This popular resort island in southern Thailand is the largest in the country, attracting over a million visitors every year who come to bake themselves on the white sand stretches that have made the island's name.

The beaches are worthy of such enthusiasm - the best, lined up along the west coast of the island, are among the most beautiful in south east Asia, with crystal seas and stunning views out to the Andaman Sea.

But such popularity comes at a price, and you'll now share your paradise with the hotels, bars, restaurants and night-clubs that have mushroomed in the 30 years since the island began its journey from secluded hippie hang-out to package tour-oriented luxury destination.

Yet, despite some unwelcome intrusion by slap-happy developers, Phuket is still the blissful island heaven commonly referred to as the Pearl of Thailand.

Phuket is the only island in Thailand to be a province in its own right, and is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin causeway and Thao Thep Krasattri Bridge.

The island's famous coastline winds around coves, estuaries, lagoons and cliffs, overlooked by rubber plantations and thick jungle in the remoter parts.

Phuket and the surrounding area offer excellent watersports, including some of the best diving in the world around the coral reefs near the Similan and Surin archipelagos to the northwest of Phuket and the Koh Phi Phi islands to the east.

To the north east of Phuket is the stunning coastal province of Phang Nga, made famous by the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.

This bay, covering 250 square miles of coast between Phuket and Krabi, is famous for its eccentric caves and dramatic limestone rock formations, which you can see up close on boat or canoe trips.

Inland, mountains and valleys run north to south to divide the beach-dominated west coast from the east coast, whose main attractions are Phuket Town at the southern end and The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park to the north. The park is Phuket's last area of virgin rainforest and offers stunning walks, or elephant treks, punctuated by the sight of waterfalls and perhaps a resident monkey on the way.

Although most people do not go to Phuket for the history or culture, it is worth raising yourself from your sunlounger to explore a little.

The island has some beautiful cultural sights, including a number of lovely Buddhist temples and a collection of fine colonial Sino-Portuguese buildings in Phuket Town.