Ready to explore all the best beaches on Phuket? Well, you’re in luck… We spent months hopping from beach to beach exploring all this island has to offer! So join us as we take you from the popular West Coast to some of the more secluded Phuket beach towns. After reading this we’re sure you’ll be excited to enjoy the endless stunning beaches of Phuket!
Finding the Best Beaches in Phuket
Phuket is the most popular island to visit in Thailand and it’s easy to see why! There are so many beautiful beaches to experience it’s no wonder that beach hopping is one of the best things to do in Phuket. With its proximity to the mainland and easy beach access, this island is a tropical paradise for swimming and relaxing vacations.
So let’s get into some of the best beaches on Phuket! Just to be clear, we include a mix of the most popular and our favorite smaller Phuket beach towns in this article. Make sure to explore all the little secret coves and sands for yourself!
We rented a motorbike in Phuket and used it to explore the island. However, you can also pick a few beaches you want to visit then hire and tuk-tuk or driver to take you around for the afternoon.
→ When’s the Best Time to Visit Thailand For Perfect Weather?
15 Best Beaches in Phuket Thailand
1. Nai Harn Beach
When we first saw Nai Harn at the top of the hill driving from Windmill Viewpoint we couldn’t believe our eyes. A small bay flows into a wide beach where you can spend all day playing in the clear blue water.
There are some very nice luxury resorts a short drive away behind Nai Harn Lake. It is also a popular beach to visit from Rawai which is located just 5 minutes away.
2. Yanui Beach
While visiting Nai Harn be sure to check out the tiny Yanui Beach just around the bend! Unlike its neighbor, Yanui is made up of 2 small rocky coves that are perfect for snorkeling.
We loved getting to this Phuket beach first thing in the morning and renting one of the kayaks. For just 100 baht ($3 USD) you can be paddling from Yanui to the nearby island!
→ Nai Harn Beach & Yanui: Two of Phuket’s Most Stunning Beaches
3. Karon Beach Phuket
This long sandy beach is one of the most popular places for a vacation in Phuket. Most of the road is lined with luxury hotels, but on the far north end you will find some good local restaurants.
The length of the beach is its best quality as there is plenty of room to spread out and find your own slice of paradise! We loved grabbing a beach chair and fruit smoothie for sunset at Karon.
4. Patong Beach
Welcome to party central! The infamous Patong Beach is known for its soft sands and wild party scene. During the day it may look like your average fun Phuket beach. Yet, when the sun goes down Patong is a different animal!
Most of the action is on Bangla Road which is full of bars and eccentric nightclubs. Patong really isn’t our scene so we preferred the other Phuket beaches much more. Nevertheless, for such a party town the beach is actually still really nice.
5. Kamala Beach
Next up on our beaches of Phuket list is Kamala! This one sits just North of the party in Patong but offers a much more relaxing vibe. Kamala may not have the calm waters of Karon and Kata, but its rustic nature and scenery is truly something to behold.
As far as nightlife goes Kamala is the complete opposite of Patong Beach. This makes it perfect for families looking for that restaurant and resort-style vacation.
6. Laem Singh Beach
7. Kata Beach
Staying on the stunning Western Coast, Kata is an exciting area and one of our favorite Phuket beaches! The location is just South of Karon and somewhere you’ll find a range of great accommodations. There are many smaller guesthouses and hotels here as well as a few luxury resorts.
You’ll also have some solid food options if you get lost in the backstreets of Kata Beach. Be sure to check out the Kata Night Market as well as the food carts! Also, check out our post about our 40 favorite Thai dishes and drinks!
→ Why You’ll Fall in Love With Kata Beach Phuket
8. Kata Noi Beach (Our Favorite)
Just around the corner from Kata is arguably the most amazing of all the best beaches in Phuket. Kata Noi may be one of the smallest Phuket beaches on this list, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in pure beauty!
Most of the real estate is taken up by the Katathani Resort. However, its location nearby to Kata Beach makes it perfect for a day trip. This was easily the favorite of our beaches on Phuket to watch the sunset and somewhere every traveler should experience.
→ 6 Fun Facts About Phuket’s Kata Noi Beach
9. Surin Beach Phuket
Further up the Western Coast of Phuket