Phuket Beaches

Guide to the best beaches in Phuket

Phuket beaches are spectacular, and one of the most popular travel destinations in Thailand.

The warm crystal clear waters and tropical climate, makes the island of Phuket an ideal place to take a family beach vacation or a top spot for romantic getaways.

Throughout the Island of Phuket there are plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from, including a handful of secret beaches to explore.


Phuket Beaches


Below is our guide to the best beaches in Phuket, most of these are located along the west coast, where you will find a mixture of long beaches, calm waters, secluded inlets and rocky headlands.

Some of the best Phuket beaches are also the busiest and most developed.



The beachfront areas from Patong stretching south to Kata Noi have the largest concentration of hotels and resorts, as well as fantastic range of restaurants and shops.

The Eastern shore is rocky and covered in thick mangroves and is adjoined by Phang Nga with its magnificent limestone Islands and hidden lagoons.

The beaches of Phuket are all open to the public, although some have resorts built on them which in turn blocks access to the beach.

The only way you can gain access to some of these beaches is through the resort or by longtail boat.

Up until a couple of years ago, most Phuket beaches had deck chairs and umbrellas for hire along all the main tourist beaches.  

These days there are designated area's along certain Phuket beaches where you can use an umbrella and hire sunbeds. 

On the busier beaches like Patong, Karon and Kata beaches you will find these designated area's towards the back of the beach.



Beach vendors are still selling their wares on the beach and will try to sell you anything from clothes to bed linen, just beware of the prices when shopping on the beach compared to the street price.

There is a range of fun activities still available on Phuket beaches such as parasailing, banana boat rides and yes, the dreaded jet skis are still there. If you must hire a jet ski while in Phuket, which I don't recommend just make sure to do your own research before you do.

You can still have a massage on many of the beaches in Phuket, they are usually located back from the beach near the designated area.


 
Best Phuket Beaches



Ao Sane Beach

Ao Sane Beach, Phuket

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

The Baan Krating Resort is situated in the jungle above the beach. Read More


Banana Beach

Banana Beach, Phuket

Banana Beach is one of my favorite Phuket Beaches located on the north west coast of Phuket, hiding between Bang Tao and Nai Thon Beaches.

This small bay is so secluded, not many people ever find this hidden treasure. Read More


Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao Beach, Phuket

Bang Tao beach is a large open bay stretching 8kms in length, it is the second longest beach in Phuket.

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


Freedom Beach

Freedom Beach, 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.

Access to the beach is via longtail boat. Read More


Kalim Beach

Kalim Beach, Phuket

Kalim is a quiet alternative to the lively Patong Beach, yet is only a short distance to the nightlife of Patong. Read More


Kamala Beach

Kamala Beach

Kamala is a haven for those who prefer the quieter life. The beachfront is lined with restaurants and is a popular spot for family vacations. Read More


Karon Beach

Karon Beach, Phuket

Karon is my personal pick of all Phuket Beaches and is the second largest tourist beach in Phuket.

Here you will find a few large resorts and hotels and a variety of activities, restaurants and shopping. Read More


Kata Beach

Kata Beach, Phuket

Kata Beach is also very popular as it is a great destination for families, with a good range of restaurants and accommodation options. Read More


Kata Noi Beach

Kata Noi Beach Phuket

Kata Noi is a much smaller bay, with lush green covered mountains.

There is a few shops, hotels and restaurants and is a great spot ideal if travelling with kids. Read More


Laem Singh Beach

Laem Singh Beach Phuket

Laem Singh is located between Kamala and Surin Beaches.

You will find a few restaurants along the beachfront. Read More


Layan Beach

Layan Beach Phuket

Layan Beach is beautiful, with its white sand and crystal clear waters.

Layan is located at the far northern end of Bang Tao Beach. Read More


Mai Khao Beach

Mai Khao Beach, Phuket

Mai Khao Beach is located on the northwest coast stretching some 9 kilometres in length, this is the longest beach in Phuket.

It is here that you will find the JW Marriott Resort and Spa. Read More


Nai Harn Beach

Nai Harn Beach Phuket

Nai Harn is located in one of the most beautiful Bays in Phuket, the white sand stretching for almost a kilometre.

