Phuket, Thailand's iconic island, embodies for many the cliché of tropical paradise: white sand beaches, turquoise waters and palm trees as far as the eye can see. With more than 30 different beachesChoosing where to stay can quickly become a headache. Each beach has its own unique vibe—party, family-friendly, peaceful, or more rugged—and it's easy to get lost if you're not familiar with the island.
In this article, I offer a practical guide to help you choose the beach that best suits your desires, your travel style, and your budget. We review the main accommodation areas, with hotel suggestions each time, to help you see more clearly.
Having already written similar guides for Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Ko Samui, it seemed logical to continue the series with Phuket. Because even if the island attracts crowds of tourists every year, many travelers limit themselves to the most famous corners, leaving vast areas – especially on the east coast – still little visited and much more preserved (I talk about it in this article). article here).
If you are interested in this article format, here is a list of my other guides:
- The best areas to stay in Bangkok
- Where to stay in Chiang Mai?
- Where to stay in Ko Samui according to your mood?
- Finding the perfect beach to stay in Ko Chang
How to target the ideal beach in Phuket?
Choosing a hotel is never easy. We always want everything nearby, according to our tastes: quiet, charming, cheap (often), it quickly becomes a headache, even more so knowing the large offer on the island.
If we were to summarize the different beach and resort options in Phuket, we could classify the hotels into the following main areas:
With a bonus to help you find your way, a map of the beaches of Phuket of my own design (by the way, in case it's pronounced Pouquette and not Fouquette):
- Phuket town
- Rawai and Nai Harn Beaches
- Karon and Kata Beaches
- Patong Beach
- Kamala Beaches
- Bang Tao and Surin Beaches
- Near the airport
Each beach actually offers a different type of atmosphere and the interests and attractions obviously change depending on whether you sleep in Phuket Town or in the far north of the island near the airport. Also knowing that the island is more than 50 km long, it is quite possible to test two different areas, because seeing everything from the same place, unless it is central like towards Kamala or Surin, can quickly become time-consuming.
Another point to note is that in Thailand, and more particularly on the islands, prices can vary from single to double between high season (from November to May) and the low season (from June to October), knowing that locally, hotels apply their price offers according to this calendar, including a peak season between December and January et during the Thai New Year period (around mid-April).
The price indications of the article are based on the minimum possible cost, so in low season (For a median rate of €1 = 36 Bahts). Be careful, some hotels may seem unavailable if you search for one night, some establishments require a minimum of two nights.
Overall, hotels are listed based on a selection of criteria, location, reviews/opinions and most importantly, decor, room appearance and price of course. Knowing that I travel as a couple mainly, there are no hostels or guesthouses welcoming backpackers in shared rooms in the lists below, if you are in this case, faites le moi savoir I would happily add hotels for this category.
If you can't find what you're looking for in the list below, you can always search directly here:
1- Phuket Town, the charming main town of the island
Why sleep in Phuket Town:
I'll start with the least obvious choice for many, namely, outside of a beach. Phuket Town is often overlooked by travelers, who usually go to Phuket to enjoy its beaches and seaside activities, without thinking about visiting a city. In addition, Phuket Town was once considered a rather poor and unattractive city for tourists. However, in recent years, the city has undergone a real renaissance with the restoration of its historic buildings and the opening of new restaurants and shops, attracting more and more visitors curious to discover this side of Phuket.
Yet this city has a lot to offer in terms of culture, history and architecture. This is evidenced by the Sino-Portuguese style houses and shops that line the streets of the old town. Alignments of Chinese houses, murals and beautiful old buildings that you can come across here and there await you. I do not praise the Phuket Old Town, its facilities and desire for preservation, which offer a beautiful walk to see another side of the island and see beyond the beaches.
You will also find museums there, such as the Phuket Thai Hua Museum, a museum housed in a 1934 building, which provides insight into the history of the island. Another example is the Chin Pracha House, an elegant Sino-colonial mansion from 1903 or the Tourist Information Center, the tourist information center of the old town which is a museum in itself, located in a real old 2-story house with a lot of information on the past of the island. For children, you can try the Phuket 3D Museum and its trompe-l'oeil.
