Question What are the areas of interest surrounding Phuket?

[Cornbread O'Malley]

I am about to book a liveaboard embarking out of Thap Lamu Pier and am thinking about staying for a few days after completion of the liveaboard charter. I have some questions as I firm up my plan of stay:

1. Excluding the resorts and bars of Phuket, what other areas of interest can you suggest?
2. What do you think of doing a few day-boat dives around Phuket after my liveaboard?
3. What about Khao Sok National Park? Worthwhile?

I appreciate your suggestions and information.

 

[Centrals]

Stay at Khao Lak and visit Khao Sok National Park.
Do not waste your money and time on any day trip out from Phuket. But if you do want to dive out from Phuket then make sure the operator does not take outsider. 30+ divers on a dive boat is no fun. Some operators will pool divers from various shops when business is low.
Stay at Phuket Old Town as there is airport bus from Bus Terminal 2 to the airport.