phuket in 4 days, 3 nights

Based at Kata or Karon: a beach afternoon and sunset at Promthep Cape, a day out at sea to Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay, the Big Buddha and Old Town, and a slow last morning. Go between November and April, when the sea is calm.

1. Day 1

   Beach and sunset

   Morning

   Fly from KL, about 1.5 hours. The drive from the airport to Kata or Karon, the calmer beaches in the south-west, takes about an hour.

   Lunch

   Lunch near the hotel.

   Afternoon

   Swim and laze on the beach.

   Evening

   Sunset at Promthep Cape, the island's southern tip, about 20 minutes' drive away.

   Night

   Grilled fish, prawns and crab at a seafood restaurant in Rawai, a few minutes from the cape.

2. Day 2

   Island hopping

   Morning

   Full-day boat trip to Phi Phi or the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. Most tours collect you from your hotel early.

   Lunch

   Lunch is usually included on the tour.

   Afternoon

   Snorkelling and beach stops before the boat heads back.

   Evening

   Back at the hotel, an easy dinner nearby.

3. Day 3

   Big Buddha and Old Town

   Morning

   Go early to the Big Buddha, the huge white marble statue on the hilltop, about 20 minutes from Kata, for views over the south of the island.

   Lunch

   Drive about 30 minutes to Phuket Old Town for Phuket Hokkien mee, thick yellow noodles fried with seafood and pork.

   Afternoon

   Walk the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and cafés around Thalang Road, and cool down with o-aew, the local shaved-ice dessert.

   Evening

   On a Sunday, stay for the walking street on Thalang Road. Otherwise, dinner in Old Town before heading back to the beach.

4. Day 4

   Last morning

   Morning

   Khanom jeen for breakfast, rice noodles with curry and fresh vegetables, the Phuket way. Then one last swim.

   Lunch

   Lunch near the hotel, then check out.

   Afternoon

   Head to the airport, about an hour away, with time to spare.