Overview

It took a while for the world to discover the incredible islands of Southeast Asia. Long after Hawaii and Tahiti were watchwords for tropical getaways, Thailand's largest island was way off the tourist map, with deserted beaches that rivaled any in the South Pacific.

Today, more than 3 million tourists make their way to Phuket each year for a little sand-sun-and-sea R&R (and perhaps a little sin, which is never hard to find in Thailand.). Despite the relentless development that comes with such numbers, it's still not hard to find some quiet time on out-of-the-way beaches. And the upside of that development (much of it centered on Patong Beach) includes both luxurious resorts and fine dining at some of the country's best restaurants.

And if the more distant islands of Thailand are beckoning, journey to Rawai Beach. A lookout known as Laem Promthep is famous for providing the best sunset views on Phuket, but it's the outlying islands on the horizon that hint of Phuket-based trips to the matchless diving waters of the Similan Islands, as well as isles like Ko Phi Phi, once known only to intrepid backpackers.

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BEACHES

It's the sand. Powder white, bordered by tropical blue water on one side and lush greenery on the other, the beaches (particularly along the island's southern shorelines) are what made Phuket one of the hottest playgrounds of Southeast Asia. Patong Beach is the most famous, but it's not exactly a secluded getaway. For that, head south. Nai Harn is a lovely, low-key strand anchored by the posh Phuket Yacht Club, but for a little more privacy, go through the club's grounds to Ao Sane Beach, a small bay where life's choices come down to warm sand or warm water.

GOLF

Tiger Woods made a spectacular comeback - 8 shots in the final round of the 1998 Johnny Walker Classic - to defeat Ernie Els at Phuket's best golf course, the Blue Canyon Country Club. The scenic lakes-and-woodlands course, located at Mai Khao, is just one of several championship courses on the island. Another favorite? The Banyan Tree Golf Course at Bangtao, set against a backdrop of verdant mountains.

NIGHTLIFE

Phuket has always been a kind of Bangkok South, where the night is a time of neon, clubs, karaoke bars, discos, massage parlors, sex shows, and more kinds of "entertainment" than you could shake a credit card at. The action centers in Phuket Town (favored by locals) and Patong Beach (more popular with Westerners, which is probably why one local website calls it "the Viagra capital of the world.")

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