Did you know the cliff-lined beaches we all associate with Thailand aren’t Phuket beaches?
That’s right – the tourist hotspot of the country isn’t where these pictures are taken! Many visitors like myself are surprised to learn these beaches are all nearer Krabi – approximately 3-4 hours away.
However, Phuket is still an incredible destination with world class beaches. Sadly, some areas (looking at you Patong Beach) have lost their charm, overrun with swarms of rowdy tourists set against the unattractive background of tacky towns.
However, paradisaic Phuket does exist! You just have to look for it.
The better beaches are towards the north or south ends of the island, away from the bustling centres of Patong and Phuket Town. Here’s what I believe to be the best four.
At 6km long, the USP of Bangtao Beach is its sheer size. If you want some peace and quiet and are willing to trade palm trees for pine trees to get it, this is the beach for you.
To have the beach to yourself, head to the empty northern end. The pros of the busier southern end however are the restaurants, bars, and beach clubs sparser in the north.
Palm Seaside I particularly recommend (they aren’t sponsoring me, I just think everyone should eat here!). With sunken booths in the central water feature and a gorgeous beachfront bar, make the effort to visit no matter where you’re staying in Phuket. Their menu is exotic and varied, but everything I’ve ever eaten has been amazing.
Plus there’s water sport rental facilities! Jet ski or SUP around one of Phuket’s biggest bays as the sun sets, then head to a beach club for dinner, what more could you want?!
Well perhaps some snorkelling, in which case, head for:
If you love surfing or snorkelling, these are the beaches for you!
If you’re willing, unlike the masses, to venture to one of Phuket island’s southern tips, you’ll find Nai Han beach. This distance from the centre keeps it quieter than many beaches, despite its beauty.
The unassuming approach is lined with overhanging trees, but when they fall away and the view opens up, it takes your breath away. High cliffs and hills surround the bay, creating waves that attracts many surfers. Even though it’s quiet, there’s surfboard rentals available, and several beachfront restaurants.
But Nai Harn’s biggest appeal is actually the choice of its sister beach, Ao Sane.
Only another 3 minutes down a cliff-side road is Phuket’s best snorkelling beach. Quieter than Nai Harn and without the restaurants, hotels, and water sport rentals, Ao Sane is almost exclusively visited by snorkellers. You can easily while an afternoon away swimming amongst the marine life.
Suggestion: spend your day on Ao Sane until you’re all snorkelled out, then return to Nai Harn for an evening surf under its sunset.
Surin is the perfect Phuket beach; if it was as beautiful as Banana beach, it would’ve snagged the top spot.
The beach itself is still plenty pretty – with turquoise water, white sand, and endless palm trees, and enough space that you can find a spot despite its popularity. Enjoy a local lunch at one of the dozens of restaurants right on the sand, and make sure to grab a freshly made smoothie to keep you cool!
Why it stands head and shoulders above the rest though, is the town itself.
Surin town is the ideal size, catering to your every desire without being busy. Make sure to try the thin crust pizza cooked by an Italian chef at Surin Sweet Pizza Trattoria, as good as any you’ll find in Italy (again, they aren’t sponsoring me, the pizza is just that good). Plus they have a happy hour with amazing cocktails, a pool table, and foosball, all a stone’s throw from the beach. A visit to Surin isn’t complete without eating here afterwards!
The only reason Banana beach isn’t crammed full of tourists is it’s so tricky to access. Definitely not walkable from anywhere nearby, you’ll need a car or a bike to find it. Even then, parking is near impossible, with only a few spots on the side of the narrow, cliff-edge road.
BUT if you can find a spot, and handle the precarious descent of stepped tree roots, you’ll be rewarded with absolute paradise.
On Phuket island, its beauty is unmatched. The crystal clear sea gets deep fast, rewarding snorkellers with everything from parrot to cuttlefish. And while most of Phuket’s beaches are graced with a stunning sunset for facing west, the steep cliffs around Banana make it the most dramatic of all.
In tourist season (November – March) the back of the beach has a few pop-up restaurants, bars, and even masseuses. The rest of the year, those amenities are unlikely to show, which adds to its isolated feel.
Pro tip: if you can find the path up the rocks, the north end of the beach has a unique, dramatic crack in its shoreline. Climb to find a shady, isolated spot, and watch the waves catch the sunlight as they crash against the cliffs.
As you may have guessed, the previously mentioned Patong Beach is one I wholeheartedly advise you to avoid. However, there are loads of other lovely beaches that couldn’t quite crack the top 4.
If you’ve already booked your getaway near the south-west tourist centre of Phuket, or don’t fancy the long drives to reach the aforementioned far-flung four, some other lovely beaches are Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach (meaning little Kata), and Karon Beach. They may be busier and less breath-taking, but these 3 are still worth a visit!
These Phuket beaches are easy to get to, easy-ish to park near, and have plenty of amenities. A tantalising night market backs on to Karon, serving everything from Pad Thai to scorpions, while Kata and Kata Noi are further south and blessed with a little more quiet, plus some half-decent snorkelling.
Let me know what you think of these beaches, or if there’s anything else you want to know about Phuket, or Thailand! Follow on Twitter for more, and check out my cookbook to try some Thai recipes I learnt while living there!
