Patong Beach is the most famous of Phuket's beaches and it has the largest concentration of tourists. It is located on the West Coast of Phuket. Over the past ten years, Patong has turned from a quiet fishing village into one of the island's two cities. Mainly due to the development of tourism, the beach has seen a massive number of restaurants catering to any taste and cuisine, pubs and bars, tour and travel agencies. As well a lifestyle shopping complex, Jungceylon, opened recently offers more international goods and brands in air-conditioned space in addition to the usual endless night market popping up at sunset all along the side walk of beach road, turning the whole of Patong into one extensive market. The famous bay and about 4 km long beach is more often referred to when tourists are aiming for Phuket to be their holiday destination. Accommodations range from budget to five-star. Live music can be found in most pubs and bars. Motorbike rentals as well as paragliding and jet ski rental are widely available on the beach.

Nightlife is centered around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road), but is virtually found all over, in either shape or form. Nevertheless both North and South end of the bay are however there are quieter and family friendly. Patong Beach is ideal for swimming as well aswater-sports.

How to get there?

Getting to Patong Beach can come up from the three main If traveling from the town by the "Sura Kun Stadium, Phuket, it takes only 25 minutes or more can go two directions at Karon Beach, will take about 20 minutes and a third path to travel. From Kamala Beach, will take about 20 minutes as well by the three can go to the beach, both cars and Motorcycle.

Kata Beach is one of the most finest among the beaches located on towards the southern end of Phuket, located approximately 17 kilometers from Phuket Town. Kata beach is mainly divided into Kata Yai and Kata Noi, renowned for snorkeling to see the coral, tropical fishes and the seas eco-system. Also worth visiting is Koh Pu (Pu Island), a small uninhabited island located off Laem Sai. Most visitors find snorkeling along the islands rich coral reef enjoyable.

Kata Beach offers Amazing scenery, lovely tropical sunsets, and warm blue waters awaits you at Phuket’s most popular beach destination. Kata Beach bay provides a great combination of perfect soft white palm-lined beaches, warm hospitality, and homely accommodation. Also adjacent to the Kata Beach are the lush tropical gardens which provide for a peaceful and exotic atmosphere for total relaxation.

How to get there?

Getting to Kata Beach is easy enough. Located south of Patong Beach, drive past Karon Beach then straight at the rotunda along the beach road to hit the center where the bulk of Kata Hotels are situated.

Karon Beach is a popular destination for tourists which is the second largest tourist beach on Phuket. Karon Beach is located about 20 kilometers from Phuket Town and located near The North of Kata Beach, it is split from Kata Beach by a small hill. Karon, featuring an incredibly long stretch of squeaky white sand, is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of facilities, dining and activities. While it's a fast-growing area, Karon is nicely spread out and rarely feels crowded.

The beach is a popular destination for tourists. Generally quieter than neighbouring Patong Beach, it is especially popular among families and couples, and less popular with singles than Patong. Area beaches are equipped with amenities. Shopping. And shops near the roundabout on the right side of the beach. The nightlife too.

How to get there?

Getting there is simple enough as there are prominent signs displayed on nearby roads, and if in doubt just follow the signs to Patong and go from there. It should take no more than 10 minutes by motorbike or tuk-tuk going south from Patong Beach, up and over a small hill and down to the beach’s northern end. Once in Karon, it should be obvious how to reach the beach as there is a long road which hugs its entire length.

Kamala Beach is a secluded stretch of sand with a relaxed feel, conveniently located just north of Patong and south of Surin Beach. The beach is beautiful and about 2 kilometers in length. Kamala Beach is quite nice and is not too crowded except for peak season. In the afternoons the water spectacularly recedes leaving a blanket of rocks at the left end of the beach for local fishing and a beautiful swimming area at the right end of the beach.

Kamala Beach is the kind of place you can relax with friends in a small restaurant or local bar, so nightlife tends to be low key. Another highlight at Kamala beach is "Phuket Fanta Sea", the cultural theme park that combines the rich heritage of Thailand with unique 4D effects and animals, with its themed 4000 seat restaurant offering a grand buffet of Thai and international cuisine and colourful nightly stage extravaganza.

How to get there?

Kamala Beach is 25 kilometres from Phuket town and Songtaews leave for the area on a regular basis. If you are going there from Patong, a Songtaew going along the coast road will cost 20 Baht (Price is subject to change).

A large open bay that is the location of one of Phuket's longest beaches. It is a quiet beach along the hillside. There are pine-lined beach located in North Beach. Sand at the beach and not much more. But there is a very white. Previously a tin mining area the location has been transformed into an area where Phuket's luxurious resorts and golf courses, especially Laguna complex, are located.

There is, however, accommodation available outside Laguna at the bay’s south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay’s north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities are available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale.

How to get there?

The route to the beach is not very obvious without a map as there is no parallel beach road, so you have to follow some small lanes quite a long way. When coming from Patong, continue past Surin Beach and just follow the signs to Laguna Phuket. Once you pass the Banyan Tree, you will shortly arrive at the beach.

