Joanna James
Phuket is ranked among Thailand's top beach holiday hotspots, and a week in Phuket is a dream come true for globetrotters around the world. Revered for its white, sandy beaches and outdoor activity options, Phuket offers travellers a beach paradise worthy of the name. From deciding on when to travel to signing up for the right kind of adventures and excursions, here's how to plan seven glorious days in picturesque Phuket.
Those who intend to visit Phuket for a week must make sure the weather is perfect during their holiday. Unlike a weekend getaway or a shorter stay, spending a week in inclement weather is no way to vacation in this beach paradise like no other. The best time to head to Phuket falls between December and March when the dry conditions mean that there's not a cloud in the sky to hinder any of your best-laid plans. Water-based activities are also easily accessible during the period of sunny skies and perfect weather. The monsoon months from the middle of May to October should be avoided at all costs unless one relishes the prospect of spending time indoors.
The next step in the planning process is deciding on a resort base for your stay. Those who are travelling during the peak tourist season from December to March should keep in mind that the best resorts and Phuket business hotels are booked months in advance. So whether you wish to stay at the Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas or any other base, it is crucial to make advanced reservations.
A week in Phuket leaves plenty of time to enjoy the many water-bound activities available on the island. Thrill seekers with a passion for adrenaline-pumping activities can sign up for water skiing, parasailing and jet skiing adventures while Phuket is also a fantastic venue for snorkelling tours. Scuba diving expeditions are also accessible on the island, which is blessed with a rich marine life heritage.
While they may not be as popular as the water sports available in Phuket, ATV tours are a great way to explore the inner wildernesses and villages of Phuket. These exciting and bumpy ATV trails also run across stunning beaches and mangrove forests so travellers can experience more than the coastal splendour of the area. Local tour operators offer tourists a plethora of trails as well as half-day and full-day tours to choose from. Those unfamiliar with driving ATVs need not worry as a crash course is also part of most packages.
Whether you are a culture buff or not, discovering Phuket's iconic temples and impressive spiritual attractions should be part of your week in the area. Some of the big highlights to include on your itinerary include Nakkerd Hill's Big Buddha Temple and Wat Chalong. Other shrines worthy of exploration include the Jui Tui Shrine and Wat Khao Rang, which are but two of Phuket's 22 temples. Don't forget to shop and dine in Phuket Old Town where some of the best restaurants and boutiques are still located in historic surroundings.
Cruise options available to those spending a week in Phuket include catamaran tours and sunset cruises around Yanui Cape. Yanui Cape is among the top locations from which to view the sunset every evening and the experience is further enhanced when one is viewing from the water.
Phuket is also a fantastic base from which to visit some of the other outlying islands and tourist attractions in the region. Coral Island and Racha Island are by far the most popular venues for day-trippers in Phuket as both islands offer holidaymakers the chance to go swimming, snorkelling and kayaking.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
