Phuket Beaches
Oddly this blog doesn't talk that often about Phuket's many beaches, which is rather surprising since most visitors come to Phuket for a "beach holiday", and Phuket does have rather a lot of very nice stretches of sand. But I try to keep a personal touch to the blog, and to be honest I’m not much of a beach person. I don't go and sit on the beach. We go (as a family) to the beach now and then to let the kids play, or we might eat by the sea, but if we want a swim we prefer to take the kids to a pool. If we do decide to sit on a beach for a while, we’ll normally avoid the main Phuket beaches, preferring to find a quiet spot.
Pretty much every beach in Phuket is on the west coast, stretching some 45km from Mai Khao beach in the north to Rawai in the South. The 3 main tourist beaches of Patong, Karon and Kata are in the southern half of the island. Away from these beaches there are some very secluded spots and many beaches that are largely undeveloped. Some have just a few hotels or resorts, most have long stretches of uncrowded sand. Some are a bit rocky at low tide....
(above) This photo was taken at "Khao Kad Beach" at Cape Panwa on the east side of Chalong Bay - can be rocky at low tide, but one of our favourite little restaurants is right here. As time goes by, I’ll post more information about many of the beaches. This is just a very quick introduction, and may not mention every possible Phuket beach.
Of course before heading to Phuket you'll need a hotel first. Have a look at my Recommended Phuket Hotels.
Phuket Beaches featured on Jamie’s Phuket
Karon Beach
Karon is developed, but nothing like Patong. Still has a quieter feel to it. The beach is long, the sand is fine, and there are accommodation options to suit everyone - 5 star to fan rooms in guesthouses... The beach area has been revamped over the last couple of years, and every time I hit Karon after coming from Patong I think "wow, this is nice". Karon is clean and well looked after, though can be accused of being rather "boring" since much of the beachfront is taken up by resorts such as the Hilton Arcadia, Thavorn Palm Beach, South Sea Resort, Andaman Seaview and many more. There are 2 main "centres" at either end of the beach. The south end is quieter and is only a few minutes from Kata, so is a good location. I work there as manager of Sunrise Divers.
• Some suggested Karon Beach Hotels
• Karon Beach Hotels - Online Booking
• More about Karon Beach
Nai Yang Beach
Just south of Phuket Airport, Nai Yang beach has a few nice resorts and part of the beach is a National Park. Some beachfront restaurants close to the Nai Yang Beach Resort, but otherwise very quiet. Some lower budget places away from the beach too.
• More about Nai Yang Beach
• Hotels near Nai Yang Beach @ Agoda.com
Kamala Beach
The first beach North of Patong (unless you count Kalim and Nakalay), Kamala is not as developed as the other 3 main beaches and being a largely muslim community has a different feel. When I came to Phuket in 1999 I don’t think there were any bars in Kamala. It was hard enough to buy a beer in a local shop! There are a few bars now, but even now parts of Kamala beach are more like a local fishing community. There are a few bigger hotels and a smattering of small resorts and guesthouses. The North end of the beach is very quiet. Kamala was the worst hit of Phuket’s beaches on December 26th 2004 and it took a while to get back to normal. Kamala is also home to Phuket Fantasea, one of Phuket’s biggest tourist attractions.
• Kamala Beach - More Information and Photos
• Kamala Beach Hotels
• Kamala Temple
Laem Ka Beach
One of Phuket’s quiet secrets and not well signposted… located just before Rawai on the road from Chalong. No hotels, no restaurants except a little restaurant, just some sand, rocks and a great view. I know it's not as secret as it used to be though.... but still worth a visit.
• More about Laem Ka Beach
Ao Sane Beach
Barely known, Ao Sane is home to some bungalows and the Baan Krating Jungle Resort. To get there you first come to Naiharn beach, and must drive through the Yacht Club Resort. A quiet spot with a nice view across Naiharn bay. There is one small restaurant serving Thai food. I find it a nice place for a cold afternoon beer.
Ya Nui Beach
A tiny little place just North of Naiharn, Ya Nui has a few bungalows which have been rebuilt following the tsunami which hit this little beach hard. I have never seen more than a dozen people here but it has got more popular recently. Has a small restaurant and good snorkeling in high season.
• More about Ya Nui Beach
• More about Ao Sane beach - yeh, needs updating
Naithon Beach
In between Nai Yang and Bang Tao you find Naithon. The roads in are winding and hilly, and the beach is not very developed. A few small resorts, a few places to eat, a little dive shop ... it's still a quiet spot, though some new hotels are appearing.
• More about Naithon beach
• Naithonburi Resort Review
• More Hotels near Naithon Beach
Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi is the end of the road. Just a few minutes drive from Kata Beach, it's home to the Kata Thani Resort and Mom Tri's Villa Royale, yet retains a quiet feeling, mainly I think because the road goes nowhere!
• More about Kata Noi Beach
• Katathani Resort Review
• Mom Tri's Villa Royale Review
• More Hotels near Kata Noi Beach
Rawai Beach
Close to Chalong Bay, Rawai is full of small restaurants and food stalls and is a great place to rent a longtail boat to nearby islands. Not a swimming beach really, but makes a good stop off on a tour of the SW corner of Phuket.
