Which Phuket Beaches Are Good for a Vacation: A Brief Overview

Before going on holiday to Thailand—specifically, Phuket Island—most tourists ask a logical question: which area is best to stay in? The choice depends on many factors, but one of the main ones is Phuket’s beaches. After all, for some, white sand and maximum communion with nature are paramount, while others crave waves, partying, and plenty of socializing. Phuket offers something for every taste and budget. So, get ready – it’s time to explore the Phuket beaches!

Contents

General Information
Map
Ao Yon
Banana
Bang Tao
Kamala
Karon
Kata
Kata Noi
Laem Sing
Nai Thon
Nai Harn
Paradise
Patong
Rawai
Surin
Freedom
Tourists’ Reviews

General Information

Before diving into detailed descriptions and reviews—from enchanted to not-so-enchanted visitors—let’s cover some basic information every traveler should know upon arrival.

Beaches in Thailand, particularly in Phuket, do not operate under the concept of “private” or “paid.” Even if a five-star hotel has a path leading to the sea on one of the public beaches, that doesn’t mean the beach belongs to that hotel. (Even huge resort complexes built far from civilization don’t have private ocean access.)

Hotel staff cannot prevent travelers from using the shoreline (except for hotel property such as sun loungers or towels).

On most beaches, you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella for 100–150 baht; at popular spots like Patong, the price may go up to 200 baht.

The highest concentration of beaches suitable for comfortable relaxation is on the island’s western side (though that doesn’t mean there aren’t any on the eastern side).

The beach season starts in November and officially ends in April. You can still swim in other months, but you run the risk of encountering big waves or the tropical rainy season.

In high season (November–April), the waves are minimal, and the weather is clear and stable—perfect for a vacation. In low season (May–October), frequent rains and large waves, especially on the west coast, may make swimming difficult.

Map

To help you navigate the wide variety of beaches, we’ve prepared a special selection—Phuket beaches on a English-language map. We hope this helps you orient yourself on the island. And below is a short overview.

In addition to this brief overview, we’ve included photos of Phuket’s beaches. These photos were taken by ordinary people during their holidays.

Ao Yon

Those who associate the phrase “Phuket’s best beaches” with seclusion and wild nature will find Ao Yon (and its quieter counterpart, Ao Yon Noi) appealing. Actually, they’re not popular among European or other tourists because of their remote location from the island’s main hotspots.

They’re located on the island’s east side, frequented mostly by locals. The available infrastructure is limited to a few small cafés, a restaurant, and a large bar. There’s a yacht club and even a local pearl farm. Although you probably can’t get close to it.

On the shore of Ao Yon

Beautiful scenery and a close connection with nature attract visitors here. Another advantage is the location’s geography, which means minimal waves even during the non-tourist season (May–October).

Banana

Secret, best, and tourist-free—this was how Banana Beach looked in the year 2000. Gone are the days when only a select few knew about this peaceful, tranquil spot, and those who discovered it in their quest for unusual locales shared it only with close friends.

If you wonder which Phuket beach to pick—this one isn’t a bad choice, particularly compared to Patong (which is much more crowded).

Banana Beach is located closer to the island’s north side, and it’s recommended for fans of pristine white sand.

The beach has become more popular due to regular minibus trips ferrying tourists here. On the beach, you can rent a sun lounger for 150 baht, and there are now signs on the pathways leading to the shore.

Surrounded by rocky formations on all sides, it’s accessible only by two paths leading from a makeshift parking area—cleared by minibus and songthaew drivers who regularly bring tourists in. (Rumor has it that these drivers are the reason the beach is now widely known.)

As for infrastructure, it’s even more basic here than on the previous beach—there’s a single café (with somewhat steep prices) and a small rental spot for limited gear. However, things are changing, and it’s possible that more attractions will pop up soon.

The seabed is sandy, with no abrupt depth changes.

Bang Tao

You could spend a long time choosing among Thailand’s varied coastlines, since there are so many places to stay. It’s best to try visiting multiple beaches.

Bang Tao is a popular choice for those seeking comfort, although its muddy seabed can be a drawback.

