Speak to any well-traveled person that you know and there is a very good chance that they would have visited Phuket or Krabi. These are two provinces near the south of Thailand which receive millions of visitors from around the world each year thanks to their astonishing natural beauty and balmy temperatures. They are perennial favourites with backpackers thanks to Thailand’s relatively low costs too.
But there is more to these picturesque provinces than cheap hostels and pretty beaches. There are activities that all types of travellers can enjoy, including those looking for a relaxing, indulgent time and those looking for an exciting one. Here are just a few of the things to do in these amazing destinations.
1. Charter a yacht
Around these areas there are dozens of beaches and coves just waiting to be explored. Boat tours will take you to the most popular ones, and you will be on someone else’s schedule, but by chartering a yacht you can seek out quieter spots and maybe even your own desert island to relax on. Best of all, you can spend as long there as you like. There are also limestone caves and coral reefs you can explore this way.
2. Charter a catamaran
With a catamaran charter you can do all the same things that you can on a yacht, but the experience is even more luxurious. Even a basic catamaran boat in Phuket or Krabi is likely to feature netting between the hulls for you to relax on as you sail between destinations, but at the higher-end you can also have sun loungers, drinks, and even a DJ included.
3. Explore the jungle by zipline
People take various types of holiday in Thailand, but it remains a popular place for people to get out of their comfort zone and have an adventure. If coasting over the waves is not the vibe you are looking for and you would prefer something more exciting, then a great place to find it is the Flying Hanuman Zipline Experience in Phuket. Naturally, it is not an attraction for people with a fear of heights, but for everyone else it is an excellent way to explore Thailand’s wonderful jungles.
4. Eat fine food
Thai food is a serious source of national pride among the locals, and although you are probably most familiar with the street food, there are plenty of fine dining establishments around too. The food in the south of the country is unique in that it features Malaysian and Indonesian flavours too.
5. Marvel at the limestone columns
Parts of the Krabi coastline are populated with impressive limestone columns jutting out of the sea. The most well-known of these can be found at Phang Nga Bay and was famously featured in a James Bond film, but you can head to a place known as Nail Mountain in Laem Sak to enjoy similar scenery away from the crowds.
Conclusion
Thailand has many wonderful destinations, but Krabi and Phuket remain popular choices thanks to the variety of things to do and the scenic surroundings. Exploring them by yacht and zipline are great ways to start, and of course you have to sample the food, but there is plenty more to discover too.
