Phuket Tour Reviews
There are many things to see and do off the island and
you can choose which tour to go on through our monthly tour
reviews. Is Phang Nga better than Krabi? What’s it
like to be in a sea cave? Is dining under the stars aboard
a Chinese Junk romantic? Find out through our reviews.
This month's Samui Tour Reviews:
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Samui is surrounded by some 40 islands. Some of them have only recently been inhabited and some still aren't. Even though the movie version of Alex Gardner's 'The Beach' was filmed in Koh Phi Phi it was here in the lower Gulf of Thailand that the author imagined his idyllic islet to be. There are many day trips heading out to explore this wonderworld. We chose to head to Koh Tao and Nang Yuan – two neighbouring islands 90 minutes from Samui.
Read more...
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Past month's Tour Reviews:
Speedboat
& Snorkeling Tours
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Many visitors to Thailand are surprised at just how
hot it can get by eight o'clock in the morning here.
So it is that as we wait in the foyer of the Sofitel
for our tour minibus we spray on the factor 20 to make
sure we won't come back from our Half-Day, Four-Island
Krabi Trip looking like two-legged tomatoes.
Read more...
Note: this tour is available from Krabi only |
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It seems that everybody has a dream of getting away
from it all. Perhaps an escape to a mountain hideaway
up in the clouds with eagles as companions; or perhaps
a camping adventure in a northern wilderness… everybody
has the same sort of escapist dream. Way more popular
than any of its competitors, however, is a visit to
a tropical island and so when the opportunity turned
up to visit Surin Island in the Andaman Sea on a snorkeling
day trip we leapt at it. Read
more... |
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Koh Khai Nok is a small island tucked away in Phang
Nga Bay. It's only 30 minutes or so away from the east
coast of Phuket but ask anyone on the island if they've
been there and you will probably draw a blank stare.
Still, a hidden gem is sometimes all the more precious
for being so and when we discovered a half day tour
was going there we leapt at the opportunity to try it
out. Read more... |
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Our Phuket Romantic Snorkeling Trip promises to be a
day of love in the sun and personally, I'm totally looking
forward to swim among tropical fish with my wife Suzie,
as she's never done it before. Roll on the clown fish!
Bring on the coral! We're more than ready for it.
Read more... |
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Phuket is often called 'The Pearl of the Andaman' but
did you know that pearls are actually cultivated here?
We decided to find out more through booking a tour that
took in two islands and a pearl farm. The waters to
the east of Phuket are sanctuaries of peace.
Read more... |
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Phi Phi Island is one of the most beautiful in the world.
It’s a place that you have to see to believe as
the ‘colourometer’ has gone off the scale
there, with its fabulously turquoise-and-blue waters,
its rugged limestone cliffs and the luscious green of
its jungle and flora. There are daily tours operating
from Phuket, arriving on the island at 09:45 and departing
at 14:30 with swimming, kayaking and snorkeling activities
as well as a buffet lunch but an even more interesting
combination is a one-night stopover. Read
more... |
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I’m not sure there’s a better way to start
the day than among the floating palaces at Phuket Boat
Lagoon. Boat workers busy themselves doing whatever
boat workers do, ferrying supplies up and down the docks
in push carts. Their dress code is ‘sailor casual’
– polo shirts, shorts, sandals – and inspired
me to make an anonymous drop in the suggestion box at
my office; certainly management will see the goodness
of this. Read
more... |
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I hiked to a sturdy slab of granite near the peak of
Miang Island for a better view of the beach. Below me,
yachts, dive boats, and people float in an aquamarine
sea. They didn’t look anything like ants, unless
ants have taken up recreational swimming. A string of
islands stretched out in the distance, disappearing
over the horizon. I was dying to be back in the clown
suit that is my snorkelling gear, floating with the
fishies. Read more... |
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I'm now a believer in the goodness of speedboats; they're
speedy. Having made far too many trips between Phuket
and Phi Phi by ferry, I feel qualified to claim that
this is the best way to travel between islands - at
least until I can afford a helicopter. With the wind
on your face and three throaty engines rocketing you
over the water, it's like being in an Italian convertible
that floats. Classy. Read
more... |
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We arrive in the east of Phuket at a stunning beach
called Ao Yon. There are pearl farms out on the calm
waters of the bay and king palms lean over the strand,
lending shade and a stereotypical but nevertheless gorgeous
tropical vista. Coral Seekers have set up a new reception
area right on the beach and it’s not long before
we’re clambering aboard a single-engine speedboat
and skimming along due south. Read
more... |
Sea Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay
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Phang Nga Bay covers an area of 400 square kilometres
and is home to some 100 islands, many of which could
be entered for The Guinness Book of Records either for
their beauty or for their freakish shapes. The bizarre,
why-doesn’t-it-fall-over outline of Koh Tapu, next
to James Bond Island or Koh Ping Ghan, has been a major
draw ever since it featured in 1974’s Bond movie,
The Man with the Golden Gun in which it was a fiendish
‘solar harvester’. Read
more... |
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When other hong-via-kayak tour operators are winding
down for the day, the John Gray Sea Canoe crew is just
getting started. Is it laziness, the result of a late
night out, or a simple case of ineptitude? Were I in
charge, it would be a combination of all three. Not
so with Mr Gray, the godfather of sea kayaking in Thailand.