Indeed, it has white, clean sand, a nice view (with pine-like trees growing almost to the water’s edge), and plenty of space to stroll along the shoreline and admire the scenery—countless, in fact.

However, in Phuket beach rankings, it’s not at the very top, due to the muddy seabed. Yes, the slope into the sea isn’t steep, but the squishy, muddy feeling under your feet is off-putting, to put it mildly.

Moreover, there’s no road running along Bang Tao, and fewer tourists (a small but important plus).

Kamala

This beach has everything even the pickiest tourist could want: a well-equipped coastal area with all the infrastructure you need, with a designated non-swimming or “technical” area, and an undeveloped, wild section.

Kamala lies north of the island’s main party district—Patong—so it’s less popular, and (generally) tourists prefer to stay farther south.

It’s made up of three zones:

Southern area — “technical” (dirty, shallow, and filled with fishing boats).
Northern area — home to the Café del Mar Phuket beach club (which regularly hosts parties, attracting young and active travelers).
Central area — divided into wild and developed sections.

It’s suitable for those with kids, as Kamala is shallow (especially at low tide) and has nice sand (not as white as Bang Tao’s, but still pleasant).

Amenities include many cafés, souvenir shops, some toilets, and fresh-water showers. If you prefer a wilder setting but don’t want to travel far, you can head to the second part of Kamala—no loungers and fewer people.

There’s even a sort of promenade along the southern side.

Karon

If you’re looking for white sand and an unpopulated beach, Karon may not be your ideal spot. Karon is always full of vacationers. Which makes sense—this is one of Phuket’s most famous beaches.

It’s informally divided into two zones—Small and Big Karon. The main (central) section is well-equipped with beach facilities (loungers, umbrellas, and showers).

Regarding dining or shopping, you won’t find many small, cheap Thai eateries here, but there is a Seven-Eleven store.

The sides of Karon may have fewer beach amenities, but also fewer people. If you buy loungers from local vendors in advance, you can enjoy your time comfortably.

The sea entry is sandy but can be steep in places, creating some inconvenience for visitors.

It’s crowded during high season thanks to calmer seas. But between May and summer, the water can be hazardous (with undercurrents that can drag people out to sea).

However, from May to October, swimming might be risky due to strong underwater currents typical of this beach.

This spot is popular among both young travelers and families with children.

Kata

Travelers at the junction of Kata and Karon beaches often wrestle with the choice: which is better? The debate remains unresolved.

Kata Beach sits close to Karon, separated only by a small rocky area. The main difference between the two is size. Kata is much smaller (Karon’s shoreline is 5 km long), at about 2.5–3 times less. Yet this relatively short stretch has everything you need for a beach holiday—sunbeds, canopies, cafés, souvenir shops, etc., mostly near Karon. The far side is more secluded.

The water is much calmer here because it’s in a more sheltered bay, but there’s a small downside: at low tide, it recedes up to 4 meters from the shore, making it difficult to swim (you have to walk quite a way to reach deeper water).

The season is the same as Karon’s (December–April). From May to November, conditions can be less comfortable in terms of water clarity (waves stir up the sand, causing turbidity).

Kata Noi

If you continue south along the coast, you’ll reach Kata Noi. It’s somewhat of an enclave of more expensive tourism, due to the hotels and resorts in the area. There’s no budget accommodation here, largely because it’s far from the main nightlife areas, meaning fewer crowds.

Immediately, you see the downsides: minimal beach infrastructure, a lack of cheaper restaurants, and no wallet-friendly stores. You can get to Kata Noi by public transport or motorbike—or, if you like hiking, you can walk there.

Due to its seclusion, you’ll often notice a relaxed and free-spirited crowd, with some visitors sunbathing topless for the sake of comfort.

Compared to Kata, Kata Noi’s seabed drops faster (within a few meters, it’s already deep). Its highlight is the presence of reefs along the south end of the beach, which don’t hinder swimmers.

The season is the same as anywhere, but from March, surfers begin to arrive because wave conditions improve.

Laem Sing

If you’re bored with Phuket’s large, well-known beaches, welcome to Laem Sing, considered a small and cozy spot on the island’s western coast.

