Phi Phi & Phuket Island Travel Guides

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Water Donation to Jui Tui and Bang Neow Shrines

We donated drinking water to Jui Tui and Bang Neow shrines in Phuket Town for the 2026 Vegetarian Festival. Here is their story.

Detailed diorama at the Phuket Mining Museum depicting historic tin mining with workers, wooden structures, and excavation pits.

Phuket History: From Tin to Tourism

Phuket history from Junkceylon and the tin boom to the 1785 siege, the 1876 rebellion and modern tourism, with a timeline and where to see it today.

Kathu Shrine in Phuket, Thailand, featuring traditional Chinese architecture with red-and-green roofs and an ornate entrance gate.

Kathu

Kathu Phuket guide: the tin-mining centre where the Vegetarian Festival began, Kathu Shrine's history, how to visit, and vegetarian food in October.

Aerial view of Cape Panwa in Phuket, Thailand, with a quiet sandy beach, turquoise sea, tropical greenery, and a private pier.

Cape Panwa

Cape Panwa Phuket guide: a quiet southeast tip with Muslim-Thai culture, the aquarium, a mosque, and our bamboo shark release with Pullman Panwa.

Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, Thailand, with ornate Thai architecture, red tiled roofs, and visitors entering the main hall.

Chalong

Chalong Phuket guide: Wat Chalong's 1876 history, the nearby mosque and Big Buddha, local southern Thai food, and how to plan a south Phuket day.

Rawai Beach in southern Phuket with traditional longtail boats anchored in turquoise water along the tropical shoreline.

Rawai

Rawai Phuket guide: a local fishing area with seafood by the kilo, mosques, and honest advice on beaches and seasons in the south.

Nai Harn Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with a wide sandy shoreline, gentle waves, and lush green hills.

Nai Harn Beach

Nai Harn Beach Phuket guide: a sheltered southern bay with a lake, when to swim, where to eat, and the temple and mosque we recommend nearby.

Plane flying low over Mai Khao Beach near Phuket International Airport as visitors watch and take photos from the sand.

Mai Khao and Nai Yang

Mai Khao and Nai Yang beach guide: Phuket's quiet northwest beaches near the airport, when to swim, where to eat, and the history nearby.

Bang Tao Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with a long sandy shoreline, clear turquoise water, and a traditional longtail boat offshore.

Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao Beach Phuket guide: the 6 km beach, beach clubs, the Friday market, when to swim, and local dishes and places of worship nearby.

Surin Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with clear turquoise water, rocky shoreline, sandy beach, and tropical greenery.

Surin Beach

Surin Beach Phuket guide: a quiet casuarina-lined beach, when to swim, where to eat, and the mosque and temples we recommend nearby.

Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with palm trees, white sand, calm sea, and visitors relaxing along the shoreline.

Patong Beach

Patong Beach Phuket guide: the busiest bay, when to swim, fresh market and seafood zones, local dishes, and a temple and mosque we recommend.

Kamala Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with a wide sandy shoreline, gentle waves, palm trees, and a lifeguard station.

Kamala Beach

Kamala Beach Phuket guide: when to swim, a largely Muslim village, halal Thai dishes, and how to visit the mosque and temples respectfully.

Sunset at Karon Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with orange skies, ocean waves, and reflections on the wet sand.

Karon Beach

Karon Beach Phuket guide: when to swim, the temple market and bazaar, local dishes, and the temple and shrine we recommend for visitors.

Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with visitors relaxing on the sandy shoreline and swimming in calm tropical water.

Kata Beach

Kata Beach Phuket guide: best season to swim, Kata Noi, the night market, local dishes, and the temple and shrine we recommend nearby.

Promthep Clock Tower in Phuket Old Town, a restored yellow Sino-Portuguese landmark at the corner of Phuket Road and Phang Nga Road.

Phuket Old Town

Phuket Old Town guide: shophouses, Chinese shrines, Hokkien noodles and the Sunday Walking Street, with history and a ranked list of things to do.

Pileh Lagoon on Phi Phi Leh, Thailand, with turquoise water, traditional longtail boats, and towering limestone cliffs

Phuket Areas, History and Food: A Local's Guide

One guide to every Phuket area: beaches by season, how Chinese, Muslim and Buddhist traditions shaped the island, where to eat, and which shrines to visit.

Water Donation to Kathu Shrine | Phuket Vegetarian Festival

We donated drinking water and white shirts to Kathu Shrine for the 2026 Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Here is the shrine's story, from tin miners to 1825.

Bamboo Shark Release at Pullman Phuket Panwa | Our CSR Day

We joined a bamboo shark release at Pullman Phuket Panwa and made upcycled batik shark sachets with YÁYEE. See what we did and why it matters.

Participants in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival procession wearing white clothing and carrying ceremonial banners near a Chinese shrine in Phuket, Thailand.

Phuket Festivals 2026: Dates, Events and What Is Left

Phuket festivals 2026: Vegetarian Festival 10-18 Oct, Loy Krathong 24 Nov and more, plus what to expect from Songkran, Heroines and Old Town in 2027.

Close-up of Phuket-style Hokkien noodles with pork, vegetables, fish balls, and a soft-boiled egg in a savory sauce.

Phuket Local Food: Dishes to Try and Where to Eat Them

Hokkien noodles, moo hong, o-tao, dim sum and Rawai seafood: the Phuket local food worth your time, plus where to eat each dish in Old Town.

Surin Beach in Phuket, Thailand, with turquoise water, golden sand, a lifeguard tower, surfboards, and tropical greenery.

Best Family Beaches in Phuket: Surin, Nai Harn and More

Best family beaches in Phuket ranked by calm water, lifeguards, shade, drinks and parking: Surin, Nai Harn, Kata and more, with monsoon safety tips.

