8 Nice Beaches In Phuket To Visit
Phuket is blessed with staggering coastlines. From quiet shores to beaches buzzing with activity, visitors to this pearl in the Andaman Sea can choose from over 30 beaches. Pristine white or brown sand; azure blue or green-tinted water; crescent or straight and ordered by fragrant pines or verdant hillscapes – there’s great variety in the beaches on the island. Pack your beach towel and swimming costume, here are eight nice beaches in Phuket to plot on your itinerary.
1. TRI TRANG BEACH
Just a 15-minute ride from Patong, Tri Trang Beach sits on a headland. Framed by palms swaying in the wind, this white-sand beach is a tranquil respite from the crowds despite its proximity to the lively Patong area. Those who come to this dream beach spend their time baking in the sun or reading a book in the shade of a coconut tree. Depending on the tide, people splash about in the emerald sea.
Do check the tide chart before showing up as the water can be shallow, particularly at full moon. To get to this peaceful 500m stretch of beach, head south on the final part of Patong Beach Road and turn left after Amari Resort. Once you’ve passed Baan Yin Dee, you’ll see the road to Tri Trang Resort on your right. While there is no Phuket beach bar on Tri Trang, there’s bar at Tri Trang Resort. You can also get to Tri Trang Beach via the dirt road near the left side of the resort.
2. SURIN BEACH
Formerly a hub of entertainment featuring one Phuket dream beach club after the other, Surin Beach now offers a quieter feel. Popular with families, the 800m-long beach on Phuket’s west coast is flanked by casuarinas, coconut and cashew trees. You don’t have to walk far out to swim; the water gets deep quickly, and sun loungers and umbrellas are available for those keen to work on their tan. Facility wise, you can find food galore. Street stalls sell anything from freshly caught fish and exotic fruits to spicy barbecue chicken. There are also tour operators walking up and down the soft-sand beach, looking for people who want to explore Phuket islands nearby.
3. BANANA BEACH
Surrounded by casuarinas and coconut trees, Banana Beach is snuggled into greenery. It’s no longer a secret and can get busy in the peak season. But the clear, turquoise sea washing ashore, the freshly caught fish available at the two on-site restaurants, and plenty of rocks that are great selfie spots are reasons to visit anytime of the year. To get to this gold-sand beach, pass Trisara Resort on the road north of Layan Beach and park on the street.
4. LAEM SINGH BEACH
Ideal for relaxation-seekers, Laem Singh is the epitome of a hidden, tropical cove. It’s backdropped by coco palms and dense green lush. Boulders dot the soft, light-brown beach. Unlike elsewhere in Phuket, where you can walk for a kilometre, the water gets deep quickly here, which makes Laem Singh suitable for swimming. A few beach vendors have started to rent out umbrellas and inflatables. But it’s nothing like it was a couple of years ago, when young tourists playing music on portable Bluetooth speakers made it feel like a Phuket beach party.
Walking down to Laem Singh from the street is no longer allowed. To get to this beach, you’ll have to use the path at the southern end of Surin Beach. A business-minded local built it so people could find his restaurant on the rocks overlooking the palm-fringed Laem singh Beach.
5. PANSEA BEACH
Tucked away between two headlands and massive boulders, the light brown Pansea Beach has to be on our list of eight nice beaches in Phuket. It hides just north of Surin Beach on the way to Bangtao Beach and features clear blue water. Quirky is Pansea’s sugar-like quartz sand that squeaks beneath your feet. Note that you can only access Pansea via a jungle track or the five-star hotels The Surin and Amanpuri, which makes it one of the island’s least crowded beaches.
Sheltered by a sizable cluster of palm trees, Pansea Beach is an excellent spot to recharge your batteries, listen to the waves rolling gently up the sand, and take a dip in the warm shallow sea.
6. FREEDOM BEACH
Freedom Beach is not exactly the Phuket beach Patong, but…! Only a ten-minute scooter ride from the lively Patong Beach area and yet a world away, Freedom Beach is another quiet beach you’ll want to visit. Its name probably derives from the unspoilt nature. Hillsides covered in thick jungle surround the 300m-long Freedom Beach, making it challenging to get to via land.
The sand is powdery white. Come on a weekday to enjoy the wild, tropical feel of this paradise beach, watching longtail boats bobbing in the cove. To get here, you can hop on a boat at the southern end of Patong Beach, or walk down the steep, rocky jungle trail. Remember to bring a torch if you stay until after sunset and climb back up the hill.
7. KATA BEACH
Spanning one-and-a-half kilometres, Kata Beach is large enough for everyone to spread out their towel on the soft white sand. Situated between Karon and Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach is in the centre of the action. Whether you like to grab an ice-cold beer or slurp a bowl of Mama noodles, you’re spoilt for choice at the palm-lined Kata Beach.
If you’re looking for Phuket hotels on the beach, you’ll find plenty of places to stay. A good base from which to explore the area is Metadee Concept Hotel, steps from Kata Beach. As Kata is said to be the best beach for surfing in Phuket, you can find surf shops galore in the neighbourhood, plus a surf machine close to the southern end of the beach.
8. KATA NOI BEACH
Kata Noi Beach is another one that we have to include in this list of nice beaches in Phuket. Only 700 metres long, it packs a lot of charm into a relatively tiny stretch of beach. While you can find bamboo bars right on the beach, it’s quieter than the neighbouring Kata Beach. Given the fancy restaurants and resorts nearby, Kata Noi is a popular stop for people on day trips.
The sea beckons with crystal water perfect for snorkelling, and water sports like surfing await throughout the year.
- Written by: Philipp Meier – Travel Writer