He developed the ‘Hong by Starlight’ tour
as a way to avoid crowds.
Read more... |
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It's the late afternoon, and from the small plot of
white sand I've laid claim to, I can see Phuket Island,
the mainland province of Phang Nga, and a couple small,
uninhabited islands - both inspiring Gilliganesque fantasies.
Another boat arrives, an armada of inflatable canoes
storms the beach, and tour guides do battle in a game
of beach football while their charge flop on mats in
the shade and reflect on the day. Read
more... |
Eco Tours - Phuket - Khao Lak - Khao Sok
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It’s nine o’clock on a sunny morning and here
comes the minivan to take us bamboo rafting at Khao
Lak. Apart from the bamboo rafting today is all about
animals. Hawksbill and Ridley Turtles, elephants, crocodiles,
lots of fish, gibbons and of course, Thailand’s
wonderful birdlife.
Read more... |
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Khao Sok National Park is home to the world’s oldest
rainforest and its flora and fauna are even more diverse
than the Amazon Forest. At 740sq km, the park is the
largest area of virgin forest in Southern Thailand yet
it is relatively little known outside the kingdom. Just
why this should be so is one of the world’s greatest
mysteries because within Khao Sok’s boundaries
there is a veritable cornucopia of wildlife and scenic
beauty to rival absolutely anywhere in the world. Read
more... |
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Siam Safari’s 4-in-1 half-day trip is like a speed
dating session with the natural world. Elephants, monkeys,
and water buffalo are all on the dance card, as are
demonstrations of Thai resourcefulness. Five bamboo
stations dot the hill top, and small groups rotate from
one to the next. The presentations are hands-on, educational,
and always punctuated with a good dose of laughter.
Read more... |
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Beaches are great, don’t get me wrong. But there
is plenty more to do and see in southern Thailand. The
three-in-a-day trip to Phang Nga Province is a miniature
activity buffet that combines elephant trekking, river
rafting, and a waterfall excursion in green mountain
forests, where there’s not a beach umbrella in
sight. Consider it part of a well-balanced holiday diet.
Read more.. |
Cruises
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What if you could take Phuket's most romantic aspects,
weave them all together and set sail with them? The
result, I'm sure you can imagine, would be something
close to sensational. Happily enough this is a dream
that is possible to attain.Sunset, romance, good food,
wine and adventure; they're all here on the Ayodhaya
dinner sunset cruise. Read
more... |
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Three ships cruise in parallel – distinctive sails
raised – through the Phang Nga Bay, each pulling
an empty dingy that chases behind like a tagalong sibling.
These boats are solid; no stomach churning motions,
just a smooth push to the northernmost reaches of Thailand’s
aquatic mangrove-and-limestone-cliff playground.
Read more... |
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There’s a pastel-like touch to the Yacht Haven
at four o’clock on a sunny afternoon. The dipping
sun slants through the white of the yachts’ masts,
creating a pleasing optical effect – ‘splintered
sunlight’ so the poet had it.
Read more... |
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Luxury is going slow and enjoying the scenery, taking
time to bask in the finer aspects of life. Sailboats
silently scream luxury. Onboard, time slows down. Life
on land is suspended. With no particular place to go
and no particular time to be there – wherever ‘there’
turns out to be – the sea breeze whisks worries
away. Relaxation has never been so, well, relaxing.
