Top 10 Best Beaches in Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is a popular beach destination in Asia for its fabulous beaches with crystal clear water. Millions of travel buff around the world come to Phuket to enjoy sugar-white sand, tree-fringed pristine beaches, fresh air, various water sports and adventure activities in Phuket. This article gives information on the best beaches in Phuket and Phuket activities. These Phuket beaches are frequently rated among the top beaches in the world.
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When it comes to beaches in Phuket, tourists can expect a lot from this largest island in Thailand. From luxurious resorts to adrenaline-pumping water sports, bars, restaurants and spa – these popular beaches of Phuket have plenty of things whether you travel solo or with your partner or families.
We’ve picked ten of the best beaches throughout Phuket, but you should know that there are countless other splendid, exotic, gorgeous beaches that can blow your mind while going for a beach holiday in Phuket.
#1 KATA BEACH
The golden sand, blue azure waters and the calm and flat sea come together to give a picture postcard like romantic appeal to Kata beach. The beach is cove shaped and lies just south of Karon. Enjoy the sea on a sunny day with your partner- Sun loungers, umbrellas and beach chairs are available to rent in Kata beach. Adventure seekers can try scuba diving at the northern end of Kata beach. Even though Phuket’s east coast is not ideal for surfing but at least you can catch some waves here.
There are some cool beach bars and restaurants at the southern end of Kata beach which remain often filled up. If you are looking for some of the best luxury resorts to stay in Phuket, you will get several options to choose in Kata. Easy access to restaurants and hotels makes it the best beach in Phuket for families.
Best For: Couples who are looking for the best honeymoon destinations in Thailand.
Where to Stay in Kata Beach:
- Chanalai Flora Resort (Honeymoon Resort in Kata)
- Beyond Resort Kata (Family Resorts in Kata)
- Kata Country House (Cheap Hotel in Kata)
#2 PATONG BEACH
List of the beaches in Phuket is incomplete without mentioning Patong, the heart of Phuket. It is the busiest and longest beach of Phuket with a 2.5 km stretch. Patong beach is a lively beach full of energy. The town behind the beach is the hub of many restaurants, bars and massage parlor. You can experience the famous nightlife of Phuket with its busy night scene, neon lights and bars at Bangla Street.
Patong beach itself is very popular for its nice sand, mild waves and different water activities. Phuket is expensive than other parts of Thailand. But the booming tourist industry results in plenty of budget hotels and restaurants in Patong and makes it one of the best beaches in Phuket for backpackers.
If you travel solo in Thailand, Patong is the beach which you don’t want to miss. All kinds of tourists come here and that makes it one of the most crowded and famous beaches in Phuket for solo travelers. Meet with new friends in a lovely Thai disco and enjoy a day in Patong at its fullest.
Best For: People watching, Thai street foods and gorgeous nightlife. Couples, Solo, Family, Budget.
Where to Stay in Patong Beach:
- Amari Phuket (Honeymoon Resort in Patong)
- Ramada by Wyndham Phuket Deevana Patong (Family Hotel in Patong)
- Amici Miei Hotel ( Cheap Hotel in Patong)
#3 FREEDOM BEACH
Freedom beach is one of my favorite beaches in Phuket which is just a 10-minute boat ride from Patong. Surprisingly, while Patong is a crowded busy beach, Freedom beach is just the opposite where you can have a soulful and relaxing experience. Visitors, looking for a calm and serene atmosphere, can enjoy a relaxing holiday in the white sand beach that is surrounded by hills and jungle.
Here you won’t find any parasailing, jet skiing or any water sports. But Freedom beach has a handful of bars ad restaurants available despite the relative inaccessibility. People come to Freedom beach to escape the hustle and bustle of Patong beach. In a comforting ambiance, you can try snorkeling in the clear blue water or can play soccer or volleyball on the beach.
Best For: A postcard-perfect beach experience in a serene ambiance without all the crowd. Best for stunning photography location.
Where to Stay in Freedom Beach:
- Crest Resort & Pool Villas (Honeymoon hotel in Patong)
- Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong (Family hotel in Patong)
- Hollywood Inn Love ( Cheap hotel in Patong)
#4 NAI HARN BEACH
Nai Harn Beach was once an undiscovered and quiet beach located at the southern end of Phuket. The beach is 660 m long and continues to grow in popularity. One can still expect less crowd in Nai Harn beach even in the high season. With gently sloping soft seabed, feather-soft sand, shallow waters, and incredibly azure blue surf, it is no wonder tourists and locals like to spend a weekend holiday in this not so renowned beach of Phuket.
