Mai Khao Beach is everything that a Phuket beach should be. There are long, gorgeous, unspoiled stretches where it’s possible to find total seclusion, with not a single person, shop, bar or restaurants in sight.
Part of Sirinath National Park, Mai Kaho Beach is enormous, at almost 10 kilometers long, making it the longest Phuket beach. Untouched white sand bears testimony to the distinct lack of development at Mai Khao Beach. If you have come to Phuket in search of an unforgettable beach, don’t waste your time at Patong Beach, as for too many tourists do. Just head to Mai Khao Beach and enjoy the isolation.
Mai Khao Beach is one of the few places in Phuket where you might want to camp. Otherwise, there are a few places to stay, including some very-high-end resorts.
The beach runs all the way from Nai Yang Beach to Sai Kaew Beach. Mai Khao Beach is located at the north of Phuket. To get to the southern end of the beach you will need to enter the national park, which might see you have to cough up a fee of 400 baht for foreigners, 40 baht for Thais.
However, it is just as easy to access the beach at the northern end of Mai Khao, just before Sarasin Bridge. There you’ll find a few restaurants dotted along the coast. The whole vibe at Mai Khao Beach is totally laid back. The further south you go down the beach, the more secluded you will find yourself.
The central parts of Mai Khao Beach, especially, are actually quite hard to get to and you may need to enlist the help of a motorcycle taxi driver to get there are back.
During monsoon season, the sea can be a little choppy and dangerous. Also, if you are visiting some of the more isolated parts of the beach, it’s best to do so in numbers as there was an incident in which a solo sunbather was attacked.
It’s easy enough to forgive the coarse sand at Mai Khao Beach because the area is so beautiful. There are no banana boats or jet-skis anywhere, which is a big plus point. You might see a few fishing boats here and there, but otherwise, this is the epitome of paradise and it’s a side of Phuket that people seem determined to avoid.
JW Marriott Phuket Resort is the main resort in the area.
Nai Yang Beach is just south of Mai Khao Beach. The northern part of Nai Yang Beach is also part of Sirinath National Park, which means that it is totally undeveloped. Aside from a few salas here and there, the northern part of Nai Yang Beach is another decent spot that criminally few tourists seem to give any attention to.
In the northern part of the beach, you’ll often come across local families out enjoying the beach and the sea. As a result, there are a few food vendors here and there selling local fare. It’s all very Thai and is certainly worth your time if you want to get away from the masses at Patong Beach and Kata Beach.
The further south you move along Nai Yang Beach, the more development you will come across, including bars and restaurants. Near the middle of the beach is the high-end Indigo Pearl resort, which is an amazing place to see if you have the money. The resort is awesome and is totally quirky, with heaps of references to Phuket’s tin-mining history.
There are lots of fishermen around Nai Yang Beach, so be careful when swimming or else you might get caught up in fishing net.
Nai Yang Beach is about two kilometers long in total and there are a few hotels and guesthouses along the coast. There are lots of great places for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling.
Nai Yang Beach really has the atmosphere of a laidback fishing village. It’s a great spot for lounging around and having a picnic. Like Mai Khao Beach, Nai Yang Beach has some good places for camping, although swimming is a little dangerous during the rainy season.
There are a few sun loungers for rent at Nai Yang Beach. The central area has the most facilities. There are also some of the best seafood restaurants on the island.
Although there are no banana boats, there are a few more eco-friendly watersports on offer, including scuba diving and kite surfing. Kite Board Asia is the place to go if you want to learn kite surfing and it is located in the central area of the beach.
There can be some decent spots for regular surfing, but the conditions are nowhere near as good as at Kata Beach. Waves tend to be rather small.
The water isn’t quite as crystal clear as at Mai Khao Beach, but the beach at Nai Yang is OK. It can get a little dirty, but there are regular beach cleanups. There is none of the overpriced madness as you find at Patong Beach and other areas of Phuket.
Kamala Beach is located north of Patong Beach. Though it is a popular spot, Kamala Beach isn’t as busy as Karon Beach, Kata Beach or Patong Beach. Only about two kilometers long, Kamala Beach is a quieter alternative to the other popular Phuket beaches.
