It doesn’t take long to see the appeal of Phuket – in fact, its natural beauty makes itself known before you even land on its shores. It’s no wonder that Phuket has been dubbed “the pearl of the Andaman Sea”. Here are the best things to do in Phuket. Long before Phuket established itself as a tourist hotspot, it was a maritime trade hub between the 16th and 18th centuries. Phuket is also home to a sizeable Muslim population, most of whom are of Malay descent.