Phuket – The Magical Island of Thailand

While most people are confined to their comfortable space and only travel close to home, fearing the unknown and mysterious, there are some spectacular destinations across the globe that always capture the imagination and make for dreamful holiday destinations. Such a place is the magical Phuket island of Thailand, an exotic and idyllic destination for those searching for intense adventures. Phuket is the largest island of Thailand and is located to the southwest of the country coast, being connected to the mainland by two bridges.

Over the years and mainly in the last two decades, this has become one of the most popular tourist destinations of Thailand and definitely a famous destination in the whole world, renowned for its beaches, nightlife and historical heritage. As a matter of fact, Phuket is one of the most diverse and incredible destinations in the area, with countless opportunities to stay active and discover the amazing landscape. While in the past the island used to be known for its tin and rubber industry, as well as a stopping point along the trading route between India and China. The rich diversity of the island is also due to its close contacts with the colonial influences.

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Today, Phuket is a major worldwide travel destination, with thousands and thousands of tourists arriving each warm season to the seaside resorts of the island. The tourism industry has also come a long way from its humble beginnings, with major chain hotels and resorts all along the sea coast, with high class restaurants and plenty of entertainment options. While visiting the island, tourists have a vast array of choices regarding accommodation, from budget choices to the most luxurious hotels. Apart from these options, Phuket is also packet with excellent villas, where visitors can enjoy their stay in a safe and intimate environment.

The island features some of the safest and highly regarded accommodation choices in the region, after decades of development and modernization. The tourist services are also extremely professional and highly praised. Tourists should also rest assured that the island also has an excellent array of restaurants for exquisite dining, from the traditional ones offering delicious local exotic recipes to the international ones that can cater to any preference. While the island is mostly famous for its charming and unbelievable beaches, Phuket has plenty more things to offers, from wild adventures into the lush jungle in the interior, to crazy partying deep into the night and from world-class diving to golf and other activities.

While deeply diverse, chances are that if you are heading for Phuket, your first stop will be on one of the amazing beaches and there are plenty all along the west coast of the island. Beaches like the Hat Patong or Hat Karon are definitely the largest and most popular, with kilometers of fine sand and blue waters awaiting tourists. Other options include the quiet Hat Kamala beach, the remote beaches of Nai Thon and Nai Yang, as well as many other lesser known and smaller beaches all along the coast. Patong is also a nightlife destination, renowned for its clubs and party destinations.

All these beaches have excellent conditions and amenities, way beyond the regional standards. These beaches and some villages are also great destinations for people searching for adventures, mostly related to water activities. Phuket is the main diving destination in Thailand and there are some great spots for those that wish to discover the wild and rich underwater world. Chalong Bay is a great diving destination and there are beautiful coral reefs in the surrounding area to offer an unforgettable experience. There are also a variety of other water activities to be discovered here, including fishing, snorkeling, yachting, jet-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and many others.

Water is not the only environment for adventure time in Phuket, as the inland is equally enticing and interesting, offering great opportunities to discover the beautiful scenery and rich biodiversity of the island. There are countless hiking trails that connect the most important attractions and one can discover the cultural and natural heritage of the island along these routes. Speaking of heritage, Phuket is an incredibly attractive destination, with wonderful places to visit and discover. The capital of Phuket Town is usually cheaper than the beaches and has several landmarks, including the Old Town, Chinatown, the Zoo, the Orchid Farm, the Butterfly Farm and others. The Chalong Temple is an ancient destination where people can learn more about the past of the island, while the Crocodile Farm is a more unusual attraction. Other than that, there are a lot of nature reserves on the island, protecting its beautiful landscapes with lush forests and fabulous waterfalls, a diverse wildlife and vegetation. The Big Buddha of Phuket is also a popular landmark, located on a mountain and being an impressive sight with its white marble and 45 meters height. Overall, Phuket is truly a magical island and there are so many reasons to visit this paradise destination.

Best Accommodation in Phuket

Photo by Valeriy Ryasnyanskiy on Unsplash