• More about Rawai beach
• Hotels near Rawai Beach
• Boat trip from Rawai Beach to Koh Kaew Yai island
Layan Beach
Layan is very nice - a real beautiful spot at the far north end of Bang Tao. Part of the beach is a national park. There are a couple of resorts here, but they are built off the beach and do not detract from the beauty of the area. Very quiet. We have been a few times recently for little BBQ's.
• More about Layan Beach
More Phuket Beaches...
Patong Beach
Not my favourite place in the world, Patong is the most developed tourist real estate in Thailand, and for the most part has not been made to look really pretty. If you are looking for full on tourism, plenty of accommodation and shopping, loads of restaurants, a shed load of bars and a beach full of beach chairs and umbrellas, Patong is the place to be! I tend to visit Patong only if necessary for business, though there are some great hotels and a few places to eat that I like and even Patong has quiet spots away from the centre of town, such as Tritrang Beach and Paradise Beach...
• Recommended Patong Beach Hotels - yes, there are lots of good ones!
• Patong Beach Hotels - Online Booking
• More about Paradise Beach
• More about Tri Trang beach
Kata Beach
Of the main beaches, Kata is more popular with younger people, and is a very scenic beach with the island of Koh Pu offshore and with lots of accommodation nearby, but very little right on the beach since most of the beach road is taken up by Club Med. Only at the South end are other places right on the beach, such as Kata Beach Resort and The Boathouse. Kata somehow retains a quiet feel despite being pretty busy. Just over the hill to the south is the even quieter Kata Noi.
• Some Recommended Kata Beach Hotels
• Kata Beach Hotels - Online Booking
Bang Tao Beach
Home to the Laguna resorts and a couple of other hotels, but Bang Tao village is not close to the beach, so if you stay there you need to drive or take a taxi to find any local life or more dining options. The Laguna hotels are some of the best in Phuket. There are also some other great hotel options in the area - most are quite expensive resorts, though with late booking you can get a very good deal - see Bang Tao Beach Hotels.
Surin Beach
Was very quiet a few years ago, but has rapidly developed. A lot of new hotels over the last few years such as Twin Palms and the new Doubletree Resort, and a lot of condos/villas/apartments on the hillsides near the beach. Still, the beachfront is not that busy, and there are loads of small beachside restaurants. We like a small one right at the far North end. Surin is just North of Kamala. In between you find Laem Singh beach which has been touted as a quiet beach for many years and thus is not any more! In 1999 when I came here, Laem Sing was very quiet and made a nice getaway from Patong. Now, if you want quiet, I think there are better options. The black and white photo below was taken at Laem Singh in back in 2000.
• Surin Beach Hotels
OK, that’ll do for now. I have not even mentioned Mai Khao beach, Naiharn beach, Freedom beach ... but like I say, I’m not really a beach bum!
Pretty much every beach in Phuket is on the west coast, stretching some 45km from Mai Khao beach in the north to Rawai in the South. The 3 main tourist beaches of Patong, Karon and Kata are in the southern half of the island. Away from these beaches there are some very secluded spots and many beaches that are largely undeveloped. Some have just a few hotels or resorts, most have long stretches of uncrowded sand. Some are a bit rocky at low tide....
(above) This photo was taken at "Khao Kad Beach" at Cape Panwa on the east side of Chalong Bay - can be rocky at low tide, but one of our favourite little restaurants is right here. As time goes by, I’ll post more information about many of the beaches. This is just a very quick introduction, and may not mention every possible Phuket beach.
Of course before heading to Phuket you'll need a hotel first. Have a look at my Recommended Phuket Hotels.
Phuket Beaches featured on Jamie’s Phuket
Karon Beach
Karon is developed, but nothing like Patong. Still has a quieter feel to it. The beach is long, the sand is fine, and there are accommodation options to suit everyone - 5 star to fan rooms in guesthouses... The beach area has been revamped over the last couple of years, and every time I hit Karon after coming from Patong I think "wow, this is nice". Karon is clean and well looked after, though can be accused of being rather "boring" since much of the beachfront is taken up by resorts such as the Hilton Arcadia, Thavorn Palm Beach, South Sea Resort, Andaman Seaview and many more. There are 2 main "centres" at either end of the beach. The south end is quieter and is only a few minutes from Kata, so is a good location. I work there as manager of Sunrise Divers.
• Some suggested Karon Beach Hotels
• Karon Beach Hotels - Online Booking
• More about Karon Beach
Nai Yang Beach
Just south of Phuket Airport, Nai Yang beach has a few nice resorts and part of the beach is a National Park. Some beachfront restaurants close to the Nai Yang Beach Resort, but otherwise very quiet. Some lower budget places away from the beach too.
