Exploring Phuket: Your Ultimate Guide to the Map of Phuket

Why You Need a Map of Phuket

Key Areas on the Map of Phuket

• Patong: The loud, fun heart of Phuket. Think crowded beaches, bars blasting music, and tons of dive shops offering day trips. It’s chaotic but perfect if you love action.
• Phuket Town: Old buildings with Chinese-Portuguese style, narrow streets, and markets selling everything from mango sticky rice to dive masks. It’s less touristy and cheaper too.
• Kata and Karon: Side-by-side beaches with soft sand and calm waves. Kata Reef’s right offshore—great for a quick shore dive. Families love it here.
• Mai Pai & Bang Tao: Up north, these are the fancy zones. Think five-star resorts, golf courses, and private dive charters. It’s quieter and feels exclusive.
• Rawai & Nai Harn: Down south, these spots are chill and local. Rawai’s got fishing boats, and Nai Harn’s beach is postcard-pretty. Both are close to Racha dive sites.
• Northern Phuket: Wild and green, this is your launchpad to Phang Nga Bay’s limestone cliffs and the Similan Islands’ epic diving. Less crowded, more nature.

Must-Visit Attractions on the Map of Phuket

• Big Buddha: A giant statue on Nakkerd Hill, about 6 km from Chalong. The view’s unreal—ocean and jungle all around. It’s quiet up there, and the winding road to get there’s half the fun.
• Wat Chalong: Phuket’s prettiest temple, 3 km from Chalong Pier. Think golden roofs, peaceful gardens, and colorful statues. Locals pray here, so it’s got a real, special feel—bring a camera!
• Rawai Seafood Market: Down in Rawai (5 km from Chalong), this market’s a food lover’s dream. Pick fresh seafood—prawns, crabs, snapper—right from the stalls. Cross the street, and a restaurant cooks it your way, grilled or steamed, on the spot. I paid 200 THB for a whole fish last time—so good!
• Laem Promthep: A stunning cape in the south, 9 km from Rawai. It’s famous for sunsets—golden skies over the Andaman Sea. Get there by 6 p.m. for the best show, and snap some pics from the viewpoint!
• Phuket Old Town: In the heart of Phuket Town (10 km from Chalong), this area’s full of charm. Colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses line the streets—think pastel blues and yellows. Wander Thalang Road for cafes, street art, and a taste of old Phuket.
• Andaman Park: Near Bang Tao in the north (20 km from Patong), this is a chill green spot. It’s got walking paths, a small lake, and shady trees—perfect for a picnic or a quiet escape from the bustle.
• Jungceylon Shopping Mall: In Patong, just a 5-minute walk from the beach. It’s huge—shops, food courts, even a cinema! I grabbed a 100 THB smoothie there once—great for a cool break or some souvenir hunting.

Beaches of Phuket

• Patong Beach: Right in Patong, this 3-km stretch is busy—think jet skis, vendors, and beach bars. It’s not the cleanest, but the energy’s wild. Dive trips start nearby too!
• Kata Beach: Just 8 km south of Patong, it’s 1.5 km of soft sand and gentle waves. Locals surf here, and Kata Reef’s offshore for snorkeling or shore diving. Less crowded than Patong.
• Karon Beach: Next to Kata (1 km apart), this 3-km beach feels open and breezy. The sand squeaks when you walk—cool, right? It’s 15 km from Chalong Pier, so divers stop here to unwind.
• Nai Harn Beach: Down south near Rawai (10 km from Chalong), this 1-km beauty’s framed by hills and a monastery. Water’s calm, perfect for swimming. It’s close to Racha dive boats too.
• Bang Tao Beach: Up north, 20 km from Patong, this 6-km beach is long and fancy—resorts line the shore. It’s near CoCo Pier, so liveaboard divers love it.
• Mai Khao Beach: Near Phuket Airport (10 km), this 11-km stretch is quiet and wild. Planes fly low overhead—it’s a thrill! Great for a pre- or post-liveaboard chill.

