What to Do on Tri Trang Beach?
Tri Trang Beach is just a few kilometres south of Patong Beach and is surprisingly quiet and peaceful. There used to be a lot of confusion about the names of the four beaches around this peninsula: Merlin Beach, Tri Trang Beach, Paradise Beach and Freedom Beach. In the past, Tri Trang was sometimes called ‘Emerald Beach’ or ‘Crystal Beach’.
Because it is at the end of a long road off Patong, Tri Trang has maintained the modest charm of the old days when Phuket was not too famous. It is now mostly the home of the luxurious Rosewood Hotel.
How to get to Tri Trang Beach?
To get to Tri Trang Beach, drive south of Patong and cross the tall bridge that leads to the Amari Phuket Resort, but turn left just before reaching the hotel. Follow the road for a few kilometres, and you will first reach the Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach on your left, and 500 metres on the right is the main entrance of Tri Trang Beach.
Tri Trang is the second most beautiful after Freedom Beach among the four beaches around this peninsula. Its only downside might be when the sea reveals some rocks and corals during low tide. Fortunately, there are more than enough sandy areas for a decent swim at high tide.
Tri Trang Beach was quiet and empty for a long time, and locals would come on weekends for a barbecue. It nearly felt abandoned, but there was always a restaurant and a dozen beach chairs. The 2004 tsunami badly damaged this area, and the massive wave toppled many casuarina trees. Since they planted palm trees instead, nothing makes a beach more tropical than a couple of coconut trees!
Tri Trang Beach has changed a lot, and in a good way, which is somewhat unusual. Rosewood Hotel has kept most of the beachfrontage intact, and the beach hasn’t been disturbed by a long line of restaurants and shops as is often the case on other beaches. You’ll find a few beach chairs but only one row and enough space, so you don’t have to smell your neighbour’s sun lotion. You won’t get a sunset shot from this beach, as the sun disappears just behind the cape, but the colour of dawn is often beautiful.
Where to Stay on Tri Trang Beach?
There are only one or two hotels on Tri Trang Beach at this time, but there seem to be more coming soon. Rosewood is right on the beach and is beautiful, but because this is a top luxury hotel, the rates are staggering. Thankfully, there are a couple more hotels nearby that are more affordable. The closest is Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach, a bit further is The Crest, and next to it is Avista Hideaway Phuket.
Phuket Marriott Merlin Beach Resort
Phuket Marriott Resort Merlin Beach is a 5-star hotel with a unique location on Merlin Beach in Phuket, just a few kilometres from the busy Patong and in superb and quiet surroundings. Marriott Merlin Beach Resort is a large hotel built on vast land surrounded by hills and beaches.
Hotel Summary |
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|---|---|
| The Beach | The hotel is right on a beautiful semi-private beach, great to relax but not great for swimming. |
| The Hotel | 5-star beachfront hotel. |
| The Facilities | 8 restaurants and bars and 3 immense swimming pools. Spa, fitness, Kids club, snorkelling and diving. |
| What's Around? | A few nice panoramic restaurants near the hotel. Beautiful setting for lunch or dinner. |
| Who is it for? | Traveller who want a quiet location with a beautiful beach, at a short driving distance to the popular Patong Beach. |
| Worth Noticing | Family Resort of Year award. Butterfly Sanctuary and house reef for snorkeling. Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice award. |
| Price | Good value for money |
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 3 pools (3,603 sqm)
Restaurants and bars: 8
Distance to the Beach: on the beach!
Distance to Patong Beach: 3 km
Check the rates
The Crest
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tri Trang Beach |
| Beach | Short walk to Tri Trang Beach. 700-metre quiet bay with light grey sand. Rocky seabed, water shoes recommended. Excellent snorkelling high tide. |
| Hotel | 5-star hillside resort with 169 rooms and villas. Sea-view rooms and private pool villas. Soundproofing, air-con. 240-degree Andaman Sea views. |
| Facilities | Infinity pool, rooftop bar, Prima Spa, fitness centre, yoga, Muay Thai classes. Two restaurants, two bars. Kids club. 24-hour room service. |
| What’s Around | Hillside restaurants are within walking distance. Free shuttle to Patong Beach in 10 minutes. Paradise Beach is 3 kilometres. Removed from Patong nightlife. |
| Who is it for? | Couples, honeymooners seeking privacy with Patong access. Not for direct beach access priority, avoiding steep roads, or walking to nightlife. |
| Worth Noticing | Spectacular 240-degree ocean views from an elevated position. Eco-designed property. Free shuttle to Patong. Steep winding access road. Cooler hillside breezes. |
| Price | Luxury |
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 2
Restaurants and bars: 4
Distance to the Beach: 700 m
Distance to Patong Beach: 2.5 km
Check the rates
Avista Hideaway Phuket
Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong is a luxurious resort nestled amidst the lush hills overlooking the vibrant Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. This upscale resort offers a range of amenities and services designed to provide a relaxing retreat for travellers seeking tranquillity at a short distance from the buzz of Patong nightlife.
