Along with breath taking beaches, stunning landscapes, Phuket is famous for one other reason. It is home to one of the world’s most splendid private museums. And to every ones delight this private museum is open to everyone.

Evident from its name, the Sea Shell Museum displays and exhibits sea shells. Although, display involving sea shells might not sound like a big deal, the collections of the Sea Shell Museum are renowned world over. For over forty years, the Patamakanthin brothers, have travelled all over land and sea to collect the rarest of the rare, pearls and shells.

Whether you are an avid shell collector or not, once you lay your eyes on this collection, you will know exactly how precious they are. Well organized and aptly labeled, the Shell Museum has a proud collection of over 2000 pieces.

The Museum is not just about sea shells and clams, there are some very unique artifacts that can be only seen in this museum. The Sea Shell Museum is one of the few places in the world where you can see a golden pearl (140 karat!!), the rare left handed Noble Volute and a fossil dating back 380 million years.

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most famous tropical islands and has a plethora of beautiful beaches that tourists flock to. But it has a lot more to offer in the way of a very rich religious and cultural heritage. Most of its population being Thai-Buddhist, it has around 40 temples, or ‘Wats’, as they are known.
The Wat Sawang Arom is one of these temples, situated in Amphoe Muang, about 500m from the Rawai beach. It is an integral part of the lives of the villagers in Rawai and other nearby villages. It serves as a community center for the people, with an adjoining school whose students include the children who were victims of the 2004 tsunami.
It is a small and simple temple, but has beautiful architecture, mainly depicting the Dharma wheel. It symbolizes the endless cycle of birth and rebirth according to Buddhism. The noble eightfold path taught by Buddha is represented by the wheel’s eight spokes. Buddha image sculpting is practiced here, an art that has been passed down from the Ban Chang Lor school. In addition, the temple walls are covered with paintings portraying the life of Buddha. This Wat is also known to have almost 300 pieces of the collection of Nang Yai, a master of shadow play. It is a must see for any tourist who wants a glimpse into the lives and history of the locals.

The Pier is a popular spot among the locals. They frequently choose it as a meeting point because it is easy to find. The Sea Gypsy Village is located near the pier, so visitors to the village contribute to the crowd in the area. Though crowded, evening is beautiful here, the sunset is spectacular and the sky is so clear you feel as if you could touch it. If you are on vacation with someone special, this is a perfect place to have some time together.

Chao Le, also known as the Sea Gypsy Village, is also at Rawai Beach. The Sea Gypsies are a population of nomadic fishermen who are believed to be Melanesian. You will be surprised by all the sorts of fish and seafood you can find here. You can purchase fish fresh, grilled, baked, or fried. A visit to the Chao Le Village will put you in touch with Thai cuisine and culture. Since the village is well-known among locals, you can ask anyone for directions if you have trouble locating it.

Nikita’s bar is a meeting point popular with locals. Nikita’s Bar is seafront situated with an amazing sea view. You will also be able to see Ko Bon Island and numerous fishing boats. Nikita’s cocktails, snacks, and extensive menu options will satisfy your appetite. The authentic local Thai cuisine, icy cold beers, sweet fruit shakes, selected wines, and strong coffees complement the genuine Thai hospitality Nikita’s Bar offers its patrons.

Visitors who are passionate about the beach will find Rawai a paradise! Rawai was the first tourist-arranged beach in all of Phuket, with visitors traveling long distances to come here. Enjoy the seaside, take a trip on a long-tail boat, check out the surrounding islands, bask in the sun, and enjoy the freedom of vacation with no worries. The view and the sense of peace you will have will be unforgettable!