Kamala Beach is a small Muslim community that is far less rowdy than some of the other spots around the island. While there are a few resorts at Kamala Beach, for the most part, the scenery is beautiful, although the beach’s popularity has led to a surge in restaurants, shops and bars.
In spite of all this, Kamala Beach is clean and appealing. Being so close to Patong Beach, Kamala Beach is the kind of place you might want to go during the day before heading out to Patong to sample the nightlife.
Kamala Beach is incredibly popular with Scandinavian tourists and, as such, there are numerous Scandi restaurants and blonde bombshells walking around. As well as the numerous restaurants, Kamala Beach has its fair share of food vendors.
Kamala Beach has sun loungers pretty much all over the place and there are some really scenic spots. During the low season, however, the water conditions take a turn for the worse and swimming is often not possible.
Snorkeling isn’t especially great at Kamala Beach, although there are some good spots nearby for scuba diving. Jet-skiing and parasailing are, of course, available, along with banana boats.
There can be some decent waves for surfing down at Kamala Beach, although the surf isn’t as good as at Kata Beach.
If you fancy something of an adventure, longtail boats can be hired from Kamala Beach to take you to nearby spots, such as Laem Sing or Surin Beach.
Kamala Beach retains much of the quiet-fishing-village vibe that it used to have. The atmosphere is relaxed and the whole scene less hectic than at Patong Beach.
Nai Harn Beach in Southern Phuket is one of the most scenic Phuket beaches. The beach has yet to succumb to the pitfalls of overdevelopment. Nai Harn Beach is located in a picturesque bay, although during high season, Nai Harn Beach isn’t recommended as a place for swimming.
During the peak season, the bay becomes full of the yachts of the rich and almost-famous. Nai Harn Beach itself is about one kilometer long. The beach and water is fantastic and far superior to the more popular Phuket spots, such as Patong Beach and Karon Beach.
The north end of Nai Harn Beach is primarily taken by the luxury Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club resort, which is, apparently, not why the bay is often full of boats as the Yacht Club has nothing to do with yachts. However, there are still lots of boats there regardless.
There are some great spots for exploring behind the beach, where the vegetation runs wild. There are enough decent, basic restaurants for grabbing something to eat while at Nai Harn Beach and to the south of the beach, you’ll find some interesting places for snorkeling.
Watersports are thankfully kept to a minimum, although it is possible to hire kayaks at Nai Harn Beach. There are a few sun loungers dotted around the beach, also for hire.
Nai Harn Beach is a great place to visit if you want to escape the throngs of tourists at some of the island’s other popular spots. Most tourists don’t usually make it to Nai Harn Beach, but locals and expats know it well.
Nai Harn Beach should remain this way for a long time to come because most of it is owned by the Samnak Song Nai Harn temple, which prevents any further development in the area.
The beach isn’t a suitable spot for surfing and there are occasionally rip currents that
catch tourists out.
If you require all mod cons in your beach destinations, then you might feel a little out of touch at Nai Harn Beach, but for most people, it’s the kind of beach that justifies a trip to Phuket.
Surin Beach used to be the playground of the rich and famous, but things have changed and now the area is more accessible than ever before, although it still retains some of its high-end appeal. Surin Beach is more peaceful than other Phuket Beaches, such as Patong Beach and Karon Beach.
Surin Beach is usually a hive of activity, from people playing football to others flying kites. The beach has some great shallow water for splashing about in.
There are clear waters and unspoiled beachfront. Surfing and snorkeling are popular at Surin Beach and there are enough sun loungers for everyone. The beach is only about one kilometer long, although it is a fine stretch.
There are a few rocks off the coast so care should be taken when swimming, especially during the monsoon season. There are usually several jet-skis here and there, but for the most part, noisy watersports aren’t a common sight. There are some good spots for snorkeling at either end of the beach.
Surin Beach is also a popular spot where property developers have been focusing on selling property. As a result, there are some trendy, high-end restaurants and bars. There are also a number high-end resorts at Surin Beach, such as Twin Palms Resort.
