Phuket
5
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Five days on Phuket and the Andaman Coast lets you explore the full extraordinary length of Thailand's finest coastline. From the heritage streets of Old Phuket Town and the limestone theatre of Phang Nga Bay to the inaccessible paradise of Railay, the world-class dive sites of the Similan Islands and the extraordinary long-tail villages of Koh Yao Noi, this is the finest five days available on any coast in Southeast Asia. This route moves south to north along the Andaman, spending two days on Phuket before crossing to the extraordinary Phang Nga karst country, the sea gypsy island of Koh Yao Noi and the cliff-backed paradise of Railay. Five days covering the most extraordinary natural scenery, the finest seafood and the hidden corners of the Andaman that most visitors never find.
Best Time To Visit
November to April
Getting There
Fly into Phuket (HKT), direct from Bangkok 1.5 hours
Getting Around
Grab, longtail boat, ferry, hired scooter
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 180 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, beaches and boat trips, some jungle walking
DAY 1
PHUKET OLD TOWN
MORNING
PHUKET OLD TOWN, THE FINEST SINO-PORTUGUESE HERITAGE IN THAILAND
Old Phuket Town is the most extraordinary colonial heritage district in Thailand, its streets lined with 200-year-old Sino-Portuguese shophouses in extraordinary pastel colours. Thalang Road and Soi Rommanee are the finest streets. The extraordinary Baan Chinpracha mansion, the Jui Tui Shrine and the Put Jaw Chinese temple are all unmissable. Entry to most sites free. Drive/Travel: 30 min by Grab
MIDDAY
BIG BUDDHA AND WAT CHALONG, THE MOST SACRED TEMPLE IN PHUKET
The 45-metre white marble Big Buddha on the Nakkerd Hills is visible from across southern Phuket and commands extraordinary 360-degree views over the island, Chalong Bay and the Andaman Sea. The adjacent Wat Chalong is the most revered temple in Phuket, its extraordinary tower enclosing a bone fragment of the Buddha. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 40 min by Grab to beach
AFTERNOON
KATA BEACH AND THE PHUKET VIEWPOINT
Kata Beach is the finest beach on Phuket, a long curve of golden sand with clear water and the extraordinary Three Beaches Viewpoint above it, looking out over Kata, Kata Noi and Karon in one extraordinary panorama. The viewpoint is accessible by scooter or hired songthaew and is the finest sunset spot on the island. Beach entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Soi Rommanee in Old Phuket Town is a single lane of extraordinary restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses housing the finest independent bars and art galleries on the island. The street comes alive at night with string lights and live music. The Sunday Walking Street market on Thalang Road from 4pm is the finest local market in Phuket and entirely free of the tourist tat found at Patong. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kopitiam by Wilai, Old Town The finest breakfast in Phuket. Extraordinary Hokkien coffee and local dim sum in a heritage shophouse. | Lunch: Tu Kab Khao, Old Town Outstanding southern Thai food. The massaman curry and crab dishes are extraordinary. | Dinner: Kata Rocks sunset bar Outstanding seafood on the rocks above Kata beach. Book for the sunset table.
DAY 2
SIMILAN ISLANDS
MORNING
SIMILAN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, THE FINEST SNORKELLING IN THAILAND
The Similan Islands are one of the finest snorkelling and diving destinations in Asia, their extraordinary coral reefs hosting reef sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles and the most extraordinary diversity of coral in the Andaman Sea. The nine islands are a protected national park accessible only by liveaboard or day trip. Entry approx 500 baht. Day trip from Khao Lak approx 1,800 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by boat between islands
MIDDAY
DONALD DUCK BAY AND THE UNDERWATER ROCK FORMATIONS
Donald Duck Bay on Similan Island 8 is the finest snorkelling site in the park, named after the extraordinary rock formation above the water. Below the surface the visibility reaches 30 metres through extraordinary coral gardens with humphead parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse and lionfish. The white sand beach above is completely undeveloped. Park entry included. Drive/Travel: 45 min boat back to pier
AFTERNOON
KHAO LAK SEAFRONT AND THE TSUNAMI MEMORIAL
Khao Lak was the area most severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The extraordinary Police Boat 813, carried 2km inland by the wave and never returned to sea, stands as the most powerful memorial to the disaster in Thailand. The adjacent International Tsunami Museum is remarkable and deeply moving. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Ko Bon and Ko Tachai, the two northernmost Similan Islands, are accessible only on liveaboard dive trips and are among the finest manta ray and whale shark sites in the world. Manta rays aggregate at Ko Bon from January to April in extraordinary numbers. Liveaboard trips from Khao Lak from approx 12,000 baht for 3 nights. The experience is among the most extraordinary available in Thai waters.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Khao Lak pier cafe Leave Phuket at 6am. Breakfast at the Similan boat pier at Thap Lamu. | Lunch: Boat lunch, Similan Islands Simple Thai food served on the boat between islands. Fresh pineapple extraordinary. | Dinner: Khao Lak seafront restaurant Grilled Andaman lobster and sea bass at sunset. The finest seafood dinner on the coast.
