Nicknamed ‘Jewel of the Andaman', Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular tourist attractions and all year round the island welcomes huge crowds of visitors coming from every part of the world. Phuket is like a vast beautiful playground. And even if you think you've found the perfect beach to sunbath and chill out on, there still a lot to see. Therefore Phuket sightseeing trips are simply a must.

Joining day trips from Phuket is an unforgettable and rewarding travel experience. Within a few hours drive or navigating by boat are some mind-boggling landscapes such as the famed Phi Phi islands, the pretty Khao Lak coast, the breathtaking Pha Nga Bay, great scuba diving options off the Similan islands, and Krabi's stunningly beautiful karst-scapes. There are national parks which feature lush forests, idyllic fishing villages, dramatic waterfalls, blue crystal clear waters, tiny private islands, secluded mangroves and fabulous beaches to seek out.

Phuket is definitely the most visited and best developed island you can find in Thailand. During the last 20 years Phuket has transformed into an upmarket and jet-set travel destination. If you're decided to visit Phuket for your next vacation you'll find yourself located at one of the several wonderful bays dotted along the West Coast. From this spot you can both hire a private vehicle or use the opportunity taking one of the various day trip tours to your chosen destination. A daytrip is really a great idea and there are numerous options as well as travel agents.

If you come here for the first time it is absolutely wise to explore the island itself. There are plenty of lively and wonderful beaches. Located south from Kamala you'll find some of the best beaches, past the crowded and always popular Patong, and onwards to the sweeping Karon and trendier Kata. You should make a stop at each beach and sunbath for a few hours while enjoying some barbecued freshly caught seafood. Keep going south and you'll finally arrive at the unspoiled Nai Harn beach, an excellent spot for enjoying the serene atmosphere and get away from the crowds. Phuket beaches all have their own special atmosphere.

To reach the northern part of Phuket will take a drive lasting about one hour. This non-developed area is not crowded with tourists while the mangroves on the eastern shore provide different scenery of the island. While you find yourself in this region you might want to cool off in the Bang Phrae Waterfall situated in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park's or visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre where you can observe these fascinating and clever animals. Touring this area is extremely rewarding!

Some of the most beautiful panoramas can be found offshore, on top of your itineraries list should be travelling to the Phi Phi Islands. This distinctive craggy island has the form of a butterfly. The island was the main location for the Hollywood feature The Beach and Phi Phi was world news when the Tsunami struck. Actually there are more than two islands, and usually all of the trips stop off giving you the option to snorkel en-route. Your lunch is served once you access Phi Phi Ley's heavenly Maya bay. The only souls which are allowed to spend the night here are campers and park rangers so you'll have the unspoilt beach all to yourself. Phi Phi Don features more dramatic scenery and unfortunately the island started to overdeveloped before the powerful Tsunami washed everything away. On a little sandwich of coconut trees the resorts are positioned between two lovely bays, with sky karst cliffs, rising up to the blue sky, all around. Once you've arrived here you may find it a drag going back to Phuket!

Similarly astonishing and popular is Pha Nga Bay's distinctive karst seascape, which enjoyed a lot of free promotion in the Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. Now the island is even renamed as the James Bond Island, on all trips from Phuket this is a must-see but its all part of an enormous theatre of pillars, positioned along this extensive bay and it is probably one of the world's most photogenic spots. Koh Phan Yee is a picturesque fishing village which is situated in the sea on stilts and it is here where lunch will be served. Buying some souvenirs is something that you should not forget and also walking around this peaceful community. Particularly popular is kayaking among the impressive karst cliffs and wonderful caves.

If you are a diving enthusiast and there is only one chance to see the finest sites, then you might want to take a diving trip to the gorgeous Similan islands. These islands are situated West of Phuket and the trip lasts a few days. Also located here is a protected marine reserve and boat tyrips are the only means of reaching the area's untouched reefs, or enjoy swimming in the clear soothing waters. You don't have a dive certificate? No worries, there are many courses offering dive lessons. Hong Island makes a great daytrip as well. This remarkable island lies between Phuket and Krabi and features a hidden lagoon which is only accessible via a cave tunnel during low tide.

Drive into the hinterland by rented car is also a rewarding option. Phuket is connected by a short causeway and after you reach the mainland you are free to explore the beautiful Southern Thai provinces. Driving north to Khao Lak, you have the option to explore a wilder and unspoiled coastline, and some impressing coastal parks. The Khao Sok National Park is just a bit beyond this with its enormous lake, lush rainforests and idyllic landscapes. The park's chalets offer overnight accommodation. The tropical national parks in Thailand boast fabulous ecosystems full of birdlife, waterfalls, streams, nature trails, and a few animals.

If you're driving out of Phuket it is a great idea to explore the region for a couple of days, with its rubber plantations, and weird landscapes. Visiting the majestic and less visited parks such as Than Bokkharani National Park and Sa Nang Manora Forest Park as you travel en-route through Pha Nga onwards to Krabi town, is especially a great experience.

Free lance journalist Andy Burrows has travelled many times to Phuket. His recommends websites for the area:

Phuket online travel resource

Touring the Phuket area