Photogenic Activities at Ma Doo Bua Phuket

Last Updated on August 3, 2022 by Tina

Ma Doo Bua Phuket is a cafe and restaurant in Phuket that serves traditional and contemporary Thai cuisine. While the food at the cafe is good and affordable, I think its main draw is the picturesque view of the pond filled with floating giant lily pads called Victoria Amazonica. Ma Doo Bua is a very Instagrammable place. There are plenty of spots in the cafe where you can have your photo taken that are very IG-worthy. Even their food is Instagrammable. And if you’re willing to spend extra, you can have your photos taken while lying down in the wooden Thai boat or while standing in a floating leaf.

I learned about this cafe through my favorite travel influencer, Bucket List Bums. She posted a drone photo in the wooden Thai boat on her Instagram stories when she was there in February. She tagged the cafe so I was able to check out their IG account. I also found out that aside from the cafe, they offer Thai-style accommodations. When I decided to spend my 40th birthday in Phuket, I booked my first two nights in At Panta Phuket, the 4 stars resort where Ma Doo Bua Phuket is located.

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I really wanted to have a drone picture in that wooden Thai boat, but a few days before my flight to Phuket, Ma Doo Bua posted on their IG that the floating boat photo will not be available on June 16 and 17 for some maintenance works. My booking in At Panta Phuket is from June 15 to 17. That means I need to do the photo activity on the day that I check in at the resort.

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Ma Doo Bua Phuket Photogenic Activities

Ma Doo Bua has different packages for its photogenic activities. You can have a floating boat photo by drone camera or standing bua photo. The photogenic activities are available every day except Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, the activities depend on the weather and the lotus conditions.

There is a weight limit for those who want to do the standing bua photo. When I was there, I think the limit was around 50 kilos. And you cannot cheat as they have a weighing scale in the ticket booth.

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I did the floating boat photo with a drone camera. I was very lucky because that day it rained hard in the afternoon. When I did the photo activity at 3:00 PM it was still sunny. The floating boat photo by drone for 1 person costs THB 500, THB 800 for 2, THB 1000 for 3, and THB 1200 for 4 people. You get to do 4 poses with two pictures per pose. The standing bua costs THB 350.

The ticket booth for this activity is located in front of the resort. You can pay in cash or with a credit card. If you want to do the photo activity, you’ll have to pay first and you will be given a ticket. They will also tell you what time you need to be at the pond for the photo session.

The Floating Boat Photo by Drone Camera

When it’s time for your photo session, you will be escorted to the photo area. Give the ticket to the drone operator. You will then be assisted to the wooden boat. They have shades/sunglasses and hats that you can borrow for the photo shoot.

Don’t worry about how to pose as they will tell you what to do, where to place your hand and your feet etc. The drone operator will tell you when it’s time to take the photo. Below are the pictures I had. As mentioned earlier, for every pose they take two shots.

The Thai houses at the back are actually the villas of At Panta Phuket.

You’ll get a copy of your pictures immediately after the photoshoot. They will airdrop it for you if your phone is an iPhone. If not, you will receive the photos by email. Take note that the photos are only softcopy, so don’t expect a printed picture.

The whole photo session doesn’t take long. It takes probably less than 10 or 15 minutes for the whole process.