9 Most Photographed Places in Phuket
Where to Take Stunning Photos of Phuket?
Phuket has its share of picture-postcard spots. As the prime vacation destination in southern Thailand, blessed with a tropical monsoon climate and attractive land and seascape views, the island of Phuket has all the assets to provide amateur and professional photographers alike with stunning photo opportunities.
Everyone wants to be in a picture with that idyllic backdrop, and Phuket offers its visitors unparalleled opportunities to do just that. It has everything from exotic beaches fringed with palm trees, to remote islands, to heavily-ornamented Buddhist temples and Chinese shrines, to the neo-colonial architecture of the oldest district of its capital. Check out our selection of the best place capture breathtaking images in Phuket and the surrounding area.
1. Karon Viewpoint
Beautiful views of the sea and long stretches of beach
Good for: Budget, Couples, Photo
Karon Viewpoint, also known as Kata Viewpoint, is among the most visited sightseeing attractions on Phuket’s west coast. It is known to locals as Kho Sam Haad, which means “The hill of the three beaches”, and it certainly lives up to the name.
Set back from the roadside, this popular lookout offers a great view over the beaches of Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon. The site hosts a few food and drink carts at which visitors can refresh themselves, and there are gazebos where you can sit in the shade and take in the glorious views. Read more
Location: 4233 Karon, Muang, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Karon Viewpoint
2. Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island
A haven for photographers and climbers
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo
Phang Nga Bay covers 150 square miles of the sparkling azure waters of the Andaman Sea, a large part of which has been designated as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. The provinces of Phuket Island, Phang-nga, and Krabi surround the bay.
This large maritime park contains gorgeous 42 islands, tall limestone towers that appeal to climbers and photographers alike, and mangrove forests full of fish, plants, and animals. Only 45 minutes from Phuket Island, Phang Nga Bay has a wealth of caves, lagoons, and forests to explore, and its iconic views regularly adorn local postcards. Read more
Location: Phang-Nga, Thailand
Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island
3. Promthep Cape
The southernmost tip of Phuket offers unrivalled views
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
Promthep Cape is one of the most photographed spots in Phuket, and for good reason. Forming the southernmost tip of the island, Promthep offers a stunning 180-degree vista of the sea and 3 nearby small islands.
You can descend a dirt track to the very tip of the cape, which is usually quieter as most visitors simply admire the view from the top. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes if you choose this option. At any time of the day, Promthep Cape offers splendid photo opportunities, yet it’s at sunset that most photographers find they get their best shots. Read more
Location: Laem Promthep, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Promthep Cape
4. Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay
A wealth of biodiversity in these diving hotspots
Good for: Adventure, Luxury, Photo
Phi Phi is a group of 6 islands lying roughly halfway between Phuket Island and the Krabi coast. Phi Phi Don is the main inhabited island of the group, while the inaccessible, rocky islands of Ko Bida Nai and Ko Bida Nok draw divers and snorkelers to their coral reefs and underwater cliffs. It’s a great location for trying out underwater photography as there’s plenty of colorful sea life to catch your attention.
Koh Phi Phi Leh, the second-largest island of the group, is home to the world-famous Maya Beach, which was used as the main location for Danny Boyle’s movie The Beach in 2000. Why not get a selfie here and see if your friends back home recognize it. Read more
Location: Krabi 81000, Thailand
Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay
5. Old Phuket Town and Thalang Road
A bustling town packed with local history
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Officially established during the tin mining era of Phuket’s history, between the mid-19th and the early 20th century, Old Phuket Town has a splendid architectural heritage that retains a charming historic atmosphere. There are countless photo opportunities for people looking for something more authentic.
The Sino-Portuguese architecture of most of the houses and mansions has been pretty well maintained and renovated over the past hundred years, and stands as a testament to the splendors of the past. Be sure to visit on a Sunday when the colorful local market brings the streets to vibrant life. Read more
Location: Thalang Road, Talat Yai, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Old Phuket Town and Thalang Road
6. Similan Islands
A tropical paradise with world-class diving awaits
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo
The Similan Islands may be a bit far from Phuket, about 74 miles away, but no visit to southern Thailand would be fully complete without at least a day trip to this group of 9 islands belonging to Phang-nga Province.
Remote and uninhabited, the Similan Islands are a tropical dream come true, and are considered to be one of the most beautiful places on earth in which to dive, swim, and snorkel. One of the islands houses a national park’s rangers camp which you can stay in overnight, ideal if you want to take pictures of sunrise over the ocean. Read more
Location: Larn Kaen, Thai Muang, Phang-nga 82210, Thailand
Similan Islands
7. Wat Chalong
Serene sights at Phuket’s largest temple
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Wat Chalong is the largest Buddhist temple in Phuket. Hosting half a dozen buildings, each with a specific purpose or exhibition, it’s a superbly decorated temple set in a nicely landscaped garden.
The tallest pagoda, a chedi (monument) standing nearly 200 feet tall, houses a splinter of bone from Lord Buddha, which can be viewed in its glass case. From close-ups on temple ornamentations, including the many donated golden statues, to overview vistas from the Grand Pagoda, photo opportunities are plentiful at Wat Chalong. Be sure to photograph this sacred space respectfully, and avoid using flash to preserve the delicate paintings. Read more
Location: 70 Village No.6 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Road, Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8am to 5pm
Phone: +66 (0)76 381 226
Wat Chalong
8. Kata Beach
A versatile beach offering excellent photo opportunities
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
One of the most popular beaches on Phuket’s west coast, Kata Beach, or Hat Kata in Thai, has been frequently photographed at sunset. Try it for yourself and you’ll find out why.
Part of its popularity comes from the small island a short distance out to sea and the long-tail boats typically anchored on the shore for the night, giving postcard-like photos with geometric foreground elements while the sun sets into the sea in the background. It’s also a great spot for sports photography. Be sure to visit during monsoon season, when surfers carve the big waves kicked up by the weather. Read more
Location: Soi Pakbang, Karon, Muang, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Kata Beach
9. Laem Singh Beach Viewpoint
One of the best views on the north of Phuket Island
Good for: Budget, Couples, Photo
Located off the coastal road linking Kamala beach and Surin beach, Laem Singh Viewpoint offers a superb panorama of Phuket’s west coast just above the magnificent cove of Laem Singh.
It is the only official viewpoint in the north of Phuket, so it’s worth a stop if you are passing through. With a gazebo set up to protect viewers from the elements, you can take your time examining the spectacular views, setting up shots, and snapping photographs of the wide expanses of Kamala and Surin beaches spreading to either side. Read more
Location: Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83120, Thailand
Laem Singh Beach Viewpoint
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