Best beaches in Phuket

Phuket is blessed with long, sandy beaches each one perfect for a relaxing honeymoon or romantic getaway.

Here’s a selection of the best beaches in Phuket, from the most popular to the secluded…

Kata Beach

Located on Phuket’s western coast, Kata Beach is one of Phuket’s finest beaches due to its natural beauty, lots of beach activities and good facilities, making it perfect for active honeymoon couples.

Pick your own spot to unwind on this 1.5km-long broad curve of soft white sand that shelves into a protected bay of calm, crystal-clear water.

Relax on a sunbed or rejuvenate with a Thai massage in the shade of the palm trees that fringe the beach’s edge.

A small picturesque island in the bay, called Poo Island, adds to the pretty setting.

During the day you can choose from water activities including sailing, windsurfing, jetskiing and parasailing, while the south end of the beach is perfect for surfing. Surf boards are available for rent.

In the evening you can enjoy Kata’s village-like atmosphere over a tasty Thai meal or your favourite cocktail at one of the cute open-air bars or restaurants.

Amenities such as toilets, shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants that serve seafood, Thai and European dishes at reasonable prices, lie easily accessible at the southern end of the beach.

Kata Beach is located on Phuket’s west coast.

Kata Noi Beach – Separated from Kata by a headland, this small bay of stunning white sand is a quiet and peaceful retreat that makes a nice place for a relaxing snorkel or swim.

Surfers shouldn’t miss the annual Phuket Surfing Contest held in September during the wet season when the waves are large.

Later in the year when the waters become calm, Kata Bay is home to yachts competing in the King’s Cup Regatta, Asia’s premier sailing event, held every December.

Read more about Kata Beach and find beach hotels…


Karon Beach

Karon is the second largest beach on Phuket and is one of the most up-market of Phuket's beaches. A regular daytime bus service links the beach with Phuket Town.

Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this 4km-long squeaky-clean, white-sand beach. A choice of hillside resorts sit close to the beach with magnificent views overlooking the bay.

During the day you can choose from several water activities including sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, jetskiing and parasailing. Banana boats and waterskiing are also available.

Dive and snorkel the coral reef at the southern end of the beach then cool-off with a cold drink at a choice of bars and restaurants at the northern end of the beach. Volleyball is also popular during the late afternoon.

Lookout for turtle tracks, as sea turtles are occasional nocturnal visitors, laying their eggs in the sand during the night. If you do see any turtles or their tracks, let your hotel know and they'll contact Phuket Marine Biological Centre who will incubate the eggs in safety.

Beach vendors are a common sight on the beach selling an assortment of goods, including: silk, henna tattoos, costume jewellery, fruit, ice cream and various ornaments. If you’re not interested, a polite 'no thank you' is all that's required to ensure they leave you alone.

Away from the beach, check out the shopping options at one of the friendly bazaars, tee-off at the themed Dino Park Mini Golf course, admire the many Buddha statues at the Wat Swan Khiri Khet temple and don’t miss a trip to the Karon Market, overflowing with fresh fruit, cooked food and an assortment of clothes, CDs and handicrafts.

Most of the town’s nightlife is centred in the bars off Patak Road in the north of Karon and just off Luang Poh Chuan Road in the south.

Note: There are no public toilets on the beach, but many restaurants across the road from the beach will let you use their facilities, sometimes for a charge of a few Baht.

Read more about Karon Beach and find beach hotels…


Kamala Beach

Pick your own spot to unwind on this pristine 1.5km-long golden-sand beach located just north of Patong Beach.

The beach shelves into the calm waves of a pretty bay that is perfect for swimming from November to April.

The northern end of the beach offers good snorkelling and larger waves for surfing. Or you can shooce to go jetskiing or parasailing. Sunbeds are available from the beachfront hotels or local vendors.

When you’re feeling peckish, a choice of beachfront hotels offer bar and restaurant options, while a number of Thai food stalls offering spicy Thai dishes can be found at the northern end of the beach.

Nearby attractions to visit include the charming Buddhist Wat Baan Temple, the local village market (held every Friday) and Phuket FantaSea, a cultural theme park showcasing Thailand's rich and exotic heritage, including a village with an assortment of shopping choices, carnival games, elephant rides and restaurants.

Don’t miss the evening live stage show featuring traditional Thai dancing, fireworks and animals such as elephants and tigers.

Note: There are no public toilets on Kamala Beach but the many beachfront hotels have facilities.

Read more about Kamala Beach and find beach hotels…


Surin Beach

Surin Beach offers a pristine golden-sand beach that is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking during the high season from November to April.