• More about Nai Yang Beach
• Hotels near Nai Yang Beach @ Agoda.com
Kamala Beach
The first beach North of Patong (unless you count Kalim and Nakalay), Kamala is not as developed as the other 3 main beaches and being a largely muslim community has a different feel. When I came to Phuket in 1999 I don’t think there were any bars in Kamala. It was hard enough to buy a beer in a local shop! There are a few bars now, but even now parts of Kamala beach are more like a local fishing community. There are a few bigger hotels and a smattering of small resorts and guesthouses. The North end of the beach is very quiet. Kamala was the worst hit of Phuket’s beaches on December 26th 2004 and it took a while to get back to normal. Kamala is also home to Phuket Fantasea, one of Phuket’s biggest tourist attractions.
• Kamala Beach - More Information and Photos
• Kamala Beach Hotels
• Kamala Temple
Laem Ka Beach
One of Phuket’s quiet secrets and not well signposted… located just before Rawai on the road from Chalong. No hotels, no restaurants except a little restaurant, just some sand, rocks and a great view. I know it's not as secret as it used to be though.... but still worth a visit.
• More about Laem Ka Beach
Ao Sane Beach
Barely known, Ao Sane is home to some bungalows and the Baan Krating Jungle Resort. To get there you first come to Naiharn beach, and must drive through the Yacht Club Resort. A quiet spot with a nice view across Naiharn bay. There is one small restaurant serving Thai food. I find it a nice place for a cold afternoon beer.
Ya Nui Beach
A tiny little place just North of Naiharn, Ya Nui has a few bungalows which have been rebuilt following the tsunami which hit this little beach hard. I have never seen more than a dozen people here but it has got more popular recently. Has a small restaurant and good snorkeling in high season.
• More about Ya Nui Beach
• More about Ao Sane beach - yeh, needs updating
Naithon Beach
In between Nai Yang and Bang Tao you find Naithon. The roads in are winding and hilly, and the beach is not very developed. A few small resorts, a few places to eat, a little dive shop ... it's still a quiet spot, though some new hotels are appearing.
• More about Naithon beach
• Naithonburi Resort Review
• More Hotels near Naithon Beach
Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi is the end of the road. Just a few minutes drive from Kata Beach, it's home to the Kata Thani Resort and Mom Tri's Villa Royale, yet retains a quiet feeling, mainly I think because the road goes nowhere!
• More about Kata Noi Beach
• Katathani Resort Review
• Mom Tri's Villa Royale Review
• More Hotels near Kata Noi Beach
Rawai Beach
Close to Chalong Bay, Rawai is full of small restaurants and food stalls and is a great place to rent a longtail boat to nearby islands. Not a swimming beach really, but makes a good stop off on a tour of the SW corner of Phuket.
• More about Rawai beach
• Hotels near Rawai Beach
• Boat trip from Rawai Beach to Koh Kaew Yai island
Layan Beach
Layan is very nice - a real beautiful spot at the far north end of Bang Tao. Part of the beach is a national park. There are a couple of resorts here, but they are built off the beach and do not detract from the beauty of the area. Very quiet. We have been a few times recently for little BBQ's.
• More about Layan Beach
More Phuket Beaches...
Patong Beach
Not my favourite place in the world, Patong is the most developed tourist real estate in Thailand, and for the most part has not been made to look really pretty. If you are looking for full on tourism, plenty of accommodation and shopping, loads of restaurants, a shed load of bars and a beach full of beach chairs and umbrellas, Patong is the place to be! I tend to visit Patong only if necessary for business, though there are some great hotels and a few places to eat that I like and even Patong has quiet spots away from the centre of town, such as Tritrang Beach and Paradise Beach...
• Recommended Patong Beach Hotels - yes, there are lots of good ones!
• Patong Beach Hotels - Online Booking
• More about Paradise Beach
• More about Tri Trang beach
Kata Beach
Of the main beaches, Kata is more popular with younger people, and is a very scenic beach with the island of Koh Pu offshore and with lots of accommodation nearby, but very little right on the beach since most of the beach road is taken up by Club Med. Only at the South end are other places right on the beach, such as Kata Beach Resort and The Boathouse. Kata somehow retains a quiet feel despite being pretty busy. Just over the hill to the south is the even quieter Kata Noi.
• Some Recommended Kata Beach Hotels
• Kata Beach Hotels - Online Booking
Bang Tao Beach
Home to the Laguna resorts and a couple of other hotels, but Bang Tao village is not close to the beach, so if you stay there you need to drive or take a taxi to find any local life or more dining options. The Laguna hotels are some of the best in Phuket. There are also some other great hotel options in the area - most are quite expensive resorts, though with late booking you can get a very good deal - see Bang Tao Beach Hotels.
Surin Beach
Was very quiet a few years ago, but has rapidly developed. A lot of new hotels over the last few years such as Twin Palms and the new Doubletree Resort, and a lot of condos/villas/apartments on the hillsides near the beach. Still, the beachfront is not that busy, and there are loads of small beachside restaurants. We like a small one right at the far North end. Surin is just North of Kamala. In between you find Laem Singh beach which has been touted as a quiet beach for many years and thus is not any more! In 1999 when I came here, Laem Sing was very quiet and made a nice getaway from Patong. Now, if you want quiet, I think there are better options. The black and white photo below was taken at Laem Singh in back in 2000.
