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When you’re picturing Thailand in your mind, no doubt pristine white sand beaches come to mind, and where better to find some of the best of the best than on Thailand’s largest island, Phuket.
Kissed by the gentle lapping of the Andaman Sea, Phuket’s beaches are where to go to get the perfect tan, the perfect wave, or simply the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.
If you cast your net wider than Patong’s party pulse, you will discover quiet coves, family-friendly shores, and peaceful stretches backed by luxury resorts.
In this guide, we share some of our favorite beaches in Phuket that we’ve visited, which are more family-friendly and away from the party scene, where you’ll be sipping on coconuts rather than cocktails.
So, we’re leaving off the world famous Patong Beach, not because it’s not beautiful, but because we happily stumbled across some hidden gems and beautiful landmarks that deserve your attention.
By all means, if you’re looking for tourism on steroids including a packed beach, jet ski city, tons of accommodation, loads of shopping and restaurants, endless bars, and nightlife, Patong is where it’s at!
But if you’re after peace and quiet, family-friendly fun, and relaxation, then these are the most popular beaches in Phuket for you!
1. Layan Beach, Phuket
In our eyes, Layan Beach is the best beach in Phuket, and we stumbled on it almost by accident. It was our first stop after we set off on a drive from where we were staying in the Bangtao Bay area, and if we didn’t ask for a coffee stop, we may have never visited Layan Beach.
We pulled up at the end of a narrow beach road, stepped out of the car, and there in front of us was our Thai bliss.
Easily the quietest and most beautiful beach we visited in Phuket. I still can’t believe that on an island that receives 8.4 million visitors a year, we almost had this piece of paradise all to ourselves, in peak season!
No jet skis, no touts, the water was crystal clear, the white sand felt was soft, and it had an overall super chilled vibe.
Such a thing is a rarity in Phuket, and we hope that you experience this stillness and calm on your visit.
Layan Beach is just north of Bang Tao Beach. We lay down our towel at the southern end of Layan in front of a handful of quiet restaurants, such as Sabays, and this location was PERFECT for our family.
We had access to all the essentials: good food, beach chairs, beer, coconuts and a fresh water shower. This beach made our Phuket holiday!
2. Karon Beach, Phuket
We spent the most amount of time at Karon Beach, as we were staying across the road at the Hilton Phuket.
We enjoyed Karon Beach. The clear blue water and soft white sand are nice, and it’s a long beach, which is great for walks and also offers plenty of space – so even on its busiest days, it doesn’t feel crowded.
Although there are quite a few resort developments, and plenty of restaurant options, it’s nowhere near as developed as Patong!
On most days we could be found enjoying a sunset beer, or a cocktail, and the vibe is great for families, couples, or a solo travellers. If you’re standing in front of the Phuket Hilton, head left or right and you will discover plenty of eating options.
Night Temple Markets
The Night Temple Markets were a hit, and we loved the location as far as exploring the rest of Phuket. You can walk to Kata Beach, and if you need the crazy mental party scene of Patong, it’s in close proximity (20-minute scooter ride away).
3. Kata Beach, Phuket
Kata Beach is one beach further south from Karon, and probably a bit more scenic as it’s more of a cove-shaped beach.
And whilst it was busier with tourists than Karon, it didn’t feel like it and still had a nice calmness to it, again, perfect for families. If you want a really quiet spot, head around the corner to Kata Noi Beach on the South side of Kata Beach.
We liked the tree-lined street running adjacent to the beach which also provided some nice shady spots on the sand – it’s HOT in Thailand – even under big beach umbrellas!
After a day on Kata, we recommend you head up the hill for a sunset drink at the After Beach Bar. Just don’t do what we did and choose the cloudiest day of your trip to watch the sunset.
4. Surin Beach, Phuket
On arrival, I didn’t take to Surin Beach much, but it grew on me. It’s one of the smallest beaches in Phuket and it felt like every stretch of it was covered in beach chairs and umbrellas.
But, it’s quite scenic actually with lots of colors going on, and after a few minutes in that sun, you will be welcoming the umbrellas in no time.
We ended up spending a whole day at Surin swimming in the ocean, chilling on the beach chairs, getting a great Thai massage, and grabbing a delicious cheap lunch from the street carts nearby.
In the early evening, we found a nice restaurant on the beach and enjoyed a good quality, reasonably priced dinner, whilst watching an amazing sunset.
5. Freedom Beach
Freedom Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches for those who are looking for a hidden gem. It’s an almost secluded cove on Phuket’s west coast and is surrounded by dense green forest and dramatic coastlines.
It’s not too far from Patong Beach (halfway between Karon and Patong) so you can easily access it in a half-day trip if you are staying in this area.
