A little bit about PhuKet
Phuket island, which is also a province, is the biggest Island in all of Thailand. This perfect blend of city living and tropical indulgence is known affectionately as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, and it’s easy to see why. Patong is both the largest city in Phuket, as well as its most popular tourist destination. If you’re looking for options as far as leisure and entertainment go, there are few places in the world that are more prepared than Patong. From postcard perfect beaches to lush inner city accommodation, and nightlife, it’s no wonder why people all over the world can’t wait to spend their holiday in Phuket.
THINGS TO DO IN PHUKET
1 . Party in Patong
Patong’s international holiday fame comes from its massive variety of bars and restaurants to visit, and generally incredible atmosphere. After hours the beachside city awakens with colour as all manner of people take to the streets for an unforgettable night out in Thailand. Starting at one of literally hundreds of restaurants, and moving on to bar hopping and a fantastic club scene, Patong will keep you wide awake until the sun rises. The nightlife is centered around Bangla Road (bring your thick skin), but there are more relaxed options the further away you are from it. Taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available, but the area is entirely walkable if you know where you’re going.
2 Weekend Night Market
Phuket’s weekend night market, or Naka Market to the locals, is a collection of curious and delectable local Thailand food, and material items such curios, pirated goods, and secondhand trinkets. Situated on Chao Fa West Road a stones throw from Phuket Town and not far from Central Festival, the market is a must see on your holiday even if you don’t plan on spending much money. The sheer variety of wares on sale is worth the trip, and who knows what you might find if you spend the time.
3 Go See the Big Buddha
The Big Buddha represents an architectural and spiritual marvel, and is one of the most revered landmarks on the entire Island and Thailand. The immense 45m figure sits atop the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata, and cuts an imposing silhouette from afar. The viewing site offers a fantastic 360-degree view of Phuket, which adds an extra awe inspiring element to an already must see destination on your holiday which overlooks Phuket Town, Kata, Karon Beaches, and Chalong Bay among others.
4 Visit the Temples
Phuket is home to many magnificent temples, Wat Chalong (Chalong Temple) being the largest and most popular of all, making it a good reason to visit on your holiday. Locals and Thai tourists are drawn to the temple to pray and pay respects to the revered monks who founded? Wat Chalong, Thailand. A splinter of bone from Buddha is sheltered in the 60-meter-tall ‘Chedi’, which also holds an incredible look-out point over the temple grounds from the terrace at the top of its three floors. The interior walls and ceilings are adorned with painted illustrations of Buddha’s life, as well as plenty donated golden statues.
5 Go to Karon Viewpoint
Karon Viewpoint (formerly Kata Viewpoint) allows for spectacular views of the pristine Phuket coastline in Thailand, such as Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon beaches. Being one of Phuket’s most frequented viewpoints, it is busy almost all year round with holidaymakers, but for very good reason – it’s worth it.
6 Go swim at Kata Noi Beach
The beautiful and more secluded Kata Noi Beach is at the end of a beach cul-de-sac just a short drive over the hill from Kata Beach. Kata Noi’s appeal is in its natural wonder and detachment from the variety of Kata Beach, so kick up your holiday feet, walk along the beach, go for a swim, or snorkel in the clear Thailand waters.
7 Visit Phang Nga Bay
An absolute must see on your holiday in Thailand, Phang Nga Bay is home to 42 islands and islets. They are unique because of their variety of peculiar shapes, caves, and mangrove laden lagoons. If you didn’t have this on your to do list, Hello Islands recommend you change that.
WEATHER IN PHUKET
The three official seasons in Thailand – hot, dry, and wet, are segments of a constant summer holiday. The hot season runs from March through to June, with April and May reaching the highest temperatures throughout the year. The monsoon (wet) season is accompanied by heavy rains and occasional rough seas and can vary from year to year. It can start as early as May on the Andaman sea (Phuket, Phi Phi, and Koh Lipe) although it starts officially in June and continues into November. This starts much later on the Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao) in October or November, and typically runs into January. Most days it will rain for between one and two hours a day (sometimes only ten minutes) and dry up almost immediately, although in the heat it is often a welcome visitor that seldom overstays. It can, however, be torrential when the rains do appear. December through February is categorised as the dry months, although to tourists it will most likely still feel hotter than “home”. Travel tip: Whenever you decide to grace this summer paradise, be sure to pack light, breathable clothing and plenty of high SPF sunscreen, as you will underestimate the sun at your own expense. At least there is sunlight in abundance for everyone to enjoy.
> January
January is dry season in Phuket with lower rainfall averages compared to the rest of the year. The average temperature climbs during this month as the season is heading towards April/May when the hot season begins. You can expect around eight hours of daily sunshine during January, with it increasing steadily all the way through to the hot season. The ocean temperatures will be a balmy 28°C, just 2 down from the year high of 30.
> April
The second month of the hot season, and everything is on the rise. Average temperature is 29°C with highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C, the ocean temperature rises to an amazing 30°C, the highest it will get all year, and humidity is up to 80%. 150 mm descends from the heavens over ten days of the month , and sunshine hours are at an average of nine per day which is also a year high.
> July
The second month of the hot season, and everything is on the rise. Average temperature is 29°C with highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C, the ocean temperature rises to an amazing 30°C, the highest it will get all year, and humidity is up to 80%. 150 mm descends from the heavens over ten days of the month , and sunshine hours are at an average of nine per day which is also a year high.