Mai Khao Beach is located on the northwest coast of Phuket. The main beach which stretches a bit over 10km is still much less developed as the other destinations. Mainl as it is part of the Sirinat National Park and the only significant constructions along it is Phuket International Airport as well as a few high end resorts, such as JW Marriott and Anantara. Although the sand is not the finest, and perhaps the coarsest in Phuket, the beach is so positively secluded that visitors can enjoy endless privacy.

Both due to the isolation and the National Park status, Mai Khao is a very popular camping spot . At the far north of the beach, where the waters from Phang Nga Bay meet the Andaman Sea, surfers sometimes ride the waves, otherwise the beach is mostly devoid of activities except fishing and hiking. Due to a sharp drop off in to the Andaman Sea, swimming may be limited in the low season due to strong underwater currents.

Mai Khao is as well where the endangered giant leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs in the spring. In addition, every year young hatchlings are released into the sea in an effort to repopulate the sea.

How to get there?

Mai Khao beach lies about half an hour’s drive away from the Phuket International Airport.

Is a very popular beach for local and residents alike. Only located 5 minutes south of Phuket International Airport, it is as well where the National Park office is located. The beach itself is on a long curving bay lined with casurina trees that provide shade to picnicker.

The large coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs during the period from November to February; unfortunately the population of these has however, dropped off greatly. Aside of some informal restaurant and bars in the sand – there is not much of evening entertainment available to the visitor. All very laid back, it recalls the early days of Phuket Island, before it made it to be listed in nearly every travel agency programme.

How to get there?

Nai Yang Beach, adjacent to the airport. Or be called in at the same Area. And away from Phuket town about 30 kilometers along the main road. Can go to the beach by the car and motorcycle. Once out of Phuket town along Thepkasattri rd. After over the town, Thalang, then turn left at intersection with traffic lights. (Have the Label tell to the Nai Yang Beach) and then you have the Label to the park and Nai yang beach on the Left.

This quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. It is a beautiful beach, and until now not developed commercially. There are some accommodations but virtually no other business. Ideal for swimming and dining in the small restaurants in high season, the area is very isolated and nearly forgotten in low season, when the occasional stormy sea make the bay unattractive or even dangerous.

Located between Bang Tao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach can be reached by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn at the first traffic light north of Thalang Town to Nai Yang Rd. Look for signs indicating the turn-off to Nai Thon. The journey is definitely worthwhile, especially from the south, as the long winding road reminds a lot of the Southern areas of Europe. Aside of swimming there are very good diving and snorkeling spots, most of them accessible only by boat which can be arranged at local dive shops on the Beach Road. Entertainment and nightlife are very limited to a few beach bars and shopping is pretty much the selection of a few mini marts.

How to get there?

This beach is on the winding coast road between Bang Tao and Nai Yang. The road runs right along the beach. From Bang Tao, get on to the coast road and it will lead you to Mai Thon. The coast road is a little difficult to find if you are coming from this end. Drive north passed the entrance to Laguna. Three kilometers on there is a left hand turn at the start of a right hand bend. This is the coast road. Alternatively drive north along Thepkrasattri Road and drive straight through Thalang. Turn left at the next traffic lights towards Nai Yang Beach. After about 6km, you will see a left hand turn signposted towards Mai Thon.

Layan Beach is at the northern end of Bang Tao area where the beach meets a river and a lagoon. Many birds and other wildlife call this area home as they can enjoy the peacefulness of the lagoon. The many small tracks which cover the hillside of the beach are well known by climbers and bird watchers. You can reach the beach by walking pass the Laguna Phuket Resort or by following the highway and turning in to Nai Thon beach at the road sign. Layan Beach Resort & Spa Village is the only resort on this beach.

The beach can be accessed by a small road passing close by the Banyan Tree Golf Club. Altogether though the beach is quite limited and for swimming tourists and residents prefer to head to Bang Tao Beach, a 10 to 15 minute walk south.

How to get there?

Get to this beach from the coast road between Bang Tao and Mai Thon. From there turn onto Soi Layan 4 and drive passed the two holiday resorts to the end of the road.

Swaying casurina tress in the sea breeze rim this small, curvy bay beneath the foothills north of Kamala. A bit off the beaten track, Surin has seen a lot of mid to upper market development in the recent years and it rapidly gaining in popularity by couples and families alike. As well Surin is home to Phuket's first golf courses, a nine-hole course laid out more than sixty years ago during the reign of King Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse except as a park.

Word to the wise, the steep incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a dangerous place to swim during the rainy season, but during the dry months, it is a perfect location to collect perfect holiday memories. Suring Beach is located at the end of Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running west from the Two Heroines Monument. Nightlife is very limited, but both accommodations and restaurants can be found. Some of the hotels do run Sunday brunches which have long been very popular to the locals and foreign residents alike.

How to get there?

Surin Bay lies between Bang Tao beach on the North and Kamala on the South. Patong is 25 minutes drive and it takes not more than 35 minutes to reach Phuket International Airport. If you plan to visit Phuket town or to do some shopping at Central Festival it needs 25 minutes to drive over there.

