Hat Kamala Beach



Hat Kamala Beach is located in Kamala Bay about 20 minutes north of Patong Beach. Over recent years the beach has matured into a resort meeting all the requirements of the modern tourist, but has not lost its original identity – like Kalim Beach, Kamala is substantially more relaxed than some of the other areas in Phuket. It is also a lot quieter – the beach is deserted more often than not; ideal for taking in some sun or just sitting and relaxing. A number of hotels and guesthouses sit along the road leading to the beach and provide accommodation that meets any budget. A number of stalls sell fresh food at very reasonable prices meaning you can pick at something all day if you like! For those looking for great views, Khao Phanthurat is about 30 metres above sea level and from the top you can get an excellent perspective of Kamala’s 2.5 kilometer long ‘half moon’ of a bay. Phuket FantaSea is located to the north of the beach.

How to get there: Hat Kamala Beach is 25 kilometres from Phuket town and Songtaews leave for the area on a regular basis. If you are going there from Patong, a Songtaew going along the coast road will cost 20 Baht.

Koh Yao Islands

Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai


Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are a pair of large islands in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, equidistant to Phuket and the Krabi mainland. While the pace of development is accelerating on Koh Yao Noi in particular, the islands remain a quiet refuge that feels far removed from the crowds of Phuket.

In 2002, Koh Yao Noi gained worldwide attention after receiving the World Legacy Award for Destination Stewardship from Conservation International and National Geographic Traveler magazine for the eco-friendly homestay programs offered by its local residents.

Other activities available on the island include agricultural demonstrations (rubber and fishing), kayaking, hiking, snorkelling and swimming.

Neither of the islands have banking facilities, but Internet service, restaurants and some shops can be found on Yao Noi, including a brand new 7-Eleven with a very powerful air-con, a good chance to cool down and get some sugary drinks and ice creams. So if you plan to stay over, remember to withdraw some cash money before you go, even though there are few opportunities to spend it! Note that the islanders are keen to preserve their traditional ways, so it's important to respect the local culture by dressing modestly and refraining from drinking alcohol outside of the restaurants/resorts catering to visitors.

Long-tail boat ferries make daily trips to Yao Noi from Bang Rong Pier on the east coast of Phuket. From the airport, a taxi will take you to the pier in 25 minutes. To get to the pier, take route 4027 east from the Heroines' Monument, then turn right at the sign for Bang Rong (or Bangrong) and follow along for a few kilometers.


Getting to Koh Yao

The fare is 50 Baht for the one-hour journey, with daily departures from Phuket at 9.30 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. The boat will make a short stop on Koh Yao Yai, then cross to Koh Yao Noi, only 8 minutes away. Long-tail boats can also be hired at Ao Po pier for charter to Koh Yao.

Karon Beach



Karon Beach - The second largest of Phuket’s principal tourist beaches. Large resort complexes line the road back of the beach, but the strand itself, long and broad, has no development. The sand is very white and squeaks audibly when walked on. The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Poo Island. Restaurants, bars, tour companies and other Non-hotel businesses are at the north end, near the traffic circle, and at the south, on the little road connecting the back road with the beach road, The narrow road between Kata and Karon has a number of small businesses as well as the Dino Park Mini Golf facility. Karon is the most up-scale of Phuket’s beaches. Regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town.

The smallest of Phuket’s three main tourist beaches, Kata beah has uique structure in appearance and style from Karon or Patong. The beach itself is broad and curving, and structures bordering it are low-rise. The waters are perfect for swimming, and at the north end is a coral reef with many varied corals and fishes, which stretches out toward Koh Poo. Is about 1/2 km off shore. Facilities, for every price range, including hotels, bungalows, tour companies, restaurants, bars and clubs are located mostly by the shore.. Regular bus service is running to and from Phuket Town during daytime.