The area is all very glamorous and glitzy, but it remains one of the better Phuket beaches and also has some decent nightlife spots nearby, such as the Red Room and the Supper Club.
The locals enjoy trips to Surin Beach and it’s possible to lounge in the shade underneath pine trees. Yes, Surin Beach has pine trees, rather than palm trees.
Surin Beach is also where you will find Surin Village, a peaceful little spot in the center of Phuket’s Muslim community. Ban Thao Mosque is an impressive site, although you might want to avoid visiting it on Friday on the Muslim holy day. There are lots of markets stalls selling food and other items.
Kata Noi Beach is located just south of Kata Beach, about 10 minutes away on foot. Kata Noi Beach is about 700 meters long and, despite its size, remains a popular choice for visitors to the island.
The jungle backdrops make Kata Noi Beach a scenic place, but much of the beach is dominated by the Katathani Resort. As with Kata Beach, there are usually enough sun loungers for everyone and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
During low season, the water can get pretty rough, meaning that Kata Noi Beach isn’t always an ideal place for swimming. As the water settles in time for high season, so the throngs of tourists arrive, seemingly by the busload.
Kata Noi Beach is a beautiful place, but it’s often spoiled by overcrowding. Also, being at the end of a single road, parking can be an absolute nightmare if you arrive in the middle of the day.
If you’re going to visit Kata Noi Beach during high season, get there at the beginning or the end of the day or you might be fighting for a sun lounger.
As with so many Phuket beaches, there are hawkers selling food and random beach items.
Water sports are popular and clutter the scenery a little. Expect to see banana boats, jet-skis, parasailing and kayaks.
There are a few decent spots for snorkeling at the southern end of the beach and equipment can, of course, be rented while you’re there.
Surfing is popular at Kata Noi Beach between May and October, with some decent waves to be rode. Boards can be hired at the beach.
Kata Beach, also known as Kata Yai Beach, is one of the most popular beach destinations in Phuket. Trailing behind only Patong and Karon in terms of visitor numbers, Kata Beach is about one mile of appealing beach front.
Being such a popular tourist spot, Kata Beach isn’t the secluded tropical haven it once was. Instead, you have a modern beach destination complete with all the usual suspects in terms of sun, sand and sea, along with modern conveniences, such as restaurants, hotels and guesthouses.
Kata Beach is always busy, even during low season, but there is much less of the overcrowding that you see at other Phuket beaches, such as Patong Beach.
As Phuket is relatively popular, you can be assured that there will always be rows upon rows of sun loungers and parasols, which can spoil the scenery a little. There are also a few spots where you can get a Thai massage or buy souvenirs. The southern part of Kata Beach is pretty much lined with restaurants of varying quality. It is possible to order mediocre food from the comfort of your sun lounger.
Hawkers will try and sell you everything from sunglasses to fruit while you’re sunbathing. As with most of Phuket’s beaches, there are jet-skis, parasailing and banana boats everywhere. Waterskiing and wakeboarding are also possible. Snorkeling is popular at Kata Beach, thanks to the variety of marine life you can see.
During the peak-season months, from November to May, the water is still and the weather scorching. From May to October, the weather conditions become a little more adverse, leading to slightly choppy waters at Kata Beach.
Though not a perfect spot, Kata Beach attracts a large number of surfers during the low season. The waves suit beginners and are fast, but small. Boards can be rented at the beach.
Swimming at Kata Beach is always a pleasure and rarely dangerous, although if the red flags should come out, they do so for a reason.
At the end of each year, Kata Bay plays host to dozens of world-class yachts, all taking part in the ever-popular King’s Cup Regatta.
Karon Beach is perhaps a victim of its own success. At about three miles long, it’s a monster of a beach and also one of the most popular destinations in all of Phuket. The white sand and clear water have been somewhat spoiled by the masses of tourists who flock to Karon Beach. While not quite as messy as Patong Beach, Karon Beach, located directly north of Kata Beach, isn’t the tranquil haven it once was.
The northern end of Karon Beach is the least crowded spot, while the best places for snorkeling can be found in the southern end.
