17 best beaches in Phuket: for all tastes

Updated: August 25, 2023

These are the best beaches in Phuket, some very beautiful, others good for surfing or relaxing, I know them all, I lived on the island for 2 years. 😉

Phuket island is the largest in Thailand, with an area of 543 km², not counting the nearby islands, that is, a little smaller than Menorca (695 km²).

It has been the country's main tourist destination since the 80s because it is an island that has a lot to offer in addition to beaches.

It has a extensive hotel offering for all budgets, including luxury resorts, Thai and international restaurants and a varied nightlife offering.

Other of its natural attractions is its abundant nature, since the 70% of the island is covered by jungle.

Furthermore, it is a mountainous island, its highest peak reaches 529 m, which is why you will find interesting hiking routes and viewpoints.

This island is bathed by the Andaman Sea where you will find extensive white sand beaches, small coves, places to snorkel, surf or simply relax.

When to go to Phuket?

Before continuing with the beaches I will tell you about the seasons in that area of Thailand, because Phuket's beaches change a lot from one season to another and this way you will avoid surprises.

The dry season runs from November to March and is the better to go swimming at the beach because that is when the sea is calm.

You can do other water activities such as snorkeling, because you will find crystal clear water with great visibility.

You can also do kayaking and other water sports.

On the other hand, the wet season is from April to October and there are a lot of waves, it is a perfect time for surfing.

Although you can take a bath, it will not be a calm bath.

Another drawback at this time is that there can be a lot of dirt on the beach, mainly plastics.

Be careful, this is not always during the rainy season, but during the months it lasts, you can see dirt on some specific days.

⭐ In this other article you can read more about What to do in Phuket: 22 best plans.

17 Best Beaches in Phuket (Orange)

Now yes, these are the best beaches in Phuket depending on what you want to do. Below I include a map with these 17 beaches and another 4 that are popular, but don't seem that interesting to me.

1. Laem Sing: beautiful and calm

The best beach in Phuket is Laem Sing because it is beautiful and quiet, and it is also one of the best in all of Thailand.

😎 That is why it is included in this other article about 9 Best Beaches in Thailand.

It is a somewhat hidden beach reminiscent of the beautiful Caribbean beaches and with hardly any visibility from the road, except from a viewpoint.

Recently, a passage has been opened from Surin Beach and you can walk there to get there, or hire a boat from Surin as well.

This keeps it quite quiet, even in the early hours of the morning it is deserted.

2. Kata beach: surf, sunset and good vibes

Kata is one of the most popular beaches in Phuket and during the wave season one of the best places to surf, for both beginners and people with an intermediate level.

During the dry season it is a good place to snorkel, especially on the south side.

The northern area is more dangerous due to the currents, from there you can cross to Ko Pu where, according to what I have been told, there are quite a few corals and marine fauna, but I have not tried it because I have not seen it clearly because of the currents.

The general atmosphere on the beach is very good, with food and drink stalls at both ends in the street area.

In addition, some restaurants on the far left (looking towards the sea) where you can eat or enjoy the sunset.

The sunsets in Phuket are spectacular. To the point that it is popular among Thais to travel to Phuket during the Western New Year to see the sunset, mainly from Cape Phrom Thep.

Although from my point of view, the sunsets at Kata beach are the best to enjoy them lying on the sand drinking a fresh coconut. You'll tell me your experience if you go.

The video is during the time without waves, in Youtube channel You will find more shorts from other beaches and one from Kata at sunset.

3. Kata Noi: surf and relax

Kata Noi is the little sister of Kata beach, and is the next beach heading south.

It is a quieter and more intimate beach because there are usually fewer people.

During the surf season it has higher waves than Kata, perfect for more advanced surfers when Kata's waves are too small for you.

4. Surin: exclusive

Surin is located in the north of the island, an area full of luxury hotels and resorts that attracts more exclusive tourism.

It is also considered one of the best among foreigners who live on the island because it is beautiful.

It has a good range of good quality restaurants on the beach.

5. Ao Sane: snorkeling and tranquility

Ao Sane beach is small and quite rocky, with only a small access area to the water (depending on the tide).

The great advantage of this little beach is its rich coral bottom that attracts a varied marine fauna, it is the best snorkelling area on the island on the beach.

Its access is via a dirt road, it is not the easiest, but it is not very difficult either.

This helps few people go, really the people who are on the beach are because they are looking for tranquility, snorkeling or wind foil, which has its departures from there.

Although the sand area is not very extensive, there is also a restaurant with good food, cool drinks and sun loungers.

🤿 If you like snorkeling, Koh Tao is one of the best places for its abundance of marine life, here you can read more about 7 Best Places to Snorkel in Koh Tao.

6. Yanui: beautiful, kayak and best coral bottom

Yanui beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket for its W or M shape depending on how you look at it and its turquoise waters.

Its best views are from the mill's viewpoint.

It is a beach that remains quiet, mainly because it has a big drawback: in some areas the sand smells like urine from the dogs that live there.

If you lie on the beach near the shore there is no bad smell.