Top Diving Spots and Piers on the Map of Phuket

• Racha Yai & Racha Noi: South of Phuket (20-40 km), these islands are my go-to for chill dives. Racha Yai’s got shallow coral gardens—10-20 meters deep—with colorful fish, ideal for newbies. Racha Noi steps it up with deeper spots (up to 30 meters) and maybe a manta ray if you’re lucky. The water’s so clear you’ll never forget it!
• Koh Phi Phi: East of Phuket (48 km), known for The Beach movie. Underwater, it’s stunning—cliffs and leopard sharks at 12-25 meters. I love how relaxed the vibes are here, even for a day trip.
• Shark Point & Anemone Reef: Just 25 km from Chalong, these are marine playgrounds. Shark Point has soft corals and friendly reef sharks at 18-30 meters—don’t worry, they’re harmless! Anemone Reef’s covered in sea anemones, like an underwater carpet. Easy currents make it beginner-friendly.
• King Cruiser Wreck: Off the east coast (33 km from Chalong), this sunken ferry’s a cool wreck dive. It went down in 1997, and now it’s home to eels and lionfish at 25-35 meters. Visibility’s great, and it’s not too tricky.
• Similan Islands: For advanced divers like me and crave a challenge, come to Phuket as a port to the Similan Islands. About 100 km northwest, this liveaboard trip’s a dream—nine islands with endless reefs and big fish like barracudas or even whale sharks. Depths go 15-40 meters, and the currents can kick, but that’s what makes it exciting!

• Chalong Pier: The busiest spot, 12 km from Patong. Most liveaboards depart from here, heading to Racha, Phi Phi, or the Similans, plus day trips at 7-8 a.m. It’s about an hour to Racha by speedboat—super convenient!
• CoCo Pier (Ao Po Pier): In the north, 25 km from Phuket Airport. This is your jump-off for Similan and Surin liveaboards—trips take 2-3 hours to reach the islands.
• Bang Rong Pier: Also northern, 28 km from the airport. Smaller boats head to Phang Nga Bay or nearby reefs from here.
• Rassada Pier: East side, 5 km from Phuket Town. Big boats for Phi Phi day trips or multi-day liveaboards start here.

Where to Stay in Phuket (Including for Diving)

• Patong: Hotels range from 700 THB hostels to 3,500 THB resorts. It’s loud—bars until 2 a.m.—but you’re close to everything. Walk to dive shops in 5 minutes!
• Kata/Karon: Mid-range spots (1,400-2,800 THB) with sea views. Kata’s got boutique guesthouses; Karon’s bigger hotels feel spacious. Both are 15 km from Chalong Pier.
• Phuket Town: Budget-friendly (500-1,700 THB). Think cozy guesthouses or old shophouses turned into hotels. It’s 10 km to Chalong—easy ride.

• Near Phuket Airport: Awesome for liveaboards! Phuket International Airport is 40 km from Chalong and 80 km from Khao Lak piers (like Tab Lamu in Phang Nga). Most liveaboards to Similans or Racha offer free pickups from here—book ahead! Hotels like Novotel Phuket Airport (2,800 THB) are steps away. I recommend this spot since most dive operators include free airport transfers.
• Chalong Area: Stay 1-2 km from the pier (1,000-2,000 THB). Places like Chalong Chalet have dive gear storage, and free day-trip pickups are standard. Liveaboards grab you here too—I’d pick this for easy pier access and free rides from most operators.
• Rawai: 5 km from Chalong (850-2,400 THB). Quiet guesthouses or beach bungalows—think Rawai Palm Beach Resort. Free rides to Chalong for dives are common, and I recommend it since tons of dive shops cover this area.
• Kata/Karon: 15 km from Chalong (1,400-3,500 THB). Hotels like Kata Beach Resort offer free day-trip pickups, and you’re near Kata Reef for shore dives. Most operators pick up free here—my top choice for beach + dive vibes.
• Northern Phuket (near CoCo Pier): Bang Tao or Mai Pai hotels (2,000-5,000 THB), like Angsana Laguna, are 5-10 km from CoCo Pier. Free Similan liveaboard pickups make it a win, and I’d suggest it since most northern dive outfits include this zone.

