Phuket Beach Guide
Phuket Island is surrounded with beaches, all of them with their own character. Some of the nicest and most popular beaches found on Phuket Island are the beaches at Patong, Kamala, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn. Remember that all the beaches are in Thailand and do please follow the local culture and rules. You should never sunbath or swim with out your bra in Thailand. This is offesive in the Thai culture. The monsoon rains of May-October can bring unpredictable swimming conditions, so heed the posted flag warnings.
Patong beach is the most famous and busiest of all the beaches of Phuket. The vast majority of entertainment and business venues are located in Patong beach. If travelers are looking for a beach resort area where they can party until the early hours of the morning then Patong beach is the ideal choice for them. Patong is equally well known for its vibrant nightlife, the nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road), among which seafood restaurants feature prominently.
Karon beach is the second largest of Phuket's tourist beaches, located just south of Patong. Karon has a long beach and numerous resorts line this beach. Tourists visiting with children often prefer the somewhat laidback atmosphere that Karon beach has to offer. From May to October, the Karon beach may be affected by serious undertows, as the bay open. Watch out for those warning flags before going swimming.
The pleasant bay of Kata, just a few minutes south of Karon Beach, entices many with its white sands and clear waters. Kata Beach is in fact not one beach but two beaches that are separated by a headland at the south end of Kata Yai Beach and the northen end of Kata Noi Beach. The beach offers jet skiing, parascending, banana rides, water skiing and long tail boat excursions, also diving packages are available to local coral reefs. Most hotels and guest houses are situated in this area.
The narrow road between Kata and Karon has a number of small businesses as well as the Dino Park Mini Golf facillity. Karon is the most up-scale of Phuket's beaches. There is a regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town.
Kamala beach is one of the most popular beaches and is located only a few minutes drive from Patong beach. Travelers looking for a beach area which offers a peaceful surrounding should consider booking a hotel or resort in the beach resort area of Kamala.
Surin beach is one of the most upscale Phuket beach. If tourists do visit Surin beach then they should definitely try the excellent and inexpensive seafood which is served at the Surin beach side restaurants. The luxury hotels, Amanpuri, Twinpalms and The Chedi, in Surin beach offer great staying experience coupled with quality facilities and services.
The beautiful Bang Tao beach is located next to the upscale Phuket Laguna complex, a massive five stars hotel development with golf course. The northern tip of the beach, so far untouched by development, is still an area where visitors might find that they have the beach to themselves. Apart from going to the beach and a few bars and restaurants there's not much that you need to leave your resort for.
Naiyang Beach is a quiet beach located in Sirinat National Park only 5 minutes south of Phuket International Airport where you can see the planes go in for landing. Naiyang beach is one of Phuket's best-kept secrets. Once you arrive, swim, sunbathe and marvel at how few people have discovered this little piece of paradise.
Naithon beach is located 15 minutes south of the International Airport in a green valley surronded by high hills. Naithon is a sleepy village with a few resorts, restaurants and a diving shop lining the beach road.
Rawai is Phuket's longest-established beach resort, though the sea-gypsy village at its north end probably hasn't changed much over the years. Rawai Beach is known for great seafood dining on the seafront and as a departure point for speed boat daytrips to surrounding islands of Bon, Coral, Phi Phi and Racha islands.
Mai Khao is a mostly deserted beach where sea turtles comes to lay their eggs. To get here look for the sign to JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa on the high-way north of Phuket International Airport. Then follow the road past the 5-star resort and soon you will be on the beach. The area is largely undeveloped with only a few bungalow operations and a campground on the beach.
NOTE: The sun is much stronger than you might think, use sun block higher than 20 the first days. If you get burned go to a Thai pharmacy and get the local treatment. It is cheap and works great!