Another cultural visit, it is in Phuket that you will find the most important Chinese sanctuary, Jui Tui Shrine, one of the 6 islands of the island where the impressive ceremonies take place during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival (which takes place every year in October according to the lunar calendar, be careful, sensitive souls abstain!)
As it is a city, you will also have a wide choice of restaurants (as everywhere in Thailand for that), some famous like the Raya Restaurant, arranged in a period house. This could be the opportunity to try one of the local specialties, the famous roti, for example at Roti Taew Nam, local atmosphere guaranteed. The old town is also a dynamic area, with small cafes everywhere for a refreshing break and shops with old-world charm.
You can also stroll through one of the city's many markets, including the weekend one (Naka Weekend Market, along Wirat Hong Yok Rd), the bustling Sunday evening market on Thalang Rd, the photogenic colorful street of Phuket Town.
Phuket Town is also an obvious base if your next stopover is in the area, especially if you're heading to Krabi, because it is from the port of Phuket Town (Rassada Pier) that you will leave!
Bonus info: For a comprehensive view of the entire city, visit the Khao Rang Hill, or its neighbor, at Monkey Hill Viewpoint. In both cases you should come across monkeys, these mischievous creatures so close to us, an experience that will delight families.
Hotel suggestions in Phuket Town:
In Phuket Town itself, I had already stayed there and had tested the Sino House (from €30), a small but pleasant hotel located a stone's throw from the historic centre.
During my exploration of the old town a few years later, we had this time stayed at the legendary The memory at on on hotel (from €40), located in a superbly renovated historic building. I say legendary because before the renovation, this was where the famous scenes of the seedy hotel (supposedly in Khao San) with Di Caprio for the film The Beach were filmed.
We can also see the growing popularity of Phuket Town because, after Patong Beach, it is still there that we find the largest concentration of hotels.
2- Rawai and Nai Harn beaches
These are two beaches located near the southern tip of the island, close to the famous Cape Promthèp, famous for its sunsets and its view of the islands of Ko Kaeo and Ko Man, the latter being clearly visible from Nai Harn beach.
Why sleep near Rawaï:
Rawai is a fairly quiet little tourist spot, even though more and more restaurants and hotels are setting up there. Besides, Rawai's restaurants have a pretty good reputation. This area of the island is the opposite of the hustle and bustle of Patong, offering a more relaxing atmosphere but still having enough shops to not get completely bored.
An interesting point for some perhaps, is that Rawai serves as a starting point for longtail boats (the famous "longtail", traditional Thai boats), for excursions to the surrounding islands (Ko Bon, Ko Bon, Ko He and its famous Corla Beach). You will be close to Chalong Bay, the island's main port of call for private boats (whether for a romantic getaway, speedboats or boats for diving trips).
Also note that in Rawai there are still families of the now ex-nomads of the sea, the "sea gypsy", called the Moken. They are installed on the left end of the beach (when you arrive from Chalong), on the area where the boats are parked. Along the beach, you will have restaurants and a market specializing in seafood.
Finally, I'll be honest, Rawai is definitely not the most beautiful beach in Phuket, to tell the truth, few people swim there apart from locals (and even then), and there is not even a beach at high tide, so if you are really looking for an enchanting setting, you should aim elsewhere. Eventually, less than 10 minutes from there (if you have a vehicle), you can go to the small cove of Yanui Beach, or otherwise, there is the option of going to its neighbor, the beautiful Nai Harn beach. Between the two, don't miss the viewpoint at Windmill Viewpoint.
Hotel suggestions near Rawai
The only hotel I tested in this part of Phuket, even though it was further north towards Chalong than in Rawai itself, was the Serenity Resort & Residences Phuket, a rather classy hotel by the sea, which had caught my eye at the time, knowing that it was in the context of my work so originally not my choice.
It has since been completely renovated and renamed Selina Serenity Rawai Phuket, and it has gained even more style, with a price that remains affordable (from €60, depending on the season of course), so it remains an excellent choice for this type of budget.
Alternatively, here are some other suggestions:
Why sleep near Nai Harn:
Nai Harn is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket., and even often cited among the most beautiful beaches in Asia, even if personally, I find the "title" a bit exaggerated, because I have seen much better elsewhere in Thailand and even on Phuket. That said, it is still a beautiful setting, and the beach also has a small number of shops, bars and restaurants that add a bit of life to the place without going overboard, because just like Rawai, it is a rather simple atmosphere, without fuss that awaits you. In short, the same advantages as Rawai, given its proximity, but with a large, wooded beach, there is something to drink and eat, what more could you ask for?