Pretty much all of the beach is covered with sun loungers and parasols, especially the further south you head. While there are no public toilets at Karon Beach, there are restaurants all over the place serving food that is usually overpriced, but pretty decent.
Vendors strolling around the beach will try and sell you snacks, ice creams or beach accessories. Visitors to Phuket often come in search of watersports, of which there are many at Karon Beach. Take your pick from all the usual suspects, including parasailing, jet-skiing and windsurfing. Of course, those damned banana boats also make an appearance. Sea kayaks can also be hired at Karon Beach,
The jet-skis can be a bit of a noise disturbance, especially during high season. Unlike Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach, Karon Beach isn’t all that great for surfing, even during the monsoon season.
Karon Beach has everything you need, which is its strong point and its weakness. There are far better Phuket beaches, but Karon Beach is easy to get to and is close to numerous hotels and guesthouses. If you look hard enough, you will still be able to find decent spots at Karon Beach.
Despite glistening reviews of Patong Beach and the surrounding area, travel companies and websites often gloss over the realities. The people who have been to Patong Beach have quite different stories.
Patong Beach has been through a lot, since 2003, when the city decided to redevelop and further commercialize the area. Many people in the local area considered the massive project to have almost no sense of professional or responsible planning, and too much rushing about to get everything finished at the same time.
Local newspaper The Phuket Gazette said that, at the time, the beach front was left looking like “Sarajevo at the height of the Balkans war”. In other words, the beach was left littered with construction debris, and tourists and locals had to fight to get to the water front.
The hard times refused to relent in the case of Patong Beach front. Just as the Phuket area was putting its finishing touches on making the beach itself beautiful, the day after Christmas in 2004 would be a nightmare no-one could ever forget.
The tsunami ravaged the beach and surrounding city, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The cleanup for the beach took several months, mostly because cleaning the city and rebuilding all the stores and buildings took away from reconstructing the superfluous tourist attraction of the beach.
Now, travel agencies are once again pushing picturesque views of the beach to tourists. But what’s the real story behind all the close-up of the water and the supposedly powder-fine white sand?
Many people have attested that Patong Beach is constantly over-crowded and clogged with the debris of hundreds of daily tourists and locals. Many tourist reviews have said that the beach is lacking the relaxed atmosphere that all their travel agencies promised them. Instead, Patong Beach is noisy and dirty.
The commercialized appearance of the beach is most likely to be expected, after all the redevelopment of the area, from 2003, late 2004 and through several early months of 2005.
Patong Beach remains popular with the gay community. The area around Soi Bangla is well known for its nightlife. Many people come to Patong Beach for the sole reason of partying.
As evening draws in, there are more thrill seekers milling about, adult entertainment venues drawing people in and prostitutes roaming the beach. The best time to visit is during the months that are far off from the peak tourist season. Patong Beach is at its most quiet from June to September.
For those planning to visit Patong Beach, the best hours to visit the beach are in the early morning. Although Patong Beach is perhaps not an ideal family destination, many other reviews have stated that it is certainly an experience you won’t want to pass up.
In short, there is none of the beauty as you would find at Mai Khao Beach or Yanui Beach, but you may be able to find something to keep you interested while at Patong Beach.
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Mai Khao Beach is everything that a Phuket beach should be. There are long, gorgeous, unspoiled stretches where it’s possible to find total seclusion, with not a single person, shop, bar or restaurants in sight.
Nai Yang Beach is just south of 
Kamala Beach is located north of Patong Beach. Though it is a popular spot, Kamala Beach isn’t as busy as 
Nai Harn Beach in Southern Phuket is one of the most scenic Phuket beaches. The beach has yet to succumb to the pitfalls of overdevelopment. Nai Harn Beach is located in a picturesque bay, although during high season, Nai Harn Beach isn’t recommended as a place for swimming.
ata Noi Beach isn’t always an ideal place for swimming. As the water settles in time for high season, so the throngs of tourists arrive, seemingly by the busload.
Kata Beach, also known as Kata Yai Beach, is one of the most popular beach destinations in Phuket. Trailing behind only Patong and Karon in terms of visitor numbers, Kata Beach is about one mile of appealing beach front.
