Phuket – Tours and Excursions

Phuket is the largest island of Thailand and accordingly, countless tourists come to Phuket every year for their vacation. Although there are countless attractions and sights in Phuket, most people just stay where their hotel is and don’t move around the island much.

Excursions and tours for Phuket and vicinity

In addition to the fantastic beaches of Phuket or the great viewpoints, you can also go on wonderful tours directly on the island or in the surrounding areas. Since the selection is huge, we would like to introduce you to 5 interesting and exciting tours on Phuket and the surroundings.

How to get to Phuket

The fastest way to get to Phuket is by direct flight. There are flights either from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur or even from Europe and many more places all over the world. The price depends on the airline and the route, which is why no precise information can be given here. It’s best to compare the prices at Skyscanner.

Other ways to get there are by bus or minivan from many parts of Thailand. Be it from Khao Lak, Bangkok, or Surat Thani. You can always find a way to drive to Phuket. Depending on the route, the journey can take up to 12 hours (Bangkok) or just two hours from Khao Lak. You can find connections and prices at our partner 12go.asia. Booking is absolutely uncomplicated and we often use the site ourselves.

Accommodation on Phuket – our hotel tip

The choice of hotels on Phuket is a little overwhelming. From beautiful accommodations near the beach to hotels in the jungle, you can find everything on the island. Even if Patong doesn’t have the best reputation, we often stay there. There are many restaurants, bars, shops and also beautiful uncrowded beaches such as Tri Trang Beach can be found in the area.

The Bliss Suite Hotel at the southern end of Patong Beach is recommended. You are still located in the main town of Phuket, but out of the way, where you have your peace. Sea views, the short distance to the beach, rooms with balconies or suites with their own swimming pool speak for themselves. You can explore other hotels on Phuket here, if you don’t want to stay in this area of Phuket.

1. Phuket: James Bond Island Tour by Big Boat and Sea Canoe

For the Phuket James Bond Island Tour by Big Boat & Canoe, you will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken to Ao Po Pier in the northeast of Phuket. There you change to a two-story boat that will take you to the first stop of the tour to Hong Island.

Before arriving at Hong Island, there is a stop at a bat cave, where you can explore it with a canoe. After visiting Hong Island, there will be a buffet lunch on the boat as you continue towards James Bond Island.

Finally, you will reach Koh Khao Phing Kan, as James Bond Island is called in Thai. The rock from the famous James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun” is a great photo opportunity. Afterwards you can explore the island’s souvenir shops or go for a swim in the sea.

Here you can book the Phuket: James Bond Island Tour by Big Boat & Canoe.

2. Phuket: 4-in-1 ATV, Zipline, Temple and River Rafting

Do you like to be active? Then the Phuket tour for adventurers: ATV, temples, zip line & rafting is right for you. It starts off quietly at Wat Suwan Kuha Cave Temple before rafting 5 kilometers downstream.

Zip lines, suspension bridges, an ATV ride, lunch, drinks, snacks, and a relaxing bath in a cold waterfall are also part of the tour’s program. You can book the pick-up from the hotel as an additional option.

Here you can book the tour Phuket: 4-in-1 ATV, Zipline, Temple and River Rafting.

3. Phuket/Khao Lak: Full-Day Ethical Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Many visitors would like to experience elephants up-close on their vacation, but riding the majestic animals is not a good idea and only harms them. However, you can make this dream come true on the day tour to the Elephant Care Park.

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the elephant sanctuary. There you will receive a briefing on the elephants and the care of the huge animals. Afterwards you go directly to the elephants and you can learn more about the animals from the keepers. You can even take a bath with them and clean the elephants from the mud. Lunch and a coffee or tea break are included as well.

Here you can book the day tour to the Elephant Care Park.

4. Phuket Highlights: Small Group City Tour with Rum Cocktail

After the pick-up in the late morning, you will go to the Old Town of Phuket Town. Learn more about the Sino-Portuguese history, architecture and discover the colorful houses of the city. Phuket Town is really beautiful and we really enjoyed it there!

Then continue to Chalong, explore the largest Buddhist temple on the island. Next, the tour leads to the Big Buddha, which you have probably already seen from afar. Not only the Buddha statue, but also the view over Chalong Bay is quite impressive.

Finally, head to Laem Promthep, the southernmost point of Phuket, to watch the beautiful sunset. The last stop is also in Chalong in a rum distillery, where you can try organically grown rum and have a delicious drink at the end of the tour.

Here you can book the tour Phuket Highlights: Small Group City Tour with Rum Cocktail. It’s really fun and you see a lot of beautiful places in Phuket away from the beaches.

5. Phi Phi Islands Day Trip and Snorkeling from Phuket

This excursion starts at 8.00 A.M. with a pick-up at your hotel. Then take a boat to Bamboo Island for swimming and snorkeling. Monkey Beach and Nui Bay are next on the plan before having lunch on Koh Phi Phi Don, the larger of the two Koh Phi Phi islands.

After refreshment, continue to Koh Phi Phi Leh to the Viking Cave and the Phi Leh lagoon, where you can swim in a natural pool. The tour ends with the famous Maya Bay, which many know from the movie “The Beach”. There is not much more to say about this.

However, since Maya Bay is sometimes closed due to the tourist overcrowding, Rang Island will be used as a replacement during the period of closure. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful tour.

Here you can book the Phi Phi Islands Day Trip and Snorkeling from Phuket.

Phuket: the 3 most popular tours

Of course, these tours and excursions only represent a small part of the possibilities in Phuket. You can find an even larger selection directly from our partner GetYourGuide, where you will certainly find something suitable for you.

Which tour have you already done in Phuket? Do you have a recommendation? We look forward to your comment.