Return-trip templates

Package-week Phuket books one hotel and one beach and calls it done. From visit two onward, better shapes exist — five templates we keep reusing:

1. The two-base classic (7–10 days)

Two or three Old Town nights — markets, museums, heritage evenings — then the coast that matches your temperament (basing table). Town first: it front-loads culture before beach gravity takes over.

2. The south-coast slow week

Base Nai Harn/Rawai. Mornings alternating Nai Harn swims and viewpoint sunrises; longtail islet days; seafood-grill evenings. The template that converts visitors into returners.

3. The food pilgrimage (5–7 days)

Old Town base. Dim-sum and market mornings, one Phuket original per day (the list), night markets for dinner, a Peranakan cooking class mid-week. Time it to the Vegetarian Festival for the full spectacle edition.

4. The dive block (park season)

Two school days on the local circuit from Chalong, then a Similan liveaboard, then a surface-interval day of town and viewpoints before flying. The underwater page sets it up.

5. The family fortnight

Week one: north-coast calm (Nai Yang) — beach routine, sanctuary day, waterpark ransom. Week two: Kata-Karon — surf lesson (season permitting), boat day, night markets. Siesta structure throughout (family craft).

The meta-rule: one island zone per base, one boat day per three land days, and always a town day in the pocket for weather. Phuket rewards staying put more than it rewards touring.

Evergreen guide. We write what stays true; prices, hours, rules and venue details change constantly — verify current specifics with official sources before relying on them.