Windmill Viewpoint (near Nai Harn Beach)
Where to take the best photo:
Stand at the top of the hill facing Ya Nui Beach—ocean blues, green curves, and the white windmill towering behind you. The view is wide, clean, and totally cinematic.
How to take it:
Go just before sunset for that warm, golden haze. Use a wide-angle lens or phone panorama, and don’t be afraid to include yourself mid-stride for a carefree, “found moment” feel.
Pro Tip: Skip the viewpoint parking lot—walk five minutes further up the hill for fewer people and a better breeze.
Old Phuket Town’s Colorful Sino-Portuguese Streets
Where to take the best photo:
Soi Romanee is the jackpot—pastel buildings, lanterns overhead, and zero skyscrapers. Line up with the pink and blue facades for a vintage postcard vibe.
How to take it:
Early morning is best—soft light, closed shutters, and quiet. Use portrait mode or a 50mm lens to isolate details like door frames or tilework.
Pro Tip: Bring a bright prop—a sunhat, bike, or umbrella—to pop against the pastel background.
Big Buddha at Chalong Hill
Where to take the best photo:
Stand below and to the left of the statue for a dramatic upward shot with sky behind. If clouds drift in, even better—it adds mood and scale.
How to take it:
Visit late afternoon when the sun is low but not harsh. Frame with some steps or visitors in the foreground for size perspective.
Pro Tip: Bring a light scarf or sarong—covering your shoulders lets you explore more freely and respectfully.
Laem Singh Viewpoint (Secret Spot)
Where to take the best photo:
This hidden perch offers a sweeping view of Laem Singh Beach, curving below like a secret cove. Park by the roadside north of Kamala, then walk a short trail.
How to take it:
Mid-morning gives you sparkling water without backlight issues. Use a drone if you have one—it’s one of the best photo spots in Phuket from above.
Pro Tip: Wear proper shoes—it’s a bit of a scramble to the edge, but totally worth it.
Ao Sane Beach’s Rock Pools
Where to take the best photo:
Find the tide pools near the southern edge—clear, calm water mirrors the sky. Frame with jagged rocks or leafy overhangs for texture and contrast.
How to take it:
Go during golden hour or early morning when the water is still. Crouch low for a reflective surface shot, especially if the clouds are putting on a show.
Pro Tip: Visit at low tide—you’ll have access to pools you can’t reach when the waves are in.
Kata Noi Hill Road (Overlooking the Bay)
Where to take the best photo:
There’s a bend in the road between Kata and Kata Noi that looks out over both bays. If you’ve got a motorbike or tuk-tuk, stop here—it’s pure postcard.
How to take it:
Late afternoon light wraps the entire coast in gold. Stand at the curve’s edge and frame the bays with some foreground—maybe a palm leaf or road sign.
Pro Tip: Hold off on editing—this spot’s natural tones barely need a filter.
My Personal Recommendation
For something less staged and more soulful, wander down Rawai Fishing Village just after sunrise. Wooden boats bob, locals sort nets, and the light slips through in streaks. One morning I watched a boy chase a rooster across the pier—it wasn’t “Instagram-perfect,” but it was honest, quiet, and oddly beautiful. Sometimes, those are the shots that linger longest.