Nai Harn Beach is located South of Kata Noi and north of Promthep Cape. It borders the most gorgeous lagoon on the island, it borders the most gorgeous lagoon on the island, and is therefore definitely worth a visit. The center of the beach is dominated by the Samnak Song Nai Han monastery, which has obstructed excessive development and is the reason why the beach is generally less crowded than other spots on the southern part of the island.

A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed, but swimmers should be alert for the red flag which warns of dangerous currents during the monsoon season from May to October. As well, and not too far away, Ao Sane Beach offers outstanding snorkeling. In addition one can walk to nearby Promthep Cape to observe sunsets, which are often fiery and spectacular, and thus a very popular destination for tourists and photographers alike.

How to get there?

Nai Harn Beach is located about 18 kms from the downtown. Drive along the main streets coming to stay away from Rawai Beach, about three kilometers, or about 10minutes or more bypass routes. Can drive to the beach as well. However there is a greater distance than about 9 kilometers, or about 20 minutes to drive to the beach either. And motorcycle.

Rawai Beach is the site of the famous Chao Ley or Sea Gipsy villages as well as the very first tourist beach of the island. Indeed in the earlier days, the residents of Phuket town would prefer to drive out to Rawai to enjoy the shady Casurina fringed beach rather than take a chance with the hilly and (then) treacherous winding roads across the island's hills to go onto the West shores of Phuket.

Many restaurants and bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and both fishing and charter boats to the nearby islands are available in Rawai Beach, which is very suitable for swimming. Rawai is 7 kms. West of Chalong Circle. In the current times, Rawai is more of a transit beach and launching point for day boat excursions out to the numerous islands surrounding Phuket. Many longtail boats are available for hire and trips to Coral Island, Koh Lone or Racha Island.

Rawai is home to some of the island's the five-star resorts and has become a very popular living area for foreign residents lending a bit a bohemian and laid-back touch to the area.

How to get there?

Rawai Beach is located 17 kms. from Phuket Town on the south-tip of Phuket Island and 7 kms. west of Chalong Circle.

Chalong bay is a very popular an safe mooring place for many yachts and tour boats because it is protected from strong winds. As well, many day trips to the nearby islands starting here so it is crowded between sunrise and 9am, when the boats leave, and between 4pm - 5pm when they return.

A vast parking area and a number of restaurants, shops, tourist information kiosks and open-air waiting areas have been built to serve the many visitors passing through. There's also a one-stop customs, immigration and harbor master service to assist visiting vessels, as well as a new marine rescue centre. In addition, the Ao Chalong Yacht Club, which organises regular sailing races, makes its base here, and its bar is a favorite spot for sailors to swap yarns and party.

In the evening the beach restaurants are a favorite place for tourists coming back from watching the sunset at Promthep Cape as well as all the day tourists. A number of quality restaurants, British pubs and bars have developed in the recent years offering a taste of both international as well as local fare.

How to get there?

Chalong Bay is 20min drive from Patong Beach, main tourist area or just takes fifteen minutes by speedboat.

The southernmost tip of this cape is home to a Marine Biological Research Center and Phuket's Aquarium where visitors may inspect several hundred exotic and flamboyantly colourful marine species found in the teeming waters of Phuket and elsewhere, comfortably and without risk of getting seasick on a snorkeling trip.

It is in principle more of a functional beach – due to both the Marine research center as well as a marine base with a large pier, mainly for commercial and military use. There are a few accommodations developing in the area in the recent years and some of the hotels also have an attractive beach, but often reserved for their guests only.

How to get there?

Cape Panwa is located about 17 kilometers from Phuket town. From Phuket town, take Sakdidet road and follow the signs to Makham Bay (Highway 4023), and then towards Cape Panwa (Highway 4129). The Marine Research station and Aquarium is located at the end of the road past the navy base and the bevy of hotels.

Phuket Town is the capital district of Phuket Province. The town Phuket itself is in the northwest of the district. The district covers the southern part of the island Phuket. The western and southern coast consists of several more or less touristical beaches, from the northwest: Karon, Kata, Kata Noi, Nai Harn, Rawai and the Friendship Beach along the Chalong Bay. The beaches are separated from each other by rocky capes, most notably the Promthep Cape with the southernmost trip of the island. The cape is popular for Thai as well as International tourists for its dramatic views of the sunset.

The most important of the 29 buddhist temples of Phuket is Wat Chalong (Chalong Temple). It is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who with their knowledge of herbal medicine helped the injured of a tin miners rebellion in 1876.

How to get there?

Phuket Town is located about 30 minutes from Patong by car, and visitors can easily hop on a songthaew or tuk-tuk to get there rather than renting transportation. Phuket International Airport is 30 km to the north of Phuket Town.

The Boat Lagoon, a unique maritime township on the east coast of idyllic Phuket is offering an easy-living homes surrounded by tropical green garden, full service marina, resort hotel, commercial plaza, bank, med park, supermarket, restaurants and other sporting facilities. An increasing number of both sailing and motor yachts are moored year round there as yachting in the emerald seas around Phuket Island as well as the smaller islands around the Phang nga Bay rapidly gains in popularity.

How to get there?

Boat Lagoon is a 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.