Let’s start by clearing up exactly how Phuket is pronounced!
It’s not Fooket as many people wish it was for the comedy factor!
It’s actually Poo-ket, although there’s nothing poo about it!
I’ve lived here for almost 11 years (on & off), while traveling the world and building our lifestyle businesses, and it’s been an incredible experience with the most amazing smiley people. (It’s not called the land of the smiles for nothing!)
Let’s start with a list of things to do in Phuket & then for those who want to know I’ll tell you a little more about this amazing country at the end.
For starters;
16 Things to Do in Phuket You Won’t Find on Your Standard Travel Blog!
NB: I’ve been struggling with my weight for years and as I wrote this list it became apparent why!
There is a lot of eating to be done in Phuket, but hey you’re on holiday right!
Enjoy it!
1. Take Muay Thai boxing class
Muay Thai means – Thai Boxing.
It’s an ‘ancient’ tradition over here which is actually surrounded by pomp and ceremony.
Before every boxing match, each competitor does a whole traditional dance which is super elegant & serene.
Then they knock ten bags of shit out of each other! It’s conflicting at best!
However, the Thai instructors here are the best on the planet & they love farangs! (Foreigners)
So get yourself down to a Thai boxing class. Firstly, it’s great fun! Who knew punching bags could be so therapeutic!
Secondly you need to work off all the food you’re going to be eating! 😂😂😂
2. Drink Cold Chang in the Ocean
One of my favourite things to do is to sink a nice cold local beer while bobbing about in the Andaman Ocean.
There’s something about being in a warm ocean with a cold beer…
Anyhow, the local brew is called Chang, which means Elephant. And it is a pretty strong beer!
3. Eat Khao Soi
Khao soi is actually a traditional dish from the North of Thailand.
It’s basically chicken or pork with noodles. But the curry sauce they use is to die for!
You’d find it on offer all over Chiang Mai for around 50baht a bowl ($1).
But there are a couple places in Phuket that serve a mean Khao Soi & they’re both on the beach!
Coco Club – Boat Lagoon & Bang Tao Beach
Catch Beach Club (more expensive)
4. Also Eat Massaman Chicken & Chicken with Cashew Nuts!
Two very traditional Thai dishes, you’ve never tasted anything like it!
Massaman is a curry and you can order it ‘ped’ (spicy) or ‘mai ped’ (not spicy).
It usually comes with chicken on the bone which I dislike so I always ask for it off the bone.
The best Massaman on the island is served at a little shack on the beach near the Angsana Hotel called The Beach Bar.
Get there at around 5.30pm to watch the sunset at the same time! Heaven!
5. Go to Ka Jok See in Phuket Town
Ok I’m going to admit, I still haven’t been to this!
I’m going soon & will update the post as and when I do, but by my friends accounts, this is a hilarious night out.
It’s basically a restaurant that turns into a table top, risqué ladyboy cabaret show later in the evening.
Apparently they have you dancing on table, singing & just generally engaging in light hearted tomfoolery.
Not for the faint hearted I’ve been told!
6. Eat Korean Chicken at the Sunday Walking Street
There are lots of street markets & walking streets around Phuket.
Two of the best are the Friday night market in Cheong Talay which sells the most incredible fried dumplings.
(Seriously I wonder why I struggle with weight).
And the Sunday walking street market in Phuket town, which serves the most amazing Korean Chicken!
It also has loads of Knick knacks and brand Knock offs you can take home to your family & friends.
7. Take a Private Boat Trip to Phang Nga bay
There are plenty of day trips here in Phuket.
You can head out to Phi Phi, or up to James Bond Island. Go over to Krabi or visit some floating villages. Even see Maya Bay where Leo Decaprio filmed ‘The Beach’.
Lots to see and if you have the time I recommend them all!
However, I highly recommend a private boat tour up to Phang Nga Bay.
Phang Nga bay is singularly the most beautiful place I have experienced in my life!
Miles & miles of ocean punctuated with huge limestone casts with coves & private little hideaways to jump out of the boat & have a swim/snorkel.
It’s spectacular.
It will cost about 8-10,000 (£250) baht for the day, so if there’s a gang of you it’s much cheaper.
Just start asking about at the boat offices in one of the marinas. You’ll get the best deals going direct.
