18 Secret Beaches of Phuket

Laem Singh Beach

Laem Singh was once one of the most popular beaches in Phuket. In 2017, a dispute with the landowner closed the walking path, and overnight the beach went from packed to deserted. Since then, the only easy way to get there is by longtail boat from Surin Beach (about 200 Baht per person return). Because so few people make the effort, the marine life has recovered and the beach feels like a private cove. There is also a rocky path from Surin at low tide, but it is tricky and not for everyone. Read more

Peace Level: Very quiet since 2017
Access: By boat from Surin, or rocky path at low tide
Sand Condition: Great
Swimming Condition: Great
Beach Facilities: One restaurant on the cliff

Ao Yon Beach

Ao Yon is one of those beaches that has remained very local, no matter how much people talk about it. Maybe because it is far from the tourist area, or because the sand and water are not as striking as beaches on the west coast. The central area, with many tall palm trees, is very photogenic, and there are now some nice hotels, small restaurants, and even a beach club. Read more

Peace Level: Good
Access: Difficult to find
Sand Condition: Medium
Swimming Condition: Medium to Good
Beach Facilities: A couple of restaurants, a trendy beach bar, and a fancy rooftop

Sai Kaew Beach

Haad Sai Kaew is a long deserted strip of sand located in the far north of Phuket, one of the last beaches before the Sarasin Bridge. With a few bamboo restaurants on the beach, it is an excellent place for lunch if you are exploring the north. The food prices are a bit above average for a local beach. Read more

Peace Level: Almost deserted
Access: Easy, but far from everything
Sand Condition: Very good
Swimming Condition: Good
Beach Facilities: Two excellent local restaurants made of bamboo and thatched roofs

Layan Beach

Layan Beach has always been a hideaway. It sits at the far northern end of Bang Tao Beach, and even though it is technically part of the same bay, it feels like a different world. It is still far enough from the crowded beaches to be a great escape for the day. Read more

Peace Level: Good
Access: Easy
Sand Condition: Pretty good
Swimming Condition: Good
Beach Facilities: Some small restaurants

Merlin Beach

Merlin Beach is often mistaken for its neighbour Tri Trang Beach, but this is the beach in front of the Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach, south of Patong. It is not too busy because not many people know there is a way in. Read more

Peace Level: Good
Access: Not apparent at first
Sand Condition: Good
Swimming Condition: Not great because of coral
Beach Facilities: Restaurants and beach massage

Mee Sook Beach

Peace Level: Good, but sometimes plays music
Access: Entry fee required, 100 Baht
Sand Condition: Rough
Sea Condition: Not great for swimming, but good for bathing and snorkelling
Beach Facilities: Small restaurants above the water

Haad Pak Phra Beach

Haad Pak Phra is the last beach of Phuket, located near the Sarasin Bridge. It is not a great beach, but it brings you the silly pleasure of a little discovery. Stop there on your way to Thanoon Seafood on the mainland or on your way to Phang Nga. Read more

Peace Level: Great
Access: Hard to find
Sand Condition: Not great
Swimming Condition: Not great
Beach Facilities: None

Freedom Beach

Freedom Beach is the most beautiful beach on the island, and despite being close to Patong, it has remained relatively quiet because the only easy way to reach it is by longtail boat, and the ride costs more than 1,000 Baht. There is a way down from the hill above, but it is quite a challenge to walk back up. Go there while you can: if the land access ever becomes public, this beach will change forever. Read more

Peace Level: Can be a bit busy in January
Access: Only accessible by boat during high season
Sand Condition: Amazing
Swimming Condition: Amazing
Beach Facilities: A couple of restaurants and beach chairs under the trees

Banana Beach

Banana Beach is so out of the way and so hard to spot that it has remained relatively secret despite its charm. As it is human nature to chase anything hidden, it gets busier in peak season, but overall it is still a great place to spend the day. During the low season, the beach is all yours. Read more

Peace Level: Good (except in January, peak season)
Access: Complicated to find, with a steep slope to reach
Sand Condition: Great
Swimming Condition: Great
Beach Facilities: 2 restaurants, beach chairs, and toilets

Ao Sane Beach

Note: Ao Sane Beach is partially closed to the public for construction.

