Phuket Travel Guide
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At its best, this island in the Andaman Sea is idyllic: It has long sandy beaches (some with dunes), warm water, excellent snorkeling and scuba diving off Koh Similan, ideal windsurfing conditions, mountains, fine resorts and some of the best seafood in all of Thailand. At its worst, it is overdeveloped, overrun with tour groups and areas like busy Patong's pulsing commercial strip and raucous nightlife are a bit too much for those in search of beachside tranquillity.
Over the years, the Thai government has granted economic incentives to encourage developers to shape the island into an international first-class resort. Hotels -- some of them enormous -- line every beach. As groups pour in from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Europe, backpackers head off to nearby Koh Phi Phi, or islands on the eastern Gulf like Samui and Pha Ngan.
But many of the resorts are attractive and elegant and designed to give you the illusion of tropical solitude in busier areas. It's nearly impossible to find a totally secluded beach, but there are a number of very attractive and comfortable facilities with a high level of service -- not a bad trade-off for those in search of all the luxuries. If on a family holiday, Phuket is a good choice.
The name "Phuket" is derived from the Malay "Bukit," meaning hill, and hills dominate much of the islands interior. There are still some rubber plantations and a few open-pit mining operations going on. Going by rented car or taking a fun but touristy "safari" is a good way to get into the jungle or up the hills from which you'll have great views of the beaches below and the many surrounding islands and islets. Most folks come for the beaches though, and Phuket's are indeed some of the best in Thailand. Take your shoes off, find a hammock, and relax.
