Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea in the south of Thailand and is popular with tourists because of its picturesque beaches. The biggest visitor magnet with the most shopping, restaurants, bars and discotheques is the Patong beach. Not quite so exciting, but less touristic and more familiar are the villages of Kata Beach and Karon further south.
Karon Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket
Phukets Karon Beach is the second largest beach on the island. It is about three kilometres long, very wide and is divided into two sections by a chain of hills. Karon Beach is best known for its pure, snow-white sand and that there are quiet spots even in the high season. Its azure-blue, crystal-clear water and the most beautiful waves of Phuket not only invite you to swim, but also to enjoy all kinds of water sports such as parasailing, water skiing, power boating and windsurfing. In addition, there are many diving schools in the region and offer tours to the most impressive diving spots around the island. But beware: When red flags are hoisted, it is better to stay ashore, as there are strong and dangerous currents on Karon Beach, especially during the rainy season. Behind high dunes and a beach promenade there are numerous hotels with rooms in all price categories as well as various shopping facilities and restaurants with local and international cuisine. In the centre of the village there are also some bars, clubs and live music venues, but Karon cannot compete with the nightlife of Patong, about seven kilometres away. A small insider's tip is the market at Karon Beach, where you can buy almost everything, especially clothes, shoes and jewellery. The prices are usually cheaper than in the other markets of Phuket and a little haggling can't hurt.
Tips for trips to the surrounding area
In addition to the wonderful beaches, Phuket also has a number of attractions, such as the butterfly garden, the aquarium and a snake farm. It is located inside the island, between Karon Beach and Calong Bay. First the visitors get an overview of the different types of snakes and then they are brought to the arena to "dance". Employees explain how best to behave towards a snake, how the individual poisons work and what countermeasures have to be taken if you are bitten. At the end of the tour, courageous visitors to a living cobra can pat their foreheads and take a close look at their teeth.
If you only want to make an excursion to the nearest beach or drive to Phuket Town, you can take the public buses. They hold on to hand signals and cost little more than a few cents.