Phuket Scooter Tour in the Northwest of the Island

The most popular Thai island, Phuket, is relatively large, and without your own vehicle, it’s difficult to see much. Therefore, a Phuket scooter tour is a fantastic way to explore many beautiful corners of the island. Whether it’s the west coast with the sights of Patong or further south to Kata, Rawai, and Naiharn. You can also discover Phuket Town, Chalong, or the northwest coast, which is much quieter.

The Northwest of the Island – A Great Route for a Phuket Scooter Tour

In this article, we have chosen the quieter Phuket scooter tour through the northwest of the island. Many tourists who stay in the main towns of Patong, Karon, and Kata skip this beautiful side of the island. However, we believe that it’s precisely for this reason that it’s worth taking a tour to these places, as they are not too crowded. Here you can explore viewpoints of Phuket, unique temples, see airplanes on the beach, or visit other highlights like the Naithon Wooden Bridge or Ma Doo Bua.

Of course, you can modify the scooter tour to your liking; this is just a suggestion for your planning.

How to Get to Phuket

There are many ways to get to Phuket, the most chosen one is the airplane. Phuket airport is approached by several airlines within Thailand, but also by flights from Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and more. All flights as well as duration, connections and prices are best compared on Skyscanner.

Furthermore, you can travel by bus from many different places in Thailand, such as Krabi, Bangkok, Khao Lak etc. or just take the boat to Phuket. There are e.g. ferries from Koh Phi Phi or Koh Yao Yai. You can find more bus and boat connections on 12go.asia. There you can also book tickets directly. A train to Phuket does currently not exist.

Accommodation in Phuket – Our Hotel Tip

The JonoX Phuket Karon Hotel is located just a few minutes’ walk from Karon Beach. It is a very new and modern hotel with a beautiful rooftop swimming pool. The rooms are equipped with all amenities, and there are also family rooms with an additional bunk bed (ideal for 4 people) available. Furthermore, a simple breakfast buffet is offered, and there is a small room with toys for children at the reception. A great starting point to explore Karon itself without a scooter or car.

Phuket offers a wide range of accommodations for various budgets. If JonoX doesn’t suit you, feel free to check out other hotels here. There will definitely be the right one for you.

Before You Start: Renting a Scooter and Safety

We won’t discuss the topics of international driver’s license and helmet in this article about the Phuket scooter tour – this should be absolutely obvious. First and foremost, you should definitely be a confident scooter rider because, even though the roads on this route are very good, there are many curves and hills. Additionally, there is sometimes a lot of traffic in Phuket, and it can be quite challenging for beginners to drive.

You can rent a scooter in many places in Phuket, sometimes even directly at your accommodation. Otherwise, you can find some scooter rentals along the main roads, where we have never had any problems ourselves. The price is usually between 150–200 Baht per day. Of course, you will also get a helmet (feel free to ask for a better, newer helmet), and in most cases, you will have to leave your passport as a deposit and sign a contract.

There are many gas stations in Phuket, but not too many along this tour. In Kamala or Bangtao, you will find small gas stations. Otherwise, you can also stop at the stands where gasoline is sold in bottles. This is a little more expensive than at the gas station, but often easier to find on this route.

Tip: To explore our Phuket tips, you can wonderfully use Google Maps as a navigation aid throughout the island. The route guidance is very reliable, and you can perfectly plan and carry out your scooter tours. All you need is a SIM card with mobile internet, which you can buy and use immediately all over the island. There is even Google Street View on the whole island, so you can preview your route in advance.

Further General Safety Tips for This Phuket Scooter Tour

• Remember to protect yourself sufficiently with sunscreen. With the wind while riding, you often don’t feel the heat, and sometimes it can get a bit windy along the west coast, so you feel the direct sun even less. This can be a nasty surprise at the end of the day.
• Always check before you start whether your scooter has enough tire pressure and whether both brakes work well. Sufficient tire tread should also be present, of course. If you don’t have enough air in the tires, you often find small shops or workshops along the roadside that can help you for a few Baht.
• Ride slowly and carefully; don’t speed too much. Especially in hilly areas or where there is a lot of traffic, this can quickly lead to an accident.
• Always watch out for potholes and sand on the road.

1. Cafe Phuket View Point

You start the Phuket scooter tour at the Patong Beach sign at the Dolphin Roundabout, so to speak, at the very north of Patong Beach. Take the first exit at the roundabout, heading north. Now follow the road for about 5 minutes (or 3 km) through the small town of Kalim, always along the coast. After Kalim, the road rises a bit; here, watch on the left side for the Cafe Phuket View Point. This is the first stop, perfect for a coffee or a small breakfast with a great view.

2. Laem Singh Viewpoint

Continue following the road for 7.5 km, which will take you a good 15 minutes. Leave the town of Kamala, where you pass by Phuket FantaSea, behind you. After that, it becomes a bit hilly and winding again, so drive carefully and cautiously. After a few minutes, you’ll see the Laem Singh Viewpoint on the left side, recognizable by the little house on the roadside. Here, you can also park your scooter or car and enjoy the view.

