While many may feel that Phuket has it all, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep exploring. However, for those seeking to explore beyond the island's shores, there's a treasure trove of nearby attractions waiting to be discovered. In this article, we'll check out five great places to experience near Phuket, each offering its own unique charm and adventure.
Phi Phi Islands
If you haven’t been living in a cave for the past 20 years, it’s likely you’ve heard of these islands. Just a short boat trip from Phuket’s east coast, the Phi Phi Islands, with their breathtaking limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life, are a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The island’s consist of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, the latter being the filming location for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach." Explore hidden coves, go snorkeling among colorful coral reefs, or simply bask in the sun on pristine beaches. The Phi Phi Islands offer a perfect day trip from Phuket, and you can even spend a night or two on Phi Phi Don for the full Phi Phi island experience.
Phang Nga Bay
This region east of Phuket and north of the aforementioned Phi Phi Islands is an awe inspiring landscape renowned for its dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald-green waters. It feels like something out of Jurassic Park, a place where you wouldn’t be surprised to see a dinosaur rise out of the water. A day trip to Phang Nga Bay is a must for those staying in Phuket. Explore the famous James Bond Island, named after its appearance in the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun." There are many methods to experience the bay from paddle boards to kayaks, and luxury yachts to helicopter rides.
Similan and Surin Islands
The Similan Islands are situated to the northwest of Phuket with the Surin Islands a bit farther north. The Similan’s are world-renowned for incredible scuba diving due to their exceptional underwater biodiversity. While also boasting great deep water features, the Surin Island’s are the preferred destination for snorkeling. Both areas offer National Geographic-levels of water clarity, variety of vibrant coral species, and mind-blowing quantities and diversity of marine life. You can swim alongside graceful manta rays, massive whale sharks, and swim through vast shoals of tropical fish of all colors of the rainbow. It is a popular region for liveabout dive charters and the Surin Island’s offer camping for an authentic outdoor experience. Both island groups are National Marine Parks which means you’ll have to pay an entrance fee and chemical sunscreens which are toxic to marine life are prohibited.
Phuket's Nearby Beaches
Of course Phuket has its own bounty of stunning beaches, it's a fun excursion to venture out to nearby beaches for a change of scenery. There are a plethora of nearby islands with empty beaches and great snorkeling that are easily accessible from Phuket for a weekend or afternoon adventure.
If you’re new to Phuket, it’s understandable to stick around and explore the island while you’re still in the honeymoon phase. However, one of the beautiful things about Phuket is its close proximity to all sorts of diverse and exciting places where you can expand your horizons.