"Phuket" Phuket by trisanna

Phuket is a beautiful tropical island. If you choose the right hotel-you can have a wonderful vacation. I really love Phuket, since it's a quick and relaxing getaway. With all the new Singapore discount airlines-you can usually get some good deals to Phuket.

Phuket does have the reputation of being built up. If you stay in an area that isn't built up, usually outside of Patong, Karon and Kata beaches- it feels like you have the beach to yourself.

March 05-Outside of Patong, i didn't see too much tsunmani related damaged. Many shops and hotels on the main street are still damaged from the tsunami. We took a snorkeling trip to Phi Phi Le and Don. Phi Phi Don's beach tonsai bay was pretty damaged. There were barges by the beach full of debris. I have heard that the more crowded beaches are actually much cleaner than they have been in years. Slowly things are getting back to normal and people are coming back to Phuket.

Best time to visit November to early March

clownfish, Racha Yai

May 2005, Even though the rainy season is now upon the Phuket area there still people returning to the area. There are also some good promotions to be had. Even though the area is in monsoon- it doesn't rain the whole day, but in large bursts that usually last one hour or so. We went there this time to do some diving. I thought the monsoon season would really affect visibility, but found Racha Yai to be beautiful and full of colorful fish. We even got to see an octopus.

August 2005, We came to Phuket on a tiger airways promotion and to do some diving. From the time we last were there in May, it's amazing how crowded it was and how many Europeans were there enjoying Phuket during their holiday break. We stayed in Patong Beach, since it was closer to the dive operators. We had a great time. Even with decreased visibility we had some great dives. Saw a leopard shark. From what we saw in August, it looks like things are getting back to normal in Phuket.

September 2005, A very stormy weekend in Phuket. We were here the weekend of 16-18. On Sunday, it stormed and rained all day. I felt bad for anyone, who flew far away to have a tropical vacation at this time. If i was flying from far away and spending a good amount of money, i would only come in the dry season November to May. We were here a year ago at this same time and it was quite bad. This time, it rained most of the day with high wind and lightning storms. We stayed in Karon and the storm knocked out power there for a hour or so (some places used generators) and in Kata beach. A lot of candlelight dining, which was one positive thing. We came here to finish our advanced open water certification. Did some diving at Racha Yai, which is a good place to dive at during the monsoon, since it's sheltered. Due to the storm, the water was choppy and many were sea sick getting there. Very big waves. Once diving, very strong currents at staghorn reef. Better conditions at homerun reef- decent visibility. Saw lionfish, lots of trigger fish, some fish nesting, and very active sea cucumbers. We stayed in Karon beach, which i don't recommend. There are a few hotels, but mostly it feels like a ghost town. Also, if you take tuks tuks to Kata or Patong beaches, it will add up very fast. I would stay in either Patong or Kata. The beach at Karon is alright, but you have to walk over a small canal to get to it. There are few to none hotels directly on the beach-all are located across the street. The Karon Central hotel is further down before you get to where the majority of Karon beach start. They may have beach access.

• Pros:beautiful beaches, interesting colonial buildings, good diving to be had nearby
• Cons:overdeveloped
• In a nutshell:things getting back to normal