Surrounded by clear blue water, Phuket has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable tropical vacation: its palm fringed beaches are of soft, clean sand, it has a vibrant nightlife and you can enjoy the most wide-ranging cuisine — you name it, you can eat it in Phuket. For several years Phuket has topped the polls as a holiday paradise, and not without a reason, as the island is a spectacular destination. Add all this to the most welcoming people in the world, and you can see why travellers love it.

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, is also one of its top tourist destinations, receiving an estimated ten million visitors each year. It is primarily known for its golden beaches, which circle the island. But everywhere the beaches are a little bit different. You can find luxe resorts, beach clubs, serious party scenes, or just a place to mellow out and chill. It all depends on what you are looking for.

The jade waters around Phuket are ideal for swimming, but are also marvellous for diving and snorkelling, and there are many dive schools in the area. Once you know what you are doing, you can graduate to the nearby diving paradises of Ko Phi Phi and the Similan Islands.

But Phuket isn’t just about beaches and partying, it is also about food! Spicy and soulful Thai cuisine is mixed with Chinese and Malay influences to create something new and downright delicious. But there is also a deeper culture available on the island. Abandon the beach for a day and you will find interesting museums, historic mansions, and Chinese shrines peppered around the island for you to explore. There are even two national parks in the inland areas that contain their own jade-hued treasures.

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