Phuket, Thailand

Other Details:

• Marine Life
• Other Attractions
• How To Get There
• Best Time To Visit
• Required Trainings & Certifications
• Miscellaneous Information

• Blacktip Reef Sharks - Blacktip reef shark sightings are likely to happen all year round in Phuket. They are small sharks measuring up to 1.8 meters long, with oval eyes, bluntly rounded snouts, and narrow-cusped teeth. They are named after the distinct black tips found on their dorsal and caudal fins.
• Spotted Eagle Rays - The spotted eagle ray is one of the biggest eagle rays in the world, reaching widths nearly 11 feet long. Just like other species of eagle rays, they are active swimmers and are foraging predators that feast on invertebrates and their fish prey. They’re easy to spot due to their spots and other markings.
• Hawksbill Turtles - Hawksbill turtles are found in tropical oceans; they avoid deep waters and prefer to stay on coral reefs, rocky areas, mangroves, lagoons, oceanic islands, and shallow coastal areas. They are named after their curved, pointed beaks that can reach into cracks and crevices when foraging for food. You’re likely to spot them in Phuket anytime during the year.
• Sailfish - Sailfish can reach speeds up to 70 mph, making them the fastest fish in the ocean. They are easily recognizable through their long upper jaw, which they use to strike and stun larger prey. The large size and spirited fight of sailfish make them a sought-after game among trophy fishers. There’s a high chance you’ll see them in Phuket between June and December.
• Seahorses - Seahorses are a type of small marine fish that breathe through their gills and have a swim bladder. But unlike other types of fish, they don’t have caudal fins or a long, snake-like tail. They are poor swimmers and have exoskeletons that fuse with their fleshy covering. Their long, thin snouts allow them to probe into small spaces for food.
• Dolphins - The intelligence, friendliness, and “smiling faces” make dolphins popular among divers and aquarium shows. They’re most likely to be seen in the shallow seas of continental shelves, and they can swim at speeds of over 18 mph. Dolphins often travel in groups and communicate with each other through whistles and squeaks..

• Big Buddha - Big Buddha sits on the top of the Nakkerd Hills, looking down on Chalong, Kata, and Rawai. The revered landmark stands 45 m tall, and cost ฿30 million to construct. Next to the statue lies a smaller brass statue and a shrine near the site’s car park. If you make it to the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a glorious panoramic view of Phuket.
• Phuket Old Town - Phuket Old Town was built during the province’s tin boom during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Compact enough for visitors to stroll in, you’ll be greeted by colonial Chinese architecture, Sino-Portuguese splendors, and other antiquated delights. Spend the afternoon sauntering in Buddhist and Chinese temples, preserved shophouses, tiny printing shops, and Sino-colonial mansions.
• Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Situated on the border of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary provides a new home for retired elephants that used to work in the logging and tourism industry. Set on 30 acres of lush tropical jungle, you’ll get to observe these gentle giants roaming freely and bathing in the site’s freshwater lagoons.
• Fantasea - If you’re looking for things to do in Phuket, head on over to the Fantasea Show, inspired by the country’s rich and exotic heritage. The enchanting show enriches ancient Thai traditions with Las Vegas-style theatrical shows featuring cutting-edge special effects. Take your family on a wondrous extravaganza with the show’s impressive pyrotechnics, acrobatics, aerial performances, and more.
• Wat Chalong - Wat Chalong is the largest and most visited of Phuket’s temples. The temple grounds house a 60-meter tall chedi that shelters a fragment of bone from the Buddha himself. The temple exterior is immaculate, and the interior of the pagoda is decorated with paintings illustrating the life of the Buddha.