Phuket Beaches

Mai Khao Beach

Situated on Phuket's west coast, Hat Mai Khao is the island's longest beach extending for about 11 kilometres from the International Airport up to the northernmost tip of the island near the Sarasin Bridge. Mai Khao is one of four island's beaches that lie within the Sirinath National Park, the other are: Hat Nai Thon, Hat Nai Yang and Hat Sai Kaew. Previously known as Nai Yang National Park, it was declared Thailand's 51st national park on 13 July 1981 to protect the declining number of sea turtles. The park's total area is 90 square kilometres, with 68 square kilometres of marine area and 22 square kilometres land-based. Although Hat Mai Khao is within the park, most of beach is free to access, but a 200 baht fee is still required if you enter from the southern tip, 40 baht for locals or expatriates. The beautiful stretch of white and soft sand is lined by a hinterland rich in vegetation and trees. Surrounded by crystalline waters Mai Khao is one of the most pristine beaches on Phuket Island. The beach is practically free from residential or tourist developments, the only buildings built nearby are the Phuket International Airport, the Splash Jungle, which is the only water park on the island, and a few luxury resorts and villas, including the JW Marriott Phuket Resort, Maikhao Dream Resort & Spa, Marriott's Maikhao Villas and Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa. Due to the distance from the famous seaside resorts of Phuket, the beach is always deserted and is the ideal place for those who want a beach-lonely day on the beautiful Andaman Sea. To get to the beach, wherever you are on the island, follow the signs to the Phuket's airport, reached the variant that leads to the airport continue on the Thanon Thepkrasattri leading to Sarasin Bridge for another kilometre then turn to the left and follow the signs to Baan Mai Khao or Hat Mai Khao.Read More  

Nai Yang Beach

Nai Yang Beach lies on the northwest coast of the Phuket Island, just 2 km south of longer Mai Khao Beach and no more than five minutes by car or scooter from the International Airport. Like most of the northern beaches of Phuket, this charming secluded beach is relatively unknown and offers a very quiet atmosphere compared to the busy southern beaches of the island. Nai Yang Beach is never crowded except in the weekend and public holidays when it becomes a popular picnic destination for local families and young Thais, especially the northern part that lies within the Sirinath National Park. The fairly wide sand strip is about a kilometre long and pleasantly lined with casuarina trees that provide many shady areas. Apart from swimming and sunbaths other activities available at Nai Yang include wind surfing and kite surfing. The northern part of the beach is a great spot for snorkelling as the waters are more crystalline and the nearby coral reef offering a great marine life. Nai Yang has a few luxury 5 star beachfront resorts and a good range of cheaper accommodation that is ideal for the budget traveller. Waterfront there are also many cafes, beach bars and restaurants offering excellent seafood dishes at reasonable prices. Few shops on the beach sell batik, clothing and swimwear, while across the tiny street, you’ll find a tailor, a mini mart and a diving shop. To reach the beach, wherever you are on the island, follow the main road leading to the Phuket's airport and Sarasin Bridge, Thanon Thepkrasattri, passing through all the Thalang District. The road leading to the beach is just 2 km before the airport on the left.Read More  

Nai Thon Beach

Nai Thon Beach is one of Phuket's most isolated and hidden beaches, far from lively and developed areas such as Patong or Karon, yet it is a small paradise for people looking for a relaxing holiday away from the crowds and the hustle. Located on the northwest coast of island, this quiet, charming beach is just south of Nai Yang Beach and north of Banana Beach, only a 10 minute drive from Phuket International Airport. To get there from Patong, follow the coastal road that leads to the north, after Surin and Bang Tao beaches, you will find the small road leading to the beach on the left, hidden between the rubber plantations that characterize the area. This last stretch of road crosses one of the last areas of virgin forest on Phuket Island. Nestled within the Sirinat National Park, the beach itself is only about 1km in length and well shaded by tall trees. The sand is smooth and swimming is great throughout the high season, while from May to October the sea can be too dangerous to swim. At both ends of the beach are the rocky headlands, which also make it a great place for snorkelling and even scuba diving courses organized by the small diving shops set on beach road. Just beyond the southern headland lies the small Nai Thorn Beach, also known as Nai Thon Noi. Nai Thon has a good choice of accommodation. Both headlands are dominated by two large resorts, at south is the Malaiwana Luxury Villas & Residences, while to north lies the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. Just behind the beach are scattered several other cheaper and more affordable budget hotels, guesthouses and villas, as well as a couple of mini marts, a few bars and some good restaurants serving fish dishes at affordable prices. Definitely, Nai Thon is a small and quiet tropical paradise, the beach is beautiful, the sea is crystal clear and in the beachfront restaurants you can even dine on barefoot on the sand, this is the ideal place to get away from the crowds and enjoy a vacation in perfect relaxation. Read More  