• Surin Beach Hotels
OK, that’ll do for now. I have not even mentioned Mai Khao beach, Naiharn beach, Freedom beach ... but like I say, I’m not really a beach bum!
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Phuket Beaches | Jamie's Phuket Blog
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Please do add your comment or ask a question
Thanks for the clarification Jamie (corrected today). Your site will be very helpful when I return to Phuket next time (march and april). Know that my candid take on this amazing country is sensationalized for with the depth of my blog readers in mind. Of course there are heavier things I plan to share with them, just not right away. Gotta reel them in and then show them what is really happening here. I'm currently on Rantee Beach in Phi Phi and have come closer to finding paradise. Keep reading, I'll do the same,
take care,
jb
I am not sure if you answer questions but I'm sure you can give me a better answer than my local travel agent. I am planning on making a trip with my family this July and wanted to know what Kata Noi beach is like during this season. I am hopping the water is not to rough, and it is nice and calm. Also, do you know how commercial Kata Noi beach is? We don't want somewhere where it will be overcrowded and as you said, we don't want the 'beach to be full of beach chairs'. And do you know if the Kata Beach Resort is just as good as the Katathani beach resort?
Hope you can answer my questions. It would be much appreciated as I have no idea about Phuket.
L.J
Kata Noi beach is certainly quieter than Kata, but July is low season anyway, so either will be good. I'd say the Kata Thani is nicer than Kata Beach resort, just a humble opinion. Just note that Kata Noi is quite limited for dining, so you might end up in Kata every night anyway!
Have a good trip
Jamie
3 friends and I are travelling to Phuket in August and are trying to figure out what we want to do there. We will be spending 6 days in Phuket and wanted to figure out the things that we HAVE to do while we are there. We are looking for crazy beaches and other stuff like Elephant rides. I saw your name mentioned on some scuba diving companies website as 'dive with Jamie from Jamie's blog' What stuff do you recommend?
Hi Dave,
Well, there's not definitive lits of MUST DO things, it of course depends what you like. I would say you MUST see Phang Nga Bay, should get to see more of Phuket that just a crazy beach. Elephant rides... I will have a blog page about that soon...
Diving - I am at Sunrise Divers, karon Beach - here - have you dived before or want to try for the first time?
Have a great trip!
Hello Jamie,
I'm a 27-year old guy who will be traveling alone to Thailand in 10 days. I will stay in Ko Phi Phi for a few days then head to Phuket. Where do you suggest I stay in Phuket? I want a beach/hotel close to where I can meet people but away from sleazy hookers or prostitutes. I want to meet other fellow travelers for a good time. My brother just came back from Patong and he said he had a good time. He told me about bar dancing girls but it's not my thing but at the same time I don't want to sit alone the whole time. Where do you think is a good place for me?
Young single guy, don't want bars or bargirls - stay in Phi Phi! The social scene in Phi Phi is quite different and you might meet someone/some people and decide to travel to Phuket together, or Krabi, or... just play by ear. if you are having fun, why move?
(Half joking) - but on the other hand I have spent a couple of years traveling / backpacking in the past, so...
Hi Jamie, thanks so much for your great blog - it's told me a lot more than any other site I've found.
I am going to Phuket with my husband and young son (2) in September. Obviously not going to be *too* much of a beach-based holiday - and that's fine - but it would be nice to get there a few times if the weather is nice.
I just wondered what your recommendation would be for which beach to stay at? We would like one that is as safe as the beaches can be that time of year, but that also isn't too isolated that we can't easily get around and do things. Also, I suppose, somewhere that has close to family-type activities we can do with a toddler.
From what 've read, Kata might be an option. What do you think?
Hi Meg,
Kata is probably just about right. The beach is more sheltered than Karon, and Kata is much nicer than Patong. Other beaches are more isolated, nice for a couple maybe but not a family. At Kata you have plenty of restaurants and hotels to choose from, easy to book some tours - Phang Nga Bay is unmissable. Toddler will enjoy too, I can tell you from experience!
Thanks for your help, Jamie. Will go ahead with Kata. :)
Meg
Hi Jamie,
I have visited Phuket on 2 occasions previously (January and February). I am coming back this July. Please advise what they beaches (in particular Patong and Surin) are like in July.
Thanks
Denise
Phuket in July - weather not always perfect, may be a bit rough at the beach due to the wind, but mostly sunny and great for exploring Phuket. Check the weather blog for archive links for July 2008,2007,2006:
Phuket Weather Blog
Hi Jamie, your blog rocks! I just wanted to ask you about something. I'm visiting phuket in mid August with my fiance and I understand that there will be plenty of sunny days. That's fine! But what about wind? Will we be able to swim and enjoy the beach-sea or we'll just watch the sunny sky from distance?
Thank you
Hi George,
Yes you can expect plenty of sun, but sure it can also be a bit too rough to swim at the beach. This subject is mentioned several times recently on my Weather Blog.
