Phuket

Located off the west coast of Thailand on the Andaman Sea, Phuket is the country’s largest island and one of its most-visited tourist destinations. Active travelers come for the world-class diving and snorkeling, scenic golf courses and ample hiking opportunities in dense rainforests, while those interested in little more than digging their feet into the sand will find beautiful (and busy) beaches stretching along the island’s western side. Day trips to smaller nearby islands and city tours of Phuket Town are also popular diversions, but in the end most quintessential Phuket experiences begin and end on those glorious beaches, sipping juice from a fresh coconut, watching an immaculate sunset.