DAY 3
PHANG NGA BAY
MORNING
PHANG NGA BAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SEASCAPE IN THAILAND
Phang Nga Bay is 400 square kilometres of limestone karst towers rising vertically from emerald water, one of the most extraordinary seascapes in the world. James Bond Island, used in The Man with the Golden Gun, is the most iconic rock formation. Koh Panyi, a sea gypsy village built entirely on stilts above the water, is extraordinary. Full day tour from Phuket approx 1,200 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by longtail
MIDDAY
KOH PANYI SEA GYPSY VILLAGE AND THE FLOATING FOOTBALL PITCH
The Moken sea gypsy village of Koh Panyi houses 1,700 people in an extraordinary community built entirely on stilts above the water with no land at all. The village has a mosque, a school and an extraordinary floating football pitch that tilts with the tides. The seafood restaurants above the water are the finest in Phang Nga Bay. Drive/Travel: 45 min by longtail
AFTERNOON
THE MANGROVE KAYAK TRAIL THROUGH THE LIMESTONE CAVES
The mangrove kayak trails through the limestone karst caves of Phang Nga Bay are the finest kayaking in Thailand. The extraordinary hongs, sea caves accessible only at certain tides through passages that require lying flat in the kayak, open into hidden lagoons completely enclosed by vertical karst walls. Guided sea kayak tours approx 1,500 baht.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Suwan Kuha Cave Temple at Phang Nga is one of the most extraordinary hidden temples in Thailand, a vast limestone cavern containing a 15-metre reclining Buddha and dozens of smaller Buddha images accumulated over centuries. The cave is 10 minutes from the Phang Nga town centre and almost entirely unknown to tourists doing the bay tour. Entry approx 20 baht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pier cafe, Tha Don pier Simple Thai breakfast before the morning boat departure at 8am. | Lunch: Koh Panyi floating restaurant Fresh crab, mantis prawn and barracuda grilled over charcoal above the Andaman. | Dinner: Old Town restaurant, Phuket Return to Old Town for extraordinary southern Thai curry and cold Singha.
DAY 4
KOH YAO NOI
MORNING
KOH YAO NOI, THE FINEST UNSPOILED ISLAND IN PHANG NGA BAY
Koh Yao Noi sits in the middle of Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi and is the most extraordinary unspoiled island on the Andaman coast, inhabited almost entirely by Muslim sea gypsies who fish the karst-dotted bay. Hire a bicycle from the pier for 100 baht and cycle the extraordinary coastal road with views of limestone towers in every direction. Ferry from Ao Po pier approx 100 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by bicycle
MIDDAY
THE MANGROVE TRAIL AND THE SEA GYPSY FISHING VILLAGE
The mangrove boardwalk trail on the north coast of Koh Yao Noi passes through extraordinary primary mangrove forest to a sea gypsy fishing village of traditional wooden houses on stilts. The extraordinary quiet of the island, the complete absence of large tourist infrastructure and the extraordinary views over the bay to the mainland karsts are unlike anywhere else on the Andaman coast. Drive/Travel: 20 min by longtail
AFTERNOON
SEA KAYAKING THROUGH THE KOH YAO NOI KARST ARCHIPELAGO
The small karst islands surrounding Koh Yao Noi are extraordinary for sea kayaking, with hidden beaches accessible only by boat and caves and hongs in the limestone. Hire a kayak from the main beach for approx 300 baht per hour or join a guided half-day paddle through the extraordinary archipelago for approx 800 baht. The sunset from the water is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The small island of Koh Yao Yai to the south of Koh Yao Noi is even more unspoiled and almost entirely free of tourist infrastructure. A 30-minute longtail from Koh Yao Noi brings you to a 15km coastal road with not a single resort, extraordinary deserted beaches and fishing villages that have barely changed in decades. Bicycle hire at the pier approx 80 baht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ao Po pier stalls Buy sticky rice and grilled fish at the Phuket ferry pier before the 8am crossing. | Lunch: Local restaurant, Koh Yao Noi Extraordinary Muslim southern Thai food. The fish curry and roti are outstanding. | Dinner: Six Senses Yao Noi sundowner Non-guests welcome at the bar for the most extraordinary sunset view in Phang Nga Bay.