Hi Jamie
Thanks for your site. We are travelling with kids 10, 7 and 3 2nd week Oct 09. We will be staying at Holiday Inn but are wondering if we should stay at Kata or Kata Noi for a few days - will the beach be swimmable or at least look prettier than Patong? Any chance of snorkelling? By this time we will have been to bangkok, chiang Mai, then to Phuket for 8 days. Happy to stay at Holiday Inn plus somewhere else if the move is worth it - Katathani looks nice now that its all refurbished.
A friend said to go to The racha for 2 nights, would Kata or kata Noi get us a similar but easier scenic experience? Thanks!
Hi Em,
Yes, sure.. any beach will look prettier than Patong! Swimmable? Depends on when the seasons/wind changes. Might be calm by mid October, but you can expect plenty of rain too. Kata Noi is really quiet - I'd suggest Kata as a better option, more choice of dining and you can take the kids to Dino Park for minigolf :)
The Racha is on Racha Yai island, 15km south of Phuket and is great to relax, but there is not much there at all.
HI Jamie
I just want to pick your brain a little.
We are a couple of friends going to Phuket (aged 28-36) but also we wanted to visit Krabi and other Islands. We have about 14 days to relaxe and enjoy. Most likely staying in a hotel but are open to other experiences. We will be arriving late November in Phuket, what do you suggest?
Steve from Canada
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the time and effort you have put into your blogspot.
I'm planning a trip to Thailand with my family in the first 2 weeks in November and have been trying to work out where the weather is best.. North Islands or South? Based on your weather blog it seems the decision will be the South. Was after your opinion on if we should come to Phuket again (we've been there before - stayed in karon at the kata end) or if we should head to krabi/phi phi. 4 Adults travelling with a 1 year old baby & 1 of our party wants to try diving for the first time. Appreciate your advice, thanks Kirsty.
Hi Jamine- I must say your blog is very impressive and informative. Love the fact that everthing is written from the heart in simple terms. I ll be visiting Phuket on my honeymoon in December this year. We will be staying at the Centara Villas, Phuket. Hope this is a good choice! We plan on trying out all ur options for local food esp the local phad thai shop and enjoy phuket. Let me know if there are any spl tips for us for places and beaches to visit! Thanks!
Hi Jamie, we are planning to travel to Phuket in November for 5 nights as a 30th birthday celebration 4 couples and one 4 year old child.Was wondering if you could reccommend a good 5 star beach front hotel/resort. A Clean & quiet beach, yet not too far from good places to eat/drink.
Thanks.
PS Great Blog!
Hi there - trouble is, in Phuket the real 5 star hotels are on quiet beaches, not on the main beaches where you have lots of restaurant choices. Phuket is really big, in case you did not know - 50km from north to south, so sometimes finding a place to eat withing "walking distance" is hard! I always say HIRE A CAR in Phuket to get around, then nothing is too far. You really want 5 star then look at Indigo Pearl or Sala Phuket or Dusit Laguna - all on quiet beaches but not close to strips full of restaurants. Lots of Hotel Recommendations on this blog. Have a good stay!
i fell in love with phuket the moment our plane touched down on the phuket airport[july 2010]. i stayed with my wife and 3 daughters for 13 days and we are dying to go back. the resorts are good the beaches are excellent and the food is great . Kata is my favourite beach , but i preferred to live in patong. I cannot forget the sunset i saw at Prom Thepe, the pictures i took at prom thepe are like post cards.we took a day cruise to phi phi and maya bay. I was a wonderful experience snorkelling at maya bay. the cruise to phi phi and maya bay is highly recommended. The weekend market is fabulous.
I love phuket i wish i can spend some years of my life in phuket..
Tariq from Karachi, Pakistan
thanks a lot jamie for this site but just 1 thing which of all these beaches has the most rough waves you know they are the most fun
You said you are coming in December, yes? Well, expect calm beaches everywhere on the west coast, as the wind and waves come from the NorthEast. Good thing too - those "fun" waves claim lives every year during the low season, much better to swim in calm water.
hi jamie so there are many beaches in phuket.which 1 would you recommend we stay on?
Which beach you choose is a matter of personal choice. Patong is big, busy, at times rather too crowded, smelly and full of shops, 4 McDonalds, 5 Starbucks... you get the idea, not really Thailand at all. Karon is nicer, Kata too, still have places to eat and wide choice of hotels. Kamala, quieter still, but more hotels than there used to be. Other beaches like Bang Tao or Naithon or Nai Yang, more remote, less choice of food but you find some of the best resorts. Then you have Cape Panwa area, some great hotels there. Or Mai Khao Beach near the airport, or Rawai in the south - as you see, hard to recommend a single one without knowing your personal taste in hotels and nightlife. Do some reading, find some hotels that you like, see what beaches they are on. Do you want to be more remote, or do you like crowds and a busy place? Check my Phuket Hotel Recommendations for good hotels all over the island. If you choose a more remote beach, consider renting a car to get around and really explore Phuket, or just be sure to book trips to the best places like Phang Nga Bay, Khao Sok, visit some temples, go to Phi Phi... you can contact my friends at Easy Day Thailand for tours and such.
