Phuket is one of the most popular holiday and winter destinations in Thailand. The small island is famous for its beaches, which differ from each other in the level of tourist infrastructure and transport accessibility, choice of entertainment, rental costs and food. Let’s figure out how to choose a beach in Phuket so as not to be disappointed on your vacation.
Northern part of the coast
The beaches in the north of Phuket are partly included in Sirinath National Park. Secluded areas, where there are practically no classic tourist attractions, are suitable for those who are looking for a calm and harmonious holiday surrounded by nature. There are few accommodation options here, but prices for food and living outside of hotels are relatively low. At the same time, due to the remoteness and limited transport accessibility, traveling “to civilization” will cost significantly more than from resorts in the center and south.
Mai Khao
The runway of Phuket International Airport runs right above this beach, so many people come here to watch low-flying planes and take spectacular photographs. Despite this proximity, the 11-kilometer Mai Khao is considered one of the cleanest, quietest and most deserted beaches on the island. The tourist infrastructure here is modestly developed; outside the hotels there are only small shops and plantations. The beach is not equipped with sun loungers and toilets, there are no lifeguards working here and there is no natural shade; at the entrance to the water there is a sharp difference in the height of the bottom. As a rule, these places are chosen by tourists who want to hide from the hustle and bustle, unnecessary glances and are looking for a measured, meditation-like vacation.
Where to stay: at the five-star Maikhao Dream Villa Resort and Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, the cost of accommodation in a standard room starts from 24,500 rubles per night*.
Nai Yang
The three-kilometer beach is often chosen by local residents for relaxation. It is equipped with areas for picnics and massages, and there are minibars on the shore. Nai Yang Bay is surrounded by a coral reef, so snorkelers have plenty to see. Waves rarely appear on the coast, and at low tide it becomes very shallow. All entertainment in which water transport may be used is prohibited here. In the central part of the beach you can rent a car or buy an excursion. Hotels in the Nai Yang area are modest and more suitable for those who are considering them as an overnight stay rather than a long stay.
Where to stay: in the three-star David Residence hotel, the cost of daily accommodation is 2,000 rubles*.
Nai Ton
People usually come to the intimate kilometer-long beach to admire the sunsets or take a romantic photo shoot against the backdrop of expressive trees and boulders in shallow bays. By the way, it is because of them that the water on Nai Thon may not seem as clean as on other beaches.
Where to stay:at the five-star Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach hotel, prices for accommodation start from 9,000 rubles per night*.
Central coast
Gated residential complexes, expensive villas, prestigious condominiums, European supermarkets, cafes and restaurants are concentrated here. Along the tourist sector there is a road along which tuk-tuks and public transport go. From these areas, it is most convenient to get to Phuket Town, the capital of the island, where you can visit historical attractions, shopping centers, outlet stores and a large night market.
Bang Tao
The length of Bang Tao, one of the most expensive beaches on the island, is seven kilometers. Three of them are occupied by the prestigious Laguna Phuket resort complex, which has six inland lakes. Along their banks there are five-star hotels, villas, premium apartments, restaurants and shopping centers, between which you can travel by ferry.
There are several first-line hotels in the central part of Bang Tao, but the beach is not their private territory. In the neighboring large village of Chentale you can rent comfortable guest houses and villas.
The sea in this place is calm and clear, the entrance to the water is gentle, but after rain you can find algae on the shore. It’s easy to hide from the sun on Bang Tao: there is always plenty of free space in the deep natural shade of the casuarina trees. There are also hotels in the southern part of the beach, but entering the sea is unsafe: you can hit sharp rocks or boats.
Bang Tao is one of the few areas where you can have lunch and dinner right at the water’s edge.
The main road to the coast is about a 20-minute walk from the sea. It is from here that it is most convenient to get to Phuket Town and Patong by public transport. You won’t find your own evening entertainment in Bang Tao; the area goes to sleep after dark.
Where to stay:at the five-star Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket, accommodation in a standard room will cost 12,000 rubles per night*.
