Which sea washes Phuket in Thailand?

Characteristics of the sea

South China Sea / Rod Waddington, flickr.com
The island of Phuket is washed by two seas:

1. South China, belonging to the Indian Ocean.
2. Andaman, related to the Pacific Ocean.

When travel agents say “ocean” when offering a trip, they mean the Andaman Sea, which washes the southern part of the island. In winter, the sea is almost completely calm, and the water temperature reaches +28⁰C. From December to April, tourists come to the resort wanting to bask on the beach under the warm rays of the sun and swim to their heart's content in the crystal clear water.

In summer it is rainy season in Phuket. The temperature of the Andaman Sea is only one degree higher - +29⁰C, but the water is muddy and choppy - huge waves rise every now and then, ideal for windsurfers. From May to November, the island is visited by lovers of outdoor activities.

When deciding which sea in Thailand to choose, be guided by your own wishes for a vacation. In summer it is better to visit the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea - it is calmer and warmer. Those interested in diving should go to the Andaman Sea coast in winter and take a sea excursion. The underwater world is impressive in its diversity - rare algae, coral reefs and amazing fish attract travelers.

Beaches

Sunset on the Andaman Sea / Ivan Komarov, flickr.com
The coast of the Andaman Sea consists of magnificent lagoons and pristine white sand beaches, alternating with stripes of forest and strings of mountains. Local residents are preparing beaches for tourists. Having chosen which sea in Phuket to visit, decide on the beach.

Possible options:

• Patong Beach is 4 km long. An amazing place where most vacationers prefer to stay. Tourists are offered a variety of entertainment here: from nightclubs to cozy massage parlors. Great for nightlife lovers.
• The beach, whose name is Kamala, is 2 km long. Ideal for a relaxed family holiday. There is absolutely no fuss or noise on the coast, and rare tourists mind their own business.
• Karon Beach is 4 km long. Suitable for lovers of active daytime recreation. Here you can practice diving, windsurfing, snorkeling and other sports. The beach is less busy than Patong, but no less interesting.
• Beautiful beach Beach Resort. It amazes with the splendor of nature - this is truly a paradise for tourists.
• Freedom Beach, which can only be reached by swimming. Quiet, secluded and clean, with excellent water for snorkeling and an abundance of coral reefs on the bottom.
• Nai Thon Beach is a national reserve of Phuket, absolutely no entertainment. People come here to communicate with nature and meditate.

Entertainment

Patong Beach / eutrophication&hypoxia, flickr.com
The key factors influencing the choice of a resort on the island of Phuket are the sea and beaches. The holiday season is also important. The range of entertainment offered to travelers depends on this. Possible options:

• family holiday by the sea;
• surfing, windsurfing;
• yachting;
• snorkeling;
• bathing;
• diving.

From December to March, regardless of which sea washes the coast of the selected resort, swimming is comfortable. In April and May, only confident swimmers risk entering the water. In summer, underwater currents become stronger and simple swimming becomes dangerous - this is a favorable season for surfers.

Local waves reach a height of three meters and are considered small. That’s why beginner surfers gather on the beaches; you rarely see professionals here. Vacationers can enroll in a surf school and learn the basics of surfing a wave. And if you want to take a tour on a yacht or rent one, the website will help you.

In the fall, the Quiksilver Surfing Contest tournament is held, in which anyone can take part, even with a minimum level of training. The prize is about 160,000, translated into Russian rubles.

Snorkeling is diving with a mask, fins and a breathing tube, the safest way to get in touch with the underwater world of Thailand at shallow depths. The best place for this type of holiday is Yanui Beach, and the season is from November to March. Close to the shore you can watch the life of stingrays, moray eels and other exotic fish.

Sights of Phuket

Big Buddha

Perhaps the most important attraction of Phuket. This is a snow-white 45-meter statue of a seated Buddha, visible from half the island. The Big Buddha is located on top of Nakkerd Hill and is part of a large temple complex. The construction is being carried out with charitable funds, so any donations are welcome.

Phuket Old Town

Old Phuket Town is hidden from prying eyes in the depths of the island. There are no beaches or usual entertainment here. The city has retained the atmosphere of antiquity; here you can wander through the ancient streets with ancient buildings and try to imagine how people lived a couple of centuries ago.

Temples

• Wat Chalong Temple is located in the center of the island. This is an entire Buddhist temple complex built at the beginning of the 19th century. The largest structure is a three-tier Chedi with a height of 61 meters. It contains 36 golden Buddhas engaged in various activities. On the upper tier is the most important shrine of the temple - a fragment of Buddha's bone. The inside of the temple is decorated with gold, marble and frescoes depicting the life of Buddha. This place is very popular and is included in all sightseeing tours. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the temple in silence, it is better to come here early in the morning.