You even have the little beach as a bonusAo Sane, and his neighbor Kratin Beach, offering two small intimate corners if you are really looking for your little corner of paradise. For sports enthusiasts, you have a spot not far from paramotoring, Paragliding Phuket.
My choice of hotel in Nai Harn
Three hotels on the list are located almost side by side, towards the lake, and, not on purpose either, there is a small French bakery not far away ("Chez Nous". These three are for me, depending on the budget, the best options for Nai Harn.
Note that if you are OK with going a little further from the beach, you can get a superb villa (accommodating up to 6 people) with a swimming pool and everything you need from €120! For this, it is at Ya Nui Beach Villas, located between Rawai and Nai Harn where you will have to put down your suitcases, ideal if you are a large family.
3- Karon and Kata Beach, my first steps in Phuket!
Karon and Kata are often ranked among the top five beaches in Phuket, and it's no surprise. Karon offers a quieter vibe while the livelier Kata is a good compromise to avoid the chaos of Patong while still enjoying a beautiful beach. In terms of attractions, there's not much to do nearby, other than the famous Big Buddha which overlooks Karon Beach. For sports enthusiasts, a hiking trail provides access to it from the south of Karon.
For families, the Dino Park Mini Golf & Restaurant is a popular option, run by the Marina Phuket Resort hotel which also has another restaurant with a beautiful view of Karon Beach, the “ On The Rock", which I was able to try during my most recent stay in Phuket. Another restaurant in the north of Karon, the " On The Hill Karon Restaurant", also offers stunning views of the beach from the north. If you're looking for a bit of spirituality and haven't seen (enough) temples yet, Wat Suwan Khirikhet (or simply Wat Karon), located north of the beach, might be of interest.
Finally, it is to the south of Kata Noi that you will find the famous viewpoint called “ Karon View Point", where you can then see together the three beaches mentioned in this chapter, Karon, Kata and Kata Noi.
Why sleep in Karon:
Karon benefits from two major assets. First of all, it is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, stretching over 3 kilometers in a straight line, and then, it benefits from a greater width than other beaches. Indeed, many beaches in Phuket (and in many other islands in Thailand) are reduced to a thin strip of sand if not a beach at all at high tide. These two assets combined allow for a substantial space, knowing in addition that Karon, although appreciated for its balance in terms of decent choice of bars, restaurants and shops of all kinds, does not generally attract too many crowds.
As a result, Karon Beach is a clever mix between it's visually nice, there's plenty to do, but it's not crowded either. Moreover, it's not insignificant, it's the same one that I put down my suitcases during my very first stay in Phuket (that goes back to 2006!). At the time, the trauma of the tsunami was still quite "fresh" and I found it strange to find myself there, seeing in particular all these signs indicating the route to follow in the event of a repeat... Apart from that, despite the years, if it has certainly rebuilt the area, the large beach of Karon is still a relatively quiet beach !
Much of Karon remains undeveloped to this day, with lots of green areas. Most of the establishments along the beach are rather luxury hotels. The central part is for example dominated by the Pullman, with not much around. As a result, the atmosphere is quite relaxed, with the majority of hotels and restaurants spread over two areas, one to the south of Karon and the other to the north.
Some suggestions for Karon:
Why sleep in Kata:
Kata, located south of Karon, is actually two separate beaches. When people talk about Kata, they are usually referring to the larger of the two, officially named Kata Yai, while its smaller neighbor is called Kata noi. The latter offers roughly the same beach environment, but in a smaller space. It is also practically private because a good part of the space behind Kata Noi is occupied by a single hotel, the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort.
Kata Main Beach is actually more developed than Karon, with a more varied choice of hotels in range. Aesthetically, it already scores points, Kata being a white sand beach, often with an incredible blue sea. The view of the small island of Ko Pu in the background adds to the setting which turns out to be a good spot for taking superb photos at sunset. These elements make Kata one of the most popular destinations after Patong Beach.
