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Phuket Beaches

Phuket has so many beautiful beaches to choose from. From the more busy Patong beach, to the relaxed Kata beach to small undeveloped bays and beaches where you can still be the only one.

Below you will find a list of Phukets main tourist beaches!

Patong Beach

Phuket's busiest resort area, Patong has the greatest concentration of bars, restaurant and shops on the island.

Patong has suffered from a lot of negative publicity in recent years for being over-developed and its hedonistic party scene. However, the majority of visitors to Phuket still choose to spend their time in Patong and for good reason. Patong has much to offer and despite its reputation for naughty nightlife, Patong is also very popular with families.

The 3km long beach still possesses beautiful white sand and clear water, which is now visibly clearer after the tsunami. The deck chairs and umbrellas are now back in force, providing an ideal place to relax and soak up the sun with all the conveniences you could want nearby.

You'll find everything here you could need on your holiday. There are numerous shops and stalls, as well as other leisure and recreational activities. However, if you are looking for a quiet beach retreat, you probably won't find it in Patong. view Patong Travel Guide

Kata Beach

Towards the southern end of Phuket is Kata Beach, which is divided into Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Both beaches offer stunning scenery and a relaxed atmosphere. Kata Yai: This is the larger of the two beaches. The bay is very picturesque with Koh Pu (Pu Island) at the northern end. Half of the beach is bordered by a road, while the southern half has a few resorts right on the beach. Club Med occupies a large portion of the land behind the beach road towards the northern end of the beach, keeping that end of the beach fairly quiet.

Due to its fairly small size, Kata has a cozy feel about it and is great for families. There are quite a few shops, restaurants and bars around Kata Centre and between Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Kata is perhaps the best compromise between the hectic pace of Patong and some of the quieter beaches on Phuket. Kata Nio: Kata Noi only has a few hotels and is dominated by the Kata Thani Hotel. The beach is lovely and there has only been a little development. view Kata Travel Guide

Karon Beach

Karon beach is a long stretch of powdery white sand just south of Patong. The beach is very long so it never feels overcrowded.At 4km, Karon is one of Phuket's longest beaches. Although there are a few large resorts and hotels, they are spread out and the area feels very relaxed. As in Patong, the hotels are separated from the beach by a road. However, unlike Patong, the beach is always fairly quiet. The beach itself is quite exposed, with little or no natural shade. The sand is so fine and powdery that it squeaks when you walk on it.

The southern point has a coral reef that stretches towards Kata and Pu Island. There are not as many watersports activities on Karon beach as in Patong or Kata. During the rainy season Karon can be good for surfing but dangerous for swimming due to the large waves and strong rip currents. view Karon Travel Guide

Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach is popular with locals who come to enjoy seafood and the lovely view of the islands from the shore.

In the days before Phuket became a popular holiday destination, Rawai Beach was where locals from Phuket Town would come to enjoy the seaside. These days, the beach itself is not that nice with many small boats anchored off the shore, although it is safe to swim all year round due to its position facing Phang Nga Bay.

At the eastern end of the beach is a sea-gypsy village which has a small fish market. Here you can also buy local handicrafts and assorted Thai snacks. The nearby viewpoint at Laem Prom Thep , the southernmost tip of the island, is particularly popular at sunset. view Rawai Travel Guide

Kamala Beach

A beautiful and serene beach, Kamala is perfect for those looking for a relaxed and laid back beach.Kamala is about 10 minutes drive north from Patong and a great place for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle. The southern end of this beautiful bay has a coral reef just a few metres offshore. Kamala is not over-developed yet, although there are some guesthouses and a few resorts. view Kamala Travel Guide

Bang Tao Beach

Bang Tao is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. The Laguna Phuket complex, containing five luxury hotels and an 18-hole golf course, dominates a large area of Bang Tao. However, it is not difficult to find a quiet spot to enjoy the crystal clear water and stunning white sand. The southern end of the beach is more developed and is where most of the accommodation is located, so if you want the beach to yourself, walk to the northern end where its much quieter. There are a number of shops, restaurants and bars near the entrance to Laguna Phuket, as well as those within the resort complex. The nearby town of Cherng Talay has a few shops as well as a fresh market. Canal Village within Laguna Phuket comprises about 30 shops, mostly selling handicrafts and clothing items. view Bang Tao Travel Guide

View other Phuket beaches: "Cape Laem Singh" - "Cape Panwa" - "Chalong Bay" - " Cherng Talay" - "Kalim Beach" - "Laem Singh" - "Layan Beach" - "Mai Kao" - "Nai Harn" - "Nai Thon" - "Nai Yang" - "Nui Beach" - "Surin Beach"