• Phra Thong Temple is a small temple with a 250-year history and is notable for its Buddha statue, whose head and shoulders are visible, while the rest is hidden underground. According to legend, the statue itself arose from the ground; people who tried to dig it up were overtaken by illness and misfortune. During the Chinese New Year celebrations, pilgrims from nearby provinces come to the temple.

Museums

• Thalang National Museum tells the story of Phuket from its origins to the beginning of the tin mining era. The museum's exhibitions introduce the various ethnic groups that inhabited Thailand at that time. Tells the famous story of two selfless heroines who saved the island from the Burmese invasion in the 18th century.
• 3D museum — a museum of 3D paintings and optical illusions. Opened in 2013. Here you can immerse yourself in unrealities created by optical illusion. Touch as if living three-dimensional images. Be amazed at the skill of the artists who came up with and implemented such unusual ideas. When entering the museum, you must take off your shoes, as some of the paintings are painted on the floor.

• Sea Shell Museum - A small private museum contains a collection of sea shells collected by the Patamacantin voyage brothers. Over the course of 40 years, they traveled to a huge number of countries and collected an impressive collection of 2,000 exhibits. There are sinks of all shapes and sizes available here. The pride of the collection is a 140-carat pearl and a sea shell weighing 250 kilograms.

Phuket Aquarium

Located on Cape Phanwa, 12 kilometers from Phuket Town. Opened in 1983. The aquariums are home to inhabitants of the marine and fresh water bodies of Thailand, in total about 160 species of fish, seahorses, stingrays and other animals. The oceanarium is equipped with interactive screens where you can see comprehensive information about underwater life.

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Sarasin Bridge

Built in 1967, it connects Phuket to the mainland. For more than forty years it fulfilled its function, but gradually the flow of traffic became so great that in 20011 it was necessary to build a new large bridge, and the old Sarasin became a pedestrian bridge. An observation deck overlooking Phang Ga Bay was equipped on it, and restaurants with local cuisine were opened at its beginning.

Muay Thai fights

Take place at the stadium in Patong on Bangla Road. Boxing matches are held here three times a week in the evening, usually 10 fights each. You can often meet serious Thai professionals at these spectacular sports competitions. The ring arena accommodates 350 spectators. On days when there are no competitions, a Thai boxing school is open to everyone, where you can take several lessons.

Entertainment complex "Fantasy" FantaSea

Located near Kamala, 10 km from Patong. This is a large park with attractions, entertainment, restaurants and an unforgettable theatrical show “FantaSea”. Here you can ride real elephants, look at giant butterflies and exotic birds. The highlight of a visit to the park is a colorful costumed musical show with the participation of 400 people and 30 elephants. Over the course of an hour and a half, it introduces viewers to the history of Thailand through dance, acrobatics and magic tricks.

Simon Cabaret

The famous superbly costumed show of cross-dressers and transsexuals. Located in Patong on the beach, it began operating in 1991. Well-trained actors perform complex stunts and entertain the audience with dances and songs. For a long time, from the very opening, the show has invariably caused a storm of delight and a lot of applause.

Bird Park

Located in the center of the island, 8 km from Phuket Town. The park is home to about 1,000 birds belonging to 300 different species. They were brought from various places on Earth. The park itself is very beautiful and well-kept: here and there there are gazebos, sculptures, and benches for relaxation. There are small artificial ponds. Bird shows are held three times a day.

Sirinath National Park

It is located on the northwestern coast of Phuket and stretches from Bang Toa Beach to the northernmost point of the island. Includes coastal lands and a section of the sea. The total area of ​​the park is 90 square kilometers. It was founded in 1981. On its territory there is a unique mangrove grove, giant turtles, mangrove snakes and monitor lizards live.

Observation platforms:

• Karon is located on the top of a hill between Nai Harn and Kata beaches. From here you can see the statue of the Big Buddha, the beaches of Karon, Kata Yai, Nai Harn. There is a large gazebo for relaxation. This is a very famous observation deck; there are always a lot of tourists here. There is a cafe nearby.
• Rang Hill - located next to Phuket Town. It offers views of Chalong, Phuket, and Big Buddha. There is a restaurant and cafe next to the site.
• “Windmill” is a not very popular observation deck north of Cape Promthep; there are never crowds of people here. You can calmly and slowly inspect everything. It overlooks the beaches of Nai Harn, Ya Nui and a small offshore island. The site is equipped with a gazebo and stalls with food and drinks. It has a wind generator, which gives the site its name.

