43 Amazing Beaches of Phuket! (updated 2020)

1. Ao Sane

A little remote – not too busy

Ao Sane is a small hidden beach, visible from Nai Harn Beach, but unless you know that you need to drive through a tunnel under the kitchens of the Phuket Yacht Club, you will never find out. Ao Sane consists of three tiny sandy bays, and you can walk from one to another through the few beach bungalows.

2. Ao Yon

Remote and quiet beach

Ao Yon is so out of the way, and far from the road, you could drive nearby ten times without noticing its entrance. Located between Panwa beach (past the Novotel Panwa resort) and Cape Panwa, you could miss it easily, but with a few restaurants and hotels, it is growing in popularity.

3. Banana Beach

Relatively quiet

This beautiful cove is hiding from the crowd, but it won’t last long. Banana Beach hides behind a curtain of thick trees and down a slope by the side of a remote road near Phuket International Airport. 

4. Bangtao Beach

Quiet in north part – Busy in south

Bangtao is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, halfway between airport and Patong on the west coast of the island. With its beautiful stretch of sand, Bangtao is always associated with the vast resort complex known as ‘Laguna Phuket’.

5. Cape Panwa Beach

Private beach

Cape Panwa Beach is one of the least known beaches in Phuket, probably because it’s one of the few on the east coast and it is part of the remote and very protective Cape Panwa Hotel. The hotel owns the entire land around this beautiful beach, so the only way to access it is to be a hotel guest, or book a dinner at their beautiful Cape House restaurant (only open for dinner.

6. Freedom Beach

Relatively quiet – by boat only

Freedom beach is a beautiful strip of soft white sand lined with coconut trees in the South of Patong. Since the land surrounding the beach is privately owned, the only way to reach it is by longtail boat from the south of Patong, near the big bridge. Freedom Beach is only accessible during high season, during the low season no boats will go there because of the rough sea.

7. Friendship Beach

East coast – not a sandy beach

Friendship Beach is not a swimming beach since it is on the east coast but offers beautiful views on the islands. The name of Friendship probably originated from the small resort built there as it is a trendy hangout for expats.

8. Haad Sai Kaew

Deserted beach

Haad Sai Gaew is a beautiful endless beach located at the very north of Phuket Island. Haad Sai Gaew means ‘Glass Sand Beach’ in Thai, but sand is not that shiny. During the high season, The sea over there has a beautiful blue tone and walking alone for miles; you would never guess you are still in Phuket.

9. Haad Pak Phra

Deserted beach

Haad Pak Phra is the last beach when leaving Phuket from the north end and most people would drive past without ever stopping. But Haad Pak Phra has a little ‘Dirty Secret’.

10. Heeowhat Beach

Tranquil, not a swimming beach

Heeowhat Beach is quite large, with tall trees near Cape Panwa on the east coast of Phuket. It is home to the Pullman Panwa Phuket Resort, but unfortunately, it is not a swimming beach.

11. Hua Beach

Hidden beach

Hua Beach was unknown to us for a long time. Also not a great beach for swimming it is a very peaceful place not far from Kamala Beach.

12. Kalim Beach

Not a swimming beach

Kalim Beach is a modest bay located just next to the famous Patong Beach on the way to Kamala Beach. As the seafloor is mostly rocks and dead coral, Kalim is not a swimming beach, but in low season it is a popular spot for local surfers. However, waves are not very high, so don’t go imagining some significant action. It seems to be a good practice place. It’s not a popular place to hang either as the sand is quite rough and coarse. People just come here to walk their dogs or eat at one of the many food stalls coming at the end of the afternoon.

13. Kamala Beach

Moderately busy

To most, Kamala Beach surprisingly shines by its lack of particular signs. It is, however, a beautiful large beach with clear waters during high season and a decent amount of dining and shopping options, several hotels, some with beach access. In recent years, beach clubs and luxury resort appeared at the north end of the beach.

14. Karon Beach

Busy

Karon Beach, the second longest beach in Phuket, enjoys a very long and wide stretch of white sand with good dining and nightlife. Yet it doesn’t seem to attract the crowds, and it’s not because the municipality hasn’t tried.

