Phuket: Giant Water Lilies & Temples Private Tour with Drone Photos

Summary

Giant lily pads in phuket plus ancient temples and golden buddhas

You’ll step onto giant lily pads near Phuket (yes, really), get drone photos you’ll want to show everyone back home, and visit three temples full of legends—including a half-buried Buddha and a massive reclining statue. With private pickup and a local guide sharing stories along the way, expect surprises both big and small.

What’s the experience like?

I honestly didn’t expect to stand on a plant today. The Victoria Amazonica lily pads out in Thalang district are way bigger than they look in pictures—like, you could actually sit cross-legged if you wanted (I tried, but the guide laughed and said “just stand!”). There’s this weird hush over the pond except for birds and the soft whirr of the drone. It felt a bit surreal, balancing there while our guide, Nok, called out directions for the best shot. The air smelled green—if that makes sense—and I kept noticing how my shoes left little wet marks on the pad’s surface. Never thought “giant water lilies Phuket” would be something I’d search for, but here we are.

After that, we drove to Wat Phra Thong. Nok explained the legend behind the half-buried golden Buddha—something about a boy and a buffalo, but honestly I got distracted by all the incense curling up around us. Locals were lighting sticks and bowing so quietly it felt like we should whisper too. The gold statue just peeks out of the ground; it’s stranger in person than in photos, almost haunting. We stopped at Wat Sri Sunthon next—there’s this enormous reclining Buddha lounging above everything, kind of watching people come and go. Kids were running around below him, chasing each other between smaller statues.

The last temple was Wat Phra Nang Sang—Nok said it’s Phuket’s oldest temple and pointed out these odd details mixing Chinese dragons with Thai patterns. I liked how nothing matched perfectly; even the paint looked faded in places. There was a warm breeze coming through open doors and someone chanting softly inside one of the halls. By then I was tired but didn’t really want to leave yet. I still think about that quiet moment by the lilies when everything else felt loud for a second.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit giant lilies and three temples

• Drive to lotus pond in Thalang
• Stand on giant lily pads
• Take drone photos on pond
• Drive to Wat Phra Thong temple
• See half-buried golden Buddha
• Drive to Wat Sri Sunthon temple
• View 29-metre reclining Buddha
• Drive to Wat Phra Nang Sang temple
• Explore oldest Phuket temple
• Drive back to hotel

Top questions

How do you get to the giant water lilies near Phuket?

The tour includes private transportation from your hotel in Phuket to the lotus pond in Thalang district where you’ll find the giant Victoria Amazonica lily pads.

Can you actually stand on the giant lily pads?

Yes! The Victoria Amazonica lily pads are strong enough for adults to stand on briefly for photos as part of this experience.

Are drone pictures included in this tour?

Yes, drone pictures are included so you can get unique shots standing on or near the giant water lilies or from a longtail boat.

Which temples do you visit on this day trip?

The tour visits Wat Phra Thong (with its half-buried golden Buddha), Wat Sri Sunthon (famous for its huge reclining Buddha), and Wat Phra Nang Sang (Phuket’s oldest temple).

Is lunch included on this private tour?

No lunch is included, but bottled water is provided throughout your trip.

How long does this day trip from Phuket take?

This is a half-day tour including drive time between locations; exact duration depends on traffic but typically lasts several hours.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, families are welcome—infants can ride in strollers or on an adult’s lap during transport.

Are entry fees covered in this private tour?

All entry fees and taxes are included as part of your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by private air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees to each temple and attraction, bottled water throughout the trip, plus drone photography at the lotus pond before returning comfortably to your hotel.