"Pearl of the Andaman", Phuket is Thailand's largest island and home to some magnificent resorts. It is an island of great and varied natural beauty, rich in vegetation and scenery of all kinds.

Phuket has long been Thailand's richest province; tin and rubber were its main exports before tourism. Phuket was also on the main trade routes from Europe in centuries past, and Sino-Portugese architecture can still be seen in Phuket town.

The largest concentration of resort hotels is on Patong Beach, also the centre for shopping and a vibrant nightlife. South stretches Karon, a wide peaceful beach backed by hotels. Further south there are the smaller but equally beautiful expanses of Kata Noi and Kata Yai. To the north, around Surin Beach, are some of the most luxurious resorts in Southeast Asia.

As you would imagine, there are a huge variety of activities on offer on this delightful isle, from elephant riding, to bungee jumping to parasailing. Water sports are even more varled, with wind-surfing, wakeboarding and jetkiing just some of the options.

Diving trips from Phuket leave for excursions to some of the best diving sites in Southeast Asia, and indeed the world. Large well-established dive firms offerun forgettable trips to prime spots such as Shark Point, Red Rock, KoYao, Ko Yai and Ko Raya.

Phuket is home to the pioneeringeco-tour company Sea Canoe, which takes adventurers in small groups of two-passenger inflatable kayaks on tours of up to three days and more, particularly around the fabulous limestone seascapes of Phang-nga.

The island is also the home of Thailand's sailing fraternity, attracting the cream of Thai society as well as the international sailing crowd. The biggest attraction in the sailing calendar is the Phuket King's Cup Regatta. The week-long race every year, at tracts up to 100 sailboats from all over the world to vie for the coveted trophy

Phuket's marinas have a wide.variety of vessels for charter. Find them at Laem Phrao Yacht Marina, PhuketBoat Lagoon, Yacht Haven andJimmy's Lighthouse at Chalong Bay.

South of Phuket, Ko Racha Yai is the larger of twin islands. It is popular with divers who enjoy floating along its sloping rock face, taking in the co1ourful colonies of hard coralsand looking at the diversity of the tropical fish. Ko Racha Yai is known inparticular for its octapi, cuttlefish and false barracudas.

The smaller of the Racha islands, Ko Racha Noi offers more demanding diving for older hands, with deeper. 1sites and stronger currents. To the south of the island is a beautiful beach, from which you can experience an excellent drift dive. The northern point comprises a large stone atoll around which larger fish and mammals are frequently spotted.