Virgin Voyages' guide to Phuket, Thailand

Venture to nearby Sirinat National Park and snorkel above the magnificent coral reef that’s home to countless species of colorful sea creatures. Head to the Phuket Trickeye Museum for a museum experience like no other, canoe or speedboat to caves and hidden lagoons, catamaran to a private island, visit an ATV park where you can see all kinds of native Thai animals, from different varieties of monkeys, and carnivorous plants to the elusive monitor lizard. Tour the Portuguese-influenced Old Town, tour one of the local distilleries and see one of the world’s favorite animals, the elephant, in their natural habitat. 

There’s a reason Phuket is one of the most sought after travel destinations in the entire world – whether it be the exciting nightlife, the world-renowned beaches, or the beautiful surroundings that are an inevitable reminder of how breathtaking the natural world can be. Dip your toes in the sand with a handcrafted cocktail in your hand as you watch the Reua Hang Yao (traditional longtail boats) pepper the horizon as they seamlessly skim across the glistening turquoise waters and pinch yourself as a reminder that this is, in fact, real life.

When most people close their eyes and describe what paradise would look like, they’d be describing Phuket. Thailand’s largest island features unbelievably pristine white-sand beaches, unlimited options for exploration — including scuba diving and snorkeling the wildlife-ladened, turquoise waters, an impressive amount of historical landmarks, traditional Thai farms of different varieties and some of the best food and beverage in the entire world. No matter how you decide to spend your time in Phuket, you’ll certainly leave with an understanding of why everyone who visits can’t explain exactly why it’s so idyllic — because frankly, the iconic pictures don’t even do it full justice, it’s just something you have to feel.