You might wonder why I included it here, it's simple, It is a good place to snorkel next to the beach and behind the rock that is in the middle.

You can too rent kayaks at a very good price, 100 bahts (2.72 euros) per hour, the best price I found on the entire island.

In front there is a islet (Koh Man) with the best coral bottom, even better than the one at Ao Sane beach. There you will see a very large variety of fish.

7. Nui: interesting beach and swings

Nui beach is a small beach in the south that must be accessed through private property and they charge an entrance fee of 100 bahts (2.72 euros), an amount that you can later redeem at the bar.

The descent to the beach has a steep slope, you can do it on foot or in the vans that charge 100 bahts.

The beach is very beautiful, but the most interesting thing is the swings, a huge one and several places to take perfect photos to share.

The photos you see above and the ones below on Instagram were taken during the rainy season, that's why there were so many waves, but then it is very calm.

A visit to this beach is perfect to combine with the Black Rock viewpoint which is very close.

8. Paradise: cove that lives up to its name

Paradise beach is a short distance from Patong, by motorbike it will take you about 15 minutes and it is perfect to escape from the crowded Patong beach.

This is one small hidden cove with crystal clear water Good for snorkeling or relaxing on the sand with a backdrop of palm trees.

One of the reasons it stays quiet is that they charge 200 bahts (5.44 euros) to access it.

Although in reality what they charge is for taking you in the van to the beach from the parking area, because The beaches in Thailand are all public and free.

But unfortunately they won't let you pass if you don't pay, even if you say you'll walk.

I don't recommend getting into an argument because both on this beach and on Freedom beach, the one in the next point, they are gangsters.

They also don't let you enter with food.

Likewise, the beach is well worth it, in addition to its beauty there is a good atmosphere with restaurants and bars that usually have parties at night.

9. Freedom: nice hidden beach

Is a beach surrounded by the jungle with a bit complicated access, that's why it remains quiet.

The walk is worth it because It is beautiful and a good place to snorkel.

On the beach there is a restaurant where you can eat and have a drink.

At the main entrance they charge you 200 bahts to get off in the van.

If you continue along the path further on there is another descent that you can do on foot and they do not usually charge.

But I know of people who, once downstairs, have been threatened for getting off without paying, especially during the pandemic when there were few people.

10. Mai Khao: Aircraft Viewpoint

It is almost one of the last beaches in the north of the island and one of the longest at 11 km, an extension that helps keep you very calm.

Furthermore, it is next to the Sirinat National Park a natural jungle environment.

The most notable point of this beach in Phuket, which attracts local and foreign tourists, is the airplane lookout which is on the south side of the beach. There you can see the planes arrive and take off at low altitude.

11. Kamala: calm and comfortable

Kamala beach is one of the most popular beaches and is the next after Patong to the north.

This beach is a good place to escape the crowd of Patong on a more familiar environment because it is always calmer.

At the same time, it has all the amenities to spend a good day on the beach with restaurants, bars, sun loungers and water sports options.

12. Nai Harn: the favorite among expats

Nai Harn beach is the most popular among foreigners who live in the southern part of the island with a good environment where to do sports outdoors.

There you can go for a run or have a good walk through the sand from end to end of the beach.

It is one of the most frequent meeting places for dance, meditation and even groups. free yoga classes.

Although you can see some fish, it is not the best place for snorkeling because the seabed is very dead, but it is a very good beach for swimming in the sea.

Furthermore, it has the advantage that during the rainy season the waves are much smaller than on other beaches because the large bay keeps it more protected.

There are also several restaurants and street stalls with food and drinks.

13. Layan: beautiful and unknown

La Layan beach is one of the most beautiful and curious beaches of Phuket and also little known because it is north of Bang Tao, quite far from the rest of the best beaches on the island.

Something that makes it so unique is the part of the lagoon, also during low tide you can almost walk to the island opposite.

This beautiful beach is usually quite deserted, there is only one restaurant and a few sun loungers.

14. Bang Tao: kilometer of white sand

Bang Tao is one of the most appreciated beaches by people who live in the northern area because it is a kilometer-long beach (8 km) of white sand.

Also, to add charm, there is surrounded by pine trees and from this beach you can see beautiful sunsets. You couldn't ask for more, right?

It is true that sometimes there can be quite a few people, but since it is so big it is not so noticeable.

There you will find everything you need to spend a good day at the beach, from sun loungers, different restaurant options and massages right on the beach.

15. Banana: the secret beach

Until some time ago, Banana Beach was quite unknown because access is not the easiest.

This is what keeps this little cove, only 180 long, quiet, a real gem in Phuket.

Although it's not exactly deserted, there's even a small restaurant there.

You can get to this secret beach both by boat and on foot.

If you are going to arrive walking, you will find two little paths, I recommend the one on the left that is simpler, the other has more slope.

16. Karon: the largest in the south

Karon has an extension of almost 3 km and although it is not particularly beautiful, it usually has a good atmosphere where spend a quiet day at the beach.

Because like other large beaches, if there are many people it is not so noticeable and everyone has space.

Additionally, at both ends you can see some marine fauna snorkeling, the It is better in the south that there are more corals.