Enjoy!
Hi Jamie,
Love your blog! Really has helped me plan out our 9 day family trip. One thing that I couldn't find was...where are the best snorkeling spots? my 6 yr old son loves fish and corals, and wants to be up close.
Thanks,
TD
Hi TD,
Well, Phuket is a big island, snorkeling is not the best right off the beach, although in high season with calm seas, you get decent snorkeling off Kata Beach or at the south end of Karon by the rocks. Also at Paradise Beach, Ao Sane Beach. But better to take a trip offshore to Phi Phi, or the best - Similan Islands, or even the Surin Islands, though that is a very long day! For Snorkel trips in groups or to charter your own boat - you can contact Easy Day Thailand - tell them Jamie sent you!
:)
Hi Jamie
Im from Singapore, and thinking to visit Phuket sometime in April with the husband and 2 year old daughter. We were at Andaman Cannacia few years back and now would love to try a direct beach access resort. Ive got two choices - Centara Grand and Naithonburi. What do you think of those? Or do you have others to recommend? This is our daughter's first time to the beach!
Hi Mas,
The Centara Grand is a huge new resort on Karon Beach, with something like 5 pools, and you can walk along the beach to the busier area of Karon with lots of places to eat.
Myself I would prefer Naithonburi on the much quieter Naithon Beach, just be aware you have less choice there for dining, but I like that beach and the reort is way smaller than the new Centara.
:)
Hi Jamie,
My boyfriend and I are thinking of coming to Phuket for 6 nights in March '11. We are hoping to stay somewhere with a stunning beach (have never been to Thailand before) and with some good Thai restaurants. We don't want anything too 'touristy' so definitely don't fancy Patong but we were wondering about Kata. Just wondered if there is anywhere else you would recommend instead that might meet our brief as i'm a bit worried that Kata is going to be too busy/touristy?! Thanks so much,
Hazel (28 from UK)
Hi Hazel,
It can be hard to balance in Phuket - Patong is obviously the most touristy place in Phuket, if not in Thailand... Kata beach always looks good - the beach area is not built up, since Club Med owns most of the land behind the beach, so the beach itself is clear of building. This does also mean that you have a bit of a walk from other hotels to the beach. A couple in the area that I would recommend, which are reviewed on the blog :
Mom Tri's Villa Royale
Avista Resort
or try Marina Phuket Resort which is on the south end of Karon Beach, but the hotel entrance is also only 5 minutes walk to Kata beach (Karon and Kata are close together).
Enjoy your trip!
More Kata Beach Hotels at Agoda.com
Thanks Jamie,
We have been looking at Nai Yang as a quieter alternative to Kata but still with a good beach. Are there opportunities for good snorkeling and eating in Nai Yang?
Thanks so much- your advice and recommendations on this blog are invaluable!
Hazel
Yes, Nai Yang is certainly quiet, there are some very good hotels such as Indigo Pearl, or (cheaper) Nai Yang Beach Resort. There are quite a few little restaurants along the beach like this one. Not sure if it's worth snorkeling direct off this beach though, I think it's just sand, and is very shallow. No corals. Very close to the airport but you can't hear any noise from there.
Nice write up Jamie. We like the south and Nai Harm about the best.
Just wanted to add my first impressions on Nai Harn Beach. My wife and I can't stand the Patong type English lager loutish beach. We loved NaiHarn even though the sunloungers decorate the whole length of the beach (have a look at Google Maps photographs). It's a sandy beach and has some nice food stalls and we loved being able to buy fresh mangos every day for lunch. We did encounter the little stingers and the occassional jellyfish, but that's the problem with swimming in the sea. Personally I'm still in favour of swimming despite a few stings.
The All Seasons Hotel has a restaurant, good food, pricey, but convenient. Looking foirward to your review of Nai Harn Jamie
Norman
Hi Jamie
I am travelling to Phuket with 2 friends. We want to stay clear of all the Go-Go bars if possible. For females, this scene can be very unpleasant. We still want to stay somewhere convenient, near shopping, etc. Would Karon be a better option over Phuket?
Jillian
Hi Jillian,
When you ask "Would Karon be a better option over Phuket?" -
I should clarify some names. Phuket is the name of the whole island. Karon Beach is in Phuket. I think you mean "Would Karon be a better option over PATONG?" - Patong Beach is the place where you find the crowds and some bars and girls too, though it does not dominate. In any case, I don't really like Patong and rarely go unless I have to. Karon or Kata are much nicer.
For hotels, have a look at:
Karon Beach Hotels - Kata Beach Hotels
Cheers!