But since it is smaller than Karon, it is usually more crowded and turns out to be quite lively in high season. We can also see that there are more activities around here since it is possible, for example, to go parasailing. However, Kata is less crowded than Patong, so it remains an excellent alternative to the latter. The beach is also known for being a destination of choice for families.
My choice of hotel in Karon or Kata:
I put a list under each beach but I wanted to add my personal experience here. The very first hotel tested was north of Karon, I struggled to find which one it was, the Tuana The Phulin Resort, which still existed until before covid, but its management left something to be desired so it was no longer an option…
So during our most recent stay in Phuket, we wanted to stay again in this area of Phuket, but more precisely between Kata and Karon, in Aurico Kata Resort & Spa, a nice establishment with a large room, large swimming pool, not too far from the beach, for an amount of €48 in high season (beginning of February), otherwise it can go down slightly below €40, very good value for money.
Some other suggestions for Kata:
4- Patong, the main beach of Phuket
Why sleep at this Phuket beach:
No introduction the sulphurous Patong and its famous street of bangla road, a sort of twin to Pattaya's Walking Street, or Bangkok's Soi Cowboy. In short, you will have understood, Patong is not what I would describe at first glance as family friendly. A paradise for Go Go bars and other places conducive to meeting up for hot nights, Patong is, after Phuket Town, the main city on the island and the most popular seaside resort in Phuket.
With a 3km long beach, Patong Beach is the most popular resort in Phuket because it has a large hotel offering, including a wide choice of cheap hotels due to the high competition. You will also find a plethora of restaurants of all kinds, massage parlors and everything you need in terms of shopping, as well as, you will have understood, a notorious nightlife. What makes it attractive to many is often what others hate. Patong has an air of "too much", too big, crowded, touristy and noisy, and yet, millions of people flock there every year like flies to honey (an expression adopted since the site that helps me to write part of these paragraphs).
It's not me who says it, but here is the opinion of a traveler: " Patong is really special, a destination for tourists, young party animals which is not my thing. A bit too much on all levels… »
That's what is said. But in summary, Patong is a bit like Bangkok, you either love it or hate it.
However, don't be fooled, there are plenty of water activities, it's lively, you don't get bored but it remains a perfectly acceptable place for families, during the day at least, because many of those who frequent Patong are night owls and above all; there are quite a few things to do around.
In terms of attractions, you have:
- Two treetop adventure courses nearby, the Ziplinemax and the Flying Hanuman
- A Thai boxing stadium, Patong Boxing Stadium Sainamyen, with fights on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- The Simon Cabaret and its show involving what some will call drag queens but who we all know here as Ladyboys
- A large shopping center to cool off in, the Jungceylon
- Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, the local branch of a renowned elephant sanctuary
- Wat Doi Thep Nimit Monastery, a small temple overlooking Patong Bay with a chedi inspired by the architecture of the That Phanom, a famous pagoda in northeastern Thailand.
With all this, I can mention the obvious activities like jet skiing (beware of scams, go see KO KO 7 jet ski, it has a very good reputation), parasailing (same, at Ko Ko it will be the safest), longtail rentals to explore the surroundings (the opportunity to go see isolated beaches like Haad Laem Sing), massages on the beach and of course, tasting cocktails on a deckchair.
If you have itchy feet, Patong is surrounded by pretty, very close and discreet lost corners, I'm thinking of the beach Paradise Beach (entrance fee, however, 200 Baht), or next door Tri Trang Beach, but also further south, the small Freedom Beach Cove, not easy to access, but worth the detour. Just separated by a few rocks, you also have to the north of Patong the Kalim beach, which allows you to enjoy a quieter spot while remaining close to the center of activities.
My choice of hotels for Patong beach:
I have stayed in Patong twice for work, especially because it is a central location on Phuket. I had stayed once at The Bird Cage Patong Guesthouse Hotel, a hotel that despite its central location was not that noisy, with a rather comfortable room, and above all, a low price. But the latter apparently did not survive Covid. Another time, I was at Patong Heritage, central location, rooftop pool and a very reasonable price.
At the time, it was really good value for money, but today I'm giving you some other, more advantageous suggestions below:
BH Baan Paradise Hotel (held by a Frenchman)
5- Kamala, the beach that is gaining popularity
Why sleep near Kamala Beach:
One of Phuket's main resorts, Kamala was originally a small Muslim fishing village. From this past, there remains a large strip of land 500 m long, used as a Muslim cemetery, on Kamala's 2 km beachfront.
