Is phuket really like what you see in pictures?

Like any picture of any tourist spots in the world they want to show you the best. I'm sure tourist web sites of your (and my) home country only promote and show the best & beautiful but if you or I go there we can see bums, trash in the streets, etc. Phuket is for the most part beautiful, just don't expect a utopian city.

In Phuket sunny season landscape, blue ocean and crystal clear waters able to found around Phuket as the promote pictures you seen, Phuket has varies beaches and each beach has won unique, from December to April is high numbers of tourist and crowded since everyone like to spend time with sunbath and sea sport/activities. Crowded area / beach: Patong, Kata, Karon, Leam Singha Light area / beach: Mai Khao, Panwa, Bangtao, Kamala Beside everywhere has both beautiful area and busy side.

What you see is what you get however, Phuket is over expensive and over crowded. Been there 3 times but prefer other places as it's getting even more expensive. Check out krabi.com and Ao Nang and surrounding area - easy access to Phi Phi and other wonderful Islands. Has stunning scenery and crystal clear water although looks green. Miles better than Phuket. Also google Koh Chang - its a wonderful place - far better than Phuket. For good information on what to see and do with good transport links check out sawadee.com. Good rates on accomadation agoda.com, hotelscombined.com and hotelcalculator.

You can find these places. If you get a hotel at one of the beaches and then arrange trips to where the nature is more beautiful, such as James Bond island (Phang Nga Bay), Koh Phi Phi (where the beach with Leonardo di Caprio was filmed) and the Similans.

Yes, those beautiful spots exist, but yes, it is overcrowded and all of the ugliness that goes along with that - - there are other places, also beautiful, less touristed, where the beauty resonates inside of you, bringing a feeling of peace and a joining with the nature... buy the postcards and visit the quieter less disturbed beaches. They are here.

I believe Phuket is really a lovely place to visit and what you see in the pictures are real. That is why Phuket is a popular place and lots of travelers are dreaming to spend a holiday there.

Beaches and water are beautiful just like in the pix. The pix you didn't see are the jet ski mafia who will extort thousands from you, the taxi mafia who will take you somewhere and leave you if you don't pay an inflated fare,...and lots of other ugliness you will experience if you go there.

Well it depends on where you are. I went to a beautiful luxurious hotel around a lovely area, but as you know it's a third world country so lots of poverty and 'poor' places. Hope that helped

If you want stunning beach and sea scenery, skip Phuket and go to Krabi, or one of the smaller islands.