Read more... |
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The waters surrounding Phi Phi are the most luscious
turquoise imaginable and teem with thousands of exotically
coloured fish. The islands lie 48kms Southeast of Phuket
and this translates as roughly one hour 20 minutes,
in ferry-speak.
Read more... |
First Time in Phuket
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It’s your first time to Phuket. You’re confused.
You’ve got more tour brochures in your hotel room
than you know what to do with and time is running out.
What to do? Where to go? What to see? Obviously, you’re
going to have to plan your itinerary around a time frame,
so here are four options – a three-day, five-day
and a seven-day stay and longer. Read
more... |
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Paris has a tower, London has an eye, and Thailand has
Phuket FantaSea. It’s packed with tourists, cameras
are a required accessory, there are an untold number
of souvenir shops to spend money in, and it has all
the subtlety of Thai chillies. But everyone should go
once.
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Near the giant Jungceylon shopping complex on Rat-U-Thit Rd, Patong, Pum’s Cooking School is in a bright orange-coloured shop-house, and also operates as a bar and restaurant. It has an open space on one side which is used as a dining area and a small open bar at one end. The kitchen is big and open, and occupies much of the restaurant. This is where students do the actual cooking after learning all the techniques from the teacher. At Pum’s Cooking School there is no hiding in a closed kitchen.
Read more...
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Because of its location, Khao Lak is a wonderful 'springing
board' for day tours, Safari adventures, island visits
and snorkeling as well as for exploring the sensational
national parks in the area. Here are some of the best
and they are as diverse as a camping expedition, elephant
trekking to diving in the world-famous Similan Islands.
Enjoy! Read more... |
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Phang Nga’s official slogan goes something like
this: “A town of valuable minerals, amidst water-village,
fantastic caves, peculiar mountains, Champoon flowering
plants and fertile natural resources.” Well said
– though if they were interested in increasing
tourism they might consider adding, “and only an
hour from Phuket.”
Read more... |
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The first sight of Phuket out of an airplane window
can set anyone’s heart pounding with anticipation.
And who wouldn’t get excited about that awesome
bird’s-eye view of the beautiful green islands
in Phang Nga Bay, each one framed by white-crested waves?
To get to know the island and Phuket City better we
decided to go on a tour.
Read more... |
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You've found the perfect resort. Peaceful and quiet,
a soothing spa, deserted sandy beach, beautiful daily
sunsets and the pool villa you want is available at
the right price. It's even close to some of the best
scuba diving sites in Thailand. Perfect all round except
for one thing, it's on Koh Lanta and there's no frequent
flights to Krabi Airport so the only option is Phuket
Airport – at least half a day's travelling from
the resort which is too much after the long flights.
Read more... |
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Fish and monkeys go to together like, well, they don’t.
But they are two great options for family fun. At the
Phuket Aquarium, the names tell the story: Blanc’s
Striped Featherback. Fan-bellied Leatherjacket. Powder-blue
Surgeonfish. Not only is the experience educational,
but the trip allows you to see a beautiful location
that few tourists visit. As for Phuket Monkey School,
you can’t help but laugh.
Read more... |
Sports
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Phang Nga Province – right next door to Phuket
– is a veritable cornucopia of wildlife, stunning
scenery and adventure opportunities. Visitors to Phuket
are lucky in that they can have the luxury of a beachside
hotel along with easy and swift access to Phang Nga.
One tour that takes in the thrills and spills of the
provinces rugged terrain offers whitewater rafting in
the morning and an ATV tour in the afternoon; the best
of both worlds? We went along to check it out.
Read more...
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Phuket's six (soon to be seven) golf courses may all
have 18 holes but apart from that they're very different
from each other. Find out how and why, along with their
three major attributes in our golfing overview.
Read more...
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Today, we're discovering what it's like to ride an ATV
(All Terrain Vehicle) and to be honest I'm not quite
sure what to expect. The brochure looks pretty wild
– lots of mud and splashing around in the jungle
and on the beach so I'm wearing shorts and factor 50
sun block just in case. Read
more... |
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The Phi Phi islands marine park is an area of truly
outstanding natural beauty. Below the water the scenery
is just as dramatic… Phi Phi is a leading worldwide
scuba diving destination with visitors flocking all
year round to see the islands’ underwater beauty.
There are approximately 50 dive sites located within
30 minutes of Phi Phi and on any given day conditions
are suitable for a visit to around two third of the
sites. I’m relishing my first dive in this wonderland.
Read more... |
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