Touring Phuket Island

Phuket Island, frequently called the Pearl of the South is the largest island in Thailand and is large enough to be a province on its own. A mountain chain bisects the island north to south. On the western side lie the dazzling white beaches of Bang Tao, Patong, Kamala, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn with all manner of resort accommodations. Rounding Cape Prom Thep at the southernmost point you encounter the working beach of Rawai where the longtails, speedboats and some fishing boats anchor.

Coming up the sheltered eastern coast first is Chalong Bay where many yachts berth, then on up to Phuket Bay where the pier from which you catch the ferries to destinations within Phang Nga Bay is located. Phuket Town is also located in this bay. Heading further north up the eastern side of the island are Sapam and Po Bays, anchorage for many yatchts.

Form this side, looking east you see many of the islands for which Phang Nga Bay is noted. The island is bisected north to south by highway 402. You can drive around the island on a circular route from Thalang south through Phuket Town, around Rawai and up the west coast with intersecting roads across the mountains.



Chalong

Chalong is the main gateway to the southern end of the island. Form Chalong Circle five roads lead out: north to Phuket Town via ChaoFa Rd East and northwest to Phuket Town via ChapFa Rd which goes past Wat Chalong; east to Chalong Bay, south to Rawai and Nai Harn, and west across the mountains to Kata/Karon. There is a main pier Chalong, although it is currently under major construction acts as well as an Immigration Check-point for incoming yachts. Many of the dive operators depart from here, heading out to open water with their student divers. Chalong is the centre for many of the resident ex-pats on the island and has the flavour of a combination Thai-European village. Some of the best seafood on the island is to be found in restaurnts. There's a local morning market. And in the evening, near the circle, is a vendor market featuring all sorts of curries and Thai foods. Local buses heading to all points of the southern end of Phuket pass around the nearby is a motorcycle taxi stand.


Kamala/Surin

The amazing theme park Phuket FantaSea is located at kamala Beach. an experience you won't want to miss. There's a nine-hole golf course at Surin Beach where sunset golf can be a one-in-a-lifetime event. Surin Beach has a very strong undertow and it is not recommended for swimming. Kamala Beach is relatively undeveloped and has more of a Thai village atmosphere than many of the other beaches.


Nai Harn

Nai Harn Beach, home to the Phuket Yacht Club, is a secluded area near the tip of the island and is home to many of the ex-pat residents. During monsoon season swimming can be dangerous here as there is a steep drop-off close to shore and a strong undertow. There are some great little eateries tucked away near the beach. The sunset view from Prom Thep is spectacular.



Bang Tao

Bang Tao lies between Kamala/Surin to the south and Nai Ying to the north and is where some of the most luxurious resorts on Phuket are located. The winding road through here is beautiful: lined with trees and flowers, passing canals and along the sea.

There are many upscale sports and health facilities in this area including a riding club, a golf course (Banyan Tree), herbal spas and a skills challenge course (The Quest). You don't have to be a guest at one of the resorts to enjoy indulging in many of the facilities. And the scenic drive is free!


Nai yang

Nai Yang Beach, combined with Mai Khao Beach to the north, is the longest stretch of sandy beach on the island, covering 9km. It is here the giant sea turtles who, throughout the dry season, October through February, come ashore to lay their eggs. One of the activities of the Songkhran Featival in April is to release turtles back to the sea. There is great swimming and snorkelling along this beach with access to Phuket Camp ground and Nai Yang National Park. There's great golfing east at Blue Canyon Golf Club and the airport is out this way too.


Rawai

Rawai Beach lies around Cape Prom Thep from Nai Harn and is a working beach. Here you will find traditional longtail boats and modern speedboats for hire. Also along here are many Thai beach restaurants where you sit on mats along the water's edge eating grilled chicken, fish, clams and mussels, whatever's the fresh catch of the day. On the weekends many of the local Thais come here to picnic and vendors roam up and down, selling everything from sausages and dried squid to ice cream, fresh fruit, sodas and shaved ice treats. At the east end of this are a number of shops selling sea shells and other tourist items. A sea gypsy village is located at the east end but it is not recommended to visit these people who are in the process of being supplanted by tourism. A couple of hotels and bungalow resort are found along Rawai with their accompanying restaurants.


A beach and town with something for everyone

Not so long ago, less than 15 years in fact, Patong was a quiet Muslim fishing village. Today the mosques are tucked behindthe numerous buildings that crowd Patong, hotels, restaurants, street stalls, food shopping centres, bars and clubs.

The 6km long, white sand beach itself, during the rainy season, is empty of its colourful umbrellas and is buffeted by big waves. Watch for the red flags for they warn of dangerous swimming conditions. But there's still plenty of opportunity to achieve that perfect suntan- it doesn't rain all the time!

Patong's eateries continue open, offering just about every ethnic flavour you can imagine. There are high cost estaslishments right down to Thai food stalls and roadside noodle stands. Seafood, naturally, is served in many ways and many styles. It's an exhilarating experience to sit, enjoying a delicious meal, while watching the lightning flashes illuminate the turbulent sea.

Hotels, resorts,and bungalows all drop their prices during rainy season so it's a bargain time of year in Phuket.The pace is generally slower.

For nightlife,Patong is known as Party Central. There is everything from pubs and discos to jazz,cocktail lounges and Go-Go bars.