> October
The monsoon season begins to wind down in October, with rainfall dropping by 120 mm at 280 mm over 23 days. Your average sunshine hours in Thailand are still at year-long lows of seven hours per day on average due to the cloud cover that bring showers along with them. Temperatures remain steady at an average 27°C with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C, while the ocean is still a marvelous 29°C.
> February
This is the last month in Thailand’s, dry season and sees rainfall of only 30 mm over three days on average, the driest of all months in the year. Average temperatures sit around 28°C with 33 being the average high and 23 the average low, with the humidity at 75%. Sunshine hours increase to nine per day and begin dropping in March. In February the ocean temperatures average at 29°C, only a single degree lower than the year high of 30.
> May
May represents the official end of the dry season as monsoon season approaches, with rainfall increasing to 200 mm over 16 to 18 days of the month. As a result, humidity rises from April’s 80%, while average temperatures remain at 29°C with highs at 32°C and lows at 25°C. Once again sunshine hours drop to eight hours per day, while ocean temperatures remain reliable as ever at 30°C, their year-long high.
> August
Average temperatures this month remain at 28°C with 31°C highs and 25°C lows. Rainfall takes a slight dive to 260 mm falling over 19 days of the month in short, heavy bursts, while your sunshine hours will average at around eight per day. Humidity in August is slightly sticky at 85%, although the cooling breezes after rainfall help with that. The ever-reliable oceans are still amazing and warm at 29°C during August.
> November
November sees the continuing drop in rainfall to 200 mm over the entirety of the month, with the average temperature stable at the year-long low of 27°C with highs at 31°C and lows at 23°C. Average humidity sees a welcome drop to 85%, and the average sunshine hours are at seven per day, which you can expect to increase as the month ends. The Andaman Sea will remain its usual warm and welcoming self at 29°C during November.
> March
The hot season in Thailand begins! March sees the temperatures rise to a 29°C average with highs averaging 34°C and lows 23°C. Humidity sticks around at 75% which will rise steadily as the months proceed. Expect eight daily sunshine hours, down from February’s nine, as wet days increase this month. The beautiful Andaman Sea remains at a warm 29°C during March.
> June
In Phuket, the average rainfall increases in June with 240 mm falling over 16-18 of the month, but showers are now beginning to become shorter and stronger. The average temperatures remain steady from last month at a 29°C average with highs of 32°C and lows of 25°C, although humidity is up to 85%, so you may feel a tad on the sticky side. Sunlight hours reach their year-long low at seven per day due to frequent cloud cover, while oceans remain the same at 30°C.
> September
September sees rainfall reach year-long highs with the average reaching 400 mm spread over 21 days of the month, more than ten times the rainfall from December to February. The average temperature drops, but is still lovely and warm at a 27°C, with highs at 30°C and lows at 24°C. The humidity follows suit with the rain and reaches year-long highs of 85-90%, but don’t be deterred by either as seven hours of sunshine hours still present ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Ocean temperatures keep rock steady at 29°C, only one degree lower than the high long high of 30°C.
> December
December sees a drastic drop in rainfall in Phuket, to only 60 mm over 10 to 12 days of the month, and humidity calming all the way down to between 70-75%. This means the end of monsoon season, as rainfall will continue to drop into the dry season to follow. Holiday sunshine hours rise to eight hours a day with cloud cover diminishing, and the seas drop to exceptionally warm year-long lows of 28°C.
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TOP BEACHES
FREEDOM BEACH
In Thailand, it is often the most elusive and secluded places that offer the greatest reward, and such is the case with Freedom Beach. Accessible either by bushwhacking through a kilometre of thick jungle, or by boat, this precious Phuket secret is beset on each side by forested hills, and offers a hideaway that separates it from the more mainstream beach locales. Freedom beach is dear to the local people, and as such is very well maintained, with its natural beauty of paramount importance to all who reside there. The beach offers holiday loungers for rent under the shade of the coconut palms, as well as restaurants on the south side if you feel like grabbing a bite to eat.
KATA NOI BEACH
This, the little brother beach to Kata, is a less developed and populous beach in Thailand, offering a more intimate atmosphere. A true gem along the south Phuket coast, Kata Noi’s soft golden beach slopes into an ocean ideal for swimming, with plenty of activities available for keeping everyone and anyone busy and smiling on their holiday. Its natural beauty is its showpiece, as one of the most scenic beaches on the Island.
LAEM SINGH BEACH
Situated on the west coast between Kamala and Surin beaches, Laem Singh is another picturesque hideaway surrounded by dense Thailand jungle and is overlooked by the steep promontory to which the beaches name lends itself (‘Laem’ which is Thai for ‘cape’). At 300 meters, this beach is relatively small, which contributes to the atmosphere of seclusion – a theme of many of our top beaches – and allows for the full enjoyment of its soft, fair sand and clear blue waters. Laem Singh offers the amenities of a mainstream beach with added natural beauty to fulfil your aesthetic holiday needs.
KATA BEACH
Kata is the big show off of the Phuket coast, and for good reason. This beautiful Thailand beach is a popular tourist holiday hotspot which offers all manner of entertainment for beachgoers to enjoy. It’s long expanse is lined with Casuarina trees which offer a welcome respite from the intense Thai sun. This premier location is perfect for people looking to have a fun day out and embrace the Phuket summer.
Where to Eat & Drink
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Getting your mouth around some authentic Thai cuisine can be challenging in Phuket, with many restaurants aimed at taking advantage of deep tourist pockets instead of offering a true to Thailand culture culinary experience. Here are some of Hello Islands favourites – authentic enough without putting a dent in your holiday travel budget.
Higher
No.6 Restaurant
Pan Yaah
Sea Hag