Things to do
Phuket things to do and the best Thai islands to visit
Phuket, Krabi and Railay, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Samui compared, with the best time for each coast and how to island-hop.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
- The best things to do in Phuket are Old Town, Wat Chalong, beach days at Kata or Kamala, and sea kayaking in Phang Nga Bay.
- Choose Phuket for variety, Krabi and Railay for limestone scenery, Koh Lanta for a slower pace and Koh Phi Phi for boat trips.
- The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta) is best from November to April; Koh Samui, on the Gulf, is the better choice in July and August.
| Andaman coast best | November–April |
|---|---|
| Koh Samui best | February–August |
| Maya Bay | Closed 1 August–30 September; no swimming |
| Phuket–Phi Phi ferry | About 1–2 hours |
| Ideal trip | 1–2 bases for a week, 2–3 for a fortnight |
Phuket or Krabi: which should you choose?
Choose Phuket if you want beaches, restaurants, shopping and day trips without changing hotels. It has its own international airport and the widest choice of places to stay. Kata suits families, Kamala is quieter, and Patong is the place for nightlife.
Choose Krabi for dramatic cliffs and boat trips. Ao Nang is the practical base, with restaurants and boats to Railay and the islands. Transfers from Krabi airport to Ao Nang take about 45–75 minutes; in Phuket, allow 60–90 minutes to the southern beaches.
What are the best things to do in Phuket?
Spend a morning in Phuket Old Town, walking Thalang Road and Soi Romanee past colourful shophouses, and try a southern Thai curry or Hokkien noodles. Visit Wat Chalong, the island's most important temple, with shoulders and knees covered, then watch sunset from the Promthep Cape area near Rawai.
For a full day out, join a sea-kayaking trip among the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. A Thai cooking class is a good plan B when the sea is rough. On beach days, follow the warning flags: strong currents are common in the wet season.
Krabi, Railay and Koh Phi Phi
Railay is a peninsula cut off by cliffs, reached by longtail boat from Ao Nang in about 15–20 minutes. Railay West and Phra Nang beaches are the most beautiful; stay overnight to enjoy them before the day-trippers arrive. Railay is also one of Asia's best places to try rock climbing with an instructor.
Koh Phi Phi Don has the hotels and nightlife around Tonsai; quieter beaches need another boat transfer. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh, made famous by the film The Beach, closes every year from 1 August to 30 September, and swimming is not allowed there.
Koh Lanta or Koh Samui?
Koh Lanta suits families and couples who want to stay put: Klong Dao has calm, easy beaches and Long Beach the widest choice of places to stay. It's about two to three hours from Krabi airport, including a car ferry. From Lanta, snorkelling trips go to Koh Rok and Koh Haa.
Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, is a different trip with a different climate. Bophut and its Fisherman's Village are great for evenings, Chaweng is the busiest beach and Mae Nam is quieter. Boat trips go to Ang Thong National Marine Park.
When is the best time to visit each coast?
For Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi and Lanta, November to April is the best season, with December to March the most reliable. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas that can cancel boat trips.
Koh Samui is best from about February to August, which makes it the better choice for UK summer holidays. Its wettest months are usually October to December. For Australian summer holidays, the Andaman coast is ideal. Book family rooms early for Christmas and New Year.
How should you plan island hopping?
For a fortnight on the Andaman coast, combine Phuket, Phi Phi and either Krabi or Koh Lanta. For a week, two bases, such as Phuket and Krabi, leave more time on the beach. Samui is on the other coast, so combining it with Phuket means a flight.
Check ferry piers, sailing times and onward transfers before you pay, and keep the last night on the island you're flying from. Make sure your travel insurance covers boat trips and activities, and check your government's travel advice before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phuket or Krabi better for families?
Phuket has more resorts and activities in one place. Krabi suits families who prefer boat trips and scenery, with Ao Nang as the base.
Which Thai island is best in July and August?
Koh Samui, on the Gulf of Thailand, is usually drier and calmer in July and August than Phuket, Krabi or Koh Lanta.
Can you visit Phi Phi as a day trip from Phuket?
Yes, by boat in about one to two hours each way. Note that Maya Bay closes from 1 August to 30 September each year and swimming there is not allowed.
