🔄 Updated 22 Jun 2026
Top picks in Phuket
Phi Phi Islands & Maya Bay speedboat tour
The classic Phuket day out. Ride a speedboat to Maya Bay, made famous by The Beach, snorkel over the reef at Loh Samah, and cruise past the emerald water of Pileh Lagoon and the Viking Cave. Most tours include lunch and hotel transfers. Morning departures are quieter and the sea is calmer.
Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island tour
Paddle a sea canoe through caves and mangroves in Phang Nga Bay, then see the limestone spire of James Bond Island rising out of the water. Tours run by big boat or longtail, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the scenery. Lunch and national park fees are usually included.
Similan Islands snorkeling day trip
Some of the clearest water in the Andaman, ideal for snorkeling over healthy reefs. Speedboats run from Thap Lamu Pier, with photo stops on the famous boulders and powder-white sand. Important: the islands open only from roughly mid-October to mid-May and close the rest of the year to let nature recover.
Big Buddha, Wat Chalong & Old Town half-day tour
An on-shore tour for travellers who want to see more than the beach. Start at Karon Viewpoint, head up to the white marble Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill, stop at the island's landmark temple Wat Chalong, then finish among the Sino-Portuguese shophouses of Old Town. A guide explains each stop over about half a day.
Phuket Old Town street food walking tour
Phuket is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and a local guide leads you between long-running stalls to taste Hokkien noodles, a-pong pancakes, o-aew jelly and old-recipe ice cream. Along the way you pass the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and photogenic Soi Romanee. Great for anyone who travels to eat.
Simon Cabaret show
A kathoey (ladyboy) cabaret that has been part of Phuket since 1991. The 70-minute show is full of elaborate costumes and mixes Thai and international numbers, with several evening start times to choose from. Book ahead and pick your seating tier. Fun for families and groups alike.
Phuket FantaSea
A cultural theme park in Kamala. The headline Fantasy of a Kingdom show blends Thai legend with lights and acrobatics on a huge stage for about 70 minutes. Around it sits a festival village to wander, souvenir shops and a buffet dinner hall. Tickets come show-only or with dinner, and kids love it.
Surf lesson at Kata Beach
Kata is Phuket's most popular surf beach during the swell season, roughly May to October. Beginner courses pair you with an instructor who gets you standing on the board in a single session, with the board included and pickup in the Kata-Karon area at some schools. A fun first try for newcomers.
Book Phuket tours & tickets
Booking ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue.
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