6 Wet Weather Activities in Phuket
There is nothing worse than going on a beach holiday only for it to rain non-stop. Your sunblock suddenly becomes useless. Swimwear gets left in the suitcase. And in a tropical paradise like Phuket, a few days of bad weather can be a real bummer for folks on holiday, especially during the monsoon season, where it can rain for days non-stop. The good news is that Phuket is unlike any other island. There are still an impressive number of indoor activities that you can do. Although it may not be ideal, you can still have loads of fun when it rains in Phuket – here are some ideas for you:
A thunderstorm suddenly stops being a big deal when you go for dinner at PRU (Plant Raise Understand). Situated at the classy Trisara Phuket, take refuge from the rain with an intimate dinner. Head to the first and only Michelin Green Star restaurant in Thailand to pamper your taste buds. And savour a menu that draws subtle and bold flavours from wild herbs, plants, flowers, and roots, each grown wild on the restaurant’s 96-hectare organic farm. As for the food itself? Think sophisticated dishes revolving around cuisines from ecosystems across Thailand.
If you are stuck indoors because of some heavy downpour, not to worry. One slick but extreme way to level up your street cred and pass the time while the rain beats down is to ink yourself with a traditional Thai tattoo (only if you dare). More than just an artistic experience, getting these body art pieces (called Sak Yant in Thai) is a spiritual experience too. And your artist? That would be a former Buddhist monk, well-versed in the ancient ritual of sticking and poking ceremonial Thai designs onto your skin.
One of the best ways to eliminate the boredom of a storm is to cook one up yourself. Flex your culinary muscles on a tour that sees you visit a local morning market to source the freshest produce before heading up to a cooking school where you will learn the beauty of Thailand’s cuisine. Immerse yourself in the flavours of Thai food and pick up tips and tricks from the best local chefs around. At this class, prep either a four- or five-course meal, and enjoy the fruits of your labour right after.
Phuket may be home to some fantastic beaches. But ignore the beautiful temples on the island, and it’s your loss. If it’s raining and you want to engage in a bit of history and culture, why not go on a fascinating tour to Wat Chalong? You can get in touch with your spiritual side by meeting and praying with a monk, who will show you a morning ritual. Following that, get lady luck on your side by offering food to the monk, said to bring good luck. And experience Siamsi, a traditional Buddhist way of telling one’s fortune.
Who says that you can’t experience the magic of the sea when it rains in Phuket? Just hit up Aquaria, Phuket’s best aquarium and the largest in Thailand. Embark on a deep dive into the magic of the ocean and admire over 25,000 sea critters from a total of 9 themed zones, like the Mystic Forest with its gigantic freshwater fish and Stingray Bay with you, guessed it, all sorts of stingrays. Other highlights of Aquaria include marvelling at marine life from a glass tunnel with panoramic views and watching a professional aquarist conducting feeding sessions.
Anytime, any day, a massage is always a good incentive to stay indoors, especially if it’s pouring like crazy outside. And one of the best places to bliss out and ease your tense muscles is at the award-winning Oasis Spa Phuket. Nestled among the powdery white sands and tranquil waters of Bangtao Beach, step into elegant treatment villas to get your zen on. Besides a relaxing massage, you can check out the Thai herbal steam cave, terrazzo baths hidden in waterfalls, and private treatment rooms.
