Phuket Beaches Guide

Phuket Beaches

Few islands can boast of such an abundance of sandy beaches and clear waters as Phuket. The winding coastal roads along the west coast of this 540-square-km island offer stunning views and easy access to some of the world's finest beaches.

Whether one wants to sample the frenetic pace of Patong or find solitude on a remote stretch of sand in the north, Phuket's beaches have it all for the sun seeker. The monsoon rains of May-October can bring unpredictable swimming conditions, so heed the posted flag warnings.

Patong Beach

Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous - beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play.

By night the town has a bustling nightlife which includes literally hundreds of restaurants, chic lounge bars, beer bars and of course discos. The nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road) however there are quiet parts of town.

Karon Beach

Karon, featuring an incredibly long stretch of squeaky white sand, is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of facilities, dining and activities. While it's a fast-growing area, Karon is nicely spread out and rarely feels crowded.

Karon is concentrated around three main areas. In the Karon Plaza area on the south end there a number of budget guesthouses, restaurants and bars. The side sois are worth exploring, particularly the one that leads to a small art community. Nearby, on the beach road leading to Kata, is the football stadium, which hosts both local and international sporting events.

Kata Beach

The pleasant bay of Kata, just a few minutes south of Karon Beach, entices many with its white sands and clear waters.

Very popular with families, Kata is an all round favourite due to it's spectacular beach, great restaurants, lively but not raucous nightlife and not to mention varied accommodation options - all close to the beach. April to September surfers flock to enjoy Kata's somewhat small waves.

Kata Noi Beach

This small bay of stunning white sand, separated from Kata by a headland, is a quiet and peaceful retreat.

The Kata Thani Resort complex dominates the area, while a few shops, small hotels and restaurants line the beach road. A nice place for a relaxing snorkel or swim.

Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao is a study in contrasts, with the luxurious resorts and villas along its 6km (4 mile) stretch of beach just a few minutes' away from the town of Cherng Talay, where many villagers still make their living as their ancestors did - by fishing, farming and rubber tapping.

The northern tip of the beach, so far untouched by development, is still an area where visitors might find that they have the beach to themselves. Apart from going to the beach and a few bars and restaurants there's not much that you need to leave your resort for.

Surin Beach

Naturally beautiful Surin is known as 'Millionaires Row' due the the top-end celebrity haunts Amanpuri, Twinpalms and The Chedi amongst the luxury resorts there, as well as the many US$ 1 million+ houses that sit proudly on top of the hills overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Although popular with tourists it's not a busy resort town, more like a coastal village. Fine white sand and turquoise water has ensured that the picturesque beach is very popular with tourists and Thais alike.

Pansea Beach

Pansea is a tiny cove of glittering white sand - but only accessible to the rich and famous guests of The Chedi and Amanpuri Resorts.

Kamala Beach

This well-enclosed bay and fishing village has developed rapidly in recent years yet it still retains a small-town feel. Popular with families, Kamala Beach is lined with casual restaurants and food stalls, with good snorkelling at the rocky north end.

Laem Singh Beach

This small, hidden gem of a beach just south of Surin is accessible only by walking down a fairly steep path from the road. Even so, it can get busy in the high season so get there early for a beach chair.

A few rustic restaurants offer cold drinks and food. A pretty, quiet place to wile away an afternoon.

Nai Thon Beach

One of Phuket's best-kept secrets. Approaching this quiet beach of silky white sand is spectacular in itself - a drive on the coastal road from the south takes you through forested hills while the northern approach winds through a lovely valley and small village. Once you arrive, swim, sunbathe and marvel at how few people have discovered this little piece of paradise.

Nai Yang Beach

The casuarina-fringed Nai Yang, together with Mai Khao in the north, forms the longest and most secluded stretch of beach in Phuket, about 10-km altogether.

Two hotels sit on the south end of Nai Yang, while the north enters into Sirinath National Park, a protected marine and coastal area. A good spot to rent a beach chair or gorge on barbecued seafood while lounging on mats spread out in the shade.