Banana Beach

Banana Beach is one of the last unspoilt secret beaches in Phuket, although lately the tourists begin to know it. The pretty tiny beach is also known as Banana Rock Beach, due to the rocky formations that divides the beachfront into two, and is hidden on the northwest coast of island between Nai Thon and Bang Tao beaches, just 10 kilometres south of Phuket International Airport following the secondary road N° 4018. The stunning white sand strip is no more than 170 meters in length and quite wide with shallow crystal blue water and lined by tall palms and casuarina trees offering shaded areas. Throughout the high season the water is calm and flat, making it a top spot to swim and snorkel, especially at both ends dotted with large rock formations that offer shelter to colourful fish. At the southern end of the Banana Beach is set a small restaurant, which is the only beachfront facility. It serves fresh and delicious seafood dishes, fruit platters and cold drinks at really affordable prices. The restaurant also has sun loungers and umbrellas that you can rent for about 100 baht per day or 200 baht per the set. During the high season you can also hire a longtail boat from the restaurant to explore the surrounding coast. There is no accommodation directly on the waterfront or behind the beach, and it is a mystery why this tiny, quiet tropical paradise hasn’t been developed like the rest of the island. However, close to Banana Beach you will find the Tri Sara Resort Hotel & Villas or the upmarket and very luxurious resorts facing Layan Beach such as Anantara Layan Phuket Resort and Layan Beach Resort & Spa Village. Most Banana Beach visitors arrive by longtail boat from one of the nearby beaches. However, you can also reach the beach following the small coastal road N° 4018 that links the northern end of Bang Bao Beach to the Phuket International Airport. Heading north just past the Layan Beach Resort & Spa you will see the small parking area from which a small downhill trail leads to the beach.Read More  

Layan Beach

Nestled in the west coast of Phuket, Layan Beach is the name of the northern part of Bang Tao Bay. Overlooking the beautiful turquoise crystal clear waters of Andaman Sea, the large open bay is situated approximately halfway between International Airport and Patong Beach and is one of most popular and busy holiday destinations on Phuket Island. Contrariwise, Layan Beach is quieter and rather undeveloped and is the ideal spot for those seeking to get away from the crowd. However, it offers some high-end accommodation, excellent restaurants and trendy venues located on the waterfront, such as the stylish Dream Beach Club and the luxurious Anantara Layan Phuket Resort. Other luxurious resorts are hidden on the northern promontory between the thick vegetation like the Layan Beach Resort & Spa Village and Tri Sara Resort Hotel & Villas. The beach itself has a beautiful white sand and the sea is almost always calm all year round thanks to the shelter offered by Koh Kala, the tiny island that lies just in front of the shore. The area at the southern end of the beach is spectacular; here you will find a few beach chairs and a friendly restaurant that serves Thai food at reasonable prices. Just opposite Koh Kala is a small pier where longtail boats are available for rent, while several fishing boats are moored around the island and along the small river that leads to the salt lagoon situated behind Layan Beach. On the pier there is a Sea Rescue centre, a couple of small shops where you can find some Thai snacks, fruit and drinks, or rent a sea kayak and go around the lagoon or reach Koh Kala. On low tide you can also walk to the island and watch the fishermen at work..Read More  

Pansea Beach

Pansea Beach is a small jewel hidden on Phuket's western coast. The beach is located just to the north of Surin Beach from which is separated by a small rocky headland covered with lush vegetation, approximately halfway between the International Airport and Patong Beach, no more than 30 minute drive from both destinations. Lined with tall palm trees, the stunning white sandy beach stretches for no more than 400 meters and is surrounded by turquoise crystal water, which is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and other water activities. Full of marine life, the pristine coral reef is just off the shore and the magnificent rock formations on either ends add to the beach a postcard effect. Unfortunately, Pansea Beach looks like a private beach shared by The Surin Phuket and Amanpuri Phuket, and the beachfront is only accessible through the grounds of these exclusive luxury five star beach resorts. Rich and famous international celebrities choose to stay at these upmarket resorts, and so the resort owners do their best to protect their guests’ privacy by discouraging visitors. As many know, in Thailand private beaches are unlawful, but if the entire land around it belongs to someone, that someone has the right to give access or not. However, there is a hidden path leading to the beach but it is hard to find and a little steep, so not many people use it. The best way to get to Pansea Beach is to rent a longtail boat from the nearby Surin or Bang Tao beachs and drop just off the shore. Read More  

