If you are a nature lover and enjoy visiting attractions that focus on nature’s beauty and charms, then travel to Phuket, the largest island of Thailand. Boasting lush mountains, tropical forests, and turquoise lagoons, Phuket offers many beautiful and interesting attractions for the nature lover.
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
Situated in the eastern section of Phuket, the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park contains some of the region’s most unspoiled tropical forest. With or without a guide, you can hike through jungle trails to admire the tropical flora and fauna and glimpse wildlife like exotic birds, barking deer, and monkeys. The national park is also home to two spectacular waterfalls called Bang Pae and Ton Sai. These beautiful waterfalls cascade into natural swimming pools, where you can take a refreshing dip. If you want to learn more about the forest and its wildlife, you can check out the on-site museum and visitor’s center.
Seashell Museum
If you like museums, seashells, and off-the-beaten-path attractions, the Seashell Museum in Phuket is a must-do. Located in Rawaii, the Seashell Museum showcases a fantastic collection of shells found from Thailand waters. Many of these seashells are considered rare and valuable, such as the one weighing 250 kilograms. You can also see the world’s largest golden pearl at this museum. When you are finished touring the museum, browse through the gift shop, where you can buy souvenirs made from shells, like key chains, jewelry, and forks and knives.
Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is a magical place where you can swim in turquoise lagoons and climb limestone cliffs. You can explore caves or lounge on a secluded white beach. For a real treat, you can tour the tropical jungle by way of an elephant safari ride.
Phuket Zoo and Aquarium
One of Phuket’s most popular attractions is its zoo and aquarium. At the zoo, you will discover more than 12 acres of tropical gardens and exotic animals like tigers, camels, rare birds, and more. You will be highly entertained by the various animal shows that feature the likes of trained monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles. To tour the aquarium, you will enter through the enormous mouth of a replicated crocodile to see huge tanks displaying a wide range of ocean life from around the world. These tanks are all designed to imitate the natural habitat of each species. In other levels of the aquarium, you can encounter the likes of lizards, turtles, snakes, and nocturnal animals. There is also a section showcasing the traditional fishing equipment and customs of the locals. Like most of Phuket’s attractions, you will find food and drink options here, as well as a gift shop to buy souvenirs.
Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World
If you love nature and butterflies, the Butterfly Garden and Insect World is a must-do in Phuket. This stunning garden complex of numerous flower species presents thousands of multicolored butterflies every month. In addition to watching butterflies drinking nectar from flowers, you can visit the breeding area to observe the fascinating transformation of caterpillars to butterflies. This complex also features various exhibits of insect species, and you can see the likes of walking sticks and giant millipedes. Don’t overlook the museum, where you can learn how silkworms produce silk.
