Phuket Beaches

Ao Sane is a beautiful beach located within the headland north of Nai Harn Beach. This somewhat hidden beach is made up of three small beaches split up by small rocky headlands.

The water around the rocky headlands makes this one of the best beaches in Phuket to go snorkelling directly off the beach.

The best time to visit is from November through to March, when the seas are calm.

Whilst the beach is excellent for snorkelling, if you are travelling with children, just beware that there are quite a lot of rocks in the water. 

Accommodation is available at the Baan Krating Resort, which is situated in the jungle above the beach. If you are staying elsewhere across Phuket, we can highly recommend spending a few hours at Ao Sane to enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

Bang Tao Beach is a large open bay stretching 8 km in length; it is the second-longest beach in Phuket.

The shoreline is dotted with many of the best villas and luxury resorts.

The best time to stay at Bangtao Beach is from November through to April.
During this time, the beach is a buzz with a selection of beach activities for you and your family to enjoy.

Whilst the beach is amazing, there is so much more to Bangtao than just the beach. There is an array of beachside dining, restaurants and beach clubs to enjoy.

We have stayed at Bangtao on numerous occasions, and we have never been disappointed and can highly recommend the area and the beach for a family getaway in Phuket. 

Freedom Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket, with soft white sand and crystal clear water surrounded by lush green mountains.

The beach is located just to the south of Patong, with access via longtail boat from nearby beaches, or if you prefer, you can hike to the beach.

Freedom Beach is perfect for snorkelling, swimming, or enjoying a relaxing day away from the busier beaches in Phuket. 

There is no accommodation directly on the beach; nearby, you can find an excellent selection of luxury resorts.  

If you’re looking for a quiet alternative to Patong, Kalim Beach is ideal.

Kalim is just north of Patong Beach, with easy access to Patong's vibrant nightlife, shopping, and beach activities. During the monsoon season from May to October, Kalim Beach is one of the best surfing beaches in Phuket.

There is a wide range of accommodation at Kalim, including luxury five-star resorts and villas, family-friendly resorts, budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses.

The beach is extremely rocky and isn’t a swimming beach; however, the area is a coastal gem for those looking for a quieter beach atmosphere, upmarket restaurants, delicious local street food, and perfect sunsets close to Patong.

Kamala Beach offers a peaceful escape away from the crowds, perfect for couples or an ideal family-friendly destination in Phuket.

Kamala is located 20 minutes north of Patong and south of Laem Singh Beach.

There is a good mix of accommodation options for all travellers, including luxury stays, family-friendly resorts, villas and budget-friendly guesthouses.

Kamala is quieter and has a more laid-back vibe than Patong; however, during the high season, you won’t have the beach to yourself, but there is enough space along the beach to avoid feeling overcrowded.

What we love most about Kamala is the beachfront restaurants and the village atmosphere.
The best time to visit Kamala is from November through to April.

Karon has long been our personal pick of all Phuket Beaches. Karon Beach is the third-longest in Phuket and the second-largest tourist destination after Patong.
From November through to April, the white sandy beach offers calm, clear waters and is safe for swimming.

There is plenty of water sports on offer, including kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling, parasailing and jet skis.

As a major tourist destination, Karon offers a wide range of accommodation options, including luxury five-star resorts and family-friendly resorts. Most resorts and hotels are located across the road from the beach, with only a couple of resorts situated directly on the beach.

When it comes to restaurants, Karon Beach offers a fantastic range of restaurants for all tastes and budgets.

As frequent flyers to Karon Beach, we highly recommend the area as a family-friendly destination in Phuket.

Kata Beach, also known as Kata Yai, is located south of Karon Beach.
Kata has long been a popular destination in Phuket for family getaways, with its crystal-clear waters and relaxed atmosphere.

During the high season from November through to April, the seas are calm, and the beach and surrounding areas can be busy with other like-minded travellers.

Whilst Kata can be busy during the high season, it’s not as hectic as Patong and has a relaxing vibe.

If you're looking for a relaxing family-friendly beach vacation, Kata is one of the best Phuket beaches to use as a base. The area is very easy to get around with a great selection of activities, restaurants, and a wide range of family-friendly resorts.

Kata Noi Beach is located around the headland from Kata Yai.

The beach is a much smaller bay, with lush, green-covered mountains and crystal clear water.

Kata Noi is a perfect location for couples seeking a relaxing, secluded beach getaway, and an excellent choice for a family-friendly getaway.

Two luxury resorts sit at either end of the beach; the family-friendly Katathani Beach Resort dominates most of the northern section, and The Shore, an adults-only resort, dominates the southern headland.

