Joanna James
Tipped to be Thailand's most popular beach hub, Phuket is a beach paradise that's perfect for a one or two-week getaway. Phuket is home to some of the country's finest beaches and heritage sites, and a lengthy 1–2-week vacation on the island can encompass a lot more than just beach time. From experiencing the most exciting water-based activities in Phuket to signing up for engaging excursions, here's what to include on your Phuket travel itinerary.
The best thing about spending one or two weeks in Phuket is that you get to spend more than one afternoon or morning in Old Town. As the most vibrant area of Phuket, Old Town is not only known for its excellent pancakes and iced coffee but also for the Sino-Portuguese heritage that has made this part of Phuket a tourist's dream. In addition to embarking on a walking tour of this historical area, visitors can shop for souvenirs, dig into local treats at charming roadside cafes and gain a better understanding of what Phuket must have been like in centuries past. The street food and heritage hubs such as the Shrine of Serene Light and Chin Pracha alone are worth multiple visits.
ATV tours are big in Phuket and those who have time to spare can sign up to explore the bumpy trails hidden among Phuket's mangroves, beaches and pastoral villages whenever they fancy. ATVs are available for hire for those who prefer to take matters into their own hands while tours that crisscross stunning beaches, dirt roads and mangrove forests are accessible via local tour operators. Those who are unfamiliar with the mechanics of operating an ATV will be given a crash course beforehand so newbies need not worry about their lack of experience.
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort or any other base on the island is that the day trip options to nearby islands are limitless. While the activities and restaurants in Phuket are no less impressive, there's nothing quite like sailing to Racha Island for a scrumptious midday meal. Chalong Pier is where you can catch catamarans heading to Coral Island and Racha Island where you can spend hours kayaking around the shore, snorkelling, swimming or simply chilling by the poolside of a local restaurant. Snorkelling and fishing possibilities on both islands are the main reasons why day-trippers head to the Coral and Racha islands.
Once you have tired of island hopping, it is time to discover the new-found joys of beach hopping. With so many breathtaking beaches within close range of your base hotel, why not take the opportunity to explore some of the top beaches in Phuket including Kata Noi Beach? Other beaches that feature on most beach hopping itineraries include Surin Beach and Nai Harn Beach where you can also pay homage to the nearby Wat Nai Harn Monastery. Paddle boating on Nai Harn Lake is another great way to spice up your beach-hopping adventure.
When spending over a week in Phuket, there's no need to find a good seat at a local beach bar to catch the sunset when there are catamaran tours of Yanui Cape on offer. Considered one of the top sunset viewing locations on the island, the 45-minute excursion not only includes dinner on board your catamaran but also a spot of snorkelling.
No 1-2 week getaway in Phuket would be complete without clocking in some serious temple time at some of the island's largest spiritual centres. The Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hills with its panoramic views is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sacred spaces worth exploring in Phuket as Wat Chalong, Wat Khao Rang and the Jui Tui Shrine are just some of the more than 22 iconic temples on this paradise isle.
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