Sweetness

Staying at Phuket Renaissiance for 8 days at the end of November. We are in our mid-thirties and are very active. Looking for day excursions. HELP

1) Surin or Similian islands
2) Phi Phi Island, james Bond Island
3) Krabi/Railay/Phang Nga Bay
4) Possibly Elaphant tour-debating on this one dt how they treat the animals.
5) not an excursion, but looking for a good tailor to make a dress and suit.

Feel free to share any tour that you recommend. Thinking about renting a car as well??

Kathie

Skip the elephants tour. None of the places in Phuket treat the elephants humanely, and only a few places in Thailand do.

A day trip to PhiPhi will only show you the worst of the place, and James Bond island is pretty awful.

The only tours I recommend are the John Grey Sea Canoes tours.

Phuket is not the place to have tailoring done. Have it done in Bangkok. You will certainly find tailors in Phuket, but the quality won't be what it is in Bangkok.

Other than perhaps the John Grey Tours, don't book any tours in advance. It will be less expensive to book in Thailand.

rhkkmk

spend some quality time at the hotel..

I was just there a couple of weeks ago.. I prefer to have a car 100% of the time... I rent from pure car rentals via the internet and p/u at Phuket airport... driving is very easy... hotel on 20 min drive north of airport... watch for signs, entrance to marriotts and renaissance comes up quickly on your left. I bet they would even deliver the car to you at hotel.

krabi is a couple of hours drive each way... not worth the effort, imo.

internetwiz

We did a Hong Island Tour with Khao Lak Discovery. It poured the whole day, which made it interesting, but there were only four of us on the tour and we enjoyed the day.

simpsonc510

We will be spending a week at Phuket Beach Club which is very close to the Renaissance. Part of our group will do the Phi Phi day trip, but hoping to have a private speed boat rather than the ferry.

I hadn't thought of the possibility of Krabi... great idea! There are some beautiful little islands just off shore, plus the beautiful scenery! Maybe this is also a speed boat option. Something to consider!

I need to look at a good map to see if Similans or Surin could also be considered!

To the OP, thanks for bringing up this topic! It's very timely in our case since we we be at PBC for a week surrounding new years eve.

We are also renting a car. The beach where these Marriott properties are located is a bit isolated. We were at PBC last new year, but only for 3 nights. Way too short!

fromdusktilldawn

Just enjoy the beaches, sunset, water activities. Given that itinerary, renting a car will be convenient. And I agree with Kathie, it's always best to have the tailoring done in BKK.