Where to Eat in Phuket

• Chuan Chim: My newest gem, hidden in Phuket Town . My go-to dish is ปลากรอบน้ำแดง—crispy fish with red sauce (200 THB). It’s crunchy, tangy, and locals swarm this spot after 6 p.m.—a must after a dive!
• Kan Eang At Pier: Right on Chalong Pier, this chill spot’s my post-dive hangout. Order the Tiger Prawn Tom Yum (250 THB)—spicy and sour heaven. At the end, they’ll make Kao Tom Khong, a rice porridge with leftover shrimp heads and shells, for free. It’s a warm hug in a bowl!
• Ko Tee Sangkasi Restaurant: A super local joint in Rawai . No fancy signs—just authentic Thai like spicy stir-fried pork (120 THB). It’s where fishermen eat, and I love the raw, real vibe—cash only!
• Go Benz Rice Porridge Phuket: In Phuket Town , this spot’s famous for ข้าวต้มแห้ง—dry rice porridge (100 THB). Topped with pork and a soft egg, it’s my comfort food after a long scuba day. Get there by 7 p.m. or you’ll wait!
• One Chun Cafe & Restaurant: Also in Phuket Town, this place nails southern Thai flavors. The yellow curry with crab (230 THB) is rich and creamy—pair it with the vintage decor for a cool vibe.
• Dessert Bonus: Torry’s Ice Cream: In Phuket Town (10 km from Chalong), this spot’s my sweet escape. They mix southern desserts into ice cream—my faves are Bi Co Moi (sweet sticky rice vibe) and A-Pong (grilled pancake flavor), both 100 THB. Creamy, unique, and a perfect dive-day treat!

Modes of Transportation in Phuket

• Car Rental: Renting a car’s my top pick for freedom—starts at 800 THB/day from Phuket Airport or Patong. Drive from Patong to Chalong (12 km) in 30 minutes, no sweat. Just watch out for narrow roads and park smart!
• Grab: Like Uber, but Thai-style. Download the app, and a ride from Kata to Chalong (15 km) costs about 200-300 THB. It’s quick, air-conditioned, and no haggling—perfect after a dive.
• Local Songthaew: These are blue open-air trucks—super local! They run fixed routes, like Phuket Town to Patong (15 km), for 30-50 THB. No AC, but cheap and fun—just wave to hop on.
• Scooter Rental: For 250 THB/day, scooters are everywhere—Patong, Kata, you name it. I zip from Karon to Chalong (15 km) in 25 minutes, but wear a helmet and dodge the traffic!
• Tuk-Tuks: Bright red and loud, these are Phuket’s taxis. Patong to Chalong (12 km) runs 200-350 THB—negotiate first! Great for short hops, less for long rides.

Practical Travel Tips Using the Map of Phuket

• Diving Season: November to April’s the sweet spot—calm seas, 30-meter visibility, and no rain. I’ve dived Racha in March and seen every fish in the book! May to October’s wet and choppy—skip it if you can.
• Cash is King: Most of my fave eats—like Ko Tee Sangkasi—don’t take cards. ATMs are everywhere (150 THB fee), so keep 500-1,000 THB handy for food and tuk-tuks.
• Dive Smart: Book your trip ahead with www.giantstridetravel.com—you don’t need to worry about availability or price. We give the best price guarantee and only select the best, most reliable dive operators for our website. It’s hassle-free every time!
• Beach Timing: Hit Kata or Karon early—by 10 a.m., the sun’s blazing, and parking’s gone. Your map shows quieter spots like Nai Harn if crowds aren’t your thing.
• Food Hack: Eat where locals do—Chuan Chim’s packed by 7 p.m. for a reason. Bring your Map of Phuket to find these gems fast!