Thailand · PHUKET TOURS
Almost everything worth doing in Phuket happens off the island. The 15 below cover Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi crossing, the elephant camps inland and the old town on foot, with prices and how early each boat leaves.
Cruise Phang Nga Bay by spacious big boat, paddle by canoe through Panak and Hong islands with local guides, visit James Bond Island, swim at Nakae Island, and enjoy Thai lunch. Guides such as Omar, Tommy, Tony, and Ohma are known for warm, lively service.
“Friendly staff and guides Great communication on pick up. Lunch was excellent. Would do this again..”
Spend one hour at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket feeding rescued elephants with fruit or grass supplied by the elephant vet. Your English or Thai-speaking guide explains their stories, behavior, and safe boundaries. Meet at Elephant Jungle Cafe, with no transport included, and finish with a soft drink.
“The guide(english guy)- very cool guy. Also petting the elephants.”
Spend 10 hours exploring Phang Nga Bay from Phuket on a roomy two-story boat. Canoe through sea caves with local paddlers, visit James Bond Island, swim near Hong Island, and enjoy buffet lunch, fruit, snacks, and drinks. Guides such as Ohma, Bobby, James, and Tommy are known for friendly service.
“Well organised, everything was stress free with breathtaking views. On the plus the food served at lunch was delicious. Really exceeded my expectations honestly will recommend to my friends and fam :))”
Spend about nine hours island-hopping from Phuket by speedboat with a guide such as Ray or Sea. Visit Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, and Bamboo Island, with two snorkeling stops, hotel transfers, snacks, gear, and a seaview Thai buffet lunch.
“I love the experience from beginning to end I felt like I was in a paradise Maya bay is stunning the beauty is beyond amazing. Even though you can’t swim in it The. They take you to another islands where you can swim. Snorkeling. Lunch provided on a resort. I was pick up and drop off on the hotel. It’s recommended!!!!!”
Take a guided ATV ride through Phuket’s rubber-tree jungle, with mountain tracks, photo stops, and wide views from the Big Buddha area. Choose 30 minutes to 5 hours, with optional ziplining. Guides such as Chai and Joe help beginners, take photos, and keep the pace friendly.
“10/10 my partner and i do quad biking tours in every country we visit and this was defo the best”
Join Thai Adventure Club for a full day from Phuket to Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don. Guides such as Pom, Jimmy, and Joe lead snorkeling, Maya Bay sightseeing, Pileh Lagoon swimming, a buffet lunch, and beach stops. Hotel transfers, drinks, fruit, and equipment are available.
“I found the tour guides to be very informative, while being friendly and funny at the same time as giving important information. Really enjoyed swimming in Pi Leh Bay and snorkelling on a different side of the island. Managed to see a few monkeys also, although that was a bit quick and not many around. I did enjoy the experience overall, it was a great day out, fantastic people and beautiful views”
Spend nine hours seeing southern Phuket with an English or Thai-speaking guide, visiting Karon Viewpoint, Wat Chalong, a cashew factory, Old Town, Rang Hill, and Chillva Market. The Big Buddha road is currently closed, so the tour may offer views of it rather than access.
“It was a nice time. Logistically maybe start earlier to avoid traffic? The timing at places was perfect. I think any time you can get out of the area and explore new places and not be responsible for driving, it’s a plus. I could have eaten an entire can of the cashews. I didn’t. But could have easily consumed my weight in them. Our guide was sweet and sincere. Helped me bargain for a new suitcase. Driver was safe and honest to God, I don’t know how he managed not to hit some drunk crazy tourists in Patong. Five stars to him!!! I’d recommend. It was a great way to…”
Join Chef VJ’s Phuket cooking class with clear English instruction from chefs including Gigi and assistants such as Nid. Choose a class with a fresh-market visit and fruit tasting, or let the market ingredients come to you. You will chop, cook, make curry paste by hand, eat your meal, and take home recipes.
“Fun activity. A lot of food so pace yourself. Good food tho. Fun times! And you get the recipes at the end so that’s nice.”
Spend a half-day on YONA, Phuket’s floating beach club in the Andaman Sea. Choose a relaxed morning with live music or an adults-only afternoon with DJs and sunset views. Your pass includes a welcome drink, towel, pool access, shuttle boat, and food and drink credit. Seating costs extra.
“Amazing, great entertainment onboard, service was amazing, staff friendly, great food and easy transportation from jetty to boat. I would not hesitate to do it again.”
Ride a comfortable van from your Phuket hotel to Karon Viewpoint, Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, a cashew factory, and Old Town. English-speaking guides such as Sugar, Fa, Helen, and Kim add local stories, temple help, photo tips, water, and snacks. Big Buddha’s inner area is currently closed after a landslide.
“It was a nice tour. The highlight was when our guide, Fa, asked us if we wanted to understand the prayer process. She took us into the temple and guided us through the entire process with the flowers, incense and gold leaf. It was nice learning about the culture.”
From Roong Siam Pier, you’ll reach the Khai Islands in about 15 minutes by speedboat. Swim at Khai Nai and Khai Nok, snorkel from the boat at Khai Nui, and look for clownfish, reef sharks, and baby sharks with guides such as Simon, Bobby, Johan, or Lala.
“Great half-day with professional and friendly staff + good boat. I highly recommend this. The driver on the way there was ”strange”, late and speeding but the return-driver to the hotel was wonderful.”
Travel from Patong, Karon, or Kata with an English-speaking guide such as Nikom or Tuk Tuk. Visit Wat Suwan Kuha, ride a longtail boat through Phang Nga Bay, eat lunch at Pan Yee, see James Bond Island, and paddle by canoe around Talu Island.
“A really great tour overall! Our guide Nikom was super nice, always smiling, and brought amazing energy to the group. I would definitely recommend this tour!”
Spend an evening at Patong Boxing Stadium watching Thai and international fighters use punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. You will see the Wai Kru Ram Muay ceremony before the bouts, enjoy food and drink service, and receive a complimentary T-shirt. Shows run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights.
“What an experience me and my partner had at Muay Thai Boxing stadium. I would highly recommend doing this if you're ever in Phuket.”
Spend one hour at Patong Hill Tribe Elephant Village with rescued and retired elephants. Your English-speaking guide explains each elephant’s story, prepares herbal food, and helps you feed and photograph them. Choose a morning or afternoon visit, with optional pickup from many Phuket hotels.
“Absolutely lovely and a very helpful and friendly tour guide”
Explore Phuket Old Town with guides such as Lucky, Cat, Gigi, Tom, and Nam, tasting 15 or more dishes across markets, family-run eateries, and backstreets. Expect Burmese curries, Hokkien noodles, rotis, grilled meats, tropical fruit, and Phuket’s icy O Aew dessert. Groups are limited to eight.
“Solo traveler joining the Phuket Food Tour. Gigi was our guide. She has roots in the community and she had a connection to every establishment on our tour. There was plenty of food to taste- more than I could manage. Come hungry but it’ll be fine if you don’t scarf down every bite. The tour ended in Old Town right as the market was setting up and in a convenient location to take a stroll in and out if you like. I can’t speak highly enough of Gigi. She was a great guide.”
Pick a coast, a kitchen or a temple.