Laem Sing Beach lies between Surin and Kamala and is only about 300 meters long. However, don’t get too excited—the abundant vegetation encroaches on the shoreline, shrinking the usable space to around 150 meters.

During peak season, it can feel overcrowded, as many tourists come here seeking refuge from chaos elsewhere.

In terms of density, Laem Sing is comparable to Karon or Kata. In summer (June, July, and part of August), tourist numbers drop off, and the beach transforms back into the secret hideaway it once was.

The sea is rarely calm, even in high season. The seabed is sandy, the slope is gentle, not steep.

Amenities include loungers (100–150 baht), umbrellas, a few cafés, and a makeshift fresh-water shower. Toilets are available in any café.

You could drive here, but it’s not recommended. During high season, finding parking along the road is virtually impossible. There’s no road near the beach—a stairway from the highway leads down.

Nai Thon

Nai Thon Beach (sometimes spelled Nai Ton) is one of the smaller beaches in Phuket’s north, under a kilometer long and about 50 meters wide.

It looks spectacular in the early morning, when nature is waking up and sunlight filters through the casuarina trees, which provide the only shade in the early morning.

You can rent sun loungers here (100–150 baht, as everywhere else in Phuket).

Swimming at Nai Thon is a delight: fine sand, crystal-clear water, and mild waves. Keep in mind that in season (December, January, February, March, and part of April) waves are minimal, but from the latter half of April, the water becomes murkier, largely due to stronger waves stirring up the sand.

The beach has become popular with families. New cafés have opened, offering Thai cuisine.

Its infrastructure is underdeveloped if you compare it to Karon or Patong, but it has:

A mini-market
Cafés
A massage parlor
A kite school
A diving center

It’s not a major surfing destination because the waves here are small, so it’s a good place for calm family vacations without unnecessary frills.

The local diving center can show you the beach’s underwater world, though not for free, of course.

Also, a national nature park is nearby, which might explain the modest beach infrastructure.

Nai Harn

Another paradise-like corner is Nai Harn Beach, which many visitors rank as Phuket’s top beach. Nai Harn is known for relatively mild waves, even in the summer when it’s officially off-season across the coast. However, during the rainy season, there’s a risk of an undertow, so swimming then isn’t advised.

With the lack of big waves, soft sand, and decent infrastructure, it’s perfect for families with children, and the lack of any real nightlife discourages partygoers, so Nai Harn remains calm and relaxing.

You can sunbathe on loungers or on the sand—thankfully, it’s clean here.

Its location isn’t great for package tours because there aren’t many hotels in the area (due in part to a nearby Buddhist monastery), but it’s easier for independent, long-term travelers. You can stay in the Chalong or Rawai districts, renting a private house or apartment.

Paradise

The most private beach among those described might be Paradise Beach. Not only does it charge an entry fee (100 baht), but there’s also a thorough security check for banned items (food, drinks, the usual prohibited stuff), giving the impression you’re entering a closed area. These measures are partly to encourage spending at the onsite restaurant, the only one at Paradise Beach.

The beach itself is small, split in the center by rocks. The sand-and-rock sea entry features many shell and coral fragments, so swimming might be tricky. But it’s a decent spot to escape city noise.

The entrance fee is 100–200 baht. Bags are checked at the entrance for food and drinks. Regular music shows and parties are held on the beach.

Most infrastructure here belongs to a single owner. The former landowner charged no entry fee, so it used to get more visitors.

Paradise Beach is situated such that, by the afternoon, much of it is shaded. By around 5 PM, the whole beach is in shade—so the sun “sets” a bit earlier here than elsewhere on the island.

You’ll find many young people here. Its unique draw is a black Labrador dog.

Patong

Where can you go in Phuket for excitement, entertainment, and nightlife? Patong. It’s the spot with more than half of all shops, eateries, and other attractions. Furthermore, Patong is one of the cheaper areas in Phuket; compared with Karon or Kata, it’s definitely cheaper. Tourists flock here from September to April, and the low beach season runs May to September.

With a host of entertainment venues, the main crowd is young people who aren’t fond of staying put. So in high season, the beach feels like an anthill—be prepared for crowds. Add to that the massive number of loungers placed nearly side by side.

