I visited the world’s ‘most popular’ holiday island – beers are just £2 and there are 40 beaches to explore
THE world’s “most popular” holiday island has been revealed – it has 40 beaches and beers cost just £2.
Recent research from Bounce, a luggage storage company, revealed the world’s most popular island holiday destinations for 2024.
The study analysed factors like the number of beaches, things to do, average hotel price and average temperatures to discover the best island holiday destination in the world.
According to the research, Phuket in Thailand was crowned the winner thanks to its magnificent beaches and stunning sunsets.
Located in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and it is equipped with museums, temples, sandy beaches and a vibrant nightlife.
Hotels in Phuket are reasonably priced with the average nightly stay at a three-star hotel costing £149 per night, as reported by Bounce.
Beers are cheap too with pints costing £2.13.
Earlier this year, I touched down in Phuket after boarding a direct flight from London Gatwick with TUI – the only airline to offer direct flights between the UK and Phuket.
When I touched down in Phuket, I was immediately greeted by the vibrancy of the island and my senses were somewhat overwhelmed by the sounds and sights.
Unfortunately, my time in Phuket was brief as I hopped into my airport transfer with my guide Kitti to Krabi.
But just a few days later, I was lucky enough to return to Phuket on an island-hopping excursion around Phang Nga Bay, which is part of Phuket.
During my day trip from Phuket, I visited James Bond Island and Koh Panyee – a famous floating village in the bay.
Built on wooden stilts, which have been reinforced by concrete blocks in recent years, the island’s huts, restaurants and shacks technically aren’t bobbing on the water – even if it may seem like they are.
Nowadays, Koh Panyee has become a twisting maze of huts, souvenir shops, market stalls and restaurants.
Set against a backdrop of clear-blue waters and exotic islands, it’s easy to lose yourself to the island’s charm.
And those holidaymakers who want to spend more time in Phuket certainly won’t be disappointed.
The mountainous island is framed by magnificent beaches like Rawai Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kamala Beach, Kata Yai Beach, Kata Noi Beach and Mai Khao Beach.
There’s also Bangtao Beach, which stretches for 8km and is home to soft white sand and crystal clear water.
Meanwhile, Mai Khao Beach is a protected that’s part of Sirinat National Park.
All the major beaches in Phuket like Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Nai Han Beach offer instruction and equipment for diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and sailing.
Phuket Town itself is animated by early-morning markets and tuk tuks.
There are plenty of other things to do in Phuket including the Green Elephant Sanctuary – an ethical elephant sanctuary where visitors simply observe the elephants.
Other sites include the Big Buddha – a 45m marble statue of Buddha, which continues to be one of Thailand’s biggest draws.
The world’s ‘most popular’ holiday islands
Zanzibar an island in Tunisia came in second on the list of the world’s best holiday islands.
Despite being thought of as one of large island, Zanzibar is actually formed of a cluster of 40 islands.
Even though every island can be explore, many of them are relatively unknown to tourists.
Crete took third place thanks to its glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes and wild natural beauty.
Meanwhile, an island in Thailand has been compared to the Maldives by both travel experts and holidaymakers.
Located in the Andaman Sea, near the Malaysian border, Koh Lipe is one of the 51 islands that form the Tarutao National Marine Park, and has garnered recent praise thanks to comparisons to the Maldives.
Read More about Phuket
The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski also visited Phuket in 2023, exploring different parts of the island.
Sophie Swietochowski says: “With white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and everything you need at the click of a finger, staying here feels as if you’ve stepped straight on to a movie set, even more so, now that TV hit The White Lotus is heading to Thailand for its third series.
“Of course when you venture to this exotic area of the world, some exploring is a must, and at the Wang Kiang Ku river, you can book in for a bamboo rafting experience that will get you up close with nature.
“Each raft, cleverly crafted by locals, will transport you through winding waters where wildlife flourishes — we spotted snakes hiding in trees and a baby turtle perched on a rock.”
Read more about Sophie’s trip to Phuket, here.
Earlier this year, I visited the world’s only floating football pitch, which is also found in Thailand.
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