Overview Phuket, a province of Thailand, is a mountainous island located in the Andaman Sea. In fact, it's actually the biggest island in Thailand. Over half of the island is filled with either forest or plantations (for rubber and palm oil).
Many areas of the island were damaged after the devastating tsunamis that followed the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. However, since that point in time these areas have recovered and are once again a beautiful place to be.
The most popular thing to do in Phuket is to visit the beautiful beaches and enjoy the natural surroundings that the island has to offer.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Phuket, Thailand:
Asia
Currency The official currency of Thailand is the Baht (THB). Using a credit card whenever possible is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using.
Language The official language of Thailand is Thai. English is actually taught in many schools, so many of the locals understand and speak it...but don't count on it, unless you're in one of the main tourist areas.
Tourist Attractions Patong Beach (located on the island's west coast) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Phuket. The Patong area is also where you'll find most of Phuket's nightlife and bargain shopping venues, as well as some major hotels.
Some of the other popular beaches, that are usually much less crowded than Patong Beach, in Phuket are Kata Beach, Karon Beach (a more quiet beach that's popular for families), Rawai and Kata Noi Beach (a beautiful beach located on the southwest of the island).
Since its beaches are its main tourist attraction, it shouldn't be surprising that snorkeling and windsurfing are popular activities to take part in while in Phuket. Being a very hilly island, hiking to the top of a mountain and enjoying the view is another nice activity.
Haad Nai Yang National Park is a nice place to visit if you're a nature lover. Be sure to check out the largest coral reef in Phuket, should you decide to visit this area.
Port Location The cruise dock in Phuket is located pretty close to the main areas in town.