Cleanliness leaves much to be desired. Despite the many cleaners, they can’t keep up, and Patong is one of the less tidy, if not the dirtiest, beaches.

Patong offers plenty of things to do, from banana boat rides to parasailing and diving—something for everyone. At night, life here gains even more momentum.

Renting a SUP board on the beach costs 300 baht/hour, a jet ski from 1800 baht, and parasailing from 1500 baht. Activities are available for all ages.

Patong’s main distinction is price. It’s more affordable for lodging and many activities compared to areas further north or south—an appealing factor, so many travelers choose to stay here.

Rawai

The Rawai area, near Phuket Town, has a lot of attractions, but there’s a major downside—the Rawai Beach itself. It’s a “technical” beach, meaning you can’t really swim there at all. The dirty water, countless fishing boats, and tourist boats that ferry visitors to Ko Lon, Racha, and Coral Island have taken a toll.

It’s not just that swimming is unpleasant—being there is unappealing. The stench of rotting fish and piles of trash near fishermen’s dwellings repel tourists and locals alike.

Surin

Not far from Bang Tao lies Surin Beach, which, compared to the first, is more developed and has more traveler-oriented facilities.

The beach is about a kilometer long. Surin definitely ranks among Phuket’s top beaches. It’s clean, not overly noisy, and has plenty of greenery.

The sea entry is sandy but becomes deep quickly, which can be challenging for families with kids (especially non-swimmers).

The beach is somewhat small, so loungers end up placed in 4–5 rows, limiting movement.

Surin can feel stifling (being in a closed bay). During high season, there are no waves, though that’s a bit misleading. The steep seabed prevents waves from rolling all the way onto shore. In the summer, the waves can be quite big, making swimming potentially dangerous.

Surin’s main crowd is young people, though nowhere near Patong’s volume.

At night, you can stroll around, visit cafés, and take in the lovely views. The beach is more developed than neighboring Bang Tao.

Freedom

Not far from Patong lies Freedom Beach, which is much less crowded and relatively cleaner. Freedom sits nestled between rocky areas, with dense jungle behind it. According to locals, you can reach the beach by car, but be warned—it’s a dirt road, not a paved one.

Officially, Freedom is free, but enterprising Thais have built stairways leading down and charge tourists for entry.

The cost of crossing private land is 200 baht. Access to the beach is only possible via a footpath, taking about 15 minutes.

The beach consists of two coves (the main one and a smaller one), divided by rocks. You can get from one side to the other either by going through the jungle or via the water.

Tip: you can move between the two coves during low tide when the water is shallower. Just be cautious of slippery rocks.

The beach boasts powdery white sand, free of shell fragments or small stones.

You can rent a sunbed on the beach for 100–150 baht. Shade here ends at around 10 AM, after which only the sea can save you from the heat.

There is a restroom, but no shower.

There’s a café on the beach, but lunch must be ordered in advance, given the high demand.

The sea entry is shallow; at low tide, it’s a long walk to deeper water. Freedom has no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk.

Tourists’ Reviews

We’ve gathered a few interesting reviews about Phuket’s beaches.

MashaMarusya (from a review site)

Pros — The island has so many beaches, all of them are wonderful, with easy water entry, pleasant sand, and warm, gentle sea.

Cons — Phuket is overly touristic, too popular a resort, affecting the cost of accommodation and meals. It’s Thailand’s most expensive resort.

Mams2sun (from a review site)

Here everyone can find their own piece of paradise…

Pros — Each beach is good in its own way
Cons — none

Miss Ann (from a review site)

Pros — Variety: noisy, quiet, large, small, with infrastructure and without it, exotic and not so much.
Cons — I didn’t find any

In any case, the true charm of Phuket’s beaches can only be experienced in person. Enjoy your vacation and feel free to share your own experiences in the comments!

Which Phuket Beaches Are Best for a Vacation? A Brief Overview

General Information

Map

Ao Yon

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Banana

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Bang Tao

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Kamala

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Karon

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Kata

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Kata Noi

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Laem Sing

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Nai Thon

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Nai Harn

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Paradise

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Patong

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Rawai

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Surin

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Freedom

Beach information

Reviews

Photos

Tourists’ Reviews