Kalim Beach

Located on the Phuket's west coast, Kalim Beach lies just to the north of Patong. The beach is really only the continuation of Patong Beach and the only thing separating the two beaches is a small rocky headland. Kalim bay is dotted with rock formations and is characterized by a very shallow reef, making it unsuitable for swimming. However, at both ends there are small areas suitable for swimming or snorkelling, they are easy visible from the road that runs alongside the whole beach. During the monsoon season, from June through to October, the northern end of Kalim is one of the better beaches in Phuket to go surfing, and several important competitions were held here, such as the Quicksilver Thailand Competition in 2012. Set along the coastal road there is a good range of accommodation from friendly resorts and hotels to budget hotels and guesthouses. Kalim Bay also houses some of Phuket's finest restaurants. Waterfront are situated Da Maurizio, Whitebox Restaurant and Lounge Bar and Acqua by Alessandro Frau, each of which offers Italian cuisine in stunning setting, and Baan Rim Pa Patong that with it's Royal Thai cuisine and breathtaking panoramic views is one of the most famous restaurants in Thailand. Read More  

Siam Beach

Located on west coast of Phuket, Siam Beach is enclosed on three sides by steep cliffs and looks like a natural swimming pool. Peace and quiet, along with the opportunity to practice a great swimming and snorkelling in the crystal water, compensate the effort to tackle the steep stairs to the beach access. You can reach Siam Beach from the hillside above Kata, just after the Karon Viewpoint there is the small Soi Leammumnai leading to the parking lot next to the stairs and the restaurant in which you have to pay 100 THB per person to access to the beach.Read More  

Ao Sane Beach

Ao Sane Beach is one of the most secluded, mysterious and beautiful beaches in Phuket Island. This small secret beach is located near the southwest tip of island hidden behind the headland to the north of Nai Harn Beach. Ao Sane consists of three very small sandy bays divided by small rocky outcrops and is surrounded by thick vegetation that provides the necessary shade on the hottest days. The three strips of rather coarse sand are about 250 metres long in total and are also dotted by numerous polished rocks, some of which also emerge from the sea. The water is very clear with a beautiful turquoise colour and the coral reef is located close to the shore. From November to March, during high tide, the beach is a perfect spot for snorkelling or scuba diving, although it is not to great from swimming, due to the rocks that are in the water. The first bay, the largest, houses a restaurant that offers good Thai and seafood dishes at cheap prices. It is open from early in the morning till late at night and it also has toilets and showers. At restaurant you can rent a couple of sun bed for 200 baht a day, while at small Armin’s Dive Shop are available snorkelling and diving gears. At Ao Sane you can also take your first diving lesson for just over 1,000 baht. The restaurant also rents very basic bungalows made of bamboo along the beach. The price is around 1,000 baht for a double bed with fan and shower. Due to the limited number, in high season it is recommended to book the bungalow in advance at number 076 288 306. To get to Ao Sane Beach, you will to drive through the parking of Royal Phuket Yacht Club at north of Nai Harn and follow the cliff side road for about 1 kilometre until the small parking area above the beach. Read More  

Ya Nui Beach

Ya Nui is a quiet, small secluded beach situated near the southern tip of the Phuket Island, just south of popular Nai Harn Beach. The charming beach is hidden in a small cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and famous Promthep Cape. To get there, from Nai Harn go up the road leading to the huge white windmill and then follow the downhill road, the car park and the beach are just on the right at the foot of hill. Ya Nui Beach has a nice tranquil atmosphere and is an ideal spot to spend a relaxing day away from the crowd, although it isn't a secret beach like Banana or Ao Sane beaches and is therefore quite crowded in high season. The beach itself is rather small, the white sand strip is no more than 150 meters, and is split in two by a large rocky formation that extends out into the water. The quiet, crystalline sea has a beautiful turquoise colour and is dotted with several boulders. The best spot for snorkelling is around the northern headland or just near the rock extension on the southern end of the beach. Just offshore lies the tiny Koh Man, one of the few islands facing the west coast of Phuket. The island has no beaches but is a good spot for a kayaking round trip. Unfortunately for sun lovers, sun bed are no longer available for hire at Ya Nui Beach Until a few years ago, a small open-air restaurant was situated on the beach, but it was removed in 2014 as part of a programme imposed by the military to bring Phuket's beaches back to their natural state. Anyhow, there is another restaurant located just across the road, as well as a small dive shop where you can hire masks and fins, diving gears and kayaks. Just across the road are also situated a couple of small bungalow resorts and a guesthouse. Read More