What to Do on Merlin Beach?
Merlin Beach still feels like one of those secret corners of Phuket, even though it’s just a few minutes’ drive south of Patong. It’s surprisingly peaceful for somewhere so close to the island’s busiest town, and most of that comes down to one thing: the only hotel here is the Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach. If you’re staying there, the beach is literally at your doorstep. For everyone else, it takes a bit of effort to find.
The entrance isn’t obvious unless you already know where to look. There’s a small dirt road running down the side of the resort — not exactly hidden, but easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Follow it for a few hundred metres, and you’ll pop out near a couple of local massage huts, just before the beach opens up.
The beach itself is a calm strip of golden sand framed by coconut trees and backed by low hills. It doesn’t have the crowds or commercial buzz you get elsewhere, which is a big part of the charm. Most of the time, it’s just hotel guests and a few in-the-know locals. There are no beach clubs, no loud music, and no jet skis — just the sound of the sea and the occasional blender from a beachside shack.
The sea here looks inviting, and it is, but swimming isn’t always easy. The coral reef near the shore makes it shallow and a bit rocky at low tide — not great for a long swim. But that same reef is what makes snorkelling at Merlin Beach surprisingly good, especially if you’ve got fins and goggles with you. We’ve seen parrotfish, angelfish, and even the odd sea urchin just metres from the sand. It’s a nice spot for beginners or families with older kids, especially during high tide.
The Marriott resort takes up most of the bay but keeps a low profile. It’s big, but it blends into the landscape without towering over it. The beachfront is well-kept, and even if you’re not a guest, you can still find a few sun loungers closer to the public area. You’ll also spot a couple of food and drink huts nearby, plus classic Thai massage huts under the trees — basic but reliable.
We usually stop here mid-morning or after a shoot nearby. It’s never too busy, and it always feels like a little escape. You don’t have to plan a whole day — just show up, walk down that quiet road, and enjoy a beach that still feels mostly untouched. And if you stay until late afternoon, you’ll catch a decent sunset. Not the kind with dramatic cliffs or sweeping views — just a simple, golden light over the water as the day cools down.
Merlin Beach Video
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WHERE TO STAY ON MERLIN BEACH?
There is only one hotel on this beach, and it is a superb resort with plenty of outlets, restaurants and activities, especially snorkelling.
Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach
Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach is one of those rare hotels in Phuket that offer the best of both worlds: peace and privacy, just a short tuk-tuk ride from Patong’s active life. We stayed there a few times and always enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, especially because of the superb quiet beach, which is wide and white and surprisingly peaceful for this part of the island! (Most tourists don’t even know it exists.)
The resort has three large swimming pools, including one dedicated to families, and plenty of space to relax. There’s a good variety of restaurants, and we liked the Thai food at the beachside venue. The rooms are spacious and well-designed, with balconies overlooking the gardens or the sea. Families will appreciate the kids’ club and daily activities, while couples can enjoy the spa or beachfront dining. It’s easy to spend the whole day at the resort, but when you feel like a change, Patong is only a short ride away.
Location: Merlin Beach
Address: 99 Muen-Ngoen Road Tri-Trang Beach, Patong Patong Phuket, Phuket 83150
Phone: 076 335 300
Open: 24 hours
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 3 pools (3,603 sqm)
Restaurants and bars: 8
Distance to the Beach: on the beach!
Check the rates:
WHERE TO EAT ON MERLIN BEACH?
Little Tiger Restaurant
On a green hill at the south end of the beach, a flight of stairs will take you to Little Tiger, a very welcoming restaurant with a superb birdview of the bay. The restaurant might not serve spectacular food, but a charming spot to enjoy a sunset drink.
Other famous beaches near Merlin Beach
Merlin Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Paradise Beach, Freedom Beach… which is which? Every time we post a photo from this area, the comments fill up with guesses and corrections. It’s fair enough — they’re all scattered around the same headland south of Patong, and until recently, some of them were hard to reach.
- Tri Trang Beach is next door and much easier to recognise. It’s long, wide, and better for swimming, especially at mid to high tide.
- Paradise Beach is more like a beach club complex. There’s an entrance fee, and it’s geared toward parties and events.
- Freedom Beach is the most beautiful of the bunch, but it’s harder to get to. It’s often boat-only unless you’re up for a steep hike during the dry season.
Merlin Beach, by contrast, keeps a low profile. It’s not flashy, not too busy, and doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. Just a peaceful cove with good shade, decent snorkelling, and a resort that doesn’t take over the whole beach. If you know where to find the road in, that little strip of sand is yours for the day.
Tri Trang Beach
Now just on the other side of the road is Tri Trang Beach, often mistaken for Merlin Beach, which is probably the origin of the confusion. Tri Trang is the longest of all four beaches and is home to Rosewood, a 5-star hotel recently opened. With a couple of bars, only Tri Trang Beach started to be a popular escape for those who don’t like Patong’s crowded beach but wish to stay nearby. The sea is shallow and rocky, not great for swimming, but a beautiful place to relax in the shade of huge trees.
Paradise Beach
Past Tri Trang Beach, a small narrow road winds a few kilometres through a wooded hill until it reaches Paradise Beach. Paradise beach is a beautiful little double cove at low tide, but the beach shrinks so much at high tide that beach chairs have to squeeze next to each other. The beach entrance is not free; you’ll have to pay 100 baht to get onto the beach, supposedly the fee for a beach chair, but even if you don’t want one, they still charge. Go figure.
Freedom Beach
Then Freedom Beach is a fantastic beach only accessible but longtail boats, usually from Patong Beach. Occasionally there is a way to reach there by walking, but the gate is often locked, and the slope is seriously steep. In the high season, you’ll find several restaurants and bars, umbrellas and beach chairs—a great place to spend the day. During low season, it’s deserted as no longtail would take you there.
MERLIN BEACH PHOTOS
How to get to Merlin Beach?
Merlin is a little bit hidden, but it is not a private beach. There is a small road to access it, and once you know where this street is, you will find the beach very easily. First, you must reach Patong, then aim to the south of the beach, direction Amari Phuket Resort. Cross the bridge and turn left, then from the bridge, drive about 3 kilometres. You can easily go there by tuk-tuk, taxi or self-driving:
From Patong Beach to Merlin Beach: 3 km
From Phuket International Airport to Merlin Beach: 41 km
From Phuket Town to Merlin Beach: 18 km
From Merlin Beach to Phuket Big Buddha: 25 km
MERLIN BEACH MAP
Get this map on your phone ▷ https://goo.gl/maps/QfuQU3YyHwX2JrTR6.
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