The beach looks just like the postcards, with pure white sand and turquoise waters, plus you’ll find the iconic longtail boats resting on the shore’s edge. It’s total bliss!
6. Paradise Beach
As you might expect from a name such as Paradise Beach, this beach is absolutely gorgeous! It’s another iconic white sand beach lined nestled in a rocky bay, with palm trees with swings attached, it has the iconic backdrop you see online.
You can rent snorkelling gear and swim out to the coral reef, as well as play beach volleyball from the shore.
Though it’s a small beach, it has all the facilities you could want and need such as showers and changing rooms, plus a few beach bars. There are also a few sun loungers and umbrellas you can rent here, too.
Note that it’s a private beach, and there is an entrance fee to visit. However, with the masses of tourism Phuket attracts, it may be worth spending to get your own quiet piece of paradise.
7. Mai Khao Beach
Mai Khao Beach is a stunning undeveloped beach in the Sirinat National Park. It’s famous for being close to Phuket airport and you can see planes coming in to land from what feels like touching distance.
If you’re a photographer and you’re looking for a cool and unique beach shot in Thailand, then you’ll want to take a visit to this beach, as the main attraction is not the beach itself but the planes landing overhead.
As well as the planes, it’s also a nesting ground for sea turtles who come to lay their eggs on the shores at night. This beach is one of the few where sea turtles come to nest, and so the beach is protected by the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation.
While all eggs are collected and incubated by the foundation, visitors can still watch the release of the baby turtles during the Songkran holiday in mid-April. You can also learn about conservation efforts at the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation.
8. Bangtao Beach (Laguna Beach)
Located on the West Coast of Phuket is Bangtao Beach. It’s one of the longest beaches on the island at roughly 8km long. The curved beach is surrounded by forest and trees, making it a quiet escape from the busy towns of Phuket Old Town and Patong Beach.
If you’re looking for a beach with watersports, jet skis, banana boats, and kayaks, this is not it. Bangtao Beach is quiet and serene, you can almost feel completely at peace here. It also connects to Layan Beach on its Northern end.
While it’s quiet and peaceful, it’s also lined with luxury resorts, small restaurants, and beach clubs. This is all about finding your zen, which is part of the charm of visiting Thailand.
9. Nai Yang Beach
Also located near Sirinat National Park, is Nai Yang Beach. It’s another postcard perfect beach with white sand and blue waters. The beach is lined with restaurants and resorts, but what really brings people here is the sunset.
Since the beach faces West, it’s the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a sunset whilst sipping cocktails from a coconut.
You’ll also see some air traffic overhead, but not as many planes as you do at Mai Khao Beach.
10. Rawai Beach
If you’re looking for a beach to see the iconic longtail boat, then it’s Ra Wai Beach. This is not a beach for swimming, as there’s too many boats in the water and there’s also a thriving coral reef that needs protecting. The sand also gets swallowed up by the tide and is quite narrow.
However, it’s a great place to sit and watch the sunset since it faces West, and take in the scenic views of the long-tail boats.
It’s also a great place to get some seafood, since there’s a seafood market right next to the beach and restaurants that will cook for you what you buy from the market – what a great experience!
11. Haad Laem Singh Beach
Haad Laem Singh Beach is the epitome of tropical beaches. If there’s a beach in Heaven, it would look like Haad Leam Singh Beach.
There’s a small hike to this beach down a little dirt road, but because it requires some effort to get to, very few people go here. This is the biggest draw to this beach, as it’s not often you find a beach that’s this quiet.
You can find the usual facilities here such as restaurants, cafes, places to rent snorkeling equipment, and sun loungers. You may also see a long-tail boat or two in the water.
12. Ya Nui Beach
Ya Nui Beach is a small and secluded beach in a cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and the Promthep Cape at the far South of the island. Although it’s not a secret beach, it feels much more secluded than the rest of the beaches in Phuket.
It’s a great place to go snorkeling or diving from the shores. In fact, the waters here are so clear you can see small fish from where you’re standing at the water’s edge (if you stay still long enough for them to get close to you).
If you’re looking for stunning soft sand beaches with crystal-clear waters, then Ya Nui Beach is a great option.
13. Nai Thon Beach
Located on the West coast of Phuket, Nai Thon is a gorgeous beach is far from the crowded Patong or Kata Beach areas. It’s unusual in that it doesn’t have any facilities – no restaurants, bars, sun loungers or nothing, which makes the beach completely untouched by humans and a place where you can just enjoy being in nature.
However, you can find some street food stalls and local shops nearby if you take a little walk onto the beach road.
