Beaches

Phuket's Beaches have a character and charm very much of its own. From busy fun beaches offering a range of water sport activities, to secluded coves of fine white sand backed by verdant hillsides.

Each of Phuket's many beaches is blessed with a character and charm very much of its own. From busy fun beaches offering a range of water sport activities, to secluded coves of fine white sand backed by verdant hillsides and visited by little more than the bubbling surf of the Andaman, there is bound to be at least one to suit the mood and mindset of every visitor to the island.

Kata Beach

The pleasant bay of Kata, just a few minutes south of Karon Beach, entices and charms many visitors with its white sands and clear waters. Very popular with families, Kata is an all round favourite due to its spectacular palm-lined beach, great restaurants, lively but not raucous nightlife and varied accommodation options - all close to the beach. From May to October surfers flock to catch Kata's waves and from November to April the beach is alive with sunseekers.

Kata is split into two focal areas: Kata Centre, which is at the northern end close to Karon and Kata South, home to several resorts. Visitors will find an abundance of shops to browse in, from souvenir and ready-to-wear outlets, to 7-Elevens and local mini-marts, to name-brand fashion stores. 

Natai Beach

Technically this 25km stretch of white sands is in Phang Nga province, just off Phuket northern tip, but we like to think of it as Phuket, as it has become a magnet for holidaymakers seeking a quiter beach destination, and also given the number of luxurious new private homes, the moniker of Phukets Hamptons.Head off the Bridge, and after about 4kms take a left and follow it to the beach. The small town of Kok Kloy is the areas centre, with a bakery (on the road out of town to the North), fresh markets and small shops.

Kamala Beach

Tranquil and calm, the pretty white sands of Kamala beckon most people by day, but if you're seeking more than sunbathing on a perfect beach, there are other options such as snorkeling at the north end of the beach.

There aren't any waves from November to April (NE monsoon) and the water is crystal clear and calm. From May to October (SW monsoon) at times there can be large waves caused by ocean swell, however most of the time swimming is perfectly safe on Kamala beach, take note when the red flags are flying.

Rawai

Rawai holds the distinction of being the very first tourist beach on Phuket. Years ago, people from Phuket Town would drive the 17km to Rawai on weekends to while away the afternoon underneath the beach's casuarina trees rather than risk the (then) dangerous drive over the hill to Phuket's west coast.

Nowadays Rawai is a 'working beach' and a launching point for day boat excursions out to Phuket's surrounding islands. Many longtail boats available for hire line its shores, where you can arrange a trip to Coral Island, Koh Lone or Racha Island,or a fishing or snorkel trip. The beach is also used as a mooring point for the many fishermen who live in the area. 

Rawai is home to the five-star resorts, Evason and Mangosteen and quite a few of Phuket's foreign expat population live in the area, lending a bohemian and laid-back flavour to the way of life there. Favourite nighttime haunts are Friendship Beach, towards Chalong, and Rawai's beachfront bars.

Bang Tao Bay

Bangtao is a study in contrasts, with the luxurious resorts and villas along its 6km (4 mile) stretch of beach just a few minutes' away from the town of Cherng Talay, where many villagers still make their living as their ancestors did - by fishing, farming and rubber tapping. The northern tip of the beach, so far untouched by development, is still an area where visitors might find that they have the beach to themselves. Apart from going to the beach and a few bars and restaurants there's not much that you need to leave your resort for.

Taking up a huge area in the middle of Bangtao beach, Laguna Phuket, one of Asia's largest resort complexes, comprises Sheraton Grande, Dusit Laguna, Laguna Beach, Allamanda, Laguna Holiday Club and Banyan Tree Phuket resorts, and some are open to outside visitors as well. 

Surin Beach

Naturally beautiful Surin is known as 'Millionaires Row' due the the top-end celebrity haunts Amanpuri, Twinpalms and The Chedi amongst the luxury resorts there, as well as the many US$ 1 million+ houses that sit proudly on top of the hills overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Although popular with tourists it's not a busy resort town, more like a coastal village. Fine white sand and turquoise water has ensured that the picturesque beach is very popular with tourists and Thais alike. The whole area is awash with high end hotels and housing which in turn has created opportunities for high end restaurants and wine bars. 

Layan Beach

This is one of those oddities of nomenclature. Layan Beach is actually not in Layan Bay. It’s at the north end of Bang Tao Bay, just south of Layan Bay.
Five years ago this was one of the quietest, most delightful stretches of beach on the island. Now, with the construction of multi-million-baht homes all around, there are a few more people on the beach, but it’s still far from crowded.

There’s a friendly restaurant and bar, as well as a recently added tour desk. Not sure why they did that – one suspects that not many people go to a beach to book elephant tours…
Go soon because, on a large tract of land set back from the beach, is the site for the new Shangri-La Resort and Villas. When that opens in a couple of years’ time, there’s going to be serious competition for beach chairs.