Surin Beach Update
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Surin Beach is one of Phuket most beautiful and natural spots on the island. Long gone are the many famous beach clubs and the long line of restaurants that made this place so popular, but it looks a lot more natural now. It still is blessed with a large beach of beautiful sand and a fantastic blue sea. The quality of the water and sand always makes it one of the most beautiful swimming spot on the island. Swimming is excellent during high season as the water can be incredibly clear as you can see on the photos below (December to April), but the sea can be rough in low season.
What to do on Surin?
The Beach
The beach is, as usual, the main reason why people drive to spend the day here or book one of the hotels located a little away from the sea. This amazing 800-meter stripe of soft sand and truly a little paradise. You can rent umbrellas and sometimes loungers, depending on what the law authorises at the time of your visit. There are food vendors selling som good cheap Thai food on the parking just behind the line of trees.
Laem Singh Beach
Laem Singh Beach was also a much-loved place, a tropical little bay with coconut trees leaning over the sand and bamboo restaurants in their shade. The access to Laem Singh has been closed to the public and it became a deserted paradise. However, there is still 2 little-known way to access it!
Pansea Beach
Pansea is another incredibly beautiful beaches on Phuket, but the access is restricted to the guests of The Surin and The Amanpuri. Private beaches are not allowed in Thailand, but similar to what happened to the neighbouring Laem Singh, if you own the land around, no one can cross it to reach the sea. The only way to enjoy it is to stay at one of the two hotels. We did it and it was fantastic to have such a beach almost for yourself.
Where to Eat on Surin Beach
All the fantastic restaurants that used to sit on the side beach are long gone, but you can buy from local vendors and one restaurant still stands at the very south of the beach. Thai people are way too resourceful not to find a way to bring the trade back where it is most needed! During high season, Surin beach now has a long line of local food vendors, fresh fruit juice stalls, massage, beach toys vendors and the list goes on. It’s good to see life back.
Patcharin Seafood
Patcharin is the only surviving restaurant in Surin. It probably has to do with the fact that the restaurant is built on the rocks and not on the sand, but it’s mostly a guess. Since all other venues have been removed, Patcharin got a lot more popular as you can imagine. The food is good and well priced.
Palm Seaside
Palm Seaside is a trendy venue from the nearby TwinPalm hotel, which is also known for the famous Catch Beach Club on the same beach. The design creates a superb atmosphere to enjoy a sunset cocktail by the sea, followed by a seafood dinner. Price is on the high side.
Location: Bangtao Beach
Address: 110/2 Moo 3, Cherng Talay, Thalang, South Bangtao Beach, Phuket
Open: Lunch: 12 noon – 4 pm, Dinner: 6 pm – 11 pm (last order)
Phone: 094 480 0883
Price: High
Where to stay near Surin Beach
The most attractive resorts are Twinpalms Resort, The Surin, Ayara Resort and of course the legendary Amanpuri. Just next to Surin Beach is the beautiful ‘Pansea beach‘, but hotels owning the land around the beach will not allow access to non-guests. Surin Beach Resort is the only budget hotel nearby with beach access.
Shopping on Surin Beach
You won’t find much around, but a few shops worth mentioning. ‘Lemongrass’ sells spa and massage products with a large range of oils and essences. The ‘Plaza’ is a three floors trendy building full of house decorations and some nice paintings and clothing. Try ‘Ginger’, a fashion shop that originated from Chiang Mai displaying an original collection of clothing and accessories at very affordable prices.
What changed on Surin Beach?
The answer is simple: EVERYTHING. This used to be a great place to party, walk from beach clubs to bar and to restaurants all along the beach. You could rest on the comfortable sofas of the many beach clubs until sunset when it was time to start party around trendy bars and talented DJ’s.
Most of it is gone, all of what was on the beach and across the small street: the famous Catch Beach Club that pioneered the beach club trend in Phuket, the excellent Salt restaurant, all gone. Today the beach is undeniably beautiful and natural with lots of palm trees, and parking is not a problem anymore.
More Photos of Surin
