Phuket is Thailand’s tropical paradise. Dubbed “the Pearl of the Andaman,” it’s the largest and most well-known of the islands in the Andaman Sea on Thailand’s southern peninsula. It has a population of around a quarter of a million people. The island has a rich culture and history and was one of the major trading routes between India and China.

Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate with very little variation in temperatures. The natural beauty includes lush jungles, sugar-sand beaches fringed by swaying palms, spectacular atolls, and limestone cliffs. Phuket is my favorite island in Southeast Asia.

My friends say I’m an aquaholic. I will say this…there are plenty of opportunities for water adventures in and around Phuket…

I enjoy white river rafting to Chalong Bay. The rapids can be really wild, pumping my adrenaline as I fight to stay upright in my slippery raft. Staying dry is not an option.

Phang Nga Bay

Sea kayaking at Phang Nga Bay is a highlight of the area. Over 100 towering limestone “islands” rise precariously out of the shimmering emerald green water, creating a dramatic, otherworldly landscape. The craggy outcroppings provided the backdrop for the iconic James Bond film Man with the Golden Gun.

After we interact with wild monkeys at the edge of the sheer formations, we stop at a secluded island to take a dip in the warm waters of a deserted lagoon.

My guide helps to guide my kayak through the mysterious waters which are lined with hongs, or sea caves. We weave in and out of the caves and chambers – some of which can only be entered at low tide, and even then you’ll have to lie flat in your kayak to get through.

Taking a boat east across the Andaman Sea, I arrive at the island of Ko Phi Phi. This star of the Andaman is my happy place!

Maya Bay is the remote cove where the utopian seaside scenes in the 2000 Leonardo DeCaprio film The Beach were filmed. The high bluffs against the shimmering turquoise creates is nothing short of alluring.  Iconic long-tail boats floating between the sheer cliffs make it one of the most photographed and beautiful beaches in the world.  Just beyond the beach are a series of caves, and more of the thick jungle that Thailand is so famous for.

A trek on foot through the rainforest in Khao Phra Thaew National Park, culminates at a stunning waterfall.  I splash around in a natural swimming hole and watch as some brave souls leap from the top of the falls into the churning pool below.

In old town, riding in a tuk-tuk is a must-do, especially for first-time visitors to Thailand. These small, brightly-colored, three-wheeled vehicles with open sides are noisy but so much fun. The drivers dash in and out of city traffic, honking at any tourist regardless of whether or not they are in the way. It’s a great way to view the Sino-Portuguese architecture of the city.

Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most important and visited temple and considered the island’s spiritual center.  It’s hard not to be drawn in by the glossy red-roofed pagodas glittering with gold decoration.

Towards the end of the day, I head over to Patong.  The neon lights slowly begin to consume the district, and Patong becomes wild and compelling, though definitely not family-friendly. First I shop for bargains – silk, batik, and locally-made jewelry.  Haggling is a must and is expected.

On Bangla Road, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, massage parlors, and the ubiquitous go-go bars and dance shows seek to reel in passersby. Patong is the island’s party central – it’s not for the faint of heart or those without a sense of humor.  It’s noisy and crowded can be a bit seedy, but always entertaining, even just to walk through.  What happens in Patong should stay in Patong!

Adventures in Thailand first published in International Living Magazine.

Another fun place to visit in Thailand is Pattaya.  Here are the best things to do in Pattaya.

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.