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Sites & Bites: Phuket Old Town, night markets and street food

Shake up your Sunday with an evening out in Phuket. Surrounded by the elegance of a centuries-old Sino-Portuguese mansion, you'll first stop for tea and coffee inside the famous Blue Elephant Restaurant. Then, there's a walking tour of Phuket Old Town to hit the bustling night market, try typical street food, or pick-up a souvenir.

Island-hopping catamaran tour from Phuket with dinner at sunset

You're in for an afternoon of Thai island hopping at its finest on this catamaran trip to Phuket's southern isles. You'll snorkel and splash in the shallows, take in a bit of the local culture and tuck into a sunset dinner, before a wander through the colourful old town.Set sail from the Royal Phuket Marina and head south to Bon Island. Picture a desert island with palm trees overhanging the water and you're pretty much there. It's your first chance to take a dip in the Andaman Sea and it's a great spot for snorkelling on the coral reef – it's teeming with marine life. At your next stop, Koh Kaew Yai, you'll have free time to roam the island and visit its huge golden Buddha, which sits crossed-legged looking out to sea. There's also a small temple you can visit, complete with resident Buddhist monks.Dinner is served on a private beach at your next stop, Koh Lone Island. There's time to relax here and watch the sunset streak the sky with soft pinks and fiery oranges. Cruise back to Phuket and finish off your evening with a stroll through the old town, where you can find local products and handmade trinkets – ideal for souvenir hunting. Take in the pastel-painted houses and eclectic street art as the scent of incense and spices fill the air.

Eastern Phuket island-hopping catamaran tour at sunrise

It's an early start, but totally worth it as you cruise out to some of Phuket's prettiest islands at first light. After arriving at Royal Phuket Marina, you'll be welcomed with a light breakfast before meeting your guide and boarding the catamaran. Local guide, Nonglak, shares her favourite spot, “for a real castaway feeling you can't beat Khai Nui Island. There's a no footprint policy here, so no shops and facilities, which protects its special, unspoilt nature. Plus, its corals are so shallow and colourful, they're perfect for getting great underwater photos.'You'll speed along Phuket's eastern shore as the sun peeks over the horizon. Your first stop is Koh Khai Nok, a triangular stretch of soft-white sand surrounded by turquoise waters. Its shallow reefs and colourful fish make it a snorkeller's dream. Next, you'll head to Koh Khai Nui, a quieter, unspoilt island where you might spot angelfish, clownfish and other native reef life. Then, it's on to Koh Naka Noi, a smaller secluded spot to swim, snorkel or simply lounge on the beach.Your final stop is Koh Rang Yai, an island lined with coconut and pine trees. Here, you'll switch things up with an ATV adventure, riding off-road through jungle trails to explore the island's tropical interior. Nonglak adds, ‘there are some beautiful coastal trails to explore and you can reach quiet corners of the island that are hard to get to by foot.' Finally, after a laidback day with a dash of adrenaline, you'll jump on the catamaran and head back to the marina.

Phuket full-day guided tour with fishery visit and seafood lunch

See the sights of Phuket on this activity-packed full-day guided tour. You'll set off bright and early towards Wat Chalong, the largest and oldest Buddhist temple in Phuket. Malee, our expert local guide, says “the complex of temples at Wat Chalong is a feast for the eyes with its intricate murals that tell the story of the life of Buddah, its pagodas with flashes of red, white and gold and the 60-meter-tall chedi as its centrepiece.”There's time to see one of Thailand's tastiest exports at a local cashew nut factory before your guide will take you into the heart of Phuket's Old Town, where you'll see the Sino-Portuguese architecture this place is known for, with rounded arches over the doorways and detailed woodcarvings with Chinese motifs.Afterwards, you'll hop onto a traditional longtail boat to sail to Intara Farm, an eco-tourism site, where you'll savour a seafood lunch before you get stuck into some activities. Here, it's all about marine life – you'll see how pearls are formed and hop onto the floating fishing raft to learn about the rare animals that can be caught here, like the painted spiny lobster, the archer fish and the black salmon. Next, you'll navigate the nearby mangrove forests in a kayak, and learn about how important these wetlands are for the ecosystem, before finishing the day with a baking session – you can try your hand at making kanom kho, a local dessert that's made with boiled rice dumplings stuffed with a sugar cube and rolled in shredded coconut.

Phuket fisheries tour with kayaking and a seafood lunch

You'll find the focus of this tour floating out in the Andaman Sea, between Phuket and Coconut Island. You'll spend half a day at Intara Farm, a fishery and seafood restaurant with a focus on marine conservation. After arriving at the large pontoon-like structure by long-tail boat, you'll begin your tour with a masterclass on the local marine life, getting an up-close look in the fishery rafts. Local guide, Arinya, says “you can expect to see all kinds of rare marine life in these rafts, including painted spiny lobsters, archer fish and oysters. Learning about the different types of pearls and how the gems are formed is such a unique experience at Intara.”The team at Intara Farm are keen conservationists and regularly breed native fish, like clownfish, to support local populations. While you're here, you'll help release them into the wild, where they thrive among the coral reefs below.Leaving the floating fishery, you'll hop into a kayak and paddle your way to the nearby mangroves. Meander through these tangled forests and learn about the important role they play in the region, not only supporting the ecosystem, but helping to protect the coastline and the local fishery community. Glide back to Intara and prepare to get sticky as you try your hand at making a Phuket favourite, kanom kho, a sweet rice dumpling dessert. Save room though, as you'll be feasting on a seafood set menu for lunch. It doesn't get fresher than this, and the restaurant here gets rave reviews for their full-on flavours, and straight-off-the-line seafood.

