Thailand is filled with coral light blue waters, mango smoothies, lush jungles, buzzing cicadas, and unforgettable adventures. Even though I only had 2 days in Phuket, I had the best time—packed with beautiful views, fun activities, and amazing food.
Below is everything I did during my weekend in Phuket, plus a full cost breakdown (in CAD) to help you plan your own trip!
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Where I Stayed:
🏨 Hotel: Novotel Kata Avista Resort & Spa
Any hotel in the Kata Beach area will do—you’ll be close to restaurants, cafes, and the beach.
How I Got Around:
🏍️ Bike Rental: $10/day with no insurance from a local shop, highly recommend insurance.
✅ Includes helmet
⚠️ Make sure you have an International Driver’s License to avoid fines.
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Day 1: Explore Phuket
1. Big Buddha – FREE
One of the most iconic attractions in Phuket. Don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees—scarves are a lifesaver here.
Pro Tip: You can donate by buying a metal leaf and writing a wish, which gets blessed in a Homa ceremony.
2. Lunch With a View – $5
Spot: Nak-Kerd Seaview Café
After Big Buddha, I stumbled upon on the wya back. The place has a beautiful view of the coast. Perfect place after visiting Big Buddha. I had the calamari—decent, but it’s the view that steals the show.
3. Best Mango Smoothie Ever – $1.50
From the same café—this smoothie deserves its own section. Just pure mango. Sweet, refreshing, and totally addictive. If you dont have multiple mango smoothies per day what the phuket are you doing?
4. Chill Café Vibes – $5–20
Spot: A Blanket & A Pillow Café
A cozy, cute gem near my hotel with bean bags, fans, delicious food, and great photo spots. 10/10 recommend!
5. Afternoon With Elephants
Activity: Mud Spa at Green Elephant Sanctuary Park
This was a life-changing experience! (Check out my full Elephant Sanctuary blog post here for all the details.)
6. Jet Skiing at Kata Beach – $60
Found a local vendor on the beach and rented a jet ski for 45 minutes. Breathtaking adrenaline rush with the best views—worth every dollar.
Day 2: Island Adventure
Banana Beach Island Tour (Ko He) – $100
On Day 2, I headed to Ko He Banana Beach (also known as Coral Island) for a half-day island tour (10am-4pm). We were picked up around 10 AM and spent the day enjoying the beauty of the island, eating tons of Thai food, and participating in fun activities. Some of the highlights were snorkeling, a Thai feast, a clear canoe ride, and a banana boat ride.
Activities I chose:
🤿 1. Snorkeling
Just living my best life.
🍛 2. Epic Thai Feast
You can tell by my smile this food was a highlight!!! If you love Thai food, this feast will make your day. We were served 10 different dishes, and I can honestly say they were all phenomenal. I would tell you to come to the island tour just for this!
Bonus Treat: You can order dessert and drinks separately at the bar. These deep fried Oreos speak for themselves.
🛶 3. Clear Canoe
This was one of the most peaceful activities of the day. The water was so clear, and it was just the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of the island. Even though I didn’t take pictures, the experience itself was priceless.
🍌 4. Banana Boat – $20
I can’t believe I was about to pass up on this activity, I’m glad I was pushed to do it. The ADRENALINE that this gives you is surreal! The driver goes slow then FAST as he plays tricks on you while you’re fearing yet anticipating when you’re going to fall off and into the water. So fun!
5. Dinner at Award-Winning Restaurant – $50
Spot: Mom Tri’s Kitchen Seafood
After the island we went to Mom Tri’s Kitchen Seafood for an evening dinner. It is even prettier at night, as you hear the strong waves in the background and see the island illuminated. We ordered drinks and a bunch of appetizers ranging from 300-500 baht each so around $10-20 each. The ambiance is beautiful, peaceful and romantic and the service was top notch. Definitely worth it.
6. Thai Massage – $10–15
You can’t go to Thailand without getting a Thai massage! I wanted to see what all the hype was about. We went to a place not too far from our hotel that didn’t look sketchy—it was a nail salon with a spa upstairs. You have to take off your shoes before entering, and you can choose the type of massage you want. They offer different combos, like foot and back, and you can also choose your level of intensity and how long you want it to be. Since I’d never had a professional massage before, I accidentally chose the intense option—one word: OUCH! It hurt at some points, but I was too scared to tell her to stop HAHA. Don’t be like me, or you’ll be super sore the next day. The foot massage was really good though!
Final Thoughts
Even with just 2 days in Phuket, I got to experience so much—from spiritual sites and scenic meals to island adventures and cultural highlights. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a friend, or as a couple, this itinerary packs a lot in while still leaving room to relax.