One thing to bare in mind when visiting Nai Thon is that the waves are a little strong, so be careful if you take your children here.
14. Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach is a small and quiet beach with a small resort atmosphere. You’ll find some boho stores selling Thai crafts and beachwear, as well as a few quirky restaurants.
The waves can get quite high here, which attracts a lot of surfers. There is a somewhat hippy vibe to the place but that’s what gives it its charm.
If you’re visiting with children, make sure to keep an eye on them paddling on the shores as the waves are quite strong. There are also lifeguards on the beach as well if you’re concerned about safety in the water.
It’s also located near to the gorgeous Nai Harn Lake, a freshwater lake that is a great spot for paddle boating.
15. Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is becoming one of the the most popular beaches in Phuket and is turning into the new Patong. It’s a huge beach with a lot going on – you can rent jet skis, banana boats, and other water sports.
It is lined with resorts and beach bars, as well as market stalls and massage shops. It’s a great place for those who enjoy being in a lively area but not quite as crazy as Patong Beach.
It’s another hot spot for sunset since it faces West, and since there’s a lot going on here after dark, it’s a great place to enjoy some nightlife too (but not as crazy as Patong nightlife).
At a glance: What were our favorite beaches?
Our pick for the four best beaches in Phuket were Layan Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Surin Beach. We liked these beaches because they were not only beautiful but clean and family-friendly.
We’re not so big on the party crowds of Patong Beach, and we found these beaches to be relaxing and low-key.
You’ll find personal photos and tips on these Phuket beaches in this guide.
How much does it cost to visit the beaches in Phuket?
Layan Beach
Most beaches in Phuket are free to visit, however, there are some additional costs you need to consider. Here’s a rough guide to how much you are likely to spend at the beach.
- 2 Beach chairs, umbrella and table = 200 Baht ($6.00 usd) per day!
- Singa Beer = 70 Baht ($2.15 usd)
- Fresh Coconut = 50 Baht ($1.50 usd)
- Bottle of water = 20 Baht (60 cents usd)
- 1 Hour Massage = 250 – 400 Baht ($8 – $12.50 usd)
- Lunch (Pad Thai, Green Curry, Tom Yum Goong) = 120 – 200 Baht ($3.60 – $6.40 usd)
Looking for some water sports action? You can rent a jet ski or water sport equipment for about 2,300 bahht for 30 minutes, 4,600 baht for 60 minutes price. Parasailing is about $80 usd.
Best time to visit Phuket
You might also be wondering when is a good time to visit Phuket – and the answer is, any time! Phuket is a popular beach destination all year round, but you might find some months are better than others.
The rainy season, or monsoon season, happens between July and October. Although you might think this sis a terrible time to visit, typically the rain lasts for an hour or two and then it dries up, so you can still enjoy the beaches during this time.
November is a great time to visit as the rain has dispersed and the weather isn’t ridiculously hot. November until February is considered the high season in Phuket as many visitors want to escape the winter cold back home.
Spring is a great time to visit as it’s reasonably quiet and the weather is decent. Although you may find it a bit crowded during Easter in April. March and April is also when the burning season happens in the north of Thailand, which brings huge crowds to the south as people are trying to escape the heat up there.
Where to stay in Phuket, Thailand?
Deciding where to stay in Phuket is the hardest part of planning a vacation here as there are so many nice beaches and resorts to choose from.
However, you don’t need to stress about this. Most of the main attractions in Phuket are within a 30 minute motorbike ride of each other and are all located on the West side of the island. The East Coast is mostly towns and mangrove forests, and a stopping point for accessing nearby islands in Phang Nha Bay, so as long as you stay on the west you will be within easy reach of the nice beaches.
Phuket, at least the touristy areas and the beaches, are not that big. Phuket Airport is about an hour’s drive away from most beaches.
Choose a beach that sounds nice to you and fits in line with your travel style, and then start looking for nearby accommodation. There are plenty of guesthouses, hostels, and luxury hotels on Phuket, so you’ll never run out of options.
Final thoughts
Now you know about all the best beaches in Phuket and what you need to consider when visiting, it’s time to pack up your flip-flops and sunglasses, as you’re ready to hit the beach!
Before you go, remember that the weather in Thailand can be deceiving. The wind breeze and fresh ocean air can make it feel cooler than it is, but the sun is still strong.
Wear sun protection, seek shade in the middle of the day, and don’t underestimate the sun! Other than that, have an amazing time on Phuket’s beaches!
More Thailand Travel Tips
Are you thinking of visiting other parts of Thailand on your trip? Then you should check out these other helpful resources to help you plan your trip.
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Which of these beaches in Phuket would you like to visit? Let us know in the comments!