I have been to several islands in my lifetime and while most of them share certain common characteristics like a warm tropical climate, warm ocean and splendid diving opportunities, none have yet managed to get my pulse rate ignited quite like Phuket, Thailand's "Pearl of the Andaman Ocean." Arriving, an atmosphere of excitement engulfs your very being, something tells you to expect the unexpected, that anything is possible and that no image on the internet, travel brochure or magazine could have prepared you for what awaits in Phuket. When the island opens before your eyes as you approach and it's exotic beauty is revealed from the air, you know that yesterdays fantasies is about to become today's realities.
I am not so much one to make my island holiday about the luxurious Phuket hotel accommodation and spend a lot of time inside the resort wall, but rather tend to save as much on this department. However, the hotels and resorts on this exotic jungle covered rock most definitely are what attracts many from around the globe. Luxury hideaways and exclusive spa retreats featuring private pool villas cascade down hillsides spilling onto the sun drenched beaches below and offering any conceivable facility from family friendly venues with kids clubs for the children, resorts and hotels with their own golf courses and everything else you can imagine. I stick to the affordable budget options, still enjoy an ocean view and surrounding tropical beauty all the same and spend all I have on things outside the resort wall.
But let's get to the real exiting stuff, the must do's and must see attractions and activities, the things that makes a vacation an adventure.
First up, Phuket is south east Asia's premier scuba and snorkel destination. The surface of the Andaman ocean is the doorway to an incredible underwater paradise bursting with colourful tropical fish species, coral and other marine life. Diving excursions from Phuket by Padi certified operators to popular dive destinations like Surin and Similan islands, Phi Phi and the incredible Phan Nga Bay where lime stone formations jut from the ocean are conducted daily. Many resorts and hotels in Phuket even offer their own dive centres and scuba training facilities. If you really feel like an adventure, try out a liveaboard excursion. These are quite well equipped and comfortable sleep-over boats allowing you to spend up to seven days out on the water and go on night dives if you have the stomach for it.
If scuba is not your fancy, a day trip to Phi Phi islands can be arranged with one of so many tour operators on the island it makes your head spin. This will include a visit to Maya Bay, location of the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo Di Caprio. This trip also include snorkeling showcasing teeming marine life.
James Bond island (location of the movie "Man With a Golden Gun) is another must visit and also Koh Phanyi. The latter is rather a community with their huts built on stilts over the water. During the day it is a market and at night it is changed back to sleeping quarters.
Trekking through jungle, rivers and past waterfalls on elephant back is an amazing experience and should be on everyone's agenda at least once.
Phuket has at least four horse riding clubs. Imagine horse riding on a pristine beach on an exotic island, passing blue lagoons and mangrove forests.
Kayaking in Phanga Bay exploring lime stone caverns is simply exhilarating. Peddling through the hongs (cave systems of which the roofs have collapsed over thousands of years) showcases exotic birds and greenery growing on the cliff faces.
Phuket boasts miles upon miles of glittering beach. On several of them a range of exiting water sports is available. Jet skiing, para-sailing, wind surfing, kite boarding and all else you can think of is on offer.
Phuket also feature a selection of world class, award wining golf courses for those who want to test their swing during their time here. Temples, waterfalls, a stunning aquarium, almost nightly Thai boxing bouts and a 53 meter bungy jump is ready to push your adrenaline to the limits.
The nightlife in Phuket is busy, electrifying and if you want it to be raunchy you can have that too. Patong Beach is the centre of the nightlife scene. Coyote bars, go-go bars, karaoke bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants are all thrown into a sizzling pot of pleasure and excitement.
If you want it less crowded and touristy, we suggest you hop over to Phuket Town. The Timber Hut and Jammin sees mostly locals and guarantee a good night's partying.
The Simon Cabaret is the biggest transvestite show with colourful performances and outrages costumes, bright lights and awesome sound.
The Phuket Fantasea, South east Asia's own Disney land is located in Kamala Beach. This is a 140 acre cultural theme park showcasing Thailand's ancient history and traditions and a must do for families and children. The park is made up of the theater with elephant shows and fantasy of a kingdom show which include aerial ballet and acrobatics with phenomenal sound and lighting effects. It also feature the carnival village shopping street and the Similan entertainment centre.
Well, how many more reasons does one need to visit The Pearl of The Andaman and, when you do book a hotel in Phuket, make sure your vacation is long enough to fit all the attractions and must do's into your schedule.
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