About Phuket
The island of Phuket has become one of the world's favourite holiday destinations. Offering a myriad of sugary white sand beaches lapped by a tranquil, clear sea, inexpensive delicious cuisine and diverse entertainment, there are few other beach destinations that rival its strengths. Whatever your pleasure, from sampling the frenetic pace of Patong or seeking solitude on a remote stretch of sand in the north, Phuket's beaches have it all for the sun and fun seeker.
Phuket Destinations
Patong Beach
Patong Beach is the busiest beach area with its long sandy strip populated with loungers, water sports and vendors. But the beach is not the only attraction as it is also home to markets filled with bargains, a world class shopping mall with all the latest brands, restaurants from street stalls to 5 star luxury and a dizzying array of nighlife offerings including bars and nightclubs. Patong is an ideal place to party and play. The nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla, but there are plenty of chic bar/lounges in the surrounding streets.
Freedom Beach
Freedom Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket with soft white sand and crystal clear water surrounded by lush green mountains. It is accessible only by longtail boat, but absolutely worth it if you want to experience a small secluded beach just 10 mins from manic Patong.
Tri Trang Beach
Located on the headland south of Patong, Tri Trang beach is in a scenic and quiet small bay. It is quite rocky for bathing, but is a snorkelling paradise with crystal clear water and colourful fish and coral.
Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach is located on the same headland as Tri Trang. Gorgeous blue waters, sugary white sand and large boulders offer the perfect setting for your "castaway" fantasy. There's a small restaurant serving Thai or western food on this picturesque beach. They also have snorkelling gear and kayaks for rent.
Kamala Beach
About 10 minutes drive north of Patong, Kamala Beach is a beautiful and serene haven for those who prefer the quieter life. The beach is lined with restaurants and is very popular with families. The southern end of the bay has a coral reef just a few metres offshore making snorkelling a popular activity. There is a wide selection of restaurants serving Thai and Western cuisines. There are a number of quiet bars with relaxed atmospheres along the beach road as it snakes inland.
Laem Singh Beach
Located between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach, the relatively undeveloped Laem Singh Beach sits beneath a towering rocky cape. Swimming and snorkelling is excellent at the southern end of the beach. This a small beach (about 150 metres) and can get a bit crowded during high season. There are several restaurants serving Italian and Thai specialties and there are vendors and beach loungers.
Located between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach, the relatively undeveloped Laem Singh Beach sits beneath a towering rocky cape. Swimming and snorkelling is excellent at the southern end of the beach. This a small beach (about 150 metres) and can get a bit crowded during high season. There are several restaurants serving Italian and Thai specialties and there are vendors and beach loungers.
Surin Beach
Increasingly posh, Surin Beach is stunning with many luxury boutique resorts and villas that overlook the Andaman Sea. The area offers a wide variety of upscale restaurants, bar & lounges lining the beach and is home to many of the island's jet set.
Increasingly posh, Surin Beach is stunning with many luxury boutique resorts and villas that overlook the Andaman Sea. The area offers a wide variety of upscale restaurants, bar & lounges lining the beach and is home to many of the island's jet set.
Bang Tao Beach
Bang Tao Beach is a large open bay stretching an impressive 8 kilometres. Home to many of the best villas and luxury resorts in Phuket, it is still easy to find a quiet spot to enjoy the crystal clear water and stunning white sand. The Laguna complex dominates the southern end, but if you prefer seclusion, the northern end is less developed and quieter. Canal Village within the Laguna complex boasts 30 upscale shops, selling handicrafts and fashionable clothing items.
Karon Beach
15 minutes south of Patong, Karon Beach, features an incredibly long stretch of squeaky white sand. While it has developed quickly, Karon is nicely spread out and rarely feels crowded. It is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of family-friendly facilities, dining and activities.
Kata Beach
Very popular with families, the pictueresque bay of Kata, just a few minutes south of Karon Beach, entices many with its white sands and clear waters. It boasts a spectacular beach, a wide variety of great restaurants both Western and Thai and lively nightlife. Surf enthusiasts flock to ride the larger waves from April to September.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach is located in one of the most beautiful and relatively undeveloped bays in Phuket - the white sand stretches for almost a kilometre. A scenic and quiet beach lined by shady trees, it is located near the southern-most tip of the island, about 30 minutes drive from Patong. Popular with both local and expat residents, Nai Harn offers a laidback restaurant and nightlife scene.
Rawai Beach
Great views and delicious seafood are on offer at Rawai Beach. Not a beach for bathing due to the rocky and muddy shore, many speedboats and longtails are available for trips to neighboring islands.
Chalong Bay
Chalong Bay (and pier) is the main departure point for diving and fishing boats from Phuket. A wide variety of charter boats are available for fishing, diving or snorkelling trips to nearby islands. Along the waterfront, with gorgeous views of the bay, there are many inexpensive Thai seafood restaurants offering delicious cuisine to both locals and tourists. The largest most well known buddhist temple, Wat Chalong, is located near the bay, as well as the newest Phuket attraction, The Big Buddha.
Phuket Town
The scenic Sino-Portuguese architecture, splendid Buddhist temples and local restaurants and noodle shops as well as world class shopping malls, are all excellent reasons to visit Phuket Town. A walk along Dibuk, Krabi and Thalang Roads in the "old town" will give you a glimpse into the island's tin mining past of the last century, with beautiful colonial mansions built in the Sino-Portuguese style by Chinese tin barons and quaint shophouses still offering household items and souvenirs. Take time to meander through the fresh market street sampling the delicacies on offer - at the end sits an ornate Chinese buddhist temple, Jui Tui. Just a few kilometres west of Phuket Town is the junction that will take you to the mammoth shopping mall, Central Festival, as well as Index Living Mall for home furnishings and Tesco Lotus supermarket and department store.