Phuket province is located in southern Thailand. It is the biggest Island of Thailand and sits on the Andaman sea. The nearest province to the north is Phang-nga and the nearest provinces to the east are Phang-nga and Krabi. Phuket has a large Chinese influence, so you will see many Chinese shrines and Chinese Restaurants around the City. A Chinese Vegetarian Festival is held there every year. While the Chinese community is quite big, there are many other ethnicities bringing all their traditions and festivals from all over the world to Phuket.

Being a big Island, Phuket is surrounded by many magnificent Beaches such as Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Laem Phromthep viewpoint is said to feature the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand. It isn’t all just Beaches though, there is also fantastic classical architecture such as the Goom Restaurant. That and the very welcome atmosphere and the famous Phuket NIGHTLIFE, you can see why the Island is a hotspot for tourists in Thailand.

There are plenty of really memorable things to do in Phuket. The island itself has a beautiful historical old town, great viewpoints and iconic cultural attractions. It's also a good base for exploring the nearby islands and their must-see attractions. These include world-famous places like Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands.

Phang Nga - Phang Nga Bay's distinctive feature is the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just 2 of the more famous spots in this bay. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, with only brief encounters with the tourist crowds at James Bond and Koh Panyee, is by taking boat trips from the northern end of Phuket.

A leisurely day trip cruising through Phang Nga Bay's dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches, is far more rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour.

James Bond Island, also called Koh Ta-pu ('Nail Island' in Thai), first found its way onto the international map through its starring role in the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). And this is where most tours seem to take all of the tourists – all at the same time.

With its signature rocky pinnacle, the entire area surrounding this island is indeed spectacular. Most tours take you up the main highway for 1 hour on the same well-worn itinerary. An integral part of these tours is lunch at Koh Panyee, a nearby Muslim fishing village.

Phi Phi Islands - The Phi Phi Islands are Thailand's superstar archipelago, particularly famous for Maya Bay's central role in the 2000 movie The Beach. It's the topic of conversation for travellers all over Thailand. For some, it's the only reason to touchdown in Phuket. Even with all the hype, it doesn't disappoint.

Phi Phi's beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when approached by boat, rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to a beach-fringed jungle. To most, it's love at first sight.

Phuket's beaches- Phuket is known for its outstanding beaches, probably more than anything else. With over 30 of them around the island, there’s a wide variety of atmospheres, scenery, facilities and even textures of sand available. But with such a huge amount of choice, the question of which is the best beach in Phuket is inevitable.

Kata Beach has it all – beautiful soft sand, nodding palm trees, clean waters with a soft seabed, good surfing in the low season and snorkelling in the high season, and a fantastic laid-back atmosphere. Colourful long-tail boats are moored at the northern end, with a few budget food and drinks vendors often found nearby, while the southern end has a choice of beachfront hotels and restaurants and an exciting flow rider park at Surf House.

A 300-metre-long strip of some of the finest white sand in Phuket, Freedom Beach has all the isolation of a pristine desert island but also with a restaurant and beach chairs available.

Kata Noi is the neighbour to Kata Beach (the name literally means 'little Kata Beach'), Kata Noi is just under 700 metres long but is an amazingly beautiful spot. The sand here is among the finest, the sea among the nicest and the surrounding restaurants among the best in Phuket.

Ya Nui is one of Phuket’s smallest beaches and yet is amazingly popular for its size. It has a total length of less than 200 metres in an L-shaped curve. The shore has beautiful sand and sea and offers striking scenery, set just beneath Windmill Viewpoint.

Admittedly, Surin Beach is not what it used to be. Once the home of several of Phuket’s top beach clubs and a bustling local market, it had an air of sophisticated fun. Even with that now gone, the beach retains its raw natural beauty, with tree-lined soft white sand and clear tropical seas.

Big Buddha Phuket - Visible from most of the south of Phuket, the Big Buddha sits atop the Nakkerd Hills and looks down over Chalong, Kata and Rawai. It cost 30 million baht to construct and is 45 metres tall. Next to it stands a smaller golden image that's actually made of solid brass and there's also a shrine near the site's car park. The drive up to the Big Buddha takes you through some beautiful jungle and the view from the top is enhanced if you take a map to identify the many, many sights.

