Phuket Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Phuket, Thailand)

The beaches on Phuket and the superb water sports on Phuket have long been two of the island's most popular tourist attractions and the reason that so many tourists visit the island each year. However, visitors to Phuket can also expect many traditional family orientated attractions, including the FantaSea amusement park, large zoo, butterfly garden, and aquarium, complete with touch pool filled with starfish and sea cucumbers.

Many tourists will enjoy the adventure activities and attractions, such as jungle safaris, white-water rafting and mountain trekking led by experienced guides, while others simply prefer to sit back, relax and enjoy the passing scenery on a pleasure cruise. Phuket's top tourist attractions are explained below.

Phuket FantaSea

Address: 99 Moo 3 Kamala Beach, Kathu, Phuket, 83150, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 076 38 5000
The award-winning FantaSea theme park is full of activities, attractions and entertainment, many of which are reputed to be completely unique. The enchanted Festival Village allows you to experience impressive architecture whilst visiting the numerous gift shops, enjoying the demonstrations and even riding on an elephant. Attractions for children visiting the Phuket FantaSea include plenty of games and unexpected surprises. The Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant, seating around 4,000 diners, lies within the Golden Pavilion, which appears to float on a lake, while the Palace of the Elephants theatre seats some 3,000 spectators and features outstanding acoustics.
Open hours: Friday to Wednesday, 17:30 to 23:30
Admission: charge

Cruises

Pleasure boat cruises are available all over Phuket and are a great way to relax, with many including refreshments and even full-blown meals. Dinner cruises are especially popular with families, while the young at heart will enjoy the lively party cruises and the many onboard attractions, such as party games and dancing.

• East West Siam
  Address: 60 / 6 - 7 Aroonsom Square Rat- U-Thit, 200 Years Road, Patong Beach, Phuket, 83150, Thailand, TH
  Tel: +66 076 34 0912
• High Class Adventure
  Addrees: 64 / 3 Bangla Square, Patong Beach, Phuket, 83150, Thailand, TH
  Tel: +66 076 34 4337
• Jolly Roger Cruises
  Address: 391 Yaowarat Road, Phuket City, Phuket, 83000, Thailand, TH
  Tel: +66 076 34 0636
• Phuket Island Discovery
  Address: Surin Beach, Phuket, 83000, Thailand, TH
  Tel: +66 076 23 9031

Phuket Zoo

Address: 23 / 2 Moo 3 Soi Parlai, Chaofah Road, Phuket City, Phuket, 83000, Thailand, TH
Phuket Zoo can be found on the southerly outskirts of Phuket City and enjoys a spacious setting of some 25 acres / 10 hectares. Full of family attractions suiting all ages, the zoo is always popular and boasts an array of animals, such as elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, tigers and many colourful fish, with the entrance to the aquarium section being a giant crocodile's mouth. Along with regular animal shows and displays, you will also find a bird park with many large and exotic birds, and an orchid garden, with a huge collection of these colourful flowers, together with many other tropical plants.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 18:00
Admission: charge, concessions for children

Phuket Aquarium

Address: Sakdidet Road, Makham Bay, Panwa Cape, Phuket, 83000, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 076 39 1126
Managed by the local Marine Biological Centre, Phuket Aquarium has recently been completely renovated. Home to a host of marine attractions and colourful freshwater fish, the 10-metre / 33-foot underwater tunnel is particularly popular and a great way to view the creatures. With many enormous tanks and aquariums, visitors will enjoy the large turtles, the electric eels, the touch pool and the many native species, giving keen scuba divers an idea of what to expect around Phuket's many beautiful coral reefs.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 16:00
Admission: charge, concessions for children

Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World

Address: 71 / 6 Soi Paneung Yaowarat Road, Phuket, 83000, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 07621 0861
Located just a short drive from Phuket City and reputed to be amongst the finest butterfly gardens on the planet, the Phuket Butterfly Garden has admirable conservation objectives. Literally hundreds of large, brightly coloured butterflies flutter around freely beneath a huge dome, while many caterpillars munch away on the exotic rain forest foliage. Also look out for the ponds and large fish, waterfalls, native birds and the adjacent Insect World attraction, where an enormous collection of specimen insects and invertebrates, such as giant millipedes, bird-eating spiders and scorpions are on view.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, concessions for young children

Safaris / Elephant Trekking / Adventure Activities

A number of experienced tour operators are located on the island and offer a range of adventure activities and attractions, ranging from rafting and trekking, to elephant rides and jungle safaris. Many of the main activities are based around Phuket City and actively promote conservation, meaning that you can feel good about yourself when supporting the legitimate trekking enterprises.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge

Simon Cabaret

Address: 8 Sirirach Road, Patong Beach, Phuket, 83150, Thailand, TH
Tel :+ 66 76 342 0115
A fun way to spend an evening, the Simon Cabaret features an all-male show, with a number of Thailand's most beautiful 'ladyboys' and transvestites. Shows are suitable for all the family and include dancing, singing and general showgirl-type entertainment.
Open hours: daily shows from 19:30 and 21:40
Admission: charge