Phuket’s best nature escapes and sacred sites for chasing serenity

Annika Moilanen, IT Product Expert, joined Finnair in 2015 after living in Phuket. Before her current role in the Digital Services department, she worked as a cabin crew member and would often hope to get Phuket flights to her roster; as to her, flying to Phuket feels like returning to her second home.

“Thailand, and especially Phuket, are like my home in the tropics. Familiar faces, beautiful sights, the best food in the world and the gorgeous underwater life make me return there again and again,” Annika says.

In this article, Annika shares her handpicked tips for peaceful beaches, breathtaking nature spots and local temples that reveal the island’s calmer, more authentic side.

Peaceful beaches

Looking for a picturesque beach for total relaxation on your holiday? Head to Nai Harn Beach in southern Phuket, and look for the small, hidden cove of Ya Nui next to it, where the sand is white and the water is enchantingly turquoise. Nearby are also located the Wat Nai Harn temple, as well as Promthep Cape, where you can see some stunning sunsets. And if you keep your eyes open, you might even catch a sight of boats from the Thai royal family, who often visit the area.

If you are fascinated by the underwater world, hop on a boat from Phuket and travel about 45–90 minutes to Raya Yai Island. Once you arrive at Siam Bay, you will find incredibly white sand and one of the best diving spots in Phuket, where you will be accompanied by colourful parrotfish, snapperfish and flyfish. If you’re lucky, you might also see Manta Rays, turtles and dolphins. The atmosphere on the island is at its most peaceful after the day boats leave, so Annika recommends staying overnight on the island.

For those looking for iconic holiday photos and the best Instagram shot, head to the peaceful Mai Khao Beach, which is situated next to Phuket Airport. Aircraft land there right above your head, and it's worth timing your visit according to Finnair's flight schedule to capture that perfect photo memory.

Natural wonders

Phuket has plenty of natural beauty that offers you a welcome escape from the beach life. The island has several waterfalls, of which Annika recommends visiting Bang Pae in Khao Phra Thaeon National Park, about 20 kilometers from Phuket city center.

About a kilometre of brisk walking will take you to a waterfall that descends into the embrace of the jungle. The base of it also offers you a nice spot to take a dip to cool off. However, the route to get there can be muddy and rocky at times, so it’s worth putting on your good walking shoes. Along the way, you may see – or at least hear – gibbons, which are small white-headed local monkeys.

Promthep Cape at the southernmost point of Phuket, is one of Thailand's most stunning sunset spots, both on land and at sea. There are several sunset cruises to it, or if you like riding a scooter, you can enjoy the pretty scenery filled with hills on the way there. The local Grab taxi service is also a great way to get there, and it’s worth grabbing some snacks and heading there well before sunset to enjoy Mother Nature’s light show with locals, expats and tourists. Here you’ll also find the iconic lighthouse that has always welcomed boats arriving in Phuket from the sea.

Spiritual experiences

If you’re in search of the perfect peace of mind during your holiday, Phuket has several temples and holy places that help you quiet your mind even if you are not a practicing Buddhist. The most famous of the holy sites is the 45-metre-tall, seated Big Buddha statue, situated in a national forest. Even though it’s popular among tourists, it’s definitely worth a visit.

If you would like to visit a traditional Buddhist temple and see where the locals do their worship, Wat Khao Rang is a good option. In a slightly different style, Wat Chalong is both a temple and a historical landmark. Locals believe that visiting the site might bring miracles to your life, so it might be worth going because of that as well!

Before entering a temple, it’s good to remember to wear appropriate, non-revealing clothing and leave shoes outside the temple. Remember to always respect others’ time of worship by keeping your voice down and giving them space.

Something for everyone

Many travellers only stay on the main island of Phuket, but it’s worth continuing your trip by boat to the nearby islands or even to Krabi province, such as Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Avoid the most popular tourist beaches and go boldly towards an adventure – you will definitely be positively surprised.

According to Annika, Phuket is the perfect destination to combine diving, snorkeling, culture, cooking school and island hopping to your own taste. “I definitely recommend going to the nearby islands too – the scenery above and below the water is the most beautiful in the world.”

Finnair flies directly to Phuket from Helsinki during the winter season (from the end of October to the end of March). During the winter season 2026–2027, there will be up to five direct flights per week. Year-round, you can reach Phuket via Bangkok.