It is home to the Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club. Read More


Nai Thon Beach

Nai Thon Beach Phuket

Nai Thon lies within the Sirinat National Park, it would have to be one of the most secluded Phuket beaches. Read More


Nai Thorn Beach

Nai Thorn Beach, Phuket

Nai Thorn beach is also known as Nai Thon Noi, this beach is much smaller then the neighbouring Nai Thon, which lies just to the north. Read More


Nai Yang Beach

Nai Yang Beach, Phuket

Nai Yang is located at the southern end of Mai Khao beach and lies within the Sirinat National Park, there are a couple of hotels at the southern end of the beach. Read More


Pansea Beach

Pansea Beach Phuket

Pansea is a small secluded beach only 250 metres long; it is located between Bang Tao and Surin Beaches on the north west coast.

Two luxury resorts make access to the beach nearly impossible. Read More


Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach Phuket

Paradise Beach is located on the same headland as Tri Tra; just to the south of Patong. Read More


Patong Beach

Patong Beach, Phuket

Patong Beach is the most popular tourist beach in Phuket; stretching 2.7km in length with the greatest concentration of bars, restaurants, shops and activities on the Island. Read More


Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach, Phuket

Rawai Beach is located on the South East tip of Phuket and was the Islands first known tourist beach.

A visit to this peaceful area is a must with great views and some wonderful seafood restaurants. Read More


Surin Beach

Surin Beach, Phuket

Surin is another of my favorite Phuket beaches the beach itself is stunning with many luxury resorts and villas overlooking the beach. Read More


Tri Tra Beach

Tri Tra Beach, Phuket

Tri Tra is picturesque, the beach is located in the headland just to the south of Patong.

A relaxing spot away from the crowds. Read More


Tri Trang Beach

Tri Trang Beach, Phuket

Tri Trang is located close to one of Phuket's finest beaches, Freedom Beach which is only accessible by longtail boat. Read More


Yanui Beach

Yanui Beach, Phuket

Yanui Beach is located in a small bay just to the south of Nai Harn Beach and Promthep Cape on the southern tip of Phuket, a great spot for families with small kids. Read More


Whilst the beaches on the west coast of Phuket are the best, there are also some lovely beaches located on the south east coast of Phuket.

Phuket beaches and the offshore Islands are one of the main reasons that many visitors return to Phuket year after year.


Share your favorite Beach in Phuket

Not all of the beaches in Phuket are the same, every beach has a different appeal and attraction.

Take a moment to tell us what your favorite beach is in Phuket and add that special picture that reminds you most about your time away.

[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

(first or full name)

(e.g., City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

  •  submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Readers' Stories

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Paradise Beach Phuket 
Need to escape from Patong for the day to a piece of Paradise? Jump on a bike or ask a local taxi driver about heading out to Paradise Beach for the …

Patong Beach Phuket 
We just love Patong Beach in Phuket, there is always something going on and heaps to. If you like to shop and party this is the place to be in Phuket. …

Kata Beach Surf Story Not rated yet
Hi my name is Marty! I lived in Kata a beautiful spot on the south west coast of Phuket. For a few years I ran a small surf school on Kata Beach! …

Paradise in Phuket Not rated yet
I discovered Phuket through my travels in the U.S. Navy. We spent 3-4 days in port and enjoyed our on shore days the best. I discovered Phuket …

Tri Trang Beach, Phuket, Thailand Not rated yet
Tri Trang Beach is located in front of the Merlin Beach Resort and is often confused with Tri Tra Beach, which is just a short walk away. The reason why …

Beautiful Nai Thon Beach Phuket Thailand  Not rated yet
Beautiful Nai Thon Beach Phuket Thailand. Beautiful Nai Thon beach is one of Phukets northern most beaches. If I had to pick a sleepy quite beach …

Tri Tra Beach, Phuket, Thailand Not rated yet
Just 5 minutes out of Patong to the south is Tri Tra Beach, a relaxing and hassle free paradise, where you can spend the day just chilling out or if you …

Kata is a great small town with a wonderful beach! Not rated yet
My husband and I had been visiting Phuket since 2004. In October 2009 we decided to make Phuket our home! We find Kata Beach and the area of Kata to …

Click here to write your own.




Related Articles





If you enjoyed this article and found it helpful for your travels in Phuket, let us know by following us on Facebook


New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.


Save Time: Search Phuket Travel Secrets