DAY 5
RAILAY PENINSULA
MORNING
RAILAY BEACH, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL INACCESSIBLE BEACH IN THAILAND
Railay is accessible only by longtail boat through the limestone cliffs from Ao Nang or Krabi town, which has kept it remarkably pristine despite its fame. Railay West beach is the finest on the Andaman coast, its extraordinary white sand backed by vertical karst cliffs dropping directly into turquoise water. Longtail from Ao Nang approx 100 baht each way. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk through jungle
MIDDAY
PHRA NANG CAVE BEACH AND THE PRINCESS CAVE SHRINE
Phra Nang is the most beautiful beach in Krabi province, a small cove beneath extraordinary overhanging limestone cliffs accessible only on foot from Railay. The Princess Cave shrine at the cliff base is an extraordinary local religious site filled with votive offerings. The snorkelling off Phra Nang in clear water is the finest accessible from Railay. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min climb
AFTERNOON
THE RAILAY VIEWPOINT AND ROCK CLIMBING ON THE KARST
The Railay Viewpoint is reached by a steep 20-minute jungle scramble from East Railay and gives an extraordinary panorama over both beaches, the karst towers and the Andaman Sea. Railay is also one of the finest rock climbing destinations in Asia, with routes for all levels on the extraordinary overhanging limestone. Guided climbing from approx 800 baht per half day.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The lagoon at Railay, accessible by a rope climb through a hidden canyon behind East Railay beach, is one of the most extraordinary hidden places on the Andaman coast. A near-vertical scramble through a karst crack opens into an extraordinary enclosed tidal lagoon surrounded by 100-metre vertical cliffs with no beach access at all. Allow 45 minutes each way and go at low tide.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ao Nang pier stalls Buy fresh roti and coffee at the pier before catching the 8am longtail to Railay. | Lunch: Railay Beach Restaurant Fresh grilled fish and coconut curry on the beach. Order the morning catch. | Dinner: Krabi Town night market Return to Krabi for the finest street food on the Andaman coast. Outstanding pad see ew.
Where To Stay
Phuket Old Town, Nights 1 to 2 Heritage shophouse guesthouse. Rommanee Boutique or The Memory. Approx 50 to 120 USD. Koh Yao Noi, Night 3 to 4 Koyao Island Resort or Treehouse Villas. Approx 80 to 200 USD. Budget: Lom Lae. 30 to 60 USD. Ao Nang or Railay, Night 5 Rayavadee on Railay is extraordinary. Budget: Ao Nang Beach Resort. 25 to 60 USD.
Top Tips
1. Similan Islands are closed May to October. Always check the national park website before booking.
2. Koh Yao Noi is conservative Muslim. Dress modestly away from the beach and ask before photographing people.
3. Phang Nga Bay: private longtail tour for 1,500 baht is far superior to the large tourist group boats.
4. Railay lagoon rope climb is only safe at low tide. Check tide tables the evening before.
5. Phuket Old Town Sunday Walking Street from 4pm is the finest market on the island.
6. Book Similan day trips and liveaboards at least 2 days ahead in high season. They fill fast.
Total Budget
60 to 240 USD/day