Phuket has got itself a bit of a reputation for being a party island. And, yeah, tiny bits of it can be a bit wild, not as wild as they used to be though, and there’s way more to Phuket than buckets of cocktails and packed clubs. I fell in love with the place when I first got here many moons ago. Phuket is the perfect place for the two of you to get away together for a honeymoon maybe, or a special romantic holiday. You’ve each found the perfect partner and, well, your perfect holiday is here, just waiting for the two of you. A honeymoon perhaps? Or just a romantic treat. Looking for a few romantic things to do in Phuket during your next vacation here? Look no further as we take you on a tour of Phuket’s top 10 romantic things to do.
And it’s a really easy place to get to, you probably won’t remember that! There’s loads of direct flights to Phuket from all over the world. If you can, make sure you get a window seat on the plane so you can see just how amazing Phuket is from the air, you’ll fall in love with the island even before you land. And with the memories you make while you’re here, you’ll fall for each other all over again, that’s the magic of Phuket.
So what is it? A wedding? Popping the big question? A special anniversary? Or maybe you just think the two of you deserve a special holiday, just the two of you, and you probably do. Well, you couldn’t have chosen a better place than Phuket, there’s some amazing stuff for you to do here, either on Phuket itself or on one of the many little islands that surround it. Let’s take a look, shall we?
When you think romance, you think sunsets. And what better place to watch the sunset over the Andaman sea than actually being on it? First, take a guided canoe tour around the amazing hidden caves and secret lagoons around Phuket. This is where the memories are made. The calm, warm waters and towering karst islands are breathtaking, so make sure you get plenty of photos. Then watch the sunset behind Phang Nga Bay as you dine aboard our beautiful boat. After your delicious Thai meal, prepared and served aboard, you will canoe once more into the caves to see the bioluminescent plankton, breathtaking! I tell you, it doesn’t get better than this. If you’re going to be asking that all-important question, this is the time to do it. The answer is always ‘Yes’.
What could be more romantic than having a boat to yourselves? Well, that’s quite possible here on the paradise island of Phuket. You can charter a private boat in Phuket for the day and take yourselves off on your own, personal cruise. With so many amazing secluded beaches, islands and amazing snorkeling spots, you really are spoilt for choice. It’s your boat for the day but take your captain’s advice on the best places to go for swimming, snorkeling and of course, dining, they will know all the best places. It’ll be the highlight of any romantic trip to Phuket.
Nothing says romance like a bit of pampering, and, as a couple it’s rare for you both to be able to indulge in this together, it’s usually one or the other of you pampering the other. Phuket has some incredible spa and wellness facilities such as the Spa Burasari, The Spa Mai Khao, or Nara, Pearl Spa and lots more, where you’ll find a level of Zen you’ve never experienced before. Let’s face it you can’t visit Thailand and not get a world famous Thai massage, can you?
You can have a nice, romantic, candlelit meal in a restaurant, surrounded by other people, or you can go that one step further and ask one of these venues for a private dinner on the beach. Just the two of you, with the exception of the discrete wait staff who will be there to cater to your every need. Timed correctly, you can throw in a glorious sunset for that extra special moment. A very special way to spend a special evening.
There are many top-class resorts and hotels on the island of Phuket who have special packages for special occasions. Plus there are quite a few over eighteen only resorts if you want to guarantee some peace and quiet. With picture perfect views, private pools and room service, you may never want to leave. But you’ll take the memory of your perfect romantic holiday home with you.
To really get away from it all, there are several private resort islands dotted around the coast of Phuket. These exclusive resorts, such as the one on Koh Yai Noi, are the perfect place for that special night away from the crowds. They’re all reachable by speedboat or longtail, depending on your mood and how authentically Thai you want your break to be. An ideal idea for that extra special night.
Many people come to Phuket on holiday but very few get to see quite how majestic it looks from the air. For something unique to experience together, take to the skies above the island on a helicopter tour. There are a couple of different tours to choose from, so whether you want to fly over Phang Nga Bay, see the scenic sights over Phuket or check out Big Buddha from above, you’ll be sure to have an incredible time. Something to tell the grandchildren about one day.
Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist country, a religion based around peace and harmony, and Phuket is no different. You’ll see many temples and shrines while you’re here but none are more commanding and auspicious than the Big Buddha. He sits up on the hill above Kata beach and looks serenely out to sea. Now, you’re probably not Buddhist, you may not even be religious, but paying your respects to the Big Buddha, making a wish, and making merit with the locals, especially at sunset, is an experience that will stay with you for a very long time. And look, your wish has already come true.
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, well you can rest assured the same can be said for the fairer sex. There are some seriously good restaurants on Phuket and so your choice of which one to pick for that extra special meal will be a tough one. A few highlights are The Black Ginger, La Gritta, Baan Rim Pa and Suay Restaurant in Cherngtalay. Your choice will obviously depend on your palate but there’s no doubt it’ll be a meal to remember.
It’s hard to put into words quite how spectacular the view is from the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint. It looks out over Phang Nga Bay, imagine a flat, turquoise sea with impossibly tall, thin, dark green islands sticking up out of it. Amazing, yes? Now try to imagine just how fantastic it is at sunrise. Well, if your imagination’s not great, you’ll just have to go and see it for yourself. You can spend the night up there, watch the sunset. But whatever you do, don’t forget to set that alarm!
Well, there you have it. My tips for how to make your romantic trip special. Whichever of these things you choose, I know you’ll have the best of time. How do I know? Because you’re on Phuket of course! When you’re as long in the tooth as I am, you get to know a few things, and one thing I know is that Phuket is an island for love.
Captain Mark