This atypical configuration makes this beach one of the least developed on the island, but in fact, it is a popular holiday destination for many expats, especially, and generally, families and people who want a quieter environment than the 3 main beaches mentioned above. Kamala is a 2 km long curved beach, which in the summer has a beautiful color with shallow waters.
It can be divided into three distinct zones:
- The southernmost part of the beach is very shallow, and even rather muddy and rocky. This is where the ever-present Kamala fishermen anchor their boats. Next door you have the Kamala temple and the school. This is also where most of what makes up the city of Kamala is located. So you will have local shops and a choice of cheap hotels.
- Then we have the central part, from the park with a tsunami victims memorial to the Muslim cemetery. This is the part with the least construction, including inland. Unlike other beaches, Kamala does not have a road that passes directly along the beach. This allows for a more wooded, wilder seafront. There are a few hotels directly overlooking the beach, but this area of Kamala is best known for its restaurants with terraces and sea views. It is gaining popularity, but given the relaxed atmosphere, we can understand why. Besides, the relaxation trend lately is to rent the famous air beach sofas (which look like hot dogs), I saw them everywhere the last time I was there.
- Finally, you have several luxury hotels with renowned beach clubs such as the Pine Beach Bar, which have set up shop on the northern end of the beach.
Among the attractions of Kamala, I will note the presence of a branch of the excellent Oasis Spa that I recommend for a somewhat timeless experience. For sports enthusiasts, know that Kamala is a famous surf spot in Phuket for its waves between the months of May and November. If you want to go on nature outings, there are two small waterfalls at the foot of the mountain behind Kamala, the Bang Wan Waterfall, nothing exceptional but the opportunity to see a bit of jungle.
To dominate the bay and see all of Kamala, there is a viewpoint to the south, the Kalim Viewpoint. You have not far north of Kamala, the beautiful Laem Sing beach, accessible by boat and from which you have a great view from the main road.
Kamala is also famous for its theme park, Phuket Fantasea (see their site, available only in English), which covers a significant part of the bay. The site recently included an extension, the Carnival Magic, whose attraction lies in its luminous constructions which have earned it a nomination in the Guinness World Record as the largest LED structure in the world. On the other hand, I would like to point out that it is rather overpriced because the Carnival Magic displays an entrance price of €70 (€80 if you take the option with dinner show).
Phuket Fantasea can also be visited at night and is divided into 3 attractions. Its restaurant with international buffet, the Golden Kinnaree, the “Festival Village” which resembles a kind of night market but which turns out to be more of a buffer zone while waiting for the real show, the "Fantasy of a Kingdom" – a Las Vegas-style theatrical show focusing on Thai culture and history featuring over 150 actors and 30 elephants.
Finally, I end for this beach by mentioning its night market (well, it starts in the afternoon at 15pm), Friday, Monday and Thursday evenings, so if you have a shopping urge, now is the time! To sum up, I would say that Kamala is a nice environment for visitors who want a good beach with a bit of nightlife but who don't want the excesses of Patong.
My choice of hotel near Kamala beaches:
I have never personally slept in this area, but if I had to, here is what my selection would be based on budget:
6- Bang Tao and Surin beaches
Bang Tao is the 2nd largest beach in Phuket, it is not really a city but a whole area occupied by some of the largest and most luxurious resorts on the island, such as the Banyan Tree that I mentioned above, but also the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, the Angsana Phuket Resort or the prestigious SAii Laguna Phuket Resort. Its neighbor to the south, Surin, allows a wider budget choice but is the opposite, the beach is very small if we take into account the main area, because a second part further north is privatized by two hotels, Amanpuri et The surin.
Why sleep near Bang Tao:
It is hard to imagine that less than 50 years ago, Bang Tao looked like a field of ruins, these lands once containing a large quantity of tin ores, which began to be exploited in the 17th century by the English, the Dutch and then the French before the Chinese took over towards the end of the 19th.
This is why Bang Tao is now dotted with small lakes and ponds, which are actually the old holes left by the mines that were excavated. In the late 1970s, the value of tin dropped significantly, forcing the mines of Bang Tao to cease operations. The locals then looked for other sources of income. The holes now filled with water, with the proximity of the beach, were seen as the ideal place to help Phuket's booming tourism industry.
