There are quite a few “blank spots” on Phuket’s map that remain unknown to the majority of holidaymakers, and Surin Beach Phuket can be counted among those “blank” spots. It’s an uncrowded, relatively small beach in the northwest of the island, which until recently was one of the hottest party spots in Thailand—naturally, after Patong. Here is our in-depth review of this place.
General Information
Beach information
Length (m): 700 
Cover Type: White sand 
Water Temp (°C): 28 
Cleanliness (1-10): 8 
Crowdedness (1-10): 7 
Infrastructure: Luxury restaurants 
Best Season: Nov–Apr 
Waves Level: Moderate 
Lifeguards Available? yes 
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Surin Beach is located in the northwest part of the island between Bang Tao and Kamala Beaches. Technically, it’s nestled between two smaller beaches—Laem Sing and Pansea Beach. Everyone knows Bang Tao and Kamala, but much fewer people know about smaller beaches like Laem Sing.
Surin Beach stretches about 800 meters, and the entire shoreline is clean sand where you can sunbathe and enjoy a magnificent sea view. At the beach’s edges, rocky areas separate it from Laem Sing Beach and Pansea Beach. Those rocky spots are perfect for taking great photos and shooting equally lovely videos.
A few years ago, this place was famous for raucous parties, as it was home to the Catch Beach Club. However, local authorities demanded its dismantling, along with any beach infrastructure considered detrimental to the coastline’s natural appearance.
Plans called for transforming Surin Beach into a nature-focused site and developing a magnificent park dedicated to the King of Thailand nearby, but as often happens, an “unfortunate event” occurred— all infrastructure was removed, but the park never materialized…
Now Surin Beach’s shore is basically a wide stretch of light-yellow sand with nothing on it except tourists. Consequently, after all the infrastructure was removed, fewer people began coming here, and the beach shifted from a youth-oriented spot to a family-friendly one.
Closer to the road at Surin Beach, there are many trees. Casuarina pines interspersed with palm trees give this place a sense of authenticity and wildness, yet tourists keep it lively.
An interesting observation: if you arrive at the beach early in the morning, before the first visitors, the barren landscape is akin to that of remote islands that rarely see a traveler’s footprints.
We recommend checking out our overview article, Phuket Beaches, where we describe the island’s most popular spots.
Entering the Water and the Coastline
Let’s start describing the beach with its sand. Surin’s sand is fine-grained, free of rocks and shell fragments because it’s cleaned regularly. Its color can vary based on the weather: in bright sunlight, it appears snow-white, while on overcast days, it takes on a yellowish tinge.
The beach offers a gentle entry into the water at first, which soon becomes steeper, with the depth increasing rapidly – particularly at high tide. However, if you swim at low tide, children can enjoy themselves comfortably. There are no underwater currents like on Karon or Kata, but staff still divide the sea into swimming zones with floating ropes and have installed a pontoon bridge from which you can dive.
The water is clear, with a turquoise hue. The bottom is well visible, and you can spot a variety of marine life (snorkelers will like it here).
Children should swim under adult supervision, as the sudden changes in depth can be surprising (in some spots, it’s shallow, then deep, then shallow again).
The beach doesn’t attract big crowds, partly because its infrastructure isn’t well-developed, so you can relax here quite comfortably.
Surin’s waves are small, so it could be listed among beaches in Phuket in May where there are practically no waves. We can’t say there are zero waves—everything depends on the weather. However, they’re nowhere near as big as Karon’s, which can make swimming impossible. Surin’s waves are gentle, often referred to as “kid-friendly.”
In summer (June–August), when the first monsoon arrives, the sea changes dramatically. It’s no longer the gentle water that’s so pleasant to be in. Waves can reach human height, making swimming dangerous. Reviews vary: many tourists, on the contrary, come here in summer to jump in the waves. Essentially, you can vacation here year-round—it’s just a matter of deciding what kind of experience you want.
Beach Infrastructure
Despite removing all the infrastructure, Thai businesspeople never abandoned Surin and continue making money from tourists. On the beach, you can rent a mat with an umbrella for just 200 baht for the whole day. Several options are available:
- Classic mat
- Folding chair — sun lounger
- Inflatable sofa (sold by vendors roaming the beach)
There are also old-fashioned sun loungers here, but they are set up on a slightly raised area to the left side of the beach. Everything was removed from the shoreline itself to avoid fines.
