Best Hidden Gems In Phuket: Unexpected Attractions In Thailand
Phuket is a beautiful and expansive island in Thailand, home to some of the best ”hidden gems”. In addition to its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and luxurious resorts, Phuket also offers many intriguing ideas hidden beyond the usual tourist paths.
Such places offer unusual views of the island and let the tourists explore the absolutely non-touristic side of Phuket.
Visiting these off-the-beaten-track places helps to discover Phuket which most tourists never get the chance to visit, as there are absolutely stunning beaches, beautiful viewpoints, local restaurants, and cultural attractions that will give an authentic island experience.
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Hidden Gems and Spots in Phuket: Why Explore Beyond the Usual Tourist Attractions?
There is so much more to Phuket than the tourist hotspots, most of which are easily accessible by car. While there are popular and easily recognizable attractions such as Patong Beach, Phang Nga Bay, or the Big Buddha, the offbeat areas are somehow adventurous sort and quite serene. Visiting those places will give you a chance to be free from the numerous tourists and discover Phuket from a different perspective.
These hidden places are normally untouched by human interference and are thus thrilling because they are unexplored by commercialism and offer a person a better chance of connecting with the surroundings.
Such places are colorful indicators of local traditions, and that is why they provide visitors with some impressions of life on the island. If authenticity is what the traveler is after, then getting out from the beaten path is a must-do.
Furthermore, there are always astonishing surprises with local people who are quite friendly and ready to share their experience or to recommend something.
Whether you want to swim in the shallow waters of a deserted island beach or try a non-tourist Thai restaurant, these locations make travel more satisfying and interesting.
10 Top Hidden Beaches in Phuket
The well-known island of Phuket boasts beautiful beaches, but it is surprising to know that there are untouched places that are ideal for tourists. Below are ten secret beaches in Phuket that will give you some peace as well as the stunning beauty of nature:
Ao Sane Beach
Located near Nai Harn Beach, Ao Sane is a small rocky beach where snorkeling is at its best. The whole environment of the beach is homogeneous as it is bounded by large boulders, giving the place a feeling of privacy.
Banana Beach
Banana Beach is situated in the northern area of this beautiful island, and it remains one of the most undeveloped beaches. You can get down using a short hike that leads through the jungle till you get to the beach with clean sand and clear waters. Due to the lack of ample parking space, it’s recommended that you go beaching here on a motorcycle or scooter.
Freedom Beach
The beach can only be reached by boat or hiking through the forest, making it one of the isolated beaches in Phuket. It is shaded by thick vegetation, with fine white sand perfect for sunbathing and turquoise water excellent for swimming. If you visit the beach by scooter, you must walk down the lovely forest or go by boat from Patong.
Laem Singh Beach
Laem Singh Beach was once a beautiful, famous spot, but due to restricted access, it is no longer very crowded. It can be accessed by boat and offers tourists a quiet place with beach sand and the tropical forest surrounding it.
Ao Yon Beach
Slap-banked on the southeast coastline, Ao Yon Beach is one of the most beautiful and deserted beaches on the island. Due to its shallow nature, it is an excellent location for swimming and kayaking.
Layan Beach
Layan Beach is a nice, quiet location along the northern coast of Bang Tao Beach. Many casuarina trees are found around this area, and there is a lot of shade, so you can have a great point for a picnic, thanks to the small waves.
Nui Beach
What can be called Waterfall Beach is one of the most unpopular, beautiful, and remote spots, and to get there, you will have to overcome quite a steep climb or take a 4×4 vehicle. It is not a very large beach, but it offers crystal clear water and wonderful snorkeling adventures.
Panwa Beach
Compared to many other beaches that are known to visitors, Panwa Beach is not a popular tourist destination, although it has calm water and majestic views. Notwithstanding, the beach is well suited for family and anyone seeking a relaxed lifestyle.
Yae Beach
Sandy Cove, situated near Kamala Beach, can be found hidden from tourists’ eyes and is an ideal spot for a secluded seaside stay. This particular beach is rocky, which makes it convenient to snorkel and discover marine life.
