| Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and tourists | | | | Paradise Beach |
| flock from across the globe to visit the famous | | | | In the headland south of Patong, there are two |
| beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so | | | | beautiful beaches that remain relatively unspoiled. |
| that many people complain these beaches have lost | | | | They are not as undiscovered as the other beaches |
| their charm. They say Phuket can no longer claim to | | | | we mention on this list but still a break from the |
| be an idyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are | | | | heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise |
| too crowded. Sun loungers line the entire length of | | | | Beach. Right at the tip of the headland, you can |
| the beaches, sometimes in rows three or four deep. | | | | reach it by road (track) or boat. |
| Jet skis, banana boats and parasail boats plough | | | | It is a beautiful beach with overhanging trees. There |
| through the water while vendors ply their wares up | | | | is no accommodation but there is a restaurant and |
| and down the beach. They say Phuket is finished as | | | | there are plenty of sun loungers. The beach is not |
| an island getaway destination and only caters to the | | | | the best for bathing due to the rocky seabed close |
| party crowd. | | | | to shore but there is some excellent snorkeling. |
| These people have not spent enough time exploring | | | | There are usually plenty of people around but still it is |
| Phuket. There are more than 40 beaches around | | | | surprising how many people in Patong do not know |
| Phuket Island and there is something to suit all tastes. | | | | this beach is here. |
| If you want a beach with good holiday facilities but | | | | Freedom Beach |
| not too crowded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bang | | | | You can only reach this stunning beach by boat. It is |
| Tao and Nai Yang all have good hotels and | | | | in the headland south of Patong all the way around |
| restaurants yet do not draw big crowds. If you really | | | | and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still it is well |
| want to get away from the crowds then Nai Thon | | | | worth the boat ride with fantastic bathing and |
| and Mai Khao beaches in the north of the island are | | | | snorkeling. |
| usually very quiet. | | | | There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of sun |
| Still all these beaches are well known in Phuket and | | | | loungers under the trees. The locals take great care |
| firmly in the tourist travel guides. In this article, we will | | | | of the beach and it is always pristine. Plenty of |
| look at some beaches that still remain undiscovered | | | | people do make this a day trip from Patong but the |
| to most tourists. We will not even include Laem Sing | | | | beach is never crowded and again it is surprising how |
| or Yanui in this list. They are both charming beaches | | | | many people in Patong do not know this beach is |
| but they have become well known and usually have | | | | here. |
| plenty of visitors. Some of the following beaches are | | | | Nui Beach |
| not even known to many of Phuket's residents. | | | | This beach is most known for how difficult it is to |
| These are Phuket's secret beaches. (If you want | | | | reach by land. Located between Kata and Nai Harn, |
| more details about how to find these beaches see | | | | the only way to reach it by land is down a |
| our Phuket Beach Guide below.) | | | | two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to |
| Banana Beach | | | | traverse in a car. You can just about do it on a |
| This beautiful beach is in the northern half of Phuket | | | | motorbike but it is better to walk or let one of the |
| between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a | | | | locals take you down on their ATV for a small fee. |
| lovely two-hundred meter strip of sand, studded with | | | | It is also known as the most expensive beach in |
| rocks in the middle and ringed with trees. It is a good | | | | Phuket because you have to cross private land to |
| swimming beach and there is some great snorkeling. | | | | reach it and they charge 250 baht for the privilege. |
| There is no accommodation and just a single beach | | | | This fee does get you a sun lounger and drink. When |
| restaurant with a handful of sun loungers at the | | | | you do arrive, it is a beautiful secluded spot with |
| southern end. | | | | good swimming and snorkeling. There is a rustic |
| There are usually only a handful of visitors at this | | | | restaurant overlooking the beach but no |
| beach. The majority of them arrive by longtail boat | | | | accommodation. It is never crowded. |
| from other beaches but in fact, you can see the | | | | Ao Sane Beach |
| beach from the coast road above and there is a trail | | | | This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai |
| down. | | | | Harn Beach. You need to go through Le Meridian |
| Pansea Beach | | | | Phuket Yacht Club's car park to reach it but they do |
| Right at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is | | | | not stop you. There is a restaurant here and some |
| beautiful and peaceful Pansea Beach. There are two | | | | budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a |
| up-market resorts here yet the location retains its | | | | few people around but it is never busy. |
| refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or | | | | It is actually a series of three small beaches split by |
| Kata Island depending who you believe) which | | | | little rocky headlands. None of them is good for |
| shelters the shallow bay from waves so it is always | | | | swimming due to rocks and corals close to shore. |
| calm. The waters are too shallow for swimming and | | | | There is some excellent snorkeling. |
| when the tide is out you can walk to the island. It is | | | | Laemka Beach |
| a great beach for paddling and ideal for children to | | | | This little beach is at the southern end of Phuket |
| play. There are no refreshments here so it is a good | | | | between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not |
| idea to bring a picnic. | | | | signposted and a little difficult to find but a beautiful |
| Pon Beach | | | | spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort |
| This secluded little beach is in the headland north of | | | | are nearby but still the beach remains quiet. It is one |
| Patong. The locals know it as Nai Yair Beach. It is | | | | of the few southern beaches where you can have a |
| amazing how few people find this beach considering it | | | | swim and there are nice views out to the southern |
| is located so close to the hordes at Patong. There is | | | | islands. |
| nothing here but a couple of rural shacks and a few | | | | Ao Yon Beach |
| grazing cows. It is a sandy beach but not good for | | | | Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach. This |
| swimming due to the rocky seabed. There is some | | | | is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. |
| good snorkeling. | | | | Although it is well developed with residential property, |
| There are usually a couple of locals renting sun | | | | there are no hotels or restaurants by this beach. It is |
| loungers and selling refreshments. They can also | | | | home to Phuket Yacht Club and there are always |
| provide you with a small barbecue to cook your own. | | | | plenty of boats moored in the bay. It is a beautiful |
| There may be a small charge for crossing the private | | | | stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is |
| land to reach the beach. | | | | usually very quiet and a real getaway. |