3. Banana Beach

The next destination of the Phuket scooter tour takes you much further north; about 14 kilometers and 30 minutes of driving lie ahead. Follow the coastal road past Surin Beach and through Bang Tao, where it leads you inland. Shortly after the large Lotus’s and McDonald’s, the road makes a right turn, which you follow. At the next major intersection, continue to the left. You’ll know you’re on the right track if you shortly thereafter pass the Villa Market/Boat Avenue on the left side.

At the next intersection, shortly after the 7-Eleven, turn right. Now continue straight for quite a while until you reach the Main Road 4018 and turn left here. The roads now are usually a bit quieter and less busy. If you see signs towards Naithon Beach/Phuket Airport in places, you’re on the right path. The next stop, the Banana Beach, is on the left, recognizable by the scooters and cars parked on the roadside.

Banana Beach, somewhat hidden, feels like a small paradise and is one of the most beautiful beaches of Phuket. The secluded beach, surrounded by dense greenery and steep cliffs, is accessible via a short footpath. Note: There are several access points, some of which are less steep than others.

The beach itself impresses with its fine, golden sand and crystal-clear, turquoise water. It is ideal for swimming! The underwater world of Banana Beach, rich in colorful corals and exotic fish, makes it a popular destination for snorkeling enthusiasts. There is also a small restaurant on the beach that offers delicious food and drinks. By the way, you can take beautiful photos from the rocks at the northern end of the beach, which offer a magnificent view over the entire beach.

4. Naithon Wooden Bridge

After a little relaxation and swimming at Banana Beach, continue along the coastal road for just under 2 kilometers. When you drive into the town of Naithon, the road goes slightly downhill. There, watch on the left side for the entrance to the Naithon Wooden Bridge, the next stop. It comes before you see the beach – about opposite the Malaiwana. This is a very popular photo spot and worth a short stop.

5. Mai Khao Beach

Before you start the return journey of this Phuket scooter tour, there’s one more destination: plane spotting at Phuket Airport. The journey takes about half an hour. Follow the coastal road to the next big intersection. There, turn left and continue along the road past the Phuket Airport.

You will now come onto the large two-lane road but take the next opportunity to turn left again. After a while of going straight, continue right at the next intersection. At Soi Mai Khao 7, turn left. Arriving at the beach, you will find a large parking area and various tuk-tuks that will take you for 20 Baht up to just before the airport. Here, you can now watch the planes at Mai Khao Beach taking off or landing as they fly low over the beach.

Note: With the scooter, you can also drive directly into the small path that the tuk-tuks take. This is a walkway that leads directly past some accommodations. At the end, you can then park where the tuk-tuks are.

6. Wat Phra Thong

Next, drive back to the large two-lane main road, turn left, and make a U-turn at the next opportunity to drive south again. Follow the road for a good 10 kilometers. You will now see a 7-Eleven on the left and a sign on the right that says you can turn right towards Patong, Kamala, and Surin. Opposite that, turn left and pay a small visit to Wat Phra Thong on the way back.

Wat Phra Thong is known for its unique Buddha statue, Luang Poh Phra Thong, which is partially buried in the ground. According to legend, a farmer’s son died shortly after tying his buffalo to a post-like object. The boy’s father dreamed of this incident and, upon examining the post, discovered a large buried Buddha statue. However, no one was able to fully excavate the statue, so a temple was built around it. This story gives the temple a mystical aura. The temple complex is not huge, but a brief and free visit is recommended on the Phuket scooter tour.

7. Ma Doo Bua

Coming from the temple, turn left at the exit and at the next intersection, turn right towards Bang Tao, Kamala, and Patong. After about 10 minutes, watch on the left for the entrance to Ma Doo Bua. The Ma Doo Bua Cafe offers a unique experience where you can relax by a beautiful lotus pond. The charming cafe or restaurant is known for its picturesque setting, which is ideal for photo sessions.

As a guest, you have the opportunity to be photographed for a fee among the giant lotus leaves, creating an unforgettable scene. Alternatively, you can take your own photos on the jetty of the lotus pond. Besides the photo opportunities, the cafe or restaurant offers a selection of drinks and dishes from Thai and international cuisine – perfect for a relaxed afternoon and to take great souvenir photos.

8. Sea Sky Cafe

With this, the Phuket scooter tour is actually over. However, if you would like to make another stop in the evening and are returning to Patong, you could visit the Sea Sky Cafe. It is located in the hills of Patong, with a great view of the sea and the sunset. From our last stop, you have to reckon with a good hour’s drive. So plan accordingly to fit the time, as the sunset in Phuket takes place around 6:00–6:30 pm, and you should be on-site a little before.

Phuket: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Phuket in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Phuket.

Have you been to the island and done this Phuket scooter tour? Did you enjoy exploring the quieter northwest? Feel free to give us your feedback.