Beaches - Phuket

Mai Khao Beach
9 kilometers of deserted beach characterize Mai Khao where there is little tourist business. The beach is part of the Sirinat National Park and protected. The water is fine for swimming during the dry season; the rainy season brings big waves and strong currents that are dangerous. This lonely beach is another area where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It is also home to what the Thais call a sea cicada, which is a form of marine life.

Sai Kaew Beach
This strip of sand is just the north portion of Mai Khao Beach and has much the same character.
Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between Phuket and Phang–nga provinces.

Nai Yang Beach
This is where the National Park office is located. The beach itself is on a long curving bay lined with evergreens that provide shade to picnicker. The large coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs during the period from November to February; the population of these has however, dropped off greatly. First class accommodations are available and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers. To get there take the Nai Yang Rd., and look for signs indicating the
park entrance.

Rawai Beach
Site of the Chao Ley or Sea Gypsy village, many restaurants and bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and both fishing and charter boats to the nearby islands. The beach itself is just ok for swimming and protected by the Coral island in front. Rawai is 7 km west of Chalong Circle.

Nai Thon Beach
Lady at the BeachThis quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills has a 900meter long fine strip of the sand. There are some accommodations but virtually no other business. The beach is good for swimming outside the monsoon season and a coral reef at the southern end provides good snorkeling. Located between Bang Thao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach can be reached by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn at the first traffic light north of Thalang Town to Nai Yang Rd. Look for signs indicating the turn-off to Nai Ton.

Bang Tao Beach
Bangthao is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna Beach Resort, a massive five-hotel development with golf course. There are, however, accommodations available outside Laguna at the bay's south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale. The beach is located off Sri Sunthon Rd., in Choeng Thale. As for access to Laguna; the south end of the bay may be approached by taking the road north from Surin Beach. To get to the far north end from Sri Sunthon Rd., take the road leading to Laguna, but do not enter, continue on to the town of Bandon where there is an intersection of asphalted roads, and take the one leading west toward the sea. This road leads also to Nai Thon Bay and makes a very pleasant drive. Along the way are some small bays with good swimming and no development.

Layan Beach
This beach is at the northern end of Bang Tao beach where the beach meets a river and a lagoon. The area is home to many birds and other wildlife who enjoy the peacefulness of the lagoon. The many small tracks which cover the hillside of the beach are well known by climbers and bird watchers. You can reach the beach by walking pass the Laguna Phuket Resort or by following the highway and turning in to Nai Thon beach at the road sign. Layan Beach Resort & Spa Village is the only resort on this beach.

Nai Harn Beach Nai Harn Beach
A popular swimming beach and yacht anchorage during the dry season. The beach is fine, but big waves strike it during the wet season, making swimming dangerous. Regular bus service to and from Phuket town during daytime. Nai Han is just north of Phrom Thep Cape. Cafes and bars on the beach serve excellent food for reasonable prices.

Ao Sehn Beach
This remote bay is Northwest of Nai Harn Beach and a little secret of Phuket because it is not easy to reach. The beach is small, clean and features many rocks. it is a perfect place for a picnic. To get there you must pass the gates of the Le Royal Meridien Yacht Club, drive through the parking deck on the left side and follow the way through the Hotel Complex until you reach a small road which goes for app. 1 km Northwest.

Surin Beach
Evergreen trees rim this small, curving bay beneath the foothills north of Kamala. Surin is home to Phuket's first golf course, a nine-hole course laid out more than sixty years ago during the reign of King Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse except as a park. The steep incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a dangerous place to swim during the rainy season. The beach is mostly frequented by Thais and the locals on weekends and on the southern end you can find some small snack and souvenir shops. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented there. Surin is most famous for its breathtaking sunsets. Located at the end of Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running west from the Two Heroines Monument, 24 km. from Phuket Town. Accommodations and restaurants are nearby.

Kamala Beach
Kamala BeachKamala is named after the Muslim fishing village north of Patong. Tourist development on the beach much of which is covered by a Muslim graveyard and a police outpost has been slow in coming. Buffalo herds still come down to the beach to cool off in the afternoon. The beach is beautiful and about 2 km. in length. There are accommodations ranging from guesthouse to international class, and a number of small Thai restaurants specializing in seafood for the tourist. Kamala is the perfect place to get away from it all and has little to offer in the way of entertainment - for that go across the mountains to Patong. There are no palm trees so shadow is only provided by some beach umbrellas you can rent. The FantaSea Phuket Themepark is located here which offers daily evening shows. Regular bus service to and from Phuket Town during daytime; tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5 km. away on the new road.

