Because it always comes down to personal preference, the way to determine the best beaches to stay in Phuket for you is to arm yourself with the knowledge of what the immediate surroundings of a particular beach offer so you may make an informed decision of which areas are most likely to satisfy your expectations. All areas offer resorts for all budgets, all offer recreational opportunities and family friendly facilities like kids clubs, but the atmosphere and things like proximity to nightlife and shopping opportunities of each location may differ significantly.
Below we offer an abbreviated guide of the most famous and beautiful beaches which we hope will to some extent guide you to .to a location you will most enjoy. We do need to point out that these are only the primary areas. Between them are many other bays and coves which feature fabulous resorts, luxury 5 star hotels, private pool villas and romantic places to stay.
OUR SELECTION OF THE BEST BEACHES TO STAY ON THE ISLAND OF PHUKET
PATONG BEACH
Located in the center of Phuket’s west coast this is the heartbeat of the island with a pulsating nightlife sporting countless clubs, bars, restaurants and markets. It also has more formal shopping opportunities like the Jungceylon Mall selling flashy brand names, has movie cinemas and pastimes like ten pin bowling. Stretching 3 km it is the best beach for swimming and offers exciting water sport activities.
If you do like things vibrant, to be amid the bustle and near entertainment and nightlife Patong is undoubtedly the best area to stay. It does not matter if you are a young couple or family traveling with children, because this is not only a place for adventure seeking singles. If you are traveling with kids places like Holiday Inn, Phuket Graceland and Grand Mercure offers the ideal facilities and accommodation for families.
You can also enjoy privacy moments outside the buzz with many hotels in Patong offering tranquil settings and great views. Check out names like Kalima Resort & Spa, Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort, Avista Hideaway, Indochine, Diamond Cliff, B-Lay Tong and La Flora Resort which are great for couples and families. Fabulous 4 star accommodation at places like Amari, The Charm and Burasari is walking distance from the action.
Dotting a green hillside overlooking the bay, the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites of Andara feature private infinity edge pools, dining pavilions where you are served by your private chef and from the lounge and bathroom spectacular panoramas unfold… [Read More]
KARON BEACH
Just over 3 km long and located 5 minutes by tuk tuk south of Patong, Karon is the ideal alternative to the busier Patong scene. It is no less popular than Patong and has no shortage of its own attractions, bars, restaurants and nightlife hang-outs, though not quite as intense as Patong. Karon beach hotels are centrally located and popular with families and couples, partly because of the areas’ family friendly hotels like Movenpick, Centara Grand and Centara Karon Resort while places like Centara Villas offer affordable romantic private pool villas for couples… [Read More]
KATA BEACH
You will find the most fabulous hotels in Kata Beach 5 minutes further south from Karon. It has a reputation as being the most beautiful beach in Phuket on the west coast and is divided into main Kata and Kata Noi at the upper northern end. With a prevailing tranquility without being too secluded or too quiet, Kata charms visitors with glittering white sands lined with palm trees adding to that tropical island vibe.
If you prefer things just that little more exclusive and laid back, head for Kata Noi, a mouthwatering beautiful cove separated from the main bay by a rocky headland. It is in our opinion a great honeymoon destination and the best place for couples who want a romantic setting without disturbances and still be able to easily access attractions. Another characteristic of this area is that if you want a hotel directly on the beach with no road separating you from the soft white sand, this is where you will most easiest find what you are looking for… [Read More]
BANGTAO BEACH
Bangtao is a quieter 8 kilometer swath of pure white sand just north of Surin, 30 minutes from either Patong or the airport. Resorts in Bangtao beach provides such a wealth of entertainment activities and five star facilities that the need to venture to other areas is almost eliminated.
Bangtao is home to the exclusive five star Laguna holiday complex which include names like Angsana Laguna, Dusit Thani and award winning Banyan Tree resort. These tropical retreats are set around tranquil lagoons amid lush island greenery. Family friendly accommodation, kids clubs, private pool villas for the most romantic honeymoon experiences, pampering spas, a myriad of restaurants, night time entertainment and a championship golf course is part of the complex… [Read More]
KAMALA BEACH
Kamala is 20 minutes from Patong and offers a quaint village with ample restaurants, bars and shops and is home to one of the most talked about attractions in south east Asia, the Phuket Fantasea sometimes referred to as Thailand’s Disneyland. This small and intimate bay is renowned for being clean, utterly tranquil and one of the best destinations for a romantic honeymoon stay at hotels like Cape Sienna, Ayara Kamala and the Hyatt. It also feature luxurious family accommodation at Paresa and Andara Villas. The Sunwing Kamala is an affordable 4 star resort and a great place if you are traveling with small children… [Read More]
MAI KHAO BEACH
At approximately 11 kilometers Mai Khao is the longest ribbon of sand on the island and since it is also far north and adjacent to Nai Yang it is quiet, bordering on deserted and perfect to escape the crowds and anything familiar. Lately it does feature a few vendors and of course luxury hotels like Sala Phuket Resort and Spa, Renaissance Resort and Anantara Villas, all of which are romantic hideaways… [Read More]
NAI YANG BEACH
If you prefer seclusion, peace and tranquility and to be surrounded by pristine nature, Nai Yang is a hard one to beat. It is located to the far north of the west coast, almost an hour from Patong and right next to the environmentally protected Srinath National Park. A plus point is that it is not next to a main road like most other beaches and therefore creates a very rural and authentic feel. It features one of the top spa resorts on the island namely Indigo Pearl (now rebranded as: The Slate) , which by the way is also the only resort in this area with a seaside setting. There are a few shops along the waterfront, local restaurants you have to try and also a trendy club, bar and restaurant… [Read More]
SURIN BEACH
North of Patong is up-scale Surin, 10 minutes from the steaming nightlife and pulsating daytime activities of Patong while enjoying utter serenity back at your base. Surin is exclusive meaning unhindered relaxation awaits at primarily luxury retreats. Places like The Surin Resort and TwinPalms are located here which rank among the most luxurious places on the island. For families, the Novotel Phuket Surin Beach Resort offers a kids club and water-slides. Surin still has that quaint village feel, the sand is a fine white powder and the ocean a calm. The top Phuket hotels in the area has given rise to great restaurants and wine and beer bars, but little to none in terms of nightlife or rowdy crowds to disturb the peace… [Read More]