Known as ‘Millionaires Row’ due to the many luxury resorts based there, as well as million dollar homes that sit atop hills overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Good snorkeling can be found among the rocks at the north and south ends of the beach; equipment can be rented on the beach.

Boogie boarding and surfing are popular in the low season from May to October. Surin is also home to Thailand's second-oldest golf course.

With the best selection of food available of all the beaches in Phuket, Surin Beach is especially popular with Thais. Choose from a range of restaurants and bars that line the beach.

Alternatively, be adventurous and head to the food stalls selling everything from spicy Thai dishes to tropical fruits to drinks. These can be found in the car park at the main access to the beach.

Note: There are no public toilets at Surin Beach, however toilets can be found inside the restaurant that line most of the beach.

Read more about Surin Beach and find beach hotels…


Patong Beach

Phuket’s famous – some would say infamous – 2km-long stretch of golden sand offers a wide variety of daytime activities and a bustling nightlife – the ideal place to party.

Patong Beach offers a good range of activities from sailing, kayaking and windsurfing to jet-skiing and parasailing. Banana boats and water-skiing are also available.

For good snorkelling, head to the rocks at the northern end of the beach; equipment can be hired on the beach. Surfing is also best at the north end, with waves up to a metre and a half with a beach break.

Or join a volleyball game: everyone's welcome to play and games usually start around 4.30pm as the temperature drops.

Unwind on the beach with a massage or enjoy a relaxing swim in the calm waters during November to April.

Facilities include sunbeds available from vendors and three sets of public toilets spaced out along the beach, which cost five Baht to use.

Beach vendors also sell a wide variety of food, drinks and snacks, while the beachside road is lined with restaurants and cafes offering a wide range of food choices.

Nightlife in Patong revolves around the hundreds of GoGo Bars, beer halls, discos and restaurants mainly centred around Bangla Road.

Read more about Patong Beach and find beach hotels…


Paradise Beach

This stunningly beautiful 150 metre-long beach is fringed with shade-provding palm and tropical almond trees. The beach provides year-round safe swimming with great snorkelling above a coral reef some 100 metres out. The beach is linked to another small beach by a path through the rocks.

Paradise Beach features the Paradise Beach Club Phuket, a well-developed party spot featuring shops, restaurants, activities and Koh Phangan-style beach parties.

The Full Moon Festival at Paradise Beach is Phuket’s biggest beach party. Modelled after the successful Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, Phuket’s version of the all night beach party is a more upscale affair and is well organised.

Tickets can be bought at all travel agencies or online, and for around 1,000 Baht you get entrance and a free cocktail. Paradise Beach is located close to Patong Beach.


Mai Khao Beach

Discover Phuket’s longest beach, an 11km-long golden-sand beach fringed by the casuarina trees of Sirinat Marine National Park.

Pick a secluded spot to sunbathe, go beachcombing or head to the waterslides at the beachfront Splash Jungle Waterpark, located the West Sands Resort. The waterpark features a wave pool, numerous waterslides and rides including a 335-metre ‘Lazy River’.

At night, join a tour to catch a glimpse of Giant Ridley Sea Turtle. During November and February each year these lumbering giants emerge from the sea onto the sandy shore at night to lay their eggs.

Find a range of Mai Khao Beach hotel and resort options to suit most budgets.


Nai Harn Beach

With most of its beachfront land occupied by a temple, the soft sands and clear waters make Nai Harn an ideal swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing spot during the dry season.


Pansea Beach

This exclusive, tiny cove of glittering white sand is accessible only to guests of the Chedi and Amanpuri resorts – haunt of celebrities and megastars. The only access to the beach is through the hotel grounds.


Laem Singh Beach

A small hidden gem south of Surin, accessible only by a steep path from the road. You'll find a few unassuming restaurants offering cold drinks and food.


Nai Thon Beach

Rent a car or take a taxi to one of Phuket’s best-kept secrets. A short drive through forested hills along the coastal highway brings you to this quiet beach of silky white sand.


Ao Sane Beach

Sometimes called ‘Jungle Beach’, this quiet and peaceful beach is reached down a dirt road through the car park of Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club in Nai Harn.


Laem Ka Beach

This sheltered, 150m long, boulder-framed beach is the only eastern-facing beach in southern Phuket that offers good swimming. It’s an ideal picnic spot as from midday it’s shady and cool. Popular with local Thais on a Sunday afternoon.


Nai Yang Beach

One of the most isolated beaches in Phuket, with fantastic snorkelling, located within the wildlife preserve at Sirinat Marine National Park.


Latest update: Top Beaches in Phuket: 18 June, 2022



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