Phuket Things to Do Tips by ann500

Exploring gorgeous Khao Sok National Park (said by many to be the most beautiful national park in Thailand) was definitely my very best day on our Thailand trip a few weeks ago. Actually, I think it was one of the best days of my life. We joined a tour group (can't remember the name of the company but it is the Khao Sok tour offered in many brochures on Phuket for one or two days) which picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the park. This wasn't one of those lame tours I've read about where you go to some sort of farm and have a little elephant ride and see a show - far from that!

First we went river canoeing with a guide paddling for us. The park's mountains are great limestone karsts covered with trees, raising sharply above you like the mountains seen in Chinese paintings and the vegetation is so lush and thick and the canoes glide through many nice cool shady stetches canopied by the truly giant trees and bamboo. I was very pleased that the ride lasted much longer than I thought it would. We did see some wildlife. Our canoes then landed at a jungle lodge where we finished that part of the tour and had a very good lunch (included in the price) before elephant trekking.

All the elephants seemed to be very well-cared for and to respect and have affection for their handlers - the animals were very sweet and I was amazed by their gentleness and intelligence. The entire trek may have lasted about 1.5 hours (not taxing on the elephants) - it was simply gorgeous going through the jungle.

I think the tour cost about 60 US dollars per person and it was definitely worth the cost for the experience. There weren't any mosquitoes (this was in very late December). You will want to wear a pair of trainers or sports sandals (these would be better if you want to swim in the river as there are rocks on the bottom). Don't wear flip-flops as you have to go down an inclined path to get to the river. Not a terrible one though. You don't have to be very fit for this tour since it pretty much just requires sitting.

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Directions: North of Phuket. It took 1.5-2 hours to get there, but I would have been happy to go much further, it was that beautiful!

Exploring gorgeous Khao Sok National Park (said by many to be the most beautiful national park in Thailand) was definitely my very best day on our Thailand trip a few weeks ago. Actually, I think it was one of the best days of my life. We joined a tour group (can't remember the name of the company but it is the Khao Sok tour offered in many brochures on Phuket for one or two days) which picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the park. This wasn't one of those lame tours I've read about where you go to some sort of farm and have a little elephant ride and see a show - far from that!

First we went river canoeing with a guide paddling for us. The park's mountains are great limestone karsts covered with trees, raising sharply above you like the mountains seen in Chinese paintings and the vegetation is so lush and thick. The canoes glide through many nice cool shady stetches canopied by the truly giant trees and bamboo and everything is peaceful. I was very pleased that the ride lasted much longer than I thought it would. We did see some wildlife. Our canoes then landed at a jungle lodge where we had a very good lunch (included in the price) before elephant trekking.

All the elephants seemed to be very well-cared for and to respect and have affection for their handlers - the animals were very sweet and I was amazed by their gentleness and intelligence. The entire trek may have lasted about 1.5 hours (not taxing on the elephants) - it was simply gorgeous going through the jungle to a waterfall.

I think the tour cost about 60 US dollars per person and it was definitely worth the cost for the experience. There weren't any mosquitoes (this was in very late December). You will want to wear a pair of trainers or sports sandals (these would be better if you want to swim in the river as there are rocks on the bottom). Don't wear flip-flops as you have to go down an inclined path to get to the river. Not a terrible one though. You don't have to be very fit for this tour since it pretty much just requires sitting.

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Directions: North of Phuket. It took 1.5-2 hours to get there, but I would have been happy to go much further, it was that beautiful! Plus you get to drive past villages. Don't forget to bring enough water - I didn't see a shop inside the park.

Nai Yang Beach is a very beautiful beach set in a national park at the north of the island on the west coast. Phuket's locals like to visit it. If you are looking for gorgeous nature, a laid-back atmosphere, a romantic setting and very friendly people (kids want to shake your hand and people say hello as they pass) - do consider this beach! The beach itself is quite long and bordered by pine trees and surrounded by the national park (this means peace and no tall ugly buildings). Along a section of the beach are sun chairs and cute little beachside bars and restaurants under shady trees with extensive menus, great food and you eat right on the beach with your feet in the sand! Very romantic at night. The beach never gets crowded and it you leave the middle part where the restaurants are, you can have a large section of the beach all to yourself! There is also a small coconut tree-covered "island" that you can walk to during low tide (the snorkelling reef is on the other side). If you walk to the opposite side of the beach around a small headland, you will come to Mai Kao Beach, which is pretty much deserted. Nai Yang is conveniently located next to the airport, it is fun to watch the planes landing (they are not noisy) as they look as if they are flying right into the forest. There are some diving places, travel agents, massage places and tailors, convenience and souvenier shops and internet cafes. I also read in another person's travel description of this beach that there are only 2 hotels. This isn't correct, there are more hotels and also private bungalows. The park service is busy rebuilding their's. But in highest season book ahead because we got one of the last availabilities when we just showed up (xmastime). Everything behind the beach is in a very natural setting amidst tropical plants and trees - no noisy streets.

Excellent job done cleaning up the tsunami damage - everything looked great, only the park service is busy rebuilding some of their bungalows.

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Directions: Only 5 or so minutes from Phuket's airport! On the northwest coast.

Enjoy watching airplanes "crash" into the trees! (Don't worry, the planes aren't noisy from across the beach and this photo was taken zoomed in). The airport is next to the far side of the beach.

Gorgeous beach - see my other travel tips for full description. Excellent job done cleaning up tsunami damange, everything looks gorgeous!

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Directions: Nai Yang Beach, Phuket