Hotel Summary |
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|---|---|
| The Beach | The famous beach of Patong is 3 km from the hotel and there are 4 beautiful small beaches nearby. |
| The Hotel | 5-Star Resort |
| The Facilities | 3 pools, 3 restaurants, 2 pool bars, and a rooftop bar. |
| What's Around? | The resort sits on Phuket’s west coast, only a few minutes from the popular Freedom Beach, Patong Beach and Paradise Beach. Patong’s lively nightlife, shopping, and dining are just a short drive away, keeping entertainment within easy reach while the shoreline feels pleasantly secluded. |
| Who is it for? | Good for couples and travellers who want to be in a quiet area which many small beaches around and at a short distance from the famous nightlife of Patong. |
| Worth Noticing | The two rooftop restaurants are excellent, especilally Tambu, a fantastic Indian restaurant! |
| Price | Reasonable |
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 3
Restaurants and bars: 3 restaurants, 2 bars
Distance to the beach: 1 km to Tri Trang Beach, 3 km to Patong Beach
Check the rates
Where to Eat on Tri Trang Beach?
There are now a lot of places to eat in Tri Trang on the roadside at the south end of the beach on the way to Paradise Beach. The Tri Trang Resort and restaurants at the other beach end have all been demolished. This restaurant was on the beach, which is a rare luxury nowadays.
On the way to Paradise Beach, up the hill is a set of small and cheap restaurants overlooking the bay. Most of them are modest, but the view of Tri Trang beach from up there is beautiful. It’s great for a quick bite or a refreshing drink at any time of the day.
Blue Harbour Coffee
| Cuisine: Thai, Cafe – Price: $$ Affordable |
Blue Harbour Coffee is a small cafe built into the steep hillside at Tri Trang Beach, facing Patong Bay. Most people drive past it without noticing. The entrance is on the road to Paradise Beach, and you reach the waterfront terrace by walking down a long series of stairs. Not great if you have bad knees, but the panoramic views across the bay are worth it. They serve simple Thai food, cocktails, smoothies, and proper coffee from a local roaster. You can also rent small dorm-style rooms on the hillside.
Sunshine View Restaurant
| Cuisine: Thai, Indian, European – Price: $$ Affordable |
Sunshine View Restaurant is on the hillside road to Paradise Beach, just past Tri Trang Beach. The large wooden terrace overlooks the entire bay, with views across to Patong and Kalim. The menu covers Thai, Indian, and European food, and the huge prawns are what most people talk about. It’s popular with guests from the nearby Marriott who come back several nights in a row. Good for a sunset dinner without the Patong crowds. Open 11 am to 10 pm.
The Cozy Cafe
| Cuisine: Thai, Cafe – Price: $$ Affordable |
The Cozy Cafe is built into the cliff on the hillside road to Paradise Beach, just past Tri Trang Beach. It’s a multi-level place with terraces stepping down toward the water, decorated with bean bags, a swing hanging from a coconut tree, and orange Balinese-style decor. The lower levels are all about photo spots, which makes it very popular with the Instagram crowd. The menu covers Thai food, pizza, seafood, smoothies, and coffee. The view across to Patong is the real draw.
The Hideout Area Restaurant
| Cuisine: Thai, International – Price: $$ Affordable |
The HideOut Area is a small restaurant and hotel right on the sand at the northern end of Tri Trang Beach. It’s one of the least known spots near Patong, and the steep access road makes most people miss it entirely. This is the only place where you eat directly on the beach, with picnic tables under green canopy tents. The menu is simple Thai and international food, nothing fancy but decent. Free sunbeds come with your order. They also have 7 affordable apartment-style rooms with balconies and a pool.
Ta Khai Restaurant
| Cuisine: Southern Thai, Seafood – Price: $$$ Pricey |
Ta Khai is the standout restaurant on this stretch, inside the Rosewood resort further along the road. It received a Michelin Plate from the Phuket Michelin Guide, and it’s easy to see why. The husband-and-wife chef team, Khun Nun and Khun Yai, cook Southern Thai dishes using ingredients from the resort’s own garden and whatever the local fishermen bring in that day.
The design is beautiful, all repurposed wood and corrugated roofs made to look like a small fishing village. You can pick your own seafood from a live pond. It’s not cheap, but for a special evening out, it’s one of the best meals you’ll have in Phuket. Dinner only, 6 pm to 10 pm.
Pitbull Bar
| Cuisine: Thai, Bar – Price: $ Cheap |
Pitbull Bar is a hidden bar and restaurant located next to Tri Trang Beach. Since it’s the first in the group at the bottom of the hill and its entrance is somewhat hidden under a tree, it’s easy to miss. Expect drinks and simple Thai food in a colourful atmosphere, with bamboo furniture and umbrellas that create a fun, tropical vibe, perfect for a holiday in Phuket.
More Photos of Tri Trang Beach
Tri Trang Beach Street View
Tri Trang Beach Map
If you are on mobile, add the map here: https://goo.gl/maps/qXqNjx2mq3BbbE7B8