There are some bars and simple beach restaurants in Nai Harn beach serving a variety of Thai dishes. Those wanting an authentic Thai massage on the beach will have no problem finding someone to do it. Shopping and accommodation options are pretty available though the spot hasn’t been excessively developed.
Best For: Couples, family to soak up the luxury at a high-end beach-side resort.
Where to Stay in Nai Harn Beach:
- The Nai Harn (Honeymoon hotel in Nai Harn)
- Sense of Yanui (Family hotel in Nai Harn)
- On The Rock Resort Phuket (Cheap hotel in Nai Harn)
Read Next: 10 Best Nude Beaches in Florida
#5 KARON BEACH
Karon is another popular but touristy beach in Phuket. It spans 4 km in length, making it the third-longest beach in Phuket. Karon beach is located between Patong and Kata beach and has some of the best family-friendly resorts in Phuket. People looking for a relaxing family holiday in Thailand can come to Karon and spend good family time exploring the beach with super soft white sand and clear turquoise sea.
Karon Beach is sheltered by tall palm trees that provide welcoming shade from the scorching sun and good isolation from the traffic noise from the road that runs alongside the beach. You will have plenty of things to do in Karon beach like parasailing, swimming, jet skiing. Don’t miss the chance to witness the shimmering sunset at Karon beach.
Best For: Trying some outdoor water activities with families and children. Couples can also enjoy a romantic holiday in Karon beach.
Where to Stay in Karon Beach:
- Mandarava Resort and Spa, Karon Beach (Honeymoon resort in Karon)
- Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (Family resort in Karon)
- Chanalai Hillside Resort, Karon Beach (Cheap Hotel in Karon)
Read Next: 10 Best Coolers with Wheels for Beach Sand
#6 BANG TAO
Want to spend a relaxing vacation at a quiet beach in Thailand? Bang Tao is one of the quietest beaches in Phuket. It is the second-longest beach in Phuket with a stretch of 6 km. The southern part of Bang Tao beach is more popular than the northern part. The northern part is less populated, free from large hotels, resorts and relatively untouched. The sea here is calm, flat and pretty enjoyable during the months from November to April.
You will get more affordable accommodation in the south end of Bang Tao beach whereas some of the luxurious resorts of Bang Tao beach can be found in the north end. The long stretch of Bang Tao beach is ideal for honeymoon couples stroll hand in hand along the beach. You can also try parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, and banana boat rides which are available in Bangtao during the high season.
Best For: A leisurely stroll down the coastline, followed by a romantic dinner in
Bang Tao beach.
Where to Stay in Bang Tao Beach:
- Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach Phuket (Honeymoon resort in Bang Tao)
- Cassia Phuket (Family hotel in Bang Tao)
- Andaman Seaside Resort (Cheap hotel in Bang Tao)
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#7 BANANA BEACH
If you are looking for the cleanest beach in Phuket, I will strongly recommend visiting Banana beach. However, this hidden masterpiece is not within a walking distance from any well-known town or village location. This utterly gorgeous virgin beach of Phuket is accessible by long-tail boat from nearby Rawai beach or you can hire a car to reach Banana Rock Beach.
Banana beach is a perfect example for those who think Phuket is only for party people with heavy crowds. This tiny beach with crystal clear water and lush green jungle in the background is also considered as one of the best beaches in Phuket for couples and families. You will have plenty of things to do in Banana beach- from parasailing to kayaking to snorkeling.
Best For: Some of the best snorkeling in all of Phuket. Banan rock beach is also one of the best beaches in Phuket for photography.
Where to Stay in Banana Beach:
- Impiana Resort Patong, Phuket (Honeymoon resort near Banana beach)
- The Kee Resort & Spa (Family hotel near Banana beach)
#8 PARADISE BEACH
Paradise beach is just 4 km southwest of Patong. It is one of the nicest beaches in Phuket that is still able to save its virginity from the tourist boom in Thailand. The white sand of this remote beach is shaded by palm trees and tropical almonds. You can see different sizes of granite rocks at both end of the beach and a coral reef some 100 m offshore.