With the stretch of sand remaining untouched, significant funds were invested to rehabilitate this vast area and transform it into a hotel complex today known as Laguna Phuket and which incorporates all the luxury hotels mentioned in the introduction. In addition to these establishments, there is a large golf course, villas for long term rentals and a small shopping complex called Boat Avenue Phuket. This is where most of the restaurants in this central section of Bang Tao are concentrated.
Today we find remains of the Chinese communities that inhabited the area with a sanctuary, the Sam Ong Hoo Shrine, even though nowadays the population is predominantly Muslim with no less than 4 mosques in the area. However, not far from the Chinese sanctuary, you have a Buddhist temple with a beautiful wooden house, the Wat Choeng Thale. Besides, it is a term that you could find in several places because it is the name of the sub-district. Choeng Thale is actually the name of the main town, Bang Tao being ultimately only the name of the beach, even if, in the town itself, there is a Buddhist temple called Wat Bang Thao.
The city center of Choeng Thale/Bang Tao is located at the very south of the beach, this is where you will have the cheapest accommodation options for this area of Phuket which has the advantage of being in the middle of the island in the north-south axis. It is also halfway between Patong and the airport. It is in this southern area that you will also have a wide choice of restaurants on the beach, with a particularly chill atmosphere in the evening. Note in passing that the city of Choeng Thale can also be used as an accommodation area to go to Surin, whose beach is only 1,5 km away. For families, you have a water park nearby, the Blue Tree Lagoon.
Bang Tao is a long beach 6 km, mostly bordered by fir trees, giving it a fairly preserved air. In its middle, you have the lagoon and the big luxury hotels and at the northern tip, the name changes since it is known as Serve Beach. This small stretch of beach is usually deserted and also bordered by a fir forest, and delimited by a river passing behind. The landscape is quite different from the rest of Phuket because this isolated space has remained wild, because Layan is part of the Sirinat National Park whose main area is directly south of the airport. This also includes the small island of Ko Kala, accessible on foot at low tide but also perfect for a short kayak trip.
Why sleep at Surin Beach:
Surin has changed over the years. In the past, it was known as THE beach for its restaurants, Beach Club, jet skis and its (too) many rows of lounge chairs lined up. While some lounge chairs are still partly there, the jet skis have disappeared and the Beach Clubs have given way to street food vendors with restaurants grouped mainly at the ends of the beach and the atmosphere has calmed down considerably. It must be admitted that Surin Beach offers a special vibe.
Already, because it is quite small, less than 800 m long, it has a more intimate side. With rather fine sand and its much more natural appearance, personally, I find that it is overall a beautiful beach. This is due to its particular configuration since there is no construction on a width of 200 m all along the beach (if we ignore a skate park and a parking lot in the center).
The northern spot now offers to sit at small tables under the coconut trees and enjoy local Thai cuisine in one of the many small food stalls. Pretty good local atmosphere, even if by definition, it's quite popular during the day.
I would say that you have to go there with full knowledge of the facts, because Surin is considered a little isolated from tourist activities, so either you have to have a vehicle or look for a rather relaxed spot.
My choice of hotel towards Bang Tao and Surin:
I once happened to sleep near Surin, in an area straddling the southern part of Bang Tao and Surin itself. It was at 6th Avenue Surin BeachI was drawn to it because of its modern design and rooftop pool. It's about 700 meters south of Bang Tao beach, although that part of Bang Tao is clearly not great for swimming, and it's also 700 meters from Surin. It was good value for money since I paid around €30 (it even goes down to €20 in the low season).
Another reason for this choice is that we were already in Bang Tao during the first part of our stay. Since we had to change hotels and transport our luggage by scooter, I preferred to stay nearby. The hotel in Bang Tao was the luxurious Banyan Tree, in a room with a small private pool. A night for €300 that we couldn't normally afford, but we had won a luxury stay in phuket with three nights there, plus a voucher for a Spa session at the prestigious Oasis Spa during an event organized by the TAT (Thailand Tourism Authority).