15. Karon Noi

Private beach

Part of the “Best Beaches of Phuket’ collection, Karon Noi Beach is one more inaccessible beach only for the use of a hotel’s guests. Not well known from most tourists, it happens to have the most beautiful sand and most amazing blue sea on the island, and it is not even far Patong beach. Karon Noi is also the nest of Le Meridien Phuket.

16. Kata Beach

Busy – very popular

Kata Beach is the most popular beach in Phuket after Patong. But it is still a great choice as it enjoys a wide white sandy beach with an incredible blue sea. Less crowded than Patong, it offers a wide choice of dining, shopping, hotels, and not to forget a good nightlife!

17. Kata Noi

Medium

Kata Noi Beach is a superb bay if you want to be near Kata action but stay away from the herd. This nice strand of white sand has incredibly clear blue water during the high season. Fortunately, its ‘Out of the way’ location kept it relatively quiet, and unless you know about it, you probably will miss it.

18. Laem Ka

Partly hidden beach

Laem Ka Beach, in the very south of Phuket near Rawai, is a little gem hidden from view, only the ones in the know might find it. However, Laem Ka beach has been closed to the public for more than a year as someone is building a new hotel.

19. Laem Singh Beach

Very quiet – accessible by boat

Laem Singh has a tropical touch that goes well with a bit of rain. It’s like being in the Caribbean, a bit nostalgic, very green with its palm trees leaning over the sand and you have the beach almost for yourself.

20. Layan Beach

Quiet to medium

Layan Beach is a remote and little known beach on the west coast of Phuket. It is located at the northern end of the better-known Bangtao Beach which is home to many luxurious resorts such as Banyan Tree Resort, Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort and Dusit Thani Resort. Layan Beach ends on one side with a river harbouring small fishing boats, and the best-known feature is the big island standing at the mouth of the river.

21. Mai Khao Beach

Quiet

Mai Khao Beach, the longest in Phuket, still looks in some parts as deserted as it was when I first visited it in 1990. A lot of hotels were built, but the beach isn’t yet covered with beach chairs, umbrellas and food vendors. You can still walk eleven kilometres and only meet three anglers, and the beach remained mostly untouched.

22. Makham Beach

Hidden beach

Makham is one of the least known beaches on the island, hidden between Cape Panwa and Phuket Town. The beach is lovely, but as it is on the east coast, the sea is not as blue as on other tourist beaches. Crowne Plaza Hotel made the place quite attractive with a beach pool for the guests, and a beach bar for anyone. Unless you are a guest of the hotel, you can access the beach via a complicated maze of streets.

23. Merlin Beach

Quiet

There is a lot of confusion and discussion about all the tiny beaches near Patong. So far, Tri Trang beach is the small hard to find beach hidden behind the Marriott Phuket Beach Club and accessible via a small dirt road on the side of the hotel. The beach is sandy, but the seafloor is a bit rocky. You’ll find nice massages on the beach and a popular restaurant on the hill.

24. Nai Harn

Medium to busy

Nai Harn is a fantastic beach, different from the typical west coast touristy spots, Nai Harn is a favourite beach among the expatriates and tourists. It is definitively changing, but thanks to the lack of possible developments, it still holds on to its local feel. The beach is in a protected bay where sailing or fishing boats anchor in calm waters.

25. Naithon

Quiet to medium

Naithon Beach is one of these little known beaches on the west coast of Phuket, mostly because it is far from the crowded areas. People coming here are usually in search of a peaceful spot with just enough facilities and hotels.

26. Naithon Noi

Quiet beach

Naithon Noi Beach is not officially a private beach, but since the land you need to cross belongs to Andaman White Beach, it ends up the same. Lucky them, it’s one of the most beautiful in Phuket.

27. Nai Yang

Medium to quiet

Nai Yang Beach seems to be one of those beaches popular with returning tourists. It is a lovely shaded beach full of tiny fun bars and restaurants, but like most of the northern shores of Phuket which are not along the main road, it remains relatively unknown to the crowds.