Waterfalls

• Bang Pae Waterfall is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Phuket. Located in Thalang area. The water falls from a height of 15 meters, forming a small lake in which you can swim. Next to the waterfall there is a gibbon nursery, which unfortunately cannot be visited, but you can support it with a donation. Access to the waterfall is paid, it costs 200 baht for an adult and 100 baht for children. You can visit it from 9 am to 6 pm every day.
• Ton Sai Waterfall is located in the northeast of Phuket within the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Located on the same mountain as Bang Pae Waterfall, but on the other side. During the dry season it dries up and becomes a stream, but during the rainy season it overflows into a powerful stream. The park area is well-groomed, there are walking paths and a small restaurant. Entrance to the territory is paid - 200 baht per adult and 100 per child.
• Kathu Falls - a small cascading waterfall, one of the smallest in Phuket. Located 20 minutes drive from Patong Beach. It has its own unique charm: old steps and benches along the waterfall are covered with moss, giant trees with huge roots coming out of the ground, a snake farm. A 130-meter-high staircase leads to the waterfall, ending with three terraces where you can swim.

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Travel tips

When going to a resort in Thailand, be careful and follow the tips below:

1. Keep valuables in your room as theft is common in Thailand. Money and valuables disappear from vacationers every day, and then it is impossible to find them.
2. Go diving or surfing early in the morning. At this time, there are fewer tourists on the beaches, and you can safely enjoy your vacation.
3. Sea urchins live near clusters of coral reefs and sting curious divers. While diving in water, try to notice them and avoid them.
4. Souvenirs in the resort area are much more expensive - it is better to buy gifts in local city shops.
5. Even if you are vacationing in Phuket, if possible, visit Pattaya. There is an amazing crocodile farm there - one of the main attractions.

Now you know what the sea is like in Phuket, what you can do at the resort and how to choose a beach. Follow the recommendations to make your trip comfortable and memorable for a long time. Have a nice holiday!

Things to do in Phuket

Elephant ride

An elephant ride is a must in Phuket. Don't leave the island without doing this. You can choose a different route and duration of walks: from half-hour short hikes to three-hour hikes through the jungle with feeding and bathing animals.

Diving and snorkeling

Phuket and the nearby islands offer good conditions for underwater travel: colorful coral reefs grow off the coast, around which there is always a lot of marine life. There are many dive centers on the island where you can rent equipment and take some lessons.

Thai massage

To be in Phuket and not try the world-famous Thai massage is simply a tourist crime. You can visit a large spa center or a small massage center on the beach - the main thing is to let your body feel the magical hands of Thai masters. Ancient Thai massage techniques can provide relaxation, calmness, and inject a charge of vigor and energy. You can try a massage of the hands, feet, head or whole body using aromatic oils, stones, and herbs.

Walk around the surrounding islands

There are more than 30 islands near Phuket, some of them are inhabited, some are not. Clean snow-white beaches, clear water, the absence of crowds of vacationers, rocks and caves are what attract tourists to small islands. Some islands have their own history, such as the “James Bond Islands”, where the famous Bond movie was filmed.

Shopping

Phuket will delight lovers of souvenir shopping. It is full of shops, benches, and markets that offer the main souvenirs of Phuket: local cosmetics, all kinds of jewelry with natural pearls, leather goods, handmade items.

Thai cuisine

The local cuisine is varied and consists mainly of exotic fruits, vegetables and seafood. In the tropical climate, fruits that are unusual for Europeans are grown: rambutan, durian, mangosteen (add more). They contain many vitamins and microelements. But for the first time, try everything with caution to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Evening entertainment

When evening comes, life in Phuket does not stop; everything is just beginning. Costume musical performances, transvestite shows, and Thai boxing matches will give you a lot of emotions. All performances are organized at the highest level using high-quality musical equipment, expensive costumes and stunning lighting effects.

Sea fishing

In Phuket there is an excellent opportunity to fish in the open sea and catch your main trophy in life. You can rent a boat and go fishing on your own, you can go as part of an organized group, or “be on the tail” of local fishermen. In any case, such fishing will be remembered for a lifetime, regardless of the size of the catch.

Zoo

Founded in 1997. It has a very well-groomed territory: fountains and gazebos are installed, palm trees and orchids grow, there is a fish pond and a cafe. The zoo tried to create conditions for the animals that are close to natural. Many birds live here, crocodiles, turtles, elephants, tigers, otters and reptiles. Near the enclosures there are baskets with permitted food that can be fed to the animals. Every day there are various shows: elephants, crocodiles, monkeys. The zoo is open 8.30-18.30. Cost of visiting: 1300 baht for an adult, 1000 baht for a child.

Botanical Garden

The small park was opened in 2012. It is divided into thematic zones: palm grove, Japanese garden, European-style park, desert prairie area, orchard and others. Magnificent orchids of different varieties are grown in the covered pavilion. There are fountains, many sculptures, and a road leads through a tunnel entwined with plants to a small waterfall. In the cafe you can relax and refresh yourself. The park is open from 9.00 to 17.00. Entrance ticket costs 700 baht, children - 500 baht.

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