Welcome to the Phuket cruise port guide. Some cruise ships dock and some cruise ships tender in Phuket. Read the full Phuket cruise port guide underneath and know all about what your ship is going to do.
This is Phuket’s cruise dock
Phuket cruise terminal
Cruise ships either dock at the south of the island of Phuket or tender right off the beach in Patong. The choice on wether to dock or tender is completely up to your cruise line. Cruise ships are free to decide what they think is best for their ship operations and guests.
At the southern part of the island is where you will find Phuket Deep Sea Port close to Vanish Bay Front Ville. This port offers a cruise berth where it accommodate large vessels that will make Phuket their port of call for the day. At the cruise dock you will find a cruise terminal (which is often closed to the public), a souvenir market, a taxi stand, currency exchange, Wi-Fi and restaurants. Please keep in mind the cruise dock is at a remote part of the island. There is little of interest in the near area of the dock.
There is usually no shuttle available as the taxi union will simply not allow this. This means that you will have to rely on your cruise ship’s shore excursions, an independent tour or a taxi. There are usually private taxis waiting at the port to bargain for a good deal. Phuket is not as cheap as other cruise destinations in Asia. And make sure to negotiate for a good deal.
If there are no taxis available at the port or if you feel like there is not enough, then please walk to the exit of the port. There might be some there and if not you can wave one down at the main public road.
The exit of the port lies one of the main roads of the islands. You will find a small fishing community living here. There are some restaurants, a 7 eleven and sometimes you can ever rent a scooter here.
Here are some distances from the Phuket cruise dock to some of the things to see and do: Phuket town – 10 km – 15 to 20 minutes drive Big Buddha – 20 km – 30 to 40 minutes drive Patong beach – 22 km – 30 to 40 minutes drive Freedom beach – 27 km – 40 to 50 minutes drive Tiger Kingdom – 18 km – 30 to 40 minutes drive Kokchang Safari – 21 km – 30 to 40 minutes drive Phi Phi Island – far away, take a shore excursion! There is no beach within walking distance of the cruise port. There is however a small resort nearby, but this is still a taxi ride away.
If your ship decides to tender in Phuket than they will tender you to the jetty opposite of The Bliss South Beach Hotel. This jetty is located near Patong beach. Depending on whether you could also be tendered to another pier.
Taxis will be waiting for you on the pier to sell sightseeing tours. Make sure to negotiate before you step into the taxi.
Phuket town – 15 km – 20 to 30 minutes drive Big Buddha – 23 km – 35 to 45 minutes drive Patong beach – You are there when your tender docks! Freedom beach – 4 km – 10 to 20 minutes drive Jungceylon – 2,5 km – 5 minutes drive Bangla Road – 1,5 km – 5 minutes drive Tiger Kingdom – 8 km – 10 to 15 minute drive Kokchang Safari – 14 km – 20 to 30 minutes drive Phi Phi Island – far away, take a shore excursion!
If you are not on a shore excursion organised by your cruise ship we highly recommend you to have local currency with you. In Thailand the official currency is the Bath. You can often exchange it in the port. If not, there are lots of ATM’s around and your cruise ship often also offer a exchange facility on board. US dollars are often not accepted in Phuket. Although you might be able to negotiate a price in US dollars with your taxi driver, you might have trouble finding a restaurant or sight that will take it.