Mai Khao Beach

An endless stretch of fine sand; the only real getaway on the west coast of Phuket. Aside from the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, the area is largely undeveloped with only a few bungalow operations and a campground on the beach. Take a stroll and watch the crabs scuttle, swing on a hammock under the trees or enjoy a refreshing swim.

Nai Harn Beach

With most of its beachfront land occupied by a temple, Nai Harn has been spared from over-development, with only Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and Baan Krating, another resort nestled into the hill at its north end. The soft sands and clear waters make Nai Harn an ideal swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing spot, though conditions can be dangerous in the monsoon season of May-October.

Ao Sane Beach (Jungle Beach)

A little beach reached via a dirt road that runs through the car park of Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club in Nai Harn. Sometimes called "Jungle Beach". Usually a quiet and peaceful place, with decent coral outcroppings off its mostly rocky shore. Just one very inobtrusive resort here, the Baan Krating.

Emerald Beach

Snuggled into the headland south of Patong, Emerald Beach ('Hat Tri Tra' in Thai) is the perfect place for sun lovers and those who are dead serious about going for the maximum tan.

There is a long line of northern-facing sunbeds along this 500-metre beach and it is popular with guests from the nearby Merlin Beach Resort, being the nearest large beach to it.

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach will surprise you. For a start, it's stunningly beautiful; one of the most attractive of the many wonderful beaches Phuket has to offer. It also features safe swimming all year round.

It's compact and has a great view right across Patong Bay. The beach itself is barely 150 metres long and there is another small beach next to it, reached by a path through the rocks.

Laem Ka Beach

Laem Ka is unique for various reasons. First of all it's the only eastern-facing beach in the south of Phuket that offers good swimming and secondly, it's a total full-on Thai experience.

This sheltered, 150 metre long, boulder-framed beach is the ideal picnic spot as from midday on it is shady and cool. For many locals it offers the opportunity to chat away Sunday afternoon while their children splash around in Laem Ka's safe and blue waters just metres away.

Ya Nui Beach

Ya Nui lies in the shadow of two of Phuket's loveliest viewpoints; Phrom Thep and the viewpoint featuring large white windmill/propeller power generators.

It's a charming little cove featuring good snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. During high season there is a line of sun loungers for hire (200 baht a set) as well as a stand that rents out masks, fins, kayaks and body boards for very reasonable prices.

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Rawai Beach

First "discovered" by King Rama VII in the 1920s, Rawai is Phuket's longest-established beach resort, though the sea-gypsy village at its north end probably hasn't changed much over the years.

The beach is lined with open-air seafood stalls and restaurants for casual dining under the shade of the casuarina trees. A popular launching point for boat trips to Racha, Coral and other islands.

Chalong Bay

This bustling bay, a major launch area for boat and dive trips, is filled with bobbing vessels of all shapes and sizes throughout the year. Plenty of casual restaurants, dive shops, fishing charter and tour operators, watersports equipment suppliers, Internet shops and even yoga and Reiki centres are packed into the short street leading to the pier.

Panwa Beach

The lovely Cape Panwa, just south of the busy Phuket Town, remains a peaceful, unspoiled gem of a place. Its lush hills, sandy coves, mangroves and tidal flats offer a quiet place to explore away from the crowds.

Ao Yon Beach

There are actually two Ao Yons lying south of Capa Panwa and they are separated by a rocky headland. Ao Yon junior is home to a large shrimp farm but is actually very attractive and virtually deserted with a great view out to Chalong Bay and Lone Island.

Locals sit under the tree line and small children like to play at the far western end, where an ice cold stream coming down from the hills (there is a waterfall behind the beach) meets the sea.

Cape Panwa

Cape Panwa Beach is divided into two parts by a 300-metre long seaside esplanade. The western part is right next to the Thai Navy Headquarters and is only 70 metres long and not that wide. Fishermen use it to beach their long tails and small boys do spectacular jumps and dives off the safety railings at high tide.

See also:

Phuket Town

The bustling, administrative centre of Phuket is often overlooked in favour of the beaches, but there's a lot to see and do (and spend your money on!) in Phuket City. Having been recently upgraded to city status, Phuket City features an exciting mix of old and new, simple and sophisticated, peaceful and pulsating.