Phuket (Phuket Island, Thailand)

Cruise ships to Phuket Island dock (anchor) at the following ports:

During high season (November through April) cruise ships anchor near Patong Bay - the island's main tourist / beach destination (where the Sunset Beach Resort is located) and passengers are tendered to shore (via the ship's tender boats).

During summer / rainy season (May through October) ships dock at Ao Makarm port (deep-water port with 1 pier) located approx 8 km (5 mi) from Phuket Town. When ships stay in Phuket overnight, they usually dock at Ao Makarm and tender their passengers to Patong and back. The tender boat ride between the cruise port and the beach resort is approx 1,5 km (1 mi).

Passenger tendering to Patong Bay (Sunset Beach Resort) includes boat docking on a jetty across the Sunset Hotel. There are many taxis that offer sightseeing tours. Depending on whether (sea condition), passengers may be tendered to a different location. Kalim Beach (on the Patong's north end) can also be used as tender boat pier.

Large cruise ships dock at Phuket Port, which is about 20-min drive to Phuket Town. Passengers are usually transported via chartered by the cruise ship company shuttle buses. Taxis are available at the docking pier, but their rates are generally expensive (and negotiable). Taxi drive distance from the cruise ship port to Patong is about 45 minutes.