Sing Cape
The name means Lion's Point in English. The beach is in a small, 100 meter long curving bay with rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is among Phuket's most beautiful spots. The beach is good for swimming and quiet. In the high season you might find some small food stalls and bars for refreshment. Located about 1 km. south of the entrance to Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path down to the beach.

Patong Beach Patong Beach
This is Phuket's central tourist and night time entertainment district. Over the years, Patong has turned from a fishing village into one of the island's two cities. The famous bay and 4 km. beach is know as a center of entertainment with restaurants catering to every nationality. Live music can be found in most pubs and bars. Accommodations range from budget to five-star. Shopping opportunities appear to be endless. All kind of watersports are on offer here and the beach is good for swimming so you should be careful in monsoon season. In addition, there are many tour companies waiting to help visitors plan their vacations.

Kalim Beach
This beach is really a continuation north of Patong beach, from which it is separated by some rocks. It is not yet developed and thus affords some privacy. The beach itself is a mixture of sand and small rocks. At the back of the beach are accommodations. The waters contain extensive coral reefs which you can reach by foot at low tide (you must wear shoes as some of the rocks are very sharp) The northern part is battled by monsoon winds and from June to September you might have some big waves suitable for surfing.

Freedom Beach
This beach can only be reached by a 10 minute trip with a longtail boat around the southern corner of Patong. It is one of the most beautiful beaches with fine white sand. It is a private beach, but as long as you not arrive in a jet ski access is granted by the owner. There is a coral reef which invites for snorkeling and a restaurant with some beach chairs. To get there rent a longtail boat at Patong.

Karon Beach Karon Beach
The second largest of Phuket's principal tourist beaches. Large resort complexes line the road back of the beach, but the beach itself, 3 km long and broad, has no development. The sand is very white, and squeaks audibly when walked on. The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Poo Island. Restaurants, bars, tour companies and other non-hotel businesses are at the north end, near the traffic circle, and at the south, on the little road connecting the back road with the beach road. The narrow road between Kata and Karon has a number of small businesses as well as the Dino Park Mini Golf facility. Karon is the most up-scale of Phuket's beaches. Regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town. 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 to dangerous.

Kata Beach
The smallest of Phuket's three main tourist beaches, Kata is different in appearance and style from Karon or Patong. The beach itself is broad and curving, and structures bordering it are low–rise. The waters are perfect for swimming, and at the north end is a coral reef with many varied corals and fishes which stretches out toward Poo Island., about 1/2 km off shore. Facilities for every price range include hotels, bungalows, tour companies, restaurants, bars and clubs. There is regular bus service to and from Phuket Town during daytime. mapKata Noi Beach

Kata Noi Beach
South of Kata is Kata Noi, a smaller beach with only a few hotels and little other development. The beach is superb. Many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the beachless shoreline stretching south. To get there take the narrow beach road up over the hill from Kata.

Pansea Beach
This is a small exclusive bay encircled by rocks which houses only two resorts: The luxurious Amanpuri and The Chedi. The resorts are blocking the entrance to the beach but you can reach it by walking through The Chedi as all beaches in Thailand are public.

Nakalay Beach Nakalay Beach
Nakalay is app. 5 minutes from Patong and occupied by only one resort which covers the whole bay - The Thavorn Beach Bungalow. It is suitable for people who like it quiet but still want to be near the entertainment area of Patong.

Relax Bay
This wonderful little bay is part of the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and not freely accessible. It is located between Patong and Karon beach.

Nui Beach
This little remote beach can be reached by a small path. Follow the sign on the left side on the beach road from Nai Harn to Kata. You can drive only the first hundred meters through a coconut plantation then you have to walk for another 2 km through dense forest and a hilly area. It is a small adventure to reach the beach but well worth it as there are few people due to its remote location. Its a nice place for swimming. There is no accommodation or else at this beach.

Chalong Bay
This quiet bay is used as anchorage by many yachts and tour boats because it is protected from strong winds. Many trips to the nearby islands starting here so it is crowded between sunrise and 9am, when the boats leave, and between 4pm - 5pm when they return. In the evening the beach restaurants are a favorite place for tourists coming back from watching the sunset at Promthep Cape.

Yanoi Beach
This little beach is one of the best kept secrets on Phuket which offers beautiful rock formations and good snorkeling at the reef in front of the beach. To get there follow the road from Promthep Cape to the west. Between Promthep and the wind energy plant watch out for a small restaurant with a small parking lot. A few meters behind the restaurant you can see the beach.



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