Wat Chalong temple in Phuket, Thailand, known for its history linked to the 1876 rebellion, Luang Pho Chaem, and a sacred Buddha relic.

Wat Chalong History: Why It Matters and How to Visit

Wat Chalong history explained: the 1876 rebellion, Luang Pho Chaem, the Buddha relic, plus the 1785 heroines, opening hours, dress code and free entry.

Tropical beach in Phuket, Thailand, with palm trees, gentle waves, sandy shoreline, and visitors walking by the sea.

Where to Stay in Phuket for Island Day Trips: 6 Hotels

Where to stay in Phuket for island day trips: 6 hotels our guests choose, from Kata to Cape Panwa, with nearby activities and tour pick-up info.

Participants in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival procession wearing traditional yellow and white clothing and carrying a religious statue through the streets of Phuket, Thailand.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2026: Dates, Schedule and Rules

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2026 runs 10 to 18 October. See the shrine procession schedule, what to wear, food tips and how to fit it around a tour.

Andaman Surprise crew posing together in matching blue uniforms at a tropical resort in Thailand.

Best Boat Tour Company in Phuket: Thai Crew and Safety

What makes the best boat tour company in Phuket? Trained Thai guides, safety checks, real guest reviews and why some guests book twice.

Pileh Lagoon in the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand, with turquoise water, traditional longtail boats, and towering limestone cliffs.

Phi Phi Island Rules: Maya Bay, Monkeys, Plastic and Boats

Phi Phi Island rules explained: Maya Bay's no-swim rule, the Monkey Beach feeding ban, plastic limits and boat caps, and how our tour follows them.

Aerial view of Bamboo Island near the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand, with white-sand beaches, lush greenery, turquoise water, and boats offshore.

Bamboo Island Near Phuket: Fees, Snorkelling, Tide and Tips

Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai) guide: where it is, the ฿400 park fee, tide and snorkelling tips, and how to visit from Phuket, with real guest reviews.

Andaman Surprise speed catamaran docked in shallow tropical water with passengers boarding for a Phi Phi Islands tour in Thailand.

Is a Speed Catamaran Smooth? What Phi Phi Families Say

Is the Phi Phi speed catamaran ride smooth for families? Boat facts, Tripadvisor guest quotes, and an honest look at rough-sea days.

Maya Bay in Thailand with crystal-clear turquoise water framed by towering limestone cliffs and lush tropical greenery.

Things to Do in Phi Phi Islands: 10 Stops on a Day Trip

The best things to do in the Phi Phi Islands on a day trip from Phuket: Maya Bay rules, Pileh Lagoon, snorkelling, and what's included in the price.

Aerial view of Pileh Lagoon in Thailand with turquoise water, traditional boats, and steep green limestone cliffs.

How Big Is Phi Phi Island? Size of All 6 Islands

Phi Phi Don is about 10.3 km² and Phi Phi Leh about 1.3 km². See all six islands' sizes, the distance from Phuket, and how to see them in a day.

Traditional Thai longtail boats moored in turquoise water beside limestone cliffs in Phuket, Thailand.

Responsible Travel in Thailand: Licensed Guides, Park Fees

How to travel responsibly in Thailand: book licensed operators, travel with Thai guides, and understand how national park fees work.

Blacktip reef shark swimming in clear, shallow tropical water with sunlight reflecting across the sandy seabed.

Blacktip Reef Sharks at Maya Bay: 278 Counted in DNP Survey

DNP researchers counted a record 278 blacktip reef sharks at Maya Bay in September 2026. See what the surveys found and why the bay matters for sharks.

Couple posing in turquoise water at Maya Bay surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs in Thailand

Maya Bay Reopens October 2026: Sharks, Rules, No Swimming

Maya Bay is open again after its two-month conservation break. See what's changed, why blacktip reef sharks matter, and what to expect on your visit.

Premium vs Comfort Island Tours from Phuket: What Differs

Premium or comfort island tour from Phuket? See what budget tours look like, what you actually pay for, and how to choose the right one.

Family enjoying a snorkeling stop with Andaman Surprise, overlooking turquoise water and limestone islands under a clear blue sky on a Phi Phi Islands tour.

Family Island Tours from Phuket: What to Know Before You Go

Planning a Phuket island day with children? Safety, snorkeling, what to pack and which speed catamaran tour suits families best.

Couple at James Bond Island (Ko Tapu), Phang Nga Bay, Phuket — a popular day tour from Phuket with iconic limestone scenery

Phi Phi vs James Bond Island: Which Phuket Tour to Pick

Phi Phi or James Bond Island from Phuket? Compare scenery, snorkeling and timing, see who each tour suits, and learn how to do both on one trip.

What to Expect on a Speed Catamaran Tour from Phuket

A step-by-step guide to a Phuket speed catamaran tour: pick-up, the boat, island stops, snorkeling, what is included, what to bring and the return.

Phi Phi Islands Snorkeling Guide: Best Spots and Tips

The best snorkeling spots around the Phi Phi Islands, what you can see underwater, tips and the equipment provided on our Phuket island tours.

Maya Bay Visitor Guide: Rules, Sharks and What to Expect

Visiting Maya Bay from Phuket? Why it closed, what the visit looks like today, Viking Cave, park rules and how to visit responsibly.

Aerial view of Phi Phi Don Island in Thailand with turquoise bays, white-sand beaches, boats, and lush green limestone hills.

Phi Phi Don vs Phi Phi Leh: What Is the Difference?

Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island and Phi Phi Leh holds Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. See how they differ and which one your tour visits.

Best Time to Visit Phi Phi Islands: Month-by-Month Guide

Month-by-month guide to the best time to visit the Phi Phi Islands: calm-sea months, shoulder season, green season and what rain really means.

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