If you're seeking a secluded area of Phuket for a tranquil beach getaway, Kata Noi is the perfect choice.

Laem Singh is one of the most beautiful, secluded and somewhat hidden beaches in Phuket.

Located between Kamala and Surin Beaches, this small, secluded cove is visible from the road, with fantastic photo opportunities from Laem Singh Viewpoint.

If you're looking for a beach to spend a day away from the main tourist beaches, Laem Singh is a must-do, especially during the high season.

Great for snorkelling, swimming and relaxing, there is no accommodation on the beach and getting to the beach is a bit of an adventure; alternatively, you can catch a longtail boat.

Layan Beach is peaceful and picture-perfect with its white sand and crystal-clear, calm waters.
Layan is located at the far northern end of Bang Tao Beach; this untouched gem is one of the last remaining tranquil beaches in Phuket.

If you are seeking out a quiet beach escape and value a peaceful location surrounded by natural beauty over commercialism and entertainment for your stay in Phuket, Layan Beach may be just what you are looking for.

Layan Beach is home to a range of Phuket’s most alluring luxury resorts that are well suited for couples and family-friendly holidays.

Mai Khao Beach is the longest beach in Phuket, stretching 11 kilometres from just south of Phuket Airport to the northern tip of the island.

There are limited activities at Mai Khao; you won’t find beach chairs, jet skis, or banana boats.

However, it is a fantastic spot to relax, take in the scenery, or go for long walks along an unspoiled beach.

The beach has become a popular spot for plane watching, and between November and February, sea turtles come ashore to nest.

During the high season, you can swim at Mai Khao Beach, but there is a steep drop-off close to shore, and no lifeguards patrol the beach.

Travellers who stay at Mai Khao can enjoy luxury resorts, perfect for visitors on short escapes, couples and families seeking a slower pace of life, natural beauty and stunning sunsets.

Nai Harn is located south of Kata Noi and north of Promthep Cape.
The wide crescent-shaped bay is one of the most picturesque bays in Phuket, with white sand stretching for almost a kilometre.

Throughout the high season, Nai Harn can be busy, but it is generally less crowded than Patong or Kata.

During the high season, the beach is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking. From May through to November, Nai Harn is a good surfing beach.

Nai Harn is an excellent choice for families and couples looking for a relaxing beach holiday in Phuket in an area that is very laid back and isn't over-commercialised with beach clubs and shopping malls. 

The 5-star luxury Nai Harn Resort is the only resort at Nai Harn with direct access to the beach, with many other family-friendly resorts located nearby. 

Nai Thon Beach lies within the Sirinat National Park, south of Nai Yang Beach and just north of Nai Thorn Beach, along the north-west coast of Phuket.

The beach is perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway, or for families seeking a quiet destination in Phuket away from the crowds.

As with all the west coast beaches, the best time to stay or explore Nai Thon Beach is from November through to April.

During the high season, the beach is calm, and the water is clear, perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach.

During the monsoon season from May through to October, swimming at the beach is not recommended.

There is a good selection of resorts for all travellers.

What we love about Nai Thon is the peace and tranquillity, far from the noise and the crowds at other Phuket beaches.

Nai Thorn Beach is also known as Nai Thon Noi; it is located just to the north of Banana Beach and south of Nai Thon Beach.
The beach is much smaller and more private than the neighbouring Nai Thon Beach.

The luxury five-star Andaman White Beach Resort occupies this beautiful, secluded, and very private beach. 

To explore Nai Thorn Beach, the easiest way is to book accommodation at the Andaman White Beach Resort, where you have easy and full access to the beach and all the activities.

If you're not a guest of the resort, you will need to take a longtail boat ride from one of the other nearby beaches.

If you’re planning a romantic getaway or a honeymoon in Phuket and want privacy and a secluded beach, this might be what you are looking for.

Nai Yang is situated at the southern end of Mai Khao Beach and lies within the Sirinat National Park.

If you’re looking for a tranquil atmosphere with local charm, Nai Yang offers the perfect destination in Phuket for family-friendly getaways, solo travellers or those looking to escape the crowds.
Nai Yang can be busy during the high season, but nowhere as busy as Patong, Karon or Kata.

From November through to April, the calm waters are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and kite surfing.

Nai Yang has a wide variety of accommodation, including luxury stays, family-friendly resorts and budget hotels.

Pansea is a small, secluded beach around 400 metres in length.

This stunning private beach is hidden between Bang Tao and Surin Beaches on the northwest coast.