28. Nakalay Beach

Private beach

Nakalay Beach is another case of beach surrounded by private land, which makes it difficult for outsiders to access it. In this case, only the guest from Thavorn beach resort can enjoy it. It might not be the most fantastic beach in Phuket, but it’s large and perfect for snorkelling.

29. Nui Beach

Hidden and private beach

Nui Beach is hard to find and hard to reach. Just like a few other beaches, it is surrounded by private land and therefore there is an entry fee. The entry fee for Nui Beach used to be expensive, but recently the price has been reduced. It’s located past the well known Karon Viewpoint on the dirt road that leads to Black Rock Viewpoint. The road that leads down to the beach is tricky, so drive carefully.

30. Pansea Beach

Private beach

Private beaches are not allowed in Thailand, but you can get around simply by owning all lands around that beach. Pansea Beach, shared by ‘The Surin Phuket’ and ‘Amanpuri Phuket’ is one of them, but there is a way to ear the beach.

31. Panwa Beach (Khao Kad Beach)

Quiet

Panwa Beach, also known as Khao Kat Beach, is not a swimming beach, and yet has the charm of these remote bays not many would take the time to explore while visiting Phuket. Located on the east coast cape but facing west, the whole area is peppered with luxury villas and few resorts, a great alternative to relax away from west coast crowded spots.

32. Paradise Beach

Private but crowded

Paradise Beach’ sounds good, but with such a name, people expect to discover another ‘beautiful-secret-hard-to-find-beach’ located near Patong. And yes, to its credit, the sea is very blue, sand is powdery and cute little boats are gently bobbing in the bay. But in recent years the place became a nest of shops and restaurants, as well as a massive party place on some nights.

33. Patong Beach

Crowded

If Bangkok is the Big Mango, then Patong is the Big Durian: you’ll love it, or you’ll hate it, and it kinds of smells strong too. Patong Beach is the pulsating heart of Phuket Island and what makes it popular to some, is often what other people complain about the most. It’s big, it’s bold, crowded, bright and loud, yet people flock there like flies on honey.

34. Rawai

Quiet – Not a swimming beach

Located at the south end of Phuket island, Rawai is not a swimming beach but offer beautiful views on the many nearby islands in a peaceful local atmosphere. It’s a great place to enjoy great seafood and a good starting point to do some island hopping.

35. Rayee Beach

Quiet – Not a swimming beach

Located in the southern part of Kamala, this tiny beach is not very attractive in itself but provides a beautiful view to the long-established ‘White Orchid’ restaurant as well as some small bars.

36. Siam Beach

Hidden tiny rocky beach

37. Surin Beach

Moderately busy – no facilities

Surin Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It used to be full of restaurants, but after the removal of all beach clubs and restaurants, the beach has retrieved to its original beauty. It’s a great place to spend the day, and you still can buy street food and fruits at the many local stalls along the beach.

38. Tri Trang Beach

Quiet

Tri Trang is, without a doubt the longest and the nicest of four beaches located south of Patong. Its only downside might be during low tide when the sea reveals a rocky area that used to be coral. Fortunately, at high tide, there is more than enough sandy space for a good swim.

39. Trisara Beach

Small and private

Trisara Beach is just a tiny sandy strip on the west coast, just between Bangtao Bay and Naithon beaches and only accessible from the exclusive Trisara Villas.

40. Ya Nui Beach

Busy

Ya Nui is tiny but has the charms of a small beach, tucked in a cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and famous Promthep Cape in the very south of Phuket Island. Coming from Nai Harn Beach, you would drive through, keeping your eyes on the curves, and miss it if it was not for the number of cars parked alongside the road of this hollow.

41. Yae Beach

Private beach

Yae Beach is not a fantastic beach, but since it is hard to find, we wanted to see it. It’s on a cape between Patong and Kamala, and you won’t see much there, just a small hut selling drinks when it’s open.

42 and 43. Phuket Secret Beaches

Those two secret beaches might be the last ones so we will not reveal them openly here. They are hard to find and hard to reach too! So let’s make a deal 🙂 follow us on instagram.com/willythuan and send us a message, and we will tell you where they are. 😀