quick rundown of what's ahead. Once you're all set, you'll hop aboard the Valerie24 power catamaran and cruise towards the Phi Phi Islands.Your first stop is Bamboo Island, a stretch of white sand and clear water that's perfect for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. Then, you'll swing by Monkey Beach to spot the island's cheeky wild residents from a distance before heading to one of Phi Phi Don's coral reefs for a snorkel session. After working up an appetite, you'll tuck into an international buffet lunch, followed by some free time to check out the island's village centre.The afternoon kicks off with a cruise past Viking Cave with its ancient wall markings, before gliding into Pileh Lagoon for a swim. After this, you'll head to Maya Bay, best known as the setting for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach. You'll follow jungle trails to the shoreline, where there's even a chance of spotting baby sharks hanging around in the shallows. To wrap up, you'll head back toward Phuket with front‑row sunset views.

Full-day James Bond Islands SUNRISE by power catamaran from Phuket

Get ready to see some of southern Thailand's most impressive natural spots on this boat tour of Phang Nga Bay. From floating villages and limestone cliffs to hidden temples in caves, this tour has a bit of everything – nature, culture and camera-worthy views.You'll start at Samed Nangshee Skywalk, one of the top sunrise spots with sweeping views across the bay. Then it's off to a secret lagoon, where you'll canoe between limestone cliffs with a local paddler. Next up is James Bond Island, or Khao Phing Kan, famous for its leaning limestone formations and nearby Ko Ta Pu, the iconic 20-metre rock jutting out of the sea – made famous by its appearance in a classic Bond film.Afterwards, you'll visit Koh Panyee, a floating village known for its football pitch on water and lively fishing scene. You'll tuck into a tasty Thai lunch at a local spot before heading to Phung Chang Cave, inside an elephant-shaped mountain. To round off the day, you'll swing by Wat Tham Suwan Khuha – AKA the Monkey Temple – home to a peaceful reclining Buddha and cheeky monkeys roaming outside. What is the itinerary for this experience?The itinerary for this experience is...- 4:00am to 5:30am – pick-up and transfer to the Samed Nangshee Viewpoint- 6:00am to 6:45am – watch the sunrise over the bay- 8:00am to 8:15am – catamaran cruise to Phang Nga Bay- 8:45am to 9:30am – canoe through a hidden lagoon- 9:45am to 10:30am – visit James Bond Island- 10:45am to 11:15am – visit Koh Panyee fishing village- 11:15am to 1:15pm – cruise to the pier for lunch at a local restaurant- 1:30pm to 2:45pm – explore Phung Chang Cave by canoe, bamboo raft and on foot (optional)- 3:15pm to 3:45pm – visit Wat Tham Suwan Khuha (Monkey Temple)- 4:00pm – return transfer to your hotel Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day

Full-day Phuket SUNSET by power catamaran from Phuket

You're in for an afternoon of Thai island hopping at its finest on this catamaran trip to Phuket's southern isles. You'll snorkel and splash in the shallows, take in a bit of the local culture and tuck into a sunset dinner, before a wander through the colourful old town.Set sail from the Royal Phuket Marina and head south to Bon Island. Picture a desert island with palm trees overhanging the water and you're pretty much there. It's your first chance to take a dip in the Andaman Sea and it's a great spot for snorkelling on the coral reef – it's teeming with marine life. At your next stop, Koh Kaew Yai, you'll have free time to roam the island and visit its huge golden Buddha, which sits crossed-legged looking out to sea. There's also a small temple you can visit, complete with resident Buddhist monks.Dinner is served on a private beach at your next stop, Koh Lone Island. There's time to relax here and watch the sunset streak the sky with soft pinks and fiery oranges. If you choose the Wednesday tour, your day ends here with a minivan transfer back. But, if you choose the Sunday option, you'll cruise back to Phuket and finish off your evening with a stroll through the old town, where you can find local products and handmade trinkets – ideal for souvenir hunting. Take in the pastel-painted houses and eclectic street art as the scent of incense and spices fill the air.

Full-day EARLY Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands by power catamaran from Phuket

You'll bound out of bed as dawn is breaking for this Thai island-hopping adventure. The draw of swimming in the shallows of the Bamboo and Phi Phi Islands is made even sweeter by the luxury power catamaran you'll be sailing there on. Local guide, Somsak, always looks forward to this tour, ‘you're really seeing the best of island life, from the soft white beaches and cheeky jungle monkeys, to some of the clearest waters with top visibility for snorkelling.' Start with a light breakfast at the Royal Phuket Marina, then board the sleek and speedy catamaran that'll whisk you across the Andaman Sea to southern Thailand's best-loved islands. You'll start with the Phi Phi Island's big hitter – Maya Bay – made famous by its starring role in the Leo DiCaprio flick The Beach. Tourist numbers are limited here, but you'll walk the jungle trail down to the beach.Next, take a dip in Pileh Lagoon before sailing past Viking Cave for a look – it's a jagged opening in the cliffside that looks like a mouth about to swallow you whole. You'll stop at Monkey Bay, where you're likely to spot wild macaques in the jungle. Then, don a mask and snorkel to explore the colourful coral reefs nearby. Tuck into an international buffet lunch and take a wander around the island before finishing the tour with a stop at Bamboo Island. The white sandy beaches and clear blue waters here make it the perfect place to swim, snorkel or simply soak up the rays.