There are two luxury resorts along the beach, which makes access to the beach nearly impossible unless you are a guest staying at the Resorts.

During the high season, guests at either of the luxury resorts have access to a wide range of water sports, including sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, windsurfing and snorkelling.

Pansea Beach is one of the best beaches for honeymoons or couples looking for a romantic, luxury stay in Phuket.

Paradise Beach lies within the same headland as Tri Tra Beach, just to the south of Patong.

The water is clean, offering good snorkelling and swimming areas. If you find the waves are too big, or the tide is out, there is a swimming pool on the beachfront.

The beach was once a hidden treasure; however, over recent years it has become extremely popular as it is now occupied by Paradise Beach Club.

Paradise Beach Club is perfect for those looking for live music and beach parties and the occasional Full Moon Party.

The beach is still definitely worth exploring if you're looking for a quieter beach than Patong, and there are water activities, including kayaking, snorkelling, and paddleboarding. Just be aware that you will have to pay for each activity.

Patong Beach is by far the most popular tourist destination for many visitors, especially the young partygoers in search of nightlife.
For many other visitors, the lure of Patong Beach is the convenience of having everything they need in one area, as it has the greatest concentration of bars, restaurants, shopping, and activities in Phuket.

Patong also offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets, including cheap guesthouses, budget hotels, and luxury resorts.

The crescent-shaped beach stretches for 2.7 km and is ideal for those who are looking for lots of beach activities. If you are in search of a quiet, relaxing beach, Patong might not be the best choice for your stay.  

Rawai Beach is located on the southeast tip of Phuket, between Promthep Cape and Chalong Bay.

This charming beachside location in Phuket is popular with expats and locals, or for those looking for long stays.

It is also ideal for travellers seeking a quieter, laid-back vibe, or for those who want to enjoy the culture or as an easy base to visit the offshore Islands south of Phuket.

Rawai Beach is not like the beaches on the west coast where you can swim, sunbathe or snorkel.
There are no beach activities on offer as the beach isn’t a swimming beach; it is a working beach for local fishermen, and the gateway to the offshore Islands.

Beyond the beach is a wide range of accommodation, from budget-friendly guesthouses to family-friendly options, and luxury resorts.

What we love about Rawai, and you could too, is the endless choice of delicious seafood, the views and the local culture.

Surin Beach is another of our favourite Phuket beaches; this stunning beach is nestled between Laem Singh and Pansea beaches on the west coast.

In the high season, the water is crystal clear, and the 1-kilometre beach is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, relaxing or taking walks along the beach at sunset.

It is safe for kids to swim, but during the monsoon season it can be dangerous for even the best swimmers.

There are no beach chairs or umbrellas allowed along the beach anymore; most beach lovers return to Surin for the natural beauty.

Surin offers a fantastic destination for romantic getaways and is also family-friendly, with a wide range of boutique, 5-star resorts, or high-end private villas overlooking the beach.

Whilst it's known as Millionaires Row, there is also a selection of small guesthouses and mid-range hotels for those on a budget. 

Tri Tra Beach sits in a coral bay and is the first of four beautiful beaches on the rocky headland south of Patong.

This north-facing, 500-metre-long beach, also known as "Emerald Beach" or "Hat Tri Tra," overlooks Patong Bay.

The beach is perfect for families or a romantic getaway close to the action of Patong, yet far enough away to enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

The beach is picturesque, with calm waters for most of the year, providing a wonderful location for snorkelling and swimming, but only on high tide. On low tide, the water is too shallow for swimming.

There is accommodation available directly on the beach.

Tri Trang Beach is also located within the headland just south of Patong between Paradise Beach and Freedom Beach.

Tri Trang Beach is ideal for those seeking a quiet family beach vacation.
It is also perfect for couples looking for a secluded getaway, within easy reach of Patong for shopping and nightlife.

The small secluded beach is good for snorkelling on high tide, and there is a reef offshore that is great for divers.

Tri Trang is often referred to as Merlin Beach, as the only resort that has direct beach access is the Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, which was formerly known as the Merlin Beach Resort.

Yanui Beach is a secluded beach located in a small bay just to the south of Nai Harn Beach and Promthep Cape on the southern tip of Phuket.

Whilst the beach is small and tucked away from the main Phuket beaches, it can get busy during peak season.

What we love most about Yanui is the relaxed atmosphere, along with being one of the best snorkelling beaches in Phuket. 

The beach is popular for beach lovers who love to chill out, swim, and snorkel, and it is a popular spot for families with small kids.

There is no accommodation directly on the beach, but there are plenty of options close by.