Journey with JunyuanThailandAsia
If you’ve heard that Phuket is too busy, too chaotic, or too party-heavy, you’re not alone — and honestly, I thought the same before visiting. But the truth is: Phuket is huge, and if you know where to go, you can experience a completely different side of the island. A side that’s quiet, calm, nature-focused, and perfect for solo travellers or anyone craving a gentle introduction to Thailand. 🙏
For the first 3 days of my Andaman Sea trip, I chose Phuket for 2 simple reasons:
I picked a quiet corner of Phuket — Ya Nui Beach — and it ended up being one of the most peaceful, grounding starts to a trip I’ve ever had.
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Ya Nui Beach sunset kayaking
I know what you’re thinking — Phuket? Quiet? Those two words rarely appear in the same sentence. Phuket has a reputation for nightlife, traffic, and crowded beaches, and plenty of travellers I met swore that Patong was their biggest nightmare, which I don't blame them for. 🫣
But that’s not the whole story.
Phuket is big. And tucked away on its southern tip is Ya Nui Beach, a tiny cove with soft waves, clear water, local restaurants, and a calm, village-like energy that feels worlds away from Patong. This is where I based myself — and it was the perfect soft landing into Thailand.
I stayed at Navatara Phuket Resort, a peaceful little hotel tucked between Ya Nui and Rawai. It’s actually right next to Rawai Beach, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, kiosks with delicious Thai tea, massage parlours, and longtail boats lined up along the shore. Ya Nui Beach, meanwhile, is a short walk or free shuttle ride away, offering great snorkelling and a beautiful sunset view. And as a little bonus, there’s a 7-Eleven right next door for any quick snacks or essentials.
Even though I visited during peak season in late December, the hotel never felt crowded. My room was spacious and the pool area was beautiful, and the staff were incredibly kind. After both my long-haul flight and my full-day Similan Islands trip, Navatara felt like exactly the sanctuary I needed. 💆🏻♀️
After arriving at Phuket airport in the early afternoon, I hopped into a Bolt and headed straight to my hotel. The long journey from London finally caught up with me, and I slept through most of the drive, waking just as we pulled in. The moment I stepped out of the car, I was struck by how calm everything felt — quiet streets, barely any traffic, and an unexpected sense of ease that washed over me instantly.
I dropped my luggage in my room, changed out of my UK winter layers into something summery, and took the hotel’s free shuttle to Ya Nui Beach. As soon as I arrived, my heart softened. The atmosphere was relaxed, local, and wonderfully family-friendly. A shallow, gentle bay made it safe for kids to snorkel, and just offshore sat tiny Ko Man — close enough to swim or kayak to. The waves rolled quietly, paddleboards drifted past, and everything moved at the slow, soothing pace I’d been craving.
That first evening ended up setting the tone for my entire time in Thailand. As golden hour approached, I rented a kayak for just 100 baht, paddled out, and watched the sun dip into the sea. I’ve seen many sunsets, but this one felt different — enormous, fiery red, and framed by complete stillness. Other than the birds and the soft sway of the water beneath my kayak, the world felt silent. My heart filled with gratitude. Hard to believe that just 48 hours earlier, I was in cold, rainy London, dreaming of exactly this. 🥹
Just a short walk from Ya Nui, Rawai Beach is a lovely spot to unwind. The whole stretch has a chill vibe — rows of casual restaurants and cafés serving affordable, delicious food, little kiosks selling iced Thai tea, and plenty of massage shops and nail salons if you feel like treating yourself. Down by the water, colourful longtail boats are lined up along the shore, ready to take you to nearby islands for a half- or full-day trip — hiring one is as simple as walking up and asking. I loved strolling down the beach with a Thai tea in hand, having a do-nothing kind of day. ☺️
Towards the east end of the beach you’ll also find the Rawai Fish Market, where you can choose from a wide selection of fresh seafood and have it cooked in a restaurant across the street. And if you’re looking for a great restaurant, my favourite was Cafe Baan Mai — not directly on the beach but only a 5-minute walk inland. The food was delicious (they definitely don’t hold back on the spice!), and I had a lovely time connecting with the owner. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to return the next morning.
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The Similan Islands are a protected national park made up of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea, around 70 kilometres northwest of Phuket. Widely regarded as one of Thailand’s best snorkelling and diving destinations, they’re every bit as breathtaking as promised — powdery white sand, dramatic granite boulders, crystal-clear water, and coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. The sea shifts between unreal shades of turquoise and deep blue, and I could have happily spent hours sitting on the white sand beach, watching boats drift in and out. 🤍
What makes the Similan Islands even more special is how carefully they’re protected. The park closes each year from mid-May to mid-October, allowing the reefs and marine life time to recover from the high season and monsoon. That pause shows — the underwater world feels vibrant and alive, with healthy coral and abundant sea life. Above the water, I was lucky enough to spot giant fruit bats gathered in the treetops, a quiet reminder that this pristine place is just as rich in wildlife on land as it is beneath the waves.
Visiting the Similan Islands from Phuket does require an extremely early start and a fairly long journey, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. I booked a day tour through GetYourGuide, and the experience was seamless from start to finish. Everything was clearly explained and very well organised — from hotel pick-up and a buffet breakfast, to the speedboat ride, snorkelling stops, and island downtime. There were non-stop snacks and fruit on board, and the guides were genuinely kind and attentive. They constantly offered to take photos for everyone too, which I really appreciated as a solo traveller! ☺️
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Navatara Phuket Resort
Starting my Thailand journey in southern Phuket and the Similan Islands turned out to be the perfect balance of rest and adventure. After a long-haul flight, Ya Nui offered a gentle landing — quiet beaches, slow mornings, and time to simply recharge — while the Similan Islands delivered that first unforgettable taste of tropical magic, with snorkelling, white sand, and surreal blue water that reminded me exactly why I’d come. If this slower, more mindful way of exploring Thailand speaks to you, you can find the full route — including Koh Lanta and Koh Yao Noi — in my complete 2-week Andaman Sea itinerary. 🌊💙
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