Phuket

When is the best time to film in Phuket?

The best time to film in Phuket is from about November to April, when the Andaman Sea is calmer, the water is clearer and boat days run reliably. December to February usually has the steadiest weather, and it is also the busiest period: hotels and boats fill early around Christmas and New Year, and the popular bays are crowded by mid-morning. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain, swell and red-flag days on the west-coast beaches. Boat trips still run on many days but can be cancelled at short notice, so a monsoon trip needs land-based back-up days.

Some national-park islands off this coast close to visitors for part of the monsoon each year. The dates vary, so check current park notices before you plan around them.

Which shots work best in Phuket?

The shots that work best in Phuket are on the water and on the headlands, with the Old Town as the contrast. Places worth building a day around:

• Phang Nga Bay: limestone karsts, sea caves and hongs (collapsed-cave lagoons) explored by sea canoe when the tide allows
• Koh Panyee, a stilt village in the bay whose residents are mostly Muslim, so dress modestly and ask before filming people
• The Phi Phi Islands by speedboat; access rules at Maya Bay have changed in recent years, so check what is allowed before planning a shot
• Phuket Old Town: Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, best early in the morning before traffic and parked scooters fill the frame
• Promthep Cape at the southern tip for sunset over the sea: crowded, but reliable
• Karon viewpoint for three bays in one frame, and the Big Buddha on the hill above Chalong
• Beach clubs on the west coast, and quieter beaches in the north of the island

What does a hosted boat day from Phuket look like?

A hosted boat day from Phuket starts early and is planned around the sea, not the clock. You are collected from your hotel and driven to the pier, briefed on safety and given a life jacket. The first stop is timed to reach the karsts or islands before most day boats; the middle of the day is for lunch, swimming or a sea-canoe session; and you are back at the hotel by mid-afternoon, with time to back up footage before golden hour. If the sea is too rough, the boat operator decides, the boat does not go, and we move the day if the itinerary allows.

Marine national parks charge entry fees, which are covered only if the activity includes them. Anything outside the agreed plan, such as extra drinks or an upgrade, is a personal extra.

Getting around Phuket

Getting around Phuket takes longer than the map suggests. The airport is in the north of the island and the main beaches are well to the south, so the airport transfer can take an hour or more in traffic. Your airport and activity transfers are in a private vehicle. The roads between beaches are steep, winding and busy, which is one reason we do not suggest renting a scooter to chase a shot. Each day's pick-up time is in the portal the night before.

Etiquette and filming rules in Phuket

• Drone use near the airport, national parks and crowded beaches is restricted. Thai drone rules generally require registration and insurance; check the rules for the specific site and date.
• Rip currents are a real risk on west-coast beaches in the monsoon months. Red flags mean no swimming, including for a shot.
• Spray is constant on speedboats: dry bags are not optional, and keep a cloth for the lens.
• Do not stand on or touch coral, and do not feed fish for the camera.
• Swimwear belongs on the beach. Cover up in the Old Town, in temples such as Wat Chalong and in shops.
• The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, usually in September or October on lunar dates, includes graphic rituals. Film with care and warn your audience.
• Bangla Road in Patong is an adult nightlife strip. Think about who appears in your frame and who watches your channel.

How Phuket fits a multi-stop trip

Phuket is the natural Andaman base on a multi-stop trip. Krabi is across Phang Nga Bay by road or ferry, so you can stay in Phuket for the big boat days and in Krabi for longtails and climbing. Bangkok is a short domestic flight away for a city leg. Between May and October, Koh Samui on the Gulf coast is often the drier choice.

Resort and boat-day content is covered in more detail on the luxury page. Check the programme for what your tier includes, then apply with your preferred dates.