Surin offers a free freshwater shower. In high season, you might face a short queue. If you don’t feel like waiting, you can opt for a paid shower (20 baht) by the road near the beach. Restrooms are also available in the nearby cafés for 10 baht.
Even though there’s plenty of greenery, Surin can still be quite sweltering. Staying in direct sunlight without natural or artificial shade for too long can be risky.
There isn’t enough shade for everyone, so some tourists rent umbrellas.
On most Phuket beaches, the heat is compensated by a pleasant sea breeze, but not here. This is a bay, almost enclosed, with hardly any wind, so your main ways of cooling off are swimming or sprawling out starfish-style under an umbrella.
Infrastructure
After authorities ordered the demolition of most establishments, there aren’t many cafés left, but the few that remain are enough to feed everyone, especially since their prices are comparable to other main beaches in Phuket.
The most popular spots are on Surin’s left side, tucked under the trees, and dining here is pleasant in every respect.
A road runs alongside the beach, lined with local food stalls. Some example prices:
- Shake — from 50 baht
- Beer — from 100 baht
- Wine — from 100 baht
- Coconut — from 50 baht
- Pancakes — from 50 baht
- Rice with sauce/topping — from 150 baht
If you walk about 150 meters beyond those street-food stands, you’ll find local supermarkets like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, etc., where you can buy prepared meals. Other large shops, food markets, and similar establishments are further away and more related to Bang Tao Beach.
Activities
The only water activity at this beach might be snorkeling, but it’s not really the main highlight here. You won’t see jet skis, banana boats, or surfers, so there’s minimal risk of getting hit by a propeller. The lack of activities doesn’t add to Surin’s appeal, but it does offer peace for families with children.
The only land-based activity is a beachside massage, a feature of many popular beaches. However, prices here are quite high, and if you want a cheaper option, you might walk over to Kamala Beach.
Approximate massage prices on Surin Beach:
- Traditional Thai massage — 400–500 baht
- Foot massage — from 400 baht
- Facial massage — from 500 baht
- Oil massage — from 500 baht
People will say what they will, but it’s generally better to get a massage in a proper city salon, because a beach masseur’s qualifications can be questionable, and there’s no guarantee of excellent results, especially for a high price.
Accommodation
Accommodation options right on the beach are limited. There are two main hotels on Surin Beach in Phuket:
- Surin Beach Resort.
- The Surin Phuket.
The first hotel is situated at the southern end of Surin Beach on elevated ground. Its highlight is the spectacular view from its panoramic pool on the edge of the property.
The second hotel is not on Surin Beach itself but on Pansea Beach, which is a plus in that The Surin Phuket has its own private beach, secured by rocks on both sides. Officially, private beaches are prohibited, but because the single entrance to Pansea Bay goes through the hotel, it’s de facto private.
All other hotels are located on the second or third row from the beach, meaning they are cheaper. Below are some options for those:
- Benyada Lodge.
- Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort.
- Surintra Boutique Resort.
- Baan Chomtawan Guesthouse.
Besides standard hotels, you can rent a villa or condo in one of the condominium complexes. Villas:
- Villa Malisa.
- Azar Villa.
- Surin Heights Villa.
Apartments or condos:
- The Aristo Resort 421.
- 6 Avenue Surin by Loty.
- 6th Avenue Phuket Apartments.
- The Park Surin Serviced Apartments.
A condo will cost less if you rent one further from the beach.
How to Get There
Getting to Surin isn’t difficult because the beach has good transport accessibility. Several ways:
- Walk from Bang Tao or Kamala
- Use your own vehicle (motorbike or car)
- Take the bus from Phuket Town
- Take a taxi
The best option might be to hire a taxi. If you’re staying relatively close, you can get to the beach for a moderate sum—starting from about 700 baht. The maximum fare across the island might be 1,500 baht if you’re coming from the farthest point.
If you prefer not to overpay for a taxi, there’s a scheduled bus from Phuket Town, though it takes a while and may not be convenient for everyone, as it makes a loop through Phuket Town. It stops near the Heroines’ Monument. You’ll need to check the exact route on the spot.
If you’re driving around the island in a rental vehicle, the best option is to enter the address into Google Maps and follow the navigation. There are no tricky spots like at Tri Trang Beach; there’s basically one road, so you won’t get lost.
Thus, Surin Beach is a great option for families with children or for travelers looking for a peaceful, relaxing holiday. Don’t forget to share your vacation impressions in the comments below.