Full-day island hopping tour with James Bond Island from Phuket

Get ready to see some of southern Thailand's most impressive natural spots on this boat tour of Phang Nga Bay. From floating villages and limestone cliffs to hidden temples in caves, this tour has a bit of everything – nature, culture and camera-worthy views.You'll start at Samed Nangshee Skywalk, one of the top sunrise spots with sweeping views across the bay. Then it's off to a secret lagoon, where you'll canoe between limestone cliffs – either with a local paddler or solo as an optional extra. Next up is James Bond Island, or Khao Phing Kan, famous for its leaning limestone formations and nearby Ko Ta Pu, the iconic 20-metre rock jutting out of the sea – made famous by its appearance in a classic Bond film.Afterwards, you'll visit Koh Panyee, a floating village known for its football pitch on water and lively fishing scene. You'll tuck into a tasty Thai lunch at a local spot before heading to Phung Chang Cave, inside an elephant-shaped mountain. To round off the day, you'll swing by Wat Tham Suwan Khuha – AKA the Monkey Temple – home to a peaceful reclining Buddha and cheeky monkeys roaming outside.

Full-day Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands catamaran tour from Phuket

You'll bound out of bed as dawn is breaking for this Thai island-hopping adventure. The draw of swimming in the shallows of the Bamboo and Phi Phi Islands is made even sweeter by the luxury catamaran you'll be sailing there on. Local guide, Somsak, always looks forward to this tour, ‘you're really seeing the best of island life, from the soft white beaches and cheeky jungle monkeys, to some of the clearest waters with top visibility for snorkelling.' Start with a light breakfast at the Royal Phuket Marina, then board the sleek and speedy catamaran that'll whisk you across the Andaman Sea to southern Thailand's best-loved islands. You'll start with the Phi Phi Island's big hitter – Maya Bay – made famous by its starring role in the Leo DiCaprio flick The Beach. Tourist numbers are limited here, but you'll walk the jungle trail down to the beach.Next, take a dip in Pileh Lagoon before sailing past Viking Cave for a look – it's a jagged opening in the cliffside that looks like a mouth about to swallow you whole. You'll stop at Monkey Bay, where you're likely to spot wild macaques in the jungle. Then, don a mask and snorkel to explore the colourful coral reefs nearby. Tuck into an international buffet lunch and take a wander around the island before finishing the tour with a stop at Bamboo Island. The white sandy beaches and clear blue waters here make it the perfect place to swim, snorkel or simply soak up the rays.

Half day elephant encounter from Phuket

This tour is your backstage pass to the world of elephants in Thailand. The adventure kicks off at the elephant sanctuary with a refreshing welcome drink, setting the tone for the day ahead. After a short video on the history of domestic elephants, you'll learn about the camp's values and how it was founded. Plus, you'll catch a live feed from the Elephant Hospital – an emotional reminder of the care and commitment that goes into their well-being. Prasit, one of our expert local guides, says: "The elephant is Thailand's national animal and holds deep cultural significance - it symbolizes power, wisdom, and good fortune."Next, it's time to get hands-on. You'll roll up your sleeves, prepare nutritious food, and feed the elephants. Watch them as they enjoy their meals and observe their natural behaviours, including their playful mud baths – a vital part of their routine. The day continues with some creative fun. You'll try your hand at making eco-friendly mulberry paper from elephant dung – yes, it's as cool as it sounds – and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Asian elephants can consume over 200 kilos of vegetation each day, so their dung is an abundant resource.Then, to wrap up, enjoy a live Thai cooking demo where chefs walk you through traditional dishes, before tucking into a buffet surrounded by lush nature and the peaceful presence of the elephants.

Half Day Mini Elephant Nature From Phuket

Experience a memorable visit to Bukit Elephant Park, where you can see and get close to these gentle giants. Start with a welcome drink and a briefing from your guides. Then its time to meet and feed the adorable elephants, learning about their natural behaviours in a habitat free from abuse. There's also a chance to watch a demonstration of rubber tapping and sheet making.

Half-Day Elephant Jungle Sanctuary from Phuket

Caring for elephants is more than just an activity; it's a heart-warming encounter that's guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Head to a local Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and you'll spend half learning all about these gentle giants, and after making some magical memories, finish off with a delicious Thai lunch.Leaving Phuket, you'll head straight for the Elephant Sanctuary – tucked away in a serene spot, this sanctuary prides itself on being a safe space for these intelligent animals. Upon arrival, you'll dive straight into an introduction to the programme's conservation efforts. Then, it's time to come face-to-face with the elephants. You'll get a glimpse of feeding time with these gentle giants, and watch them take a mud bath. You'll wrap things up with a tasty Thai lunch to reflect on your day, with an extra surprise. A visit here is not only an item to check off your bucket list, but an experience to cherish for a lifetime.