Beaches in Phuket

A very reliable source, who is regularly in contact with a large number of travel agents, has recently told Phuketindex.com magazine that according to the agents, Phuket is still one of the world’s most popular choices

for travelers seeking a great beach destination. We believe this fact can be backed up by recent news from TripAdvisor that four of Phuket’s beaches were rated amongst the top 25 Beaches in Asia in its recent Travellers’ Choice TM awards for Beaches, winners of which are determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

Whilst we acknowledge that some of Phuket’s main beaches may not be to everybody’s liking, with a quick search of Google we’re certain there really is a certain kind of beach for every type of beach lover.

In the following pages, we give you a guide to some of the popular and hidden beaches that are here for you to enjoy.

North

Sai Kaew Beach

Sai Kaew Beach is the northern most beach on Phuket, and is located close to the Sarasin and Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon bridges. This is a long white powdery beach dotted with pine groves along the shore and is part of the Sirinat National Park. The beach is not ideal for swimming.

Nai Yang Beach

Dotted with shady Casurinas pines and bordered by extensive mangrove forests, this beach offers tranquil surroundings and a perfect setting for picnics, sunbathing and swimming. A coral reef offshore offers superb snorkeling and diving opportunities, with the chance to catch a rare glimpse of several marine species, including the endangered sea turtle.

North West

Nai Thon Beach

Nai Thon Beach is an isolated area and a great place to escape the crowds. Sheltered from the wind and big waves, it is peaceful and relaxing. Many locals use this beach for picnics and family get-togethers. This is a great place for surfing.

Layan Beach

Layan Beach is one of the least developed beaches on the island and one of the most beautiful. Soft white powder sand leads up to mostly native vegetation for most of the beach front. Because of the shallow water the beach is not really ideal for swimming, but it’s the perfect place for a walk.

Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao Beach is a large open bay, and at 8 kilometers in length is the island’s second longest beach. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay’s north end is a smaller bay, the mouth of which has some fine coral. With its pure white sand, fringed with rows of caesarian trees, it’s the ideal beach for those who want a perfect beach and unspoiled nature.

West

Surin Beach

The Tropical Surin Beach is a serene and secluded Beach with rows of stately Casuarina trees. The locals congregate to this beach and bask in the shades of swaying palm trees. Surin offers some first-class snorkeling opportunities. Usually Big waves slash the shores of the Surin beach so snorkeling in rainy season is not advisable. During high tide when the swells are big and runs smoothly snorkeling becomes all the more favorite water sport among the locals and tourists.

Kamala Beach

Kamala Beach is more than 2km long, quite wide and the water is shallow for a long way out. Framing the whole scenery is the rainforest mountains of Phuket coming down all the way to the waterfront on both sides. During the short wet season don’t be surprised to find the locals and the occasional tourist trying to do a bit of surfing here.

Kalim Beach

Kalim Beach is a quiet, attractive area that is far enough away to be away from it all, yet still close enough to the action to be fun. It is a small beach littered with rocks. The sea around the beach offers excellent coral reefs making it attractive to people who like snorkeling and diving. When the tide is out a substantial amount of coral is revealed and it can be interesting to wander around to see the variety of living creatures the coral maintains.

Patong Beach

Patong Beach is the most popular beach in Phuket; it has a length of almost 3 km long and has a beautiful white sand and crystal clear water to swim in. Activities on the beach include Thai traditional massage, parasailing, water jets and sailing.

South West

Karon Beach

Karon Beach is wide white sandy beach of four kilometers in length, offering unlimited opportunities for sunbathing and swimming. In the monsoon season it can be dangerous for swimming because of the currents so watch out for the red flags which are put up when it is too dangerous.

Kata Beach

Kata Beach is very popular with families. The beach is wide, two kilometres long and made of fine white sand which gently slopes away into the blue waters of the Andaman Sea. From May to October surfers flock to catch Kata’s waves and from November to April the beach is alive with sunseekers.

South

Nai Harn Beach

Nai Harn is not Phuket’s longest beach, but it borders the most gorgeous lagoon on the island. The beach is generally less crowded than other spots on the southern part of the island. A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed, but swimmers should be alert for the red flag which warns of dangerous currents during the monsoon season from May to October.

Yanui Beach

Yanui Beach is one of the smallest beaches on the island, but a quite pretty one with smooth white sand. A rock formation divides it into two sections, providing a good place for snorkeling, although the sea here is not perfect for swimming because of some rocks in the water.

Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach is at the southern tip of Phuket Island and is favoured by tourists and locals looking for a quiet unhurried pace of life. With a sweeping bay and lovely island views, Rawai beach is more of a scenic spot for picnicking rather than a swimming beach.

South East

Cape Panwa Beach

Cape Panwa Beach stretches along the west coast of Cape Panwa. Although nothing extraordinary and just a small strip of sand, the northern end of beach has great views of Koh Lon and other islands. It’s the perfect location for a picnic, but as the waters here are shallow it’s not ideal for swimming.

Ao Yon Beach

Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach, the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. It is a beautiful stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is usually very quiet and a real getaway.