We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
The next stop on our Thailand journey is Phuket. After our time running around Bangkok, Phuket was a welcome change of pace. We soaked up the sun, swam in crystal clear water, and got a taste of this this stunning island. We have a lot of talk about so let’s jump into this Phuket travel guide!
Where To Stay
Joe and I stayed at the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. We chose this resort because my colleague stayed there over the summer. She raved about the pool and views – we’re so glad we went with her suggestion! This property is huge; there’s even a shuttle to take you around and bring you to the beach. We were given a room in building four, which is right next to one of the infinity pools, bar, and fitness center. The main pool (an infinity pool by the lobby with a stunning view of the beach) was supposed to be closed all month for renovation. Luckily it reopened on our last day and we spent the morning lounging and soaking up the sunshine. Pullman has two restaurants and a deli. We ate at the main restaurant, as the breakfast buffet was included with our room. All in all this resort was fantastic and very affordable!
What To Do
Old Phuket Town
On our first night, we visited Old Phuket Town for the Sunday Night Market. We took Grab to get to the market – the ride was about 45 minutes. See my Bangkok post if you want to learn more about transportation in Thailand! We wondered through the market, which was mostly filled with street food and souvenirs. There’s plenty to do in this area. We also visited the B Cat Cafe. The admission came with a drink and they offer free wifi. Of course we had to get a latte with cat art!
Excursions
James Bond Tour
Everyone suggested we go on the James Bond Tour. This full day tour takes you to James Bond Island (from the 1974 film, “The Man With The Golden Gun”), ventures through a cave, visits at a floating village, stops by a beach for lunch, and includes some time to swim. We booked our tour through Siam Adventure World, which came recommended by a friend. We had a great experience – they do “early bird” tours, which means less heat and less crowds. They pick you up from and drop you off at your hotel and provide a light breakfast (cookies, cereal, fruit, and coffee). Fortunately, they offer tours in several languages. We had an English speaking guide but there was also an Italian guide and German guide on our boat. They provide drinks, cookies, and fresh fruit on the boat. They also serve a simple lunch (not amazing but that’s fine!). My only complaint is that we rushed through our stops earlier in the day and didn’t get to visit the floating village when the shops were actually open. Otherwise I highly recommend this tour!
Phi Phi Islands
Our Phi Phi Islands tour was also through Siam Adventure World. I really enjoyed it and knew I needed to include it in my Phuket travel guide! We also got an early start and headed straight to Maya Bay. Tourists are no longer able to get on the beach after a lot of coral was destroyed (currently being restored). We snorkeled nearby and enjoyed the views. We went to the other side of the island and got a chance to swim in the clear blue water (see photo above). Next we passed by Monkey Beach, which unfortunately we also couldn’t visit. After that, we went to Tonsay Bay. There was an optional hike – Joe went for it and said it was tough. We ended with lunch and free time on Bamboo Island. We headed back a little early as it started raining heavily. If you only have time for one tour, I strongly suggest this over the James Bond Tour!
Where To Eat
While we didn’t have a ton of opportunities to dine out (breakfast was included with our room and we ate meals on our tours), we did find a couple noteworthy spots. As I mentioned, we visited the Sunday Night Market on our first day. A local recommended Tu Kab Khao, which is traditional, elegant and reasonably priced. We ended the night with Torry’s Ice Cream – another great spot! Our only other notable Phuket dining experience was the afternoon tea at our hotel, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. This was a fun option so I had to include it in my Phuket travel guide. They offer a classic option (mine) and Thai version (Joe). We enjoyed both.