8. Take a Long Boat to the Floating Restaurants
In the middle of the island just North of Phuket Town is a place called Laem Hin.
From here you jump in a long boat & ask to be taken to the floating restaurants.
It’ll cost all of 100 baht each way.
Vegans or vegetarians read no further, but if you love your seafood, please continue!
The restaurants sit atop floating wooden pallets with big holes cut out for the live fish to be stowed.
Grouper, sea bass, shark, crabs, octopus, you name it!
You pick your fish of choice, they ‘fish’ it out of the water with a net & cook it, fresh as a daisy!
If you’re a beer drinker ask to be taken to one of the non Muslim restaurants.
9. Take a Long Boat to Chok Dee
Heading in the opposite direction to Phang Nga bay is a secluded restaurant in the middle of the ocean called Chok Dee.
The boats can’t get moor close enough to let you off on land, so you have to swim the last few meters to get there.
I always feel like I’m in a James Bond movie, emerging from the sea onto this tiny little island with just a restaurant and nothing else!
They have snorkel kits at the restaurant, so you can go and order your food and explore the ocean while you wait! 😁
10. Get Sailing Lessons at Koh Ton
Right at the bottom of the island off the coast of Rawai, is a little known island called Koh Ton.
So unknown is it, that we only found out about it for the first time in 10 years last year.
The Java Yachting sailing school in Rawai takes people over there on the weekends for sailing lessons.
You can go for a day or the entire weekend. We decided to stay over on Saturday night & ended up being the only ones there!
We stayed in a fabulous little hotel on the island. Basic, but clean, nice food & cheap as chips!
Well worth a trip!
11. Have a Sunday Roast at Thong Dee
If you’re coming here from the UK & love your Sunday Roasts, they’re actually something they do incredibly well on the island!
My recommendation is a restaurant called Thong Dee in Kathu. The owner Patrick is fab & his wife the chef (who’s Thai by the way) cooks a mean roast!
The Islander in Rawai is another beauty, run by a true Brit called Mark.
Yorkshire’s, mash & roast potatoes abound so be prepared for a big meal!
Also Annie’s kitchen in Cheong Talay & Peppers Sports Bar round the corner offer lovely roasts!
12. Have a Meat Feast at the Supermarket
Ok this is my last food recommendation, although I could give hundreds more!
Right in the middle of the island is a huge shopping center or mall depending where you come from.
It’s called Central Festival and on the bottom floor of the section called Central Florista, slap bang in the middle of the supermarket is a meat feast paradise!
If you’re on Keto, or just love meat, this place rocks. Steaks, burgers, chicken, pork, pulled pork, Turkey, chicken parmigiana, you name it, it serves it.
It’s almost like a buffet. All laid out for you to choose what you want & then served up to you at your table.
We love it!
13. Go Diving in the Similans
Not strictly in Phuket, but if you come between November & March & love to scuba, I highly recommend the Similan Islands.
In an ideal world, I would recommend 2-3 days on a live aboard.
The best company to go diving with by far is Sea Bees, owned by a big German man with a huge warm laugh & his beautiful & tiny German wife! Holga & Helga.
Their boats are fab, the cabins comfy, the food is great, the diving is better & the company is amazing. The whole trip is a fantastic experience.
If you go tell them I sent you!
14. Take a Meditation class
You can’t come to the land of the Buddha and not take a meditation class.
I have to say it’s the most unnerving thing.
The chances are there will be a group of you. You’ll be led to a room or a yoga sala, by a calm and softly spoken chap or chapess, decked out in a loose shirt and huge fishermans pants.
They’ll invite you to grab a small cushion and sit on the floor with your legs crossed. (Another awkward moment if you have dodgy knees).
Then they may play some light traditional Thai music in the background or something soft and soothing, tell you to close your eyes and focus on your breath, possibly bang a gong to signal the start of the meditation and then….
That’s it.
You sit there and try desperately to focus on your breath.
“I wonder where we’ll go tomorrow’. Stop it! Breathe, in, out, in, out…
“Oh no, I forgot to respond to Mum’s email earlier’. Come on! Breathe! In, out, in out…
“Gosh that’s an annoying mosquito, buzzing in my ear……
And so it goes for about 45 minutes.
Not my thing I have to say, but definitely worth a try!