Half day elephant encounter from Phuket

This tour is your backstage pass to the world of elephants in Thailand. The adventure kicks off at the elephant sanctuary with a refreshing welcome drink, setting the tone for the day ahead. After a short video on the history of domestic elephants, you'll learn about the camp's values and how it was founded. Plus, you'll catch a live feed from the Elephant Hospital – an emotional reminder of the care and commitment that goes into their well-being. Prasit, one of our expert local guides, says: "The elephant is Thailand's national animal and holds deep cultural significance - it symbolizes power, wisdom, and good fortune."Next, it's time to get hands-on. You'll roll up your sleeves, prepare nutritious food, and feed the elephants. Watch them as they enjoy their meals and observe their natural behaviours, including their playful mud baths – a vital part of their routine. The day continues with some creative fun. You'll try your hand at making eco-friendly mulberry paper from elephant dung – yes, it's as cool as it sounds – and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Asian elephants can consume over 200 kilos of vegetation each day, so their dung is an abundant resource.Then, to wrap up, enjoy a live Thai cooking demo where chefs walk you through traditional dishes, before tucking into a buffet surrounded by lush nature and the peaceful presence of the elephants.

Phuket full-day guided tour with fishery visit and seafood lunch

See the sights of Phuket on this activity-packed full-day guided tour. You'll set off bright and early towards Wat Chalong, the largest and oldest Buddhist temple in Phuket. Malee, our expert local guide, says “the complex of temples at Wat Chalong is a feast for the eyes with its intricate murals that tell the story of the life of Buddah, its pagodas with flashes of red, white and gold and the 60-meter-tall chedi as its centrepiece.”There's time to see one of Thailand's tastiest exports at a local cashew nut factory before your guide will take you into the heart of Phuket's Old Town, where you'll see the Sino-Portuguese architecture this place is known for, with rounded arches over the doorways and detailed woodcarvings with Chinese motifs.Afterwards, you'll hop onto a traditional longtail boat to sail to Intara Farm, an eco-tourism site, where you'll savour a seafood lunch before you get stuck into some activities. Here, it's all about marine life – you'll see how pearls are formed and hop onto the floating fishing raft to learn about the rare animals that can be caught here, like the painted spiny lobster, the archer fish and the black salmon. Next, you'll navigate the nearby mangrove forests in a kayak, and learn about how important these wetlands are for the ecosystem, before finishing the day with a baking session – you can try your hand at making kanom kho, a local dessert that's made with boiled rice dumplings stuffed with a sugar cube and rolled in shredded coconut.

Phuket Airport departure fast track with Coral Executive Lounge

End your holiday in style with this Phuket International Airport departure service. Breeze through the airport with a personalised meet and greet service, a porter for your bags and assistance through immigration. Then, kick back and relax in the Coral Executive Lounge with quality food and drinks as well as free Wi-Fi and newspapers. A perfect end to your stay in Thailand.

Phuket Airport fast track services

Arriving into Phuket International Airport just got easier with this VIP arrival service. Whether you're starting your holiday or only transiting through, you'll benefit from a personalised service from the moment you step off the plane. Help with baggage claim, porter service and onward journey guidance are just some of the perks, as well as fast-track immigration for international arrivals.

Speedboat tour of the Phi Phi Islands

A trip to the famous Phi Phi Islands is almost compulsory in Thailand, and an early start gives you the chance to discover their beauty without crowds of tourists. A speedboat ride takes you to the best beaches where you can swim, snorkel and relax. And with Monkey beach, Viking Cave and Pileh Lagoon on the itinerary it's sure to be a great day.

Phuket island tour with temples

Tick off the best of Phuket on this heritage-rich tour of the island. Start on a high at Nakkerd Hill, where you'll enjoy panoramic views across the south from Nakkerd Hill. Next, it's on to the revered Wat Chalong temple and a cashew factory. Then, in Phuket town, you'll head to the old town, where you can pick up souvenirs and gifts on Thalang Road.

Half-day observation at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary from Phuket

Caring for elephants is more than just an activity; it's a heart-warming encounter that's guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Head to a local Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and you'll spend half learning all about these gentle giants, and after making some magical memories, finish off with a delicious Thai lunch.Leaving Phuket, you'll head straight for the Elephant Sanctuary – tucked away in a serene spot, this sanctuary prides itself on being a safe space for these intelligent animals. Upon arrival, you'll dive straight into an introduction to the programme's conservation efforts. Then, it's time to come face-to-face with the elephants. You'll get a glimpse of feeding time with these gentle giants, and watch them take a mud bath. You'll wrap things up with a tasty Thai lunch to reflect on your day, with an extra surprise. A visit here is not only an item to check off your bucket list, but an experience to cherish for a lifetime.