Ao Sane is a discreet beach next to the famous Nai Harn and has remained low-key because most people do not notice it. To get there, you have to drive through The Nai Harn Resort. The beach is small but pleasant with a nice shady restaurant, good for snorkelling, and great for kids. Read more

Peace Level: Good
Access: Tricky to find
Sand Condition: Good, a bit rough
Swimming Condition: Good
Beach Facilities: Restaurant, beach chairs

Laem Ka Beach

Note: Laem Ka Beach is still closed to the public.

Laem Ka Beach is the only real beach on the east coast of Phuket. It can be quiet, but you might be visited by disembarking speedboats at certain hours. The beach is pleasant, and food and drink are available during the high season, while during the low season, the place is deserted. Read more

Peace Level: Good in the low season
Access: Hard to find
Sand Condition: Good
Swimming Condition: Acceptable

Khao Kad Beach

Khao Kad Beach (sometimes called Panwa Beach) on the southeast coast is a beautiful strip of sand with picture-perfect coconut trees lazily leaning above the beach. Great to escape the crowd, but not suitable for swimming as the water barely covers a rocky bottom. Read more

Peace Level: Great
Access: Out of the way
Sand Condition: Good
Swimming Condition: Not great, the seafloor is rocky
Beach Facilities: A couple of local shacks, several hotels

Hua Beach

Hua Beach is a very isolated beach, very tricky to spot. It is not a swimming beach but a perfect hideaway, as there is barely anyone on it. Swimming is impossible because of the rocks and corals under the surface. Read more

Peace Level: Great
Access: Very hard to find
Sand Condition: Average
Swimming Condition: Poor
Beach Facilities: Just a local shack

Rayee Beach

Rayee Beach is often called “the other Kamala beach” as it is just south of the busy main Kamala Beach. It is not a swimming beach as the seabed is full of coral, but great to relax at with some nice little local restaurants above the sea. Read more

Peace Level: Great
Access: Easy
Sand Condition: Acceptable, a bit rough
Swimming Condition: No swimming
Beach Facilities: Small restaurants above the water

Promthep Beach

This tiny beach is not well known. I do not even know if it has a proper name, so I call it Promthep Beach. For a long time, it was not accessible, but a path has appeared, starting opposite a new cafe across the street called CY Cafe. The hill is so steep that ropes have been added to help you get down, and the last part is genuinely scary. The beach is small, and swimming is not possible, but the hidden beaches of Phuket are hard to resist.

Peace Level: Great
Access: Almost impossible
Sand Condition: Acceptable, a bit rough
Swimming Condition: No swimming
Beach Facilities: None

The Secret Beach 1

This beach is not secret but quite hidden, located on Phuket’s southern tip, and the entry costs 20 Baht. The sand is white, the water turquoise, and the trees give plenty of shade. A couple of makeshift bars sell drinks and rent paddleboards. There is a simple local restaurant serving cheap Thai food under the trees. Swimming is best at high tide when the rocks are covered. Good for snorkelling on the left side near the corals. No lifeguards. Follow me on instagram.com/phuket.101 and send a message, and I will tell you where it is.

Peace Level: Medium
Access: Easy to find and easy to reach
Entry: 20 Baht
Sand Condition: Soft white sand
Swimming Condition: Great during the high season
Beach Facilities: 1 small restaurant and two makeshift bars

The 2nd Secret Beach

This secret beach might be one of the last ones on the island, so I will not reveal it openly here. It is hard to find and hard to reach, so let’s make a deal. Follow me on instagram.com/phuket.101 and send a message, and I will tell you where it is.

Peace Level: Good, but some naturists stay at the end of the beach
Access: Not easy to find and hard to reach
Sand Condition: Soft white sand
Swimming Condition: Great during the high season
Beach Facilities: One small restaurant, sometimes

The Ultimate Secret and Hidden Beach

This beach deserves special mention. It is a beautiful one, but reaching it requires dedication. The pleasure of finding it is proportional to the effort it takes to get there. So far, I do not even have a name for it. As with the two beaches above, I will not share it with everyone. Follow me on instagram.com/phuket.101 and send a message, and I will tell you where it is. (Do not worry. People are generally somewhat lazy, and you will still be alone once you reach it.)