A Hidden Beach Near Patong
The beautiful and secluded Freedom Beach is an anomaly we never miss. It is one of the prettiest beaches in Phuket, with incredibly soft white sand and clear blue waters.
It is just a few minutes away from Patong Beach, the busiest beach on the island and yet, except in January, which is the peak season, we found it surprisingly peaceful and quiet. So, what is the secret of Freedom Beach?
Pros and Cons of Freedom Beach
Pros:
- Beautiful and secluded: Known for soft white sand and clear blue waters, offering a tranquil escape.
- Limited crowds: Generally peaceful, except during peak season in January.
- Good snorkelling: Both ends of the beach are ideal for snorkelling.
- Picturesque location: Easily accessible by longtail boat from Patong or nearby beaches, providing scenic views along the way.
Cons:
- Limited access: Only accessible by boat during high season or via a steep, challenging hike.
- Costly boat rides: Longtail boat fares range from 1,200 to 1,500 baht, varying by group size and mood of boat operators.
- Few amenities: Basic facilities like toilets and showers are available, but amenities are limited.
- Inconsistent accessibility: The dirt road gate may or may not be open, making hiking access unpredictable.
Freedom Beach Video
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How to Get to Freedom Beach?
Freedom Beach is only accessible by longtail boat and only during the high season, usually from December to June. The shortest route is from the southern end of Patong Beach near the big bridge at Amari Phuket, but we could also get a boat from Kata, Karon or even Kamala Beach, but it costs us more and takes us longer as longtail boats are not known to be very fast.
From Patong Beach, the price we got varied according to the pilot’s mood, usually 1,200 to 1,500 baht per boat for a round trip, decreasing according to the number of passengers payable on the return trip.
Longtail boats to Freedom Beach
We embarked from the floating pontoon once we agreed on the price, and the fun ride began. The pilot chose the best route and we were a bit surprised to see him driving away from our destination; he knew better how to get us there without having us seasick or drenched. Most of the time, we got splashed by the waves created by the boat, so we learned to keep sensitive electronic equipment in a plastic bag or at least behind our backs.
On our way to the beach, we passed several hidden but busy little sandy coves, Merlin Beach, Paradise Beach and Tri Trang Beach, to finally approach this tiny paradise. Depending on the time, a few longtail boats anchored on the beach with few people already enjoying this secluded haven. We had to jump into shallow waters to disembark, but we were prepared and were already wearing our swimsuits! We just had to be careful not to drop our cameras or mobile phones.
This lovely crescent of soft, white sand was all ours from that moment on. The water was warm and incredibly clear, a perfect place to spend time in it. Once we grew tired of being in heaven, our boat was ready to take us back where we left in the morning, and each time was an unforgettable day.
Can we walk to Freedom Beach?
There is a small dirt road passing high above the beach, and the gate might be open or not. It’s unpredictable. When the gate was open, we had to walk down a very steep slope to reach the beach. It’s quite challenging, not to mention walking back up! This small dirt road starts around the Avista Resort in Patong and ends on the road to Karon Beach, past Simon Cabaret. (Scroll to map)
What to Do on Freedom Beach?
The beach is so beautiful that we can relax and enjoy the incredibly warm and clear water. We had the good idea to bring our snorkelling gear as both beach ends are excellent for seeing fish and small marine life. Beach chairs are available for rent for a small fee at Barefoot Restaurant.
Barefoot Bistro
Barefoot Bistro is a new and excellent open-air restaurant serving delicious locally-made hamburgers and some of the best Pad Thai on the island. If you spend the day on Freedom Beach, nothing beats having a casual lunch with your bare feet in the sand and one of their excellent cocktails to go with it.
360 Panorama
Fast Facts about Freedom Beach
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Amazing |
| ⛱️ Main beach nearby: | Patong Beach |
| ⛱️ Beach nearby: | Paradise Beach |
| 📷 Things to do: | Good for snorkeling |
| 🍴 Best restaurant: | Barefoot Bistro |
| 🚶🏽 Distance from Patong by walk: | 2.7 km |
| 🚤 Distance from Patong by boat: | 6 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 23 km |
Map to Freedom Beach
If you are on mobile, add the map here: https://goo.gl/maps/eGNXwkMTJ46pb2XB8.
More Photos of Freedom Beach
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