Similan Islands - The stunning Similan Islands are surrounded by amazingly clear blue seas and pristine white-sand beaches. Heaven for island-hoppers and scuba divers, the 9 islands are about 30 km off the coast of Khaolak. They're ranked among the best dive sites in the world for their lively and colourful coral reefs and perfect visibility. For non-divers, the famous Sailing Boat Rock is on Similan No. 8 and is an iconic feature of this must-see archipelago.

Wat Chalong and Phuket temples - Wat Chalong is one of Phuket's most important temples and is visited by thousands each year. It's beautifully decorated, with infinite reflections from hundreds of tiny glittering glass pieces on its many pagodas. It has an interesting history and is Phuket Island's spiritual centre. Wat Chalong isn't the only remarkable temple in Phuket, however. There's an impressive number of them dotted around the island, several of which are home to impressive Buddha statues. Each has its own particular charms and remarkable features, making them worth seeking out and exploring.

Phuket night markets - Phuket has an impressive selection of night markets to choose from. Each has its own unique charms, but all offer interesting souvenirs at low prices. They're an excellent place to try local street food and snacks, and some also have street performances and music. The best night markets in Phuket have a special festival feel to them, often being accompanied by street performances and music. Local markets are generally a good place to find some great bargains on souvenirs and keepsakes. However, why waste a perfectly good beach day? Wandering around a busy marketplace under the scorching sun will have you drenched in sweat within minutes.

That’s where night markets have the advantage. Food vendors do a roaring trade at Phuket night markets, making them excellent spots to enjoy your evening meal, experience genuine Thai street food, and shop in cool comfort, all at the same time. These are some of the best to choose from around the island.

Scuba diving in Phuket - Phuket is a great place to learn to dive or enjoy some fun bottom time. It's rated among the top diving destinations in the world and many of the centres in the area boast years of experience. Diving day trips from Phuket to Phi Phi Island and the Racha Islands operate throughout the year, though conditions are at their best in the high season.

Both beginners and experienced divers will appreciate the underwater scenery at Phi Phi, the fascinating King Cruiser wreck close to Anemone Reef, and the exciting diving at Shark Point – named after the Leopard sharks which live on the sandy bottom. For world-class scuba diving and the really big fish, go for a liveaboard dive cruise to the Similan and Surin Islands in the Andaman Sea.

Spa/Massage - In Asia, the spa culture has evolved into a concept focussing on the spiritual and natural, drawing from traditions of meditation, respect for nature and the desire to achieve physical and mental wellbeing – the key to maintaining health and beauty. Thai massage, in particular, is famous around the world for being extreme yet effective. Phuket has a dizzying array of spas to choose from when it comes to relaxing aching muscles, ranging from top-end retreats to side-street stores.

Phuket golf courses - Phuket has a collection of fine golf courses, all of which have been designed to take full advantage of the island's tropical climate and unique topography. Many visitors come solely to play golf around the beautifully landscaped courses, which make use of the local abundance of water and trees to full effect. Many of the courses and near hotels to ensure that accompanying family members can enjoy being left to laze by the pool or on the beach.

Standards are high, ensuring that the greens are green and the holes are challenging enough to stretch new and experienced players alike. Some of the courses have even been used for international competitions and world championships.

Siam Niramit Phuket - Siam Niramit Phuket is a tastefully done cultural extravaganza that adds variety and vitality to the island’s entertainment scene. Perfectly located just off the bypass in the outskirts of Phuket Town, it is set on prime lakeside land. The show features songs, dance routines and traditional martial arts.

Just like its sister theatre in Bangkok, Siam Niramit Bangkok, the Phuket show is very well put together by a professional and inspiring team. As an audience, you simply sit back, relax and enjoy the historical perspectives of Thai arts and culture throughout this fantastic 70-minute performance.