Phuket - the Pearl of the Andaman
Phuket is the second smallest province but at the same time the largest island in Thailand. Located on the Andaman coast in the south west of the country it has some of Southeast Asia’s finest beaches and offers something for every visitor. From first-class golf courses, high-end spas, historical sites, fun attractions for all ages and of course the famous nightlife, you will have so much choice to fill your days(and nights) when staying in Phuket. The east coast of the island is generally the preferred destination for holiday makers as this is where you’ll find all the great beaches but the west and south coasts offer plenty of things to see and do. Phuket Town is one of the oldest cities in Thailand once being an important port of call for Chinese and European traders. The old buildings indicate the former prosperity with a Sino-Portuguese architecture.
Major attractions in Phuket
Phuket is undeniably the most famous island in Thailand and the most visited. With Phuket airport taking many direct flights from Europe, Asia and Australia it is easy to get there. The island apart from the amazing beaches like Surin, Bang Tao, Kamala, Patong, Karon and Kata, offers so much for travelers. Great shopping with modern malls and traditional markets, some of Asia’s finest restaurants, fun-filled land and sea activities, animal sanctuaries, national parks and sightseeing, you are spoiled for choice. Something not to miss when in Phuket is the famous Phuket Fantasea Show which is filled with a range of entertainment and activities and the amazing Las Vegas style theater show. Phuket is also the gateway to visit many of the surrounding islands like Phi Phi, Similan and of course Phang Nga Bay.
Rent a luxurious holiday villa in Phuket
Phuket has a strong reputation as one of Asia’s premier destinations for a luxurious holiday experience. In recent years, the luxurious Phuket villas offer guests not only privacy but also gives them the best facilities and services to make their time unforgettable in Phuket. Whilst many of the villas in Phuket are high-end and attract the wealthier travelers there are also many villa options for the average holidaymaker seeking a different experience than a stay in a hotel. Nearly all Phuket villas will have a private pool and can provide guest services like chef and concierge assistance.
Karon Beach, Phuket
Karon Beach is both a beach and an adjacent town on the west coast of Phuket island, north of Kata. Most hotels are on the main road rather than the beach, so sea facing beach front villas are a prized asset indeed.
Karon Beach Geography
The beach is 1.5 km long and westward facing, on the shores of the Andaman Sea. The southern area was hit particularly badly by the tsunami, but has now fully recovered. While quieter than neighbouring Patong, it does have its fair share of loyal tourists. The predominant visitor population is from Scandinavia, so a number of business and attraction cater for this specific market.
How to get to Karon Beach
From Phuket Airport you can pick up a voucher from the airport transportation booth for a flat rate of 650 baht. The drive is just under an hour. Taxis will generally charge more. The transportation booth inside the airport also sells minibus seats for around 150 baht. The minibus makes several stops along the way to drop off other passengers so the time of transfer varies.
Get around Karon Beach
The fastest and easiest way to get around is by tuk-tuk, which provides access to other parts of the beach or nearby towns. To get to Phuket Town, taxis are available and cost around 400 baht, whereas tuk-tuks will be slightly cheaper. Beware of gem scams, though. Some tuk tuk drivers will offer you a low price if you agree to stop at a few gem stores along the way, but there's no obligation to buy, even though the sales people will be pushy. There are public buses which leave from Karon to different places every hour for around 20 baht.
Karon Sunsets
The beach is very quiet and so a very good place to relax and enjoy the sunsets over the Andaman. Umbrellas and chairs are available for rent if you want to get right down to the water.
Shopping on Karon
In the main part of the town or on the beachfront you'll find cheap clothing markets, tailors, supermarkets, convenient stores and supermarkets. Everything you need is here.
Eating on Karon
While most of the restaurants are Scandinavian leaning, there is still plenty of range in the dining options. The best thing to do is to walk along the beach road at sunset and see which establishment takes your fancy.
Water sports on Karon Beach
You can take a kayak out on the water or go jet skiing. Karon is still fairly quiet, though, so water-sports don't dominate.