If you snorkel, be careful in the northern area because sometimes the currents are strong if you move away from the coastline.

That's why, In Phuket I always recommend snorkeling with fins.

On this beach there are surfboards to rent and other water activities, as well as sun loungers.

Additionally, there are many restaurant options in the Karon area.

17. Nai Thon

Nai Thon is a small beach with a very tropical look because it is lined with trees and palm trees, perfect for lying down in the shade.

Is a beautiful beach not crowded with turquoise water that invites you to swim and fine sand.

Of course, the southern part of the beach is better because the northern part is sometimes a little dirty with the river water.

Another interesting point are the caves in the area that can be reached with a long-tail boat.

Other beaches of Phuket (green)

These are other popular beaches in Phuket, which I honestly don't think deserve to be so popular, I'll tell you their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Panwa: visually pretty

Panwa beach is visually very beautiful because it has white sand and the turquoise water makes it postcard-worthy.

If you like to lie on the beach take in the views and nothing more, this may be a good beach for you.

The big drawback is that the water level is very low, on low tide days you can walk 100 or 200 m and the water is still below your knee.

It is an area that The sea remains calm even in the rainy season, but it is only to contemplate it, not to bathe, swim or snorkel.

This is the same for most beaches on the east side of Phuket Island and Koh Sire Island, which is connected by road to Phuket.

Therefore, if you visit many of these eastern beaches you will find them practically deserted.

2. Patong: next to Patong City

Patong beach is probably the ugliest beach on the entire island.

However, it is one of the busiest and at certain times it can be completely overcrowded and with dirty sand.

Its great advantage is that it is next to the city of the same name, Patong, which is the preferred destination for nightlife lovers.

In case you stay in a hotel in Patong, this Beach is very convenient to walk down.

Another of its advantages is that there is a lot of street stalls with drinks and food, in addition to watersports such as jet ski rental, parasailing and others.

3. Rawai: next to Rawai and a nice pier

Rawai beach is not exactly a popular beach because both the sand and the water are dirty because of the boats there.

However, many tourists stay in the area thinking that they will have a nice beach nearby and are disappointed.

Rawai is an economic zone of the island what can you find hotel rooms at a very good price, but keep in mind that you will have to have some transportation to go to other beaches.

Although some hotels in the area have a free shuttle service to go to the main beaches.

One of the advantages of this area is the variety of restaurants and street stalls next to the beach.

Also, from the beach you can hire long-tail boats to visit the nearby islands and it has an interesting pier where there are fishermen and the water looks very clean as you move away from the beach.

4. Tri Trang

This small beach is next to Patong if you continue along the coastline towards the south.

It is a quiet beach, but every time I have gone the sand has been quite dirty, both in the rainy season and in the dry season. Maybe I've been unlucky.

In addition, there are some elephant camps nearby (one of those that mistreats elephants) and they take them to bathe there, the elephants urinate and defecate in the water where they bathe. The sea is big, but it is not very hygienic to bathe right there.

Another disadvantage of Tri Trang beach is that At high tide the sandy area almost disappears.

But if you want to try your luck, it is on the way to Paradise beach.

Map of Phuket Beaches

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

How to Get to Phuket?

Phuket is very good comunicated both internationally and with the rest of Thailand thanks to its airport.

You can also get there from Bangkok or other areas in the south by bus.

You can see all the transportation alternatives at this website, it is very practical throughout the country and even to buy tickets without having to travel.

How to get around the island?

In Phuket there is not much public transport, except from Phuket Town which connects to the most important points of the island and especially to the beaches.

But the frequency depends on the number of tourists.

On the other hand, taxis are quite expensive and unlike other areas of Thailand, with the Grab application the prices are usually more expensive than negotiating with a taxi driver.

So The best option is to rent a motorcycle or car. Although I have to warn you in high season, traffic can be real chaos.

In case you go to rent a car in Phuket, I recommend this link search engine that has the best offers, because it compares all the companies.

Where to Stay in Phuket?

If you want to enjoy Phuket's beaches and its main attractions without having to travel too much, I recommend staying in the southern area.

For example, Phuket Town is a good place with night markets and well connected to the beaches with the songthaew (trucks).

One of the most popular hotels is The Memory at On On Hotel with very low prices.

It's about a Sino Portuguesa construction building where scenes from the movie were filmed The beach with DiCaprio.

On the other hand, one of the favorite places for tourists looking for nightlife is Patong, there I can recommend the Four Points hotel with an excellent quality-price ratio.

This hotel is a few meters from all the nightlife and in front of the beach.

However, my favorite place and the one I most recommend is to stay in the Kata beach area.

There you have the SIS Kata Resort at a good price and privileged views from its infinity pool.

Final Thoughts

These are the best beaches in phuket, where you can find water activities or snorkeling, quiet secret beaches or others with all the amenities.

In case I have left any topic untouched, leave me a comment below and I will help you in any way I can. And if you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip!

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• Khao Sok National Park: visit to the park, lake and caves
• What to do in Phi Phi: the Ultimate Guide
• 5 Hotels in Phuket: resorts with the best value for money
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