Patong Beach

Patong Beach is simply where Phuket’s action is! It’s by far the most frequented destination on Phuket and has just about everything a tourist could desire – it is therefore Phuket’s most developed beach! Located 15 kilometres to the west of Phuket town, this 3-kilometer-long white sand beach is jam packed with hotels, restaurants, bars (go-go and other types), discos and shops sitting alongside dive shops, travel agents and the outlets that cater for the windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing and parasailing that goes on around the beach. Despite the often frenetic activity, the water remains reasonably clean and suitable for swimming – there are actually separate ‘lanes’ for swimmers and those involved in water sports… This is a good thing – I would hate to see the consequences if they weren’t separated! Patong is particularly famous for its nightlife, which some say might rival that of Pattaya. Given that, Patong may not be as family friendly as the other beaches in the area. It is though a good place to start your exploration of the surrounding areas and a variety of tours are available that include Kayaking in Phang Nga, half-day snorkeling trips to islands off Phuket, sightseeing tours around the rest of island, and fishing trips into the open sea. Patong is also a good place to arrange your ‘liveaboard’ diving trips (October to May).


How to get there: Songtaew regularly leave Phuket Town for Patong Beach (20 Baht) as do buses from Thawiwong Road (15 Baht).


Phuket FantaSea



Costing 3,500 million Baht, Phuket FantaSea is certainly one of Phuket’s most interesting theme parks and has quickly become a tourist destination in its own right. Promising to be the ‘ultimate in nighttime entertainment on Phuket’, Phuket FantaSea is a ‘Las Vegas-style’ show ‘inspired by Thailand’s rich and exotic heritage’. A curious combination of high-technology, pyrotechnics, and tales of times gone by, the 140-acre site houses a number of attractions exploring Thailand’s myths, legends and history. Visitors are treated to battle reenactments, magicians who make elephants fly and disappear, ‘big show’ song and dance numbers, and aerial ballet. The Palace of the Elephants, 3000-seat theatre is of particular interest.

Turing Thai history and culture into a show of such a grand scale was an ambitious project that could have easily turned into historical ‘kitsch’. However, they have done well in making the whole thing credible. The site also offers handicrafts and shopping alongside a number of first rate restaurants. If you are in Phuket, it is well worth spending an evening here.

Details: Admission with dinner – 1,900 Baht (1,700 Baht for children); without dinner – 1,500 Baht (same for children). A 'Gold Seat' upgrade is 250 Baht, whatever your age, and a round pickup service from hotels in the area is 300 Baht.

How to get there: Phuket FantaSea is on Kamala Beach and easily accessible by songtaew, taxi, and tuk-tuk.

Contact:
Phuket FantaSea
99 M3 Kamala Beach
Kathu Phuket 83150
Tel: (076) 385-000
Fax: (076) 385-333

Reservations:
Tel: (076) 385-111
Fax: (076) 385-222
E- mail: marketing@phuket-fantasea.com / info@phuket-fantasea.com
Website: http://www.phuket-fantasea.com/


Promthep Cape


Promthep Cape is a simple rocky hill with no immediate interest. However, this is the most southerly point on the island at it is sunsets and views of Phuket’s southern coast you are here for! A flight of steps leads to the top of Promthep Cape and from there you have an excellent view of the “half-moon” bay housing Nai Harn Beach. The site also has a lighthouse with an observation level. From the observation level, the views are even better! This is the ultimate spot to watch the sun setting over the water. The colours the sunsets produce are extremely rich and seem to permeate the air around you! If you have time, try to make a sunset – it’s well worth the effort.

Details: A visit to Promthep Cape is often combined with a trip to Wat Chalong and Rawai Beach, which are on the way from Phuket town. There is no admission fee to the lighthouse, but again donations are suggested.

How to get there: If you are coming from Wat Chalong, travel along the coast road to Chalong junction and then on to Rawai Beach. From there, a drive south will take you to Promthep Cape. As there are potentially a number of stops on this trip, it might be more convenient to move from one site to the next by taxi. Alternatively, take one of the many tours available from Phuket town and the hotels/guesthouses in the area.

Vegetarian Festival (Phuket)


October is a month when many Thais (especially the ethnic Chinese) eat only vegetarian food. However, its Phuket where all the action happens, and if you thought this would be some sort of sedate congregation of tree-hugging types, think again! The original tradition of refraining from eating meat, drinking alcoholic drinks, engaging in sex, quarreling, and telling lies or killing had its origins in China. However, these days visitors witness those apparently possessed by the gods sticking all manner of sharp objects in their tongues, their cheeks anywhere really! Not for the faint hearted I assure you!


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