- Sarasin Bridge
- Mai Khao Beach Airport Flight View
- Sirinat National Park
- The Hill Bar
- Layan Beach – Dream Beach Club
- Banyan Tree Spa Phuket
- Boat Avenue Street Mall and Bangtao Beach
- Surin Beach
- Kamala Beach
- Phuket Fanta Sea Show
Sarasin Bridge
Sarasin Bridge was the first bridge to connect Phuket Island to the mainland of Thailand opening in 1967. This bridge is infamous for a tragedy that occurred in 1973 when two lovers jumped from it to their death after the woman’s father forbade them to marry. The couple decided if they could not be together than they would take their own lives. The story of the two lovers is very much a part of Phuket’s folklore especially after a Thai film made in 1987 depicting the story. Sarasin bridge has become a tourist attraction and does not provide means for cars to run through as in the past. An adjacent bridge built in 2011 now serves this purpose. Sarasin is exclusively a pedestrian bridge with a viewpoint on a platform linked by two towers looking out to the Andaman Sea. Ornate light posts line the walkway, making it especially beautiful at dusk.
Mai Khao Beach Airport Flight View
This is the famous beach for plane spotting where you can take your photos of the airplanes just above you as they land and take off from the Phuket International Airport. The end of the runway is right at the beach making for very up close and loud opportunities to snap some awesome looking pics. Mai Khao Beach is the longest beach in Phuket. It is 11km long with coarser sand then other beaches on the island with groves of Casuarina trees along the shore. Once you have had your fill of airplanes you can walk along the length of the beach without hardly running into a soul besides hundreds of beach crabs scurrying out of your way as you go.
Sirinat National Park
Three beaches run along the seaside of this small coastal park – Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach and Mai Khao Beach. There is an entrance fee of 200 baht to drive through the park. It is open all year except for the months of June and July. There are 12 single room park accommodations and an area designated for camping. Within the park there are walking trails that meander through sections of beach forests consisting mainly of pine tree species. The trails also come right up against a number of resorts and hotels that are immediately adjacent to the beach. For those trying to catch a glimpse of wildlife there are a variety of bird species found in the park, various reptile and fish species in the section of mangrove forest where a freshwater stream meets the sea and coral reefs about 800m offshore for snorkeling.
The Hill Bar and Restaurant
From your cantilevered metal perch on top to a huge hill you can enjoy the most spectacular views from your restaurant table looking out over the jungle below and the sea beyond. This venue is supported by an enormous metal framework jutting out from the hillside and has 2 floors. Eating at The Hill Bar feels like you are in a tree house in the wilderness. The food is Thai and served in generous portions with many cocktail options as well as smoothies and beer available. Live music can be enjoyed in the evening and with the perfect sunset view is an extra special time to visit here.
Layan Beach – Dream Beach Club
Layan Beach is a superb tree-fringed beach away from the crowds. The island of Koh Kala to the north end of the beach is easy to explore as it is only separated by just a few metres from the mainland. You can rent a sea kayak to go around the island and the beautiful lagoon found just behind it. There is a small pier near by with long-tail and fishing boats where the river runs into the lagoon. Dream Beach Club is on Layan Beach and is a wonderful place to spend the day. Entrance fee gives you access to the on-site restaurant, swim-up bar, pools, cabanas, jacuzzi, sunbeds and resident DJs.
Banyan Tree Spa Phuket
The Banyan Tree Resort in Phuket is the flagship location of this internationally acclaimed tropical garden spa concept. This intimate spa retreat places an emphasis on Asian therapies with a holistic focus on spiritual, mental and physical harmony. The spa pavilions are recreations of royal Thai salas emphasizing traditional Thai architecture and the decor coupled with the beautiful natural surroundings are exquisite. The health and beauty remedies used incorporate natural Thai ingredients, aromatic oils, herbs and spices. Spa services include choices such as massage, body scrub/conditioner, facial and calming bath. An ultra luxe sensory experience.
Boat Avenue Street Mall and Bangtao Beach
Boat Avenue, found at the entrance to the Laguna complex, is becoming the new centre of Bangtao for shopping at stylish boutiques and the Villa Market – a high-end grocery with imported foods and wines. The Laguna complex is an immense property made up of luxury resorts, villas, spas and beach clubs. There are also dozens of trendy restaurants to choose from serving a vast choice of cuisines. Every Friday, Boat Avenue hosts a night market with a selection of unique local food to try. The resorts are located at the southern end of Bangtao Beach and offer their guests tons of activities, use of their massive pools and sun loungers. The beach to the north of the resorts is a very peaceful and relaxing stretch without noise and sellers. Here you can find your undisturbed slice of paradise. Lay out your towel and chill.
Surin Beach
This pristine shore is also known as “Millionaire’s Row” where you will find Phuket’s most expensive properties sitting on top of the surrounding hills with stunning ocean views and ultra luxury accommodations at the boutique hotels and world-famous resorts clustered in the area. Sometimes famous local and international celebrities can be spotted around town. The 1 km long Surin Beach offers up powdery white sand with crystal-clear turquoise waters especially during high season and snorkelling sites are found by the headlands at either end. Boutique shops and restaurants are a short walk from the beach, or you can visit the hawker stalls selling fruit, snacks and drinks on the road that runs alongside the sand.
Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is a 4km wide stretch of gorgeous white sand between rocky cliffs at either end surrounded by tropical forest. There are a variety of points of interest in and around Kamala to see. They include the hidden beach of Laem Singh just to the north of Kamala that you can only access by boat and to the south of Kamala you will find a challenging trail to a massive rock formation by the sea called Pha Pub Pa Rock. On Fridays there is a market in town which offers food and wares giving you a taste of Kamala’s retained Muslim culture and tradition. The Wat Baan Kamala located on the beachfront was rebuilt after the tsunami of 2004 and Tsunami Memorial Park commemorates this tragic event. There are many facilities and hotels around Kamala offering fun activities and great restaurants.
Phuket FantaSea Show
The FantaSea Show is part of a massive 140-acre cultural theme park that includes water fountains, an animal exhibit, funfairs, a buffet at the 4,000-seat dining facility and a shopping street. The park was designed around Thai mythology and legends with lots of colour lending itself to endless photo opportunities. The 3,000-seat state-of-the-art theater houses the award-winning Las Vegas-style theatrical production that includes live elephants!! The performers are actors, dancers and acrobats wearing impressive Thai costumes and there is a great display of sound and light effects throughout the show. To experience all the park has to offer allow for at least 3hrs for this worthwhile evening out of pure entertainment.