Mareza's Blog

If you are planning a trip to Phuket, check out this section for travel information and facts about Phuket. To make planning your trip easier, we offer practical advice on how to get here, where to stay and advice to ensure your visit to Phuket is unforgettable.


Ao-Chalong

Planning your holiday to coincide with one of Phuket's many events and festivals could make all the difference between a good holiday and a really memorable one. There are important events scattered throughout the year, so check if your visit to Phuket will coincide with anything you'd be interested in.


The Vegetarian Festival, which takes place in late September, is the most famous and spectacular of these. However, there are events throughout the year. Songkran, in April, is the Thai new year but is also an excuse for a huge water fight. While Loi Krathong, in November is a more subdued but magical festival.


Ao-Maya

Phuket lies off the west coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea, approximately 890km from Bangkok. It is Thailand’s largest island at 550sq km, roughly the same size as Singapore, and is surrounded by many smaller islands that add a further 70 sq km to its total land area. Phuket is separated from the mainland by the Chong Pak Phra channel at its northernmost point, where a causeway connects the island to the mainland.


Phuket is quite hilly. There are a few peaks above 500m, the highest being Mai Tao Sipsong at 529m. Many of these are covered in lush jungle. The lowlands consist of rice paddies, plantations of rubber, pineapple and coconut as well as the only significant area of rainforest remaining on the island, which is now protected as Khao Phra Thaeo Park.


Beach---Kamala

The most beautiful beaches are found on the West coast, separated by rocky coves and headlands. The east coast comprises limestone shoals with only a few sandy beaches while spectacular limestone islands adorn the horizon. Coral gardens full of exotic marine life dot the emerald waters surrounding the island, although sadly much of Phuket's coral has been disappearing due to environmental pressures and human activities.



A small secluded beach that can get quite crowded during the high season. Easy to get to but can also be easy to miss if you are not careful.

Laem Singh beach is located a few minutes drive north of Kamala in a small curving bay at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs. There is no accommodation here and not much other development except a few restaurants.


Laem Singh Beach

It is quite easy to miss Laem Singh, the only indication of the entrances are small signs on the road between Kamala and Surin. Both entrances to the beach have car parks, for which there is sometimes a small charge. If you don't fancy the steep walk down, head for the second car park on the road coming from Kamala



Because the beach can only be accessed by a walk down a steep path, Laem Singh has a more private feel than many of Phuket's other beaches. Nevertheless it can get quite busy on the weekends with plenty of sunbeds as its one of the most beautiful spots on the island.

heading north. The path here is longer but not as steep.

Mai Kao Beach

Located just north of the airport is Mai Kao beach, an incredibly long and deserted stretch of sand.


There is no tourist development here except for the JW Marriott Resort & Spa. Mai Kao is the longest beach on the island and also the most deserted. If you really want to get away from it all this is the beach for you.

Mai Kao is part of the Sirinath National Park, which also includes Nai Yang and Nai Thon, the next beaches along to the south. The area was declared a national park in 1981 to protect the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles that lay their eggs here from November to February.


Nui Beach

Just south of the Kata viewpoint, Nui beach offers the opportunity to enjoy a quiet idyllic beach only a few minutes drive from the busy resort areas of Phuket.



The catch is that its one of the most difficult beaches to get to. The dirt road down to the beach is very steep and should only be attempted with a 4x4 vehicle or trail bike. You should drive down the red dirt track for about 1km, then park and walk the rest of the way. The part leading down to the beach is very steep and the walk back can be very tiring.


Unfortunately there is another catch when going to Nui beach. There is a parking fee of 250 baht per day, which is basically an entrance fee. This also gets you a sun lounger and a free drink. Although all beaches in Thailand are public property, access to the beach is over private land, which means the landowner can charge people to get to the beach.




For some this is a small price to pay for a beautiful secluded beach, where you don't have to listen to the whir of jet-skis or be bothered by vendors.



Ya Nui is a small and quiet beach tucked away at the bottom of the hill between Laem Prom Thep and the next hill to the west with the windmills.

There is a small reef that is good for snorkelling during the dry season. Considering Ya Nui's proximity to many of the island's hotels in the south of the island, the beach still remains of Phuket's best kept secrets.


Ya Nui Beach