Paradise Beach
Paradise beach is a private beach that is just a short distance from Patong. The beach is not very big, but it is very beautiful, and has clean sea water and fine-grained sand, suitable for relaxing.
READ ALSO: 10 Best Beaches in Phuket to Visit
Secluded Viewpoints for Stunning Sunsets
Sunsets are famous in Phuket and the most famous places to view them are becoming tourist attractions, like the Promthep Cape but there are several less known authentic spots that offer breathtaking experiences.
Laem Krating Viewpoint
This is a lovely, infamous place that you must visit if you are in Phuket. If you want to get there, you have to get ready for a power hike through the jungle, but the prize is excellent for the stress.
From this viewpoint, you can view the entirety of the Andaman Sea, and, at sunset, the sky turns into a symphony of colors. It is an excellent place for photography or even just going for a picnic in the middle of the wild since the place is incredibly serene.
Black Rock Viewpoint
Another unknown but beautiful spot is Black Rock Viewpoint near Nui Beach. The viewpoint has a moderate climb to view the breathtaking southern coast. It is an ideal place to take a nap watching the sunsets in isolation from the crowd.
Windmill Viewpoint
If you are in the mood for a relatively unpopulated view, then Windmill Viewpoint is a great place to visit. Sitting beside Nai Harn Beach is one of the best vantage points from which to view the ocean and windmill in the backdrop. It is a place with fewer human activities and is perfect for enjoying the sunset alone.
Local Eateries Serving Authentic Thai Cuisine
Food is an essential part of Phuket, and despite a wide choice of famous restaurants, it is possible to find excellent Thai houses that are local and not famous in the country.
Raya Restaurant
Located in Phuket Town, Raya Restaurant is one of the top Thai joints. It specializes in local Thai food, including crispy and flavorful crab curry and slow-cooked pork belly cooked according to time-honored recipes.
Mor Mu Dong
Mor Mu Dong is situated in what could be described as open-air amid the mangrove woods and mainly specializes in seafood. This Thai restaurant sits in a rather obscure location, but the quality of the food it offers is definitely worth the trip.
Lock Tien Food Court
If you’re looking for authentic Phuket food, then Lock Tien Food Court is one of the notable places you would want to visit in Phuket Town. This food court has a wide variety of foods ranging from Hokkien noodles to satay, which reminds you of Phuket’s cooking diversity.
Cultural Landmarks Off the Beaten Path
Phuket is famous for its rich culture and history, though there are many statically significant and culturally important landmarks that are not as famous as the island’s significant temples and attractions.
Wat Phra Thong
The Wat Phra Thong, or the temple of the golden Buddha is actually one of the oldest and most enigmatic on Phuket Island. This is a partially submerged golden statue of Buddha, which has its own legend story attached to it. In comparison with numerous other temples, access to this one is free, and, moreover, the territory is not as crowded as it can be.
Shrine of the Serene Light
Its location is actually quite out of the way as it is located in an alley in Phuket Town, which is essentially a Chinese temple. Its architectural design alone, as well as the quiet surroundings, make it ideal for visiting and perfect for learning something about Phuket’s history – Chinese heritage.
Baan Chinpracha
Baan Chinpracha is a Sino–Portucan architecture situated in Phuket Town. It’s a well-preserved building that provides an insight into the lifestyle of a rich Phuket family in the early twentieth century. Studying the architectural features of the mansion and the pieces of furniture provides details of the history of the island.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things to do in Phuket, and exploring Phuket’s hidden gems enriches the experience of travelers who would prefer to go on a holiday anytime soon.
Whether it is exploring a hidden beach, enjoying traditional Thai food, or visiting a historical site that is a little out of the usual tourist path, these are the places where you can feel more associated with the beauty of the island and understand its tradition in a deeper sense.
In your next visit to Phuket, don’t only choose to follow the grid-patterned roads and lanes of the popular spots, but rather discover the gems that are hidden within the island.
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