Surin
Azure and turquoise clear water, black smooth boulders, green palm trees and bright sand – tourists from all over Phuket come to Surin to admire these natural contrasts, so it is better to take places in the shade here in the morning. Mostly young people relax here, which is why it is very noisy on the beach. Food here is cheaper than in Bang Tao, as they mostly offer fast food. The cost of renting housing is relatively high because there is very little of it. Another drawback is the “biting” plankton in the water, which swims here more often than in other bays.
Where to stay:at the four-star Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort, the cost of accommodation is 4,500 rubles per night*.
Kamala
Despite the abundance of hotels with beautiful sea views, Kamala is chosen mainly by “winter travelers”, since the weather here can be unpredictable. There is no natural shade on the coast, the sea is rarely calm, and there are often holes at the bottom. In the low season there is no swimming in Kamala; in the mornings, the active surf washes the remains of algae and tree bark onto the shore. But despite the fact that this beach is quite uncrowded, the infrastructure here is very developed: on the promenade there are cafes, fast food, grocery and souvenir shops, massage tables, rental of umbrellas and sunbeds, and sanitary areas. The main point of attraction is the beach club Café del Mar, famous in all surrounding resorts, where concerts of popular musicians take place.
Where to stay: in a four-star hotel Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach, overnight accommodation will cost 4,000 rubles*.
South of the island
The beaches on the southernmost part of the island, Chalong and Rawai, are used by the local marina and are therefore not suitable for swimming. But in front of them are the three most active and densely populated resorts.
Patong
About Patong, they say that he walks at night and sleeps during the day. As the sun sets, bright neon signs of casinos and adult entertainment clubs flash invitingly on the main street of Bangla Road, loud music comes from bars and restaurants, street performers work in the crowd, and the alleys are filled with endless stalls of clothing markets. It’s a rare tourist who doesn’t visit Patong at least once during their vacation.
During the day, you can often find people on the beach sleeping on the sand after a fun night. Many popular tourist activities and attractions are available here. There are practically no free places, and the garbage is not always collected in time in the morning. Often there are remnants of algae floating in the surf. Among the vacationers are mainly young people who prefer to rent hostels, beds and inexpensive rooms, of which there are plenty here. Due to high competition, prices in Patong are quite affordable.
Where to stay: at the four-star The Andaman Beach Hotel Phuket Patong, the cost of accommodation is 4,200 rubles per night*.
Karon
Three-kilometer Karon is calmer than Patong, and the beach and sea are much cleaner. The tourist infrastructure is well developed here: on the beach you can rent motor boats, SUPs, windsurfing and other active entertainment. The residential area contains cafes and bars, shops, public institutions and a theme park. You can walk along the sea along the embankment, and hide from the sun in a shady grove with coniferous and flowering trees. The main feature of Karon is the colorful sunsets.
The sand on this beach is called “singing”, as it makes a characteristic creaking noise underfoot. The sea often has long waves and rip currents, so getting out of the water can sometimes be difficult. Tourists are also warned about sea urchins. There is no natural shade on Karon. You can eat, wash off the salt water in the shower and use the toilet only in the residential part of the area.
Not far from Karon is Little Karon, a small cove with a coral reef.
Where to stay: at a four-star hotel Centara Villas Phuket, cost of stay is 5,000 rubles per night*.
Kata
This beach is somewhere between active entertainment and classic Thai tranquility. The views of Kata are recognizable due to the small island opposite the shore, which seems to float in the air.
The entrance to the sea is gentle, there are no stones or shells at the bottom, so the beach is popular among families with children. The sand here does not creak like on Karon and has a lighter shade. At low tide you have to go to a depth of about 80 meters. In autumn and early winter you can jump in the waves on Kata.
The beach is fenced off by a large hotel, and you can only get around it next to a bad-smelling river, so vacationers gather in the opposite clean area, where it can be a bit crowded. Like Karon, Kata has no amenities or natural shade.
Where to stay: at the three-star Ibis Phuket Kata hotel, the cost of accommodation is 1,700 rubles per night*.
*Prices valid at time of publication.
