45 Best Sights in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

Noppharat Thara Beach, part of Noppharat Thara National Park, is a 15-minute walk from central Ao Nang. After the renovated walking path was extended from Ao Nang in 2004, a mishmash of development followed (even though it's supposedly part of the national park). The beach is still pleasant but many of the trees have been uprooted to make way for resorts. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

On Phuket’s west coast just north of Surin Beach, this small, secluded stretch of sand is backed by coconut trees and a variety of exotic flora and fauna. At the southern end of the beach is a small shack serving drinks and snacks, and there are loungers for hire. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; sunset.

Once cluttered with beach umbrellas, Patong Beach now has some room for both sunbathing and playing soccer or Frisbee on the beach. Every conceivable beach activity from wakeboarding to Jet Skiing to parasailing is available. Patong became so popular because of its picture-perfect paradisical nature, and now its popularity has caused some degradation of the environment, particularly noticeable when the monsoon rains wash the grime off the street and onto the beach. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.

Phi Phi Lae, where Maya Bay is located, is a popular day trip from Phi Phi Don via longtail or speedboat. The first stop is Viking Cave, a vast cavern of limestone pillars covered with crude drawings. Most boats continue on for an afternoon in Maya Bay, aka "The Beach," (though note the government has taken to closing Maya Bay periodically to allow the area's nature to recover from mass tourism). If you don't mind thronging crowds (snorkelers practically outnumber the fish), Maya Bay is a spectacular site. If you get a really early jump on everyone, cruise into a bay and leave first tracks along the powdery sand beach; otherwise, head to Loh Samah Bay, on the opposite side of the island. Loh Samah Bay may, in fact, be the better option. Though smaller, it is as beautiful as Maya Bay but receives less attention.

Long and wide, Phra Ae Beach is Lanta Yai's main tourist destination. The sand is soft and fine, perfect for both sunbathing and long walks. The water is less shallow than at other Lanta beaches, and therefore more suitable for swimming. Nevertheless, kayaks, catamarans, and other water activities, while available, are not as ubiquitous as on other islands. Although most lodging consists of simple budget resorts, the beachfront does have several three- and four-star accommodations. Along the beach and on the main road are many restaurants, bars, cafés, and dive operators. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

From the top of the cliff at Promthep Cape, the southernmost point on Phuket, you're treated to a fantastic, panoramic view of Nai Harn Bay, the coastline, and a few outlying islands. At sunset you can share the view with swarms of others who pour forth from tour buses to view the same sight. If you're driving, arrive early so you get a parking spot. There's a lighthouse atop the point, as well as a collection of elephant statues where locals go to pray for good fortune.

Not far from Chalong is Rawai Beach. Though its not a beach to relax on, the pier makes for a pleasant early-evening walk. Longtails depart from here for offshore islands, and numerous decent Thai restaurants line the seafront.

This huge entertainment park contains a cultural village, complete with boats, games, and traditional crafts, and an indoor theater where Thai history is told through dance, performance, and song. The main show starts nightly at 8:30 pm, but come early to wander among the stalls.

This long stretch of sandy beach has some grassy areas shaded by pine trees---great spots to take refuge from the midday sun. The beach is generally quiet but it does get busy on weekends, as it's popular with local Thais and expats. The area is best avoided during the rainy season, as the seas can get rough and there are strong, dangerous currents. Refreshments can be bought from local vendors working the beach. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

The National Museum, opposite the Heroine's Monument, has an engaging exhibition of the island's culture and history, including its encounter with the Burmese and their defeat by the island's two heroines. The building itself gives a glimpse into local culture, with its attractive architecture and design. The halls each show a different period of local and wider Thai history.

Tham Lot is a large, limestone cave with an an opening to the sea large enough for boats to pass through. It can be explored by canoe or an inflatable boat, to see the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, some as long as 100 meters. No guide required.

Between Krabi and Phang Nga is this forested park, which has several emerald-green ponds surrounded by tropical foliage, including wild gardenia and apocynaceae. The pools are filled with refreshing cool water, fed by a mountain spring 4 km (2½ miles) away. The largest pond is 130 feet by 100 feet, deep and suitable for swimming. The pools are best visited in the dry season, as they get quite murky when it rains.

Not to be confused with the Tonsai, in Railay, this Tonsai Beach is not a place for the fainthearted; it's crowded, noisy, and not the cleanest. The best time to visit is in the early morning when most of the young revelers are sleeping off the excesses of the previous night. Amenities: showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers.

Notable for its steeple-shaped roof, Wat Chalong is the largest and most famous of Phuket's Buddhist temples. Inside are the gilt statues of two revered monks who helped quell an 1876 Chinese rebellion. They're wrapped in brilliant saffron robes. It's generally open during daylight hours, and you can show up at 5 pm to see the resident monks pray. It's also home to the annual Chalong Temple Fair, held every February.

Just 3 km (2 miles, or 10 minutes' drive) from Krabi Town is Wat Tham Sua, with its giant Buddha statue and scenic surrounding landscapes. Built in 1976 as a monastery and meditation retreat, Wat Tham Sua is both respected by the local population and popular with tourists. Locals come to participate in Buddhist rituals, while most tourists come to climb the 1,277 steps to panoramic views of the cliffs, Krabi Town, Krabi River, and the Panom Benja mountain range. There's also a cave with many chambers, which can be fun to explore, though it's not terribly attractive. A really large tree grows outside the entrance. The wat is between Krabi Town and the airport.