Paradise Beach Club offers beach chairs, restaurants, shops, activities and fantastic Koh Phangan-style beach parties.
Tips: One has to pay 100 Baht to access this pristine beach of Phuket.
Best For: Partying the night away at a beach club for Couples, Family and Photography
Where to Stay in Paradise Beach:
- Crest Resort & Pool Villas
- Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong – Mgallery
- Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
- Patong Merlin Hotel
#9 SURIN BEACH
The Surin beach of today is much different than it used to be. People come to visit this beach for its raw natural beauty, calm blue water, soft white sand and peaceful charm. The 800 m long Surin beach remains a very popular choice for solitude seekers. It is the home of a good selection of Phuket’s luxurious resorts, hotels, shops and restaurants.
People who love swimming would surely love this beach. During high season(December-April) the beach remains very popular among local and international tourists, but the sea can be rough during the low season(June-September). When you are not swimming you can relax and have a sunbath laying down your towel or mat on the beach.
Best For: Swimming in a fantastic blue sea or relaxing on the beach with a mesmerizing view of the sea.
Where to Stay in Surin Beach:
- The Surin Phuket (Honeymoon hotel in Surin beach)
- Twinpalms Phuket (Family resort in Surin beach)
- Surintra Boutique Resort (Cheap hotel in Surin beach)
#10 YA NUI BEACH
Ya Nui beach is one of the most underrated beaches in Phuket. It is located between the famous Windmill Viewpoint and the popular Promthep Cape in the southern part of Phuket Island. This tiny beach of Phuket might not have fancy restaurants or luxurious resorts but with its clear blue emerald water and soft white sand, you will remain amazed by its beauty.
During the high season, the water is very clear and clam and that makes it the ultimate place for the people who like snorkeling. If you are an adventure freak, you can rent a kayak from the beach and explore the nearby island.
Don’t expect fancy bars or restaurants near to Ya Nui beach. There are two small Thai restaurants under high green trees sheltered from direct sunlight. The restaurants offer varieties of Thai dishes and fresh tropical fruits.
Best For: Snorkeling and swimming in a peaceful serene atmosphere. Popular among couples and solo travelers.
Where to Stay in Ya Nui Beach:
You won’t find any hotel or resort directly on the beach, but can stay just a few meters away from the beach.
- The Windmill Phuket Hotel
- Ya Nui Beach Villas (Honeymoon hotel in Ya Nui)
- Yanui Beach Tropical villa
- Sense of Yanui (Cheap hotel near Ya Nui)
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As you can see Phuket is blessed with beautiful beaches from busy and full of energy beach to quiet hidden or secluded beaches. You will also find beaches from white to golden powdery sands and sea serene for swimming to turquoise water for snorkeling. While exploring the beaches you should be aware of what to wear in Thailand beaches.
I hope you like the list of the best beaches of Phuket and also let us know about your experience on any of these beautiful beaches. Comment down which is your personal favorite beach in Phuket?
Happy Traveling… 🙂
Have visited 3 of the above mentioned beaches, will definitely try to visit the remaining ones soon. Nicely written !!
Thanks for sharing! My husband and I have gone to Thailand twice, but have only been to Koh Lanta, and Koh Lipe. Trying to get away from the crowds! hah
Beaches in Thailand are so exotic and beautiful. They look perfect for a relaxing getaway!
This place is wonderful, hope I could visit there someday! :0
This is such a great list. I have been to Thailand many a times but not to all these beaches. This is for my next time.
I want to visit Thailand so bad. I’ve heard such wonderful things about the beaches and the people.
Lovely compilation of the beautiful beaches in Phuket, would like to view the sunset @ Karon Beauch, I love sunset
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Right on time! Spring is here and I can’t wait to visit beautiful beaches.
Thank you for sharing this. My husband is debating if Thailand or Malaysia and this is very helpful info.
I am yet to visit the beach and island side of Thailand and Phuket is in my list. Will be going there for sure.
I heard that Phuket has beautiful beaches from my friends who have them. They are so beautiful from your pictures and descriptions. I would love to go!
Yes, Phuket has some of the best beaches in the world. Thank you for your kind comment.
I’ve always wanted to visit Phuket! All of these beaches are so beautiful! I don’t mind going to any of them.
These beaches are so beautiful!
Who can pick which one to visit first? Each of these beaches is amazing! These are great pics!