Jamie
Hi Jamie
Thanks for an absolute great blog. Me and the family ( boys 7&10) will be visiting Thailand and Phuket during December. We are not interested in the maddening crowds but we do want to expierience Thai culture and nature. Can you suggest any child friendly resorts around phuket and secondly are we naive to think you could snorkel directly off some off the Phuket beaches. It would be great if we can stay close to such a beach if it does exist. Regards Hennie
So... Hennie - avoid Patong. That's rule number 1 if you don't want crowds. The real problem is this... "Thai culture and nature. Can you suggest any child friendly resorts". You want a RESORT in a place with Thai culture. Difficult. The resorts are near the beaches. The real culture of Phuket is all over the island, but hard to find near the main beaches. I suggest you find a nice hotel but get out and explore Phuket island away from the beach, rent a car or a driver or take some cultural tours - ask my friends at Easy Day Thailand for trips and tell them what you want to see ...
Hi Jamie,
Myself and my son (5years) are coming to Phuket 8th July. We are due to stay at the Twinpalms Surin Beach. Is this a good choice? Also I have heard that the downpours are generally just an hour or so with plenty of sunbathing opportunity in between. Is this correct? One last thing I have read that surfing can be popular at this time of year, it is a great ambition of mine to learn, can u recommend any schools, or surfer hangouts in the area?
Hi there!
Yes, the Twin Palms at Surin is a very good place to stay. There is also surfing there at Surin beach...
Jamie,
I am flying into the Phuket airport with two grad school friends of mine in mid August. We are trying to find the right beach to stay at. We are looking for the quintessential Phuket view, not too busy, not over an hour ride from the airport, and availability to get into the water (ie sandy beach not rocky, and hopefully not too much of a current). What do you recommend? We only have 1.5 days on Phuket, so we want to make the most of it. Also, if we want to go on a boat ride to see great limestone rocks, should we go to Phang Naga bay? And how far will that boat ride be from Phuket? Thanks a million.
hi Jamie! since I will stay near Patong beach, if I only could choose 2-3 beach near, what will you suggest me? because I just spend little time in Phuket :( and I'm looking for the best Tom Yum or Spicy seafood, give me the best! :)
Some of my favourite Restaurants here - and more info on Phuket Beaches.
allan said.....
hello jamie.. i just want to hear your opinion..i will be at Phuket on 7-10nov soon... can you suggest me which beach in Phuket is suitable for the bagpackers like me.. the hotel is not so expensive...and the environment is beautiful the the love nature like me.. i really need your opinion..i hope you can give me such a brilliant idea...
Phuket is really not an ideal backpackers destination.. I mean, there is plenty of cheap accommodation in Phuket Town and near beaches too, but its a big island and if you want to see the nature you have to explore, hire a car, join tours. The "backpackers" beach ideal with huts and cheap food , hard to find... closest place is the Seaside Cottages at Mai Khao Beach. The rest of Mai Khao is either empty or a 5 star resort! A good place in Karon Beach (not right on the beach) is Pineapple Guesthouse.
Hi Jamie, this is a fabulous site, I will "like" your facebook page asap.
I have questions about Laguna beach, from the perspective of a 25yr old, 20 yr old, and mother vacationing.
Your blog doesn't talk much about Bangtao... Do you have any insight as to the convenience of travelling between beaches from there, diving, beach activities (i.e. para-sailing)...
Thanks!
Your blog is very helpful, thanks. We are visiting only for a few days early December. Whith our limited time, what and where would you recommend? We are thinking of staying further north, closer to the airport. My husband is not the sit still kind of guy, so I wonder if you recommend any sight seeing - with or without a guide - that wouldn't necessarily take a full day. I know he would like the opportunity to snorkel while I hang out on the beach, I would also like to check out a town and some shops. We both would enjoy a hike or something like that to check out the amazing landscapes and waterfalls. Oh, and we love food, so trying some great stands or restaraunts is a must as well. With all that said, what do you recommend.
Hi. i am wondering what you think of Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa and the beach at Mai Khao? Thanks, Elizabeth If you can, please email me at eereidloveschina@gmail.com
Hi Elizabeth - Mai Khao Beach - great! Very natural and uncrowded - only drawback is that IF you want to visit any of the main tourist areas, its a long drive. But quite frankly, if I stayed at Mai Khao, I would not be wanting to visit Patong... What is the hotel like? Nearly 200 Reviews Online:
•Renaissance Resort - Reviews and Booking
Happy Travels!
Hello Jamie,
I am returning back to Phuket in April. Could you please let me know your opinion of the Raya island snorkelling day trip.
I plan to stay on Raya (Racha) Yai island for a couple of nights around the end of April, or beginning of May. I hear from my friends at Easy Day Thailand that the day trips are great, one of their best selling trips - you can contact them for more info - Easy Day Thailand :)
Dear Jamie,
We are heading to Phuket just for a night in April.
Can you recommend a quiet beach to stay at?
thanks, Teresa
Anywhere except Patong, Teresa! The quietest would be Mai Khao Beach or Nai Yang near the airport. What kind of hotel are you looking for?
Hi I loved you blog J .
My husband is a blogger himself ( http://eatingoutinbombay.blogspot.in/ ) and there somebody had mentioned your blog , this is how I got to know about this blog of yours. Awesome, ! I'm also traveling to Phuket next month and your blog has been a great deal of help.
