Phuket is an island off of the South West of Thailand, attached to the mainland by a bridge and one of Thailand’s larger islands – bustling with life without compromising the serenity you find on their beaches.
There is no shortage of things to do in Phuket: known for its temples, beaches, Muay Thai, and yoga retreats and can be the perfect place for a variety of sailing holiday types – if you know where to look.
For Families
Phuket is a wonderful destination for families to visit. The locals are friendly and there are a plethora of activities to do – from exploring the Big Buddha and other temples to building sandcastles and paddling on spectacular beaches (we recommend Kamala beach).
There are excursions stopping at free-roaming monkey temples – perfect for your own little monkeys to explore – and elephant sanctuaries such as the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket – which offer the experience of a lifetime bonding with these gentle giants. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is a true rescue center, with dedicated volunteers working toward the liberation and safe housing of circus/ex-performance elephants and mistreated logging/worker elephants. We encourage you to please, check the ethics of any wildlife centre before visiting.
Other family favorites include longtail boat experiences – these large, canoe-shaped vessels are part of Thailand’s tourism image and are used for tourists, ferries, carrying cargo, and more. These boats are often used in excursions to Koh Panyee – the famous ‘floating village’ in Phang Nga Bay – another family favorite. On the floating village, you will find families, schools, restaurants, and markets, and learn all about this unique culture and way of life.
Phuket Old Town is bustling and provides many experiences for families with young children, as does the highly commercialized town of PaTong.
This neon-lit, beachside town is bustling with plenty of watersports and beach activities to do – as well as a shopping paradise complex and other shops throughout the town. With this being said, the area is famed for its wild nightlife (especially on Bangla Road, which acts more like a “party strip”). We recommend avoiding Bangla Road when traveling with young teens and children.
For Couples
Phuket is full of activities for couples – from wellness activities such as sunset yoga and on-the-beach massages, to trail hiking or night markets (we love Chivilla Road for a more romantic location, with live music, incredible offerings of fresh food and an atmosphere that’s hard to beat).
Or, head to the south of Phuket toward Karon beach – the largest beach in Phuket, with shallow waves rolling in – Kata Noi is Karon’s quaint, more intimate neighbor. Between the two beaches lies Kata beach, which is slightly quieter than Karon, but a little larger, and with more on its doorstep than Kata Noi.
For a tranquil romantic experience, we recommend mooring at Tonsai Bay, Ko Phi Phi Don (part of the Phi Phi Islands). Discover Maya Bay Tours (the actual beach where Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘The Beach’ was filmed) and the cozy – and quite breathtaking- Nui Beach cove, snorkel the pristine waters surrounding each of the Phi Phi Islands or simply grab a beach towel, hat, swimwear and sun cream – and head to any of the spectacular, soft sand beaches – for some blissful relaxation time.
If you’re looking to enhance your Thailand yacht charter experience, we recommend hiring a sea kayak or paddleboard – perfect for viewing caves and coastlines together and make for a wonderful partner activity.
For First-Time Sailors
Phuket is a level 2 sailing experience with Sunsail, meaning you need to have 10 days or 200 miles as a skipper on an equivalent-size yacht.
If your family or yacht-mates are new to sailing, there may be some choppy tides but overall it is a good place to start.
Ao Po Grand Marina and Ko Naka Noi make for easy sailing, however, we recommend checking the weather forecast regularly – especially when heading between Phuket and islands such as PhiPhi and Ko Racha Yai.
For Large Groups
Phuket has no end of exciting things for all group sizes, starting with our phenomenal fleet of yachts, which includes the Sunsail 454L catamaran. This yacht is our largest offering in Thailand, with 4 cabins housing up to 11 people, and with plenty of deck space, to boot! If you after after multiple yachts, or want to make up your own flotilla (for particularly large groups), we recommend getting in touch with one of our holiday planners.
Hen and Stag Do’s have the infamous party strip – Bangla Road – to explore, drink and dance the night away if they so wish. Many Restaurants in the Pa Tong area are big enough to seat large parties (although we recommend booking in advance, where possible).
The same can be said for Phuket Old Town; with its beautiful, bright-colored buildings, often painted with murals and street art. The Old Town offers visitors the chance to experience walking tours, road markets, open shrines and stunning architecture.
Other experiences for large groups, outside of the cities and large towns, include zip lining and jungle adventures such as Hanuman World, or exploring Cave Shrines such as Wat Suwan Huka (the Buddha Cave, or Suwan Khuha Temple) which is north of Phuket – just over a 1-hour drive from Ao Po Grand Marina.