Some hotel suggestions in the area:
7- Near the airport: for peace and quiet
Why sleep around this area of Phuket:
Apart from the obvious reason of proximity to the airport, as the title suggests, it is guaranteed to be relatively uncrowded, if that is what you are interested in. It is among the few beaches in Phuket to have remained wild and natural as 20 years ago, apart from the fact of crossing planes coming to land at the airport (a photo spot also famous for that). After that goes without saying, you will be far from the main attractions of the island; Phuket Town for example, is 30 km away.
If you are looking for a place far from civilization and isolated that is all yours, this is the place to go.
Being close to the airport is always a plus after a long journey or an early evening arrival, and being able to find a good hotel to stay in without having to drive for an hour. Being in the north also allows you to be closer to Phang Nga Bay, if you want to leave early to arrive before everyone else. Likewise if your next destination is Khao Lak, it also brings you closer.
There is a choice of 3 main beaches:
- Mai Khao Beach
- Nai Yang Beach
- Nai Thon Beach
Mai Khao Beach:
First, directly behind the airport you have nothing less than the largest beach on the island, Mai khao. So long, in fact, that when you reach the northern tip, the name changes to become Sai Kaew Beach. On the tip, not far from the Sarasin bridge connecting Phuket to the mainland, you also have a beach called Pak Phra Beach. This whole area is known to be a breeding ground for leatherback turtles, who come to lay eggs there between November and February. There is an active conservation program, with olive ridley turtles also laying eggs near Mai Khao beach, in order to protect this endangered fauna.
As the saying goes " What if luxury was space?", with its 10 km length, Mai Khao has managed to attract several high-end hotels including a JW Marriott, an Anantara and a Renaissance, all clustered in the central part of the beach.
Near this corner is an attraction that I did not know about before writing this article, Baan Ar Jor, a house dating from 1936, surrounded by a garden and recently renovated to become a restaurant renowned for its fine Thai gastronomy, and the possibility of sleeping on site (see website here, in English). You have next to the airport, a water park, the Splash Jungle Water Park, with all the necessary slides, wave pool and restaurants for a relaxing time with the family.
One of the disadvantages of Mai Khao is its muddy waters for part of the year, which are not very welcoming for swimming and which explains the unpopularity of the place and therefore its lack of development.
Nai Yang Beach:
A little further south, you have the small Nai Yang beach, near which you have a golf course. Basically, it is a miniature version of Mai Khao. The overall appearance is the same, namely, a wide sandy beach, bordered by a forest. The beach has a special feature since the entire northern part is included in the Sirinat National Park (paying area therefore).
There is a wide strip of 350 m from the seaside that remains fairly unexploited, but with a few decent hotels. Unlike Mai Khao which is a bit dead in terms of atmosphere, there is a minimum of life around Nai Yang, if only along the road leading to the airport, which passes behind 1 km from the beach. But it is especially at the seaside, in the central part, around the new Grand NaiYang Beach resort that you will find a whole series of restaurants, bars, massage parlors and mini-markets.
In summary, Nai Yang Beach is a beautiful beach, which has an "off the beaten track" side, often overlooked by new visitors to Phuket. Nai Yang remains peaceful like most beaches in the north, but is popular enough especially with travelers already familiar with the island to have its share of animation, with the advantage of being only 5 minutes from the airport, not bad anyway.
Nai Thon Beach:
You may know Nai Thon without knowing it. Indeed, you may have already seen this famous photo of an exotic wooden staircase leading to a beach, an iconic image of Phuket that often circulates on Instagram. Well, it is precisely in the south of Nai Thon that this photo was taken!
Nai Thon Beach is one of those little-known beaches on the west coast of Phuket, far from crowded areas like Patong Beach or Kata Beach. People who choose to stay here usually do so with full knowledge of the facts, in order to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a village with just the right amount of restaurants and hotels to not feel too isolated.
Nai Thon is about 7 km away, located halfway between Nai Yang, 6 km to the north, and Bang Tao, 7 km to the south. Heading towards Bang Tao, you will find, just 2 km from Nai Thon, a “secret beach” of Phuket called Banana Beach. It is often frequented by young visitors who travel there on scooters and park along the road to enjoy this wild beach. Although it is not directly accessible from the main road and requires going down a steep path, it is certainly worth a visit for those looking for a more secluded experience.
Some hotel suggestions in the area:
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