Keep blogging !
I'll be staying at bangtao beach , so will it be very far from Laem ka beach and promthep cave? Can we rent a bike and go to the beaches?
Hello, yes Bang Tao is quite far from Laem Ka and Phromthep. Yes you can rent a bike, but better for longer trips to rent a car. Phuket is much larger than most people realise, more than 500 square km.
Hi Jamie, my boyfriend and I will be coming to Thailand during the middle of Aug. and staying for 2 weeks. I was hoping towards the end of our stay to have a nice relaxing beach vacation where we can leisurely swim and snorkel as well as island hop. Is this possible on any of the beaches during this time? Are the beaches on koh phi phi the same as the ones on Phuket in regards to swim-ability? And do the long-tail boats run frequently from island to island during this time? Thank you so much for any assistance you can give, I know from your blog your not a beach person:)
August is low season, the weather will be variable, the seas might be calm or not. All west facing beaches have a similar problem, though Kata beach may be a little better (See Kata Beach Hotels) - Phi Phi beaches ... well, Phi Phi does not have the same variety of beaches as Phuket. All ferries will be running, there are large boats, not longtails between Phuket and Phi Phi, its about 50km between the 2.
Hi Jamie,
My friend and I are going to Phuket Aug 10-13. We want a beach with a lot of locals, great dining options and as minimally touristy as possible. We were thinking of doing one day in Phi Phi island too. Since we wont be here for long, we want to get the most out of Phuket. So, what beach and activties do you recommend?
Thanks,
Monica
Hi Monica,
Well... the beaches are not really "local", the beaches in Phuket are all touristy really, some are quieter than others, but the quieter ones have less choice for dining. Locals live away from the beaches. I live in the Kathu area, over the hill from Patong near Phuket Town. Or try Phuket Town, not by the beach, but full of locals and retaurants ... Avoid Patong like the plague if you want less touristy areas ... Good luck!
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for maintaining such a fantastic blog on Phuket! Could I trouble you for your thoughts on this property - http://phuketbeachfrontvillas.com ?
I'm booking a holiday for myself and 3 other girlfriends for this October and we'd like to stay in a beachfront single unit accommodation if possible.
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much options within our budget range of USD 250/night. The only other one which is on the table at the moment is Cape Panwa and its Family Suite.
Any advice you can offer would be much appreciated! Almost at my wits end here. >_<
Ru
Hi Ru,
Those villas are probably very nice, they are also at Cape Panwa, you'll need your own transport to get around unless you are happy with not-cheap taxis to get anywhere. Thats just along the beach from one of my favourite places, a little restaurant called The Beach Bar. The beach is rocky at low tide, but you can swim at high tide. Not much along that stretch of beach, I like it!
Hi Jamie, first of all great blog! Thank you for the recommendations, it has helped us a lot! At the moment we (me and my girlfriend) are staying in Thailand and next week we will arrive at Phuket airport. The plan is to stay one or two nights in Phuket and move on to the islands ko phi phi and then to Krabi. In your blog Kata beach sounds good for us, but we're not sure how to move on from there. It says in the lonely planet that transportation in Phuket and to the islands is terrible. Can you advice us what to do and where to start? Maybe even a recommendation for a hotel/guesthouse?
Thank you very much in advance! I hope to hear from you soon!
With kind regards,
Cem
Sorry I seem to have missed your comment! Hope all is well!
Jamie, you blog is great.. I'm already in love with the Island only from what I read...
I'm coming in my honeymooner in early Feb to Thailand and will spend 4 days in Phucket, I'm looking for an relaxed beach yet not far away from the action (Patong, Karon beach). Is Kata beach my spot or is it too crowded in Feb? shall I go down to Kata Noi beach or maybe Bang Tao?
mega thanks,
Monz
Hi Monz,
Kata has a lot more going on than Bang Tao, but if you want a quiet beach, Kata is not it ... Kata Noi is quiet though accomodation and dining limited and you'll find yourself heading over the hill to Kata! Bang Tao or Kamala are quieter, and you can always get a taxi to Patong if you really must! Check Agoda for Phuket hotels.
Hi Jamie,
We are planning a 3 night trip late May to early June, and read about the monsoon season. We haven't decide whether we should pick the Westin from East side or Le Meridien on the West (Le Meridien will start reno in May till Oct 2013).
we both not the type sit on the beach/ hotel the whole day, and like to explore the city and planned to book a day snorkeling trip. Is snorkelling even doable during Monsoon season? Do you have any recommendation on snorkeling tour?
I am worried Westin siray bay will be too secluded...
Thanks for the pointers!
Toto
So... 1. Weather will be mixed, don't book any tours in advance, and you can book snorkeling or any other Phuket tours through Easy Day Thailand ... 2. I guess if a hotel is undergoing renovation you might not want to stay there, just in case ... but on the other hand Westin is a long way from anywhere, so I'd look at a 3rd option for a hotel! ... Here's the Best hotels in Phuket 2013 list - and plenty more suggestions on this blog, see Suggested Phuket hotels.. and enjoy your trip!