Consider getting out and away from the tourist centers and see the "real" Phuket - beautiful countryside - rural villages - stunning sea and bay views.  Try Phuket's Best Island Drives for a different view of the island with six different drives around the island from the south to the far  northeast. 

Just off the island, across the Sarasin Bridge and up the road about 4km is Natai Beach - what is quickly becoming the Malibu of Thailand as new development is primarily residential with only few selected upscale resorts in area.   A new Raffles Resort is scheduled for the area in 2008.  The beach, part of which is also called Pilai Beach, is still quite uncrowded and likely to remain that way.  Just to the north of there are BoDan and Tahsai Beaches both, as yet, undiscovered.  Great for an easy day trip if you want a long beautiful stretch of beach just for yourself.  Natai, BoDan and Tahsai beaches are all closer to the airport than Patong, Karon and Kata Beaches!  People just don't know about them yet. 

Just about every second shop (in Phuket) has a tour desk. They will have brochures of all the tours you can take. Have a look at them; get some prices and then book. Most agents take bookings up to 9pm the night before you want to go on the trip. There’s a lot to see and do. One recommendation is to take the drive to Promthep Cape & Rawai.  There is also an aquarium that you might want to check out.

A number of tour companies offer trips to Phi Phi; most are very good and safe. Just remember:  you get what you pay for. A good trip to Phi Phi should cost you between 2400 Baht and 2800Baht. When you find them offering trips for under 2000Baht, there is usually a reason why they are so cheap.

All Phi Phi Islands visits include pickup from your hotel lobby, some snorkeling, and relaxing for a couple of hours on their clean beaches.  None of the trips are more than 10 hours in length (even the half day trip is also 7-8 hours). Tours usually depart around 8am or later for ½- day trips. In all, they are all safe and cover exactly same locations. But the tour info desk staff will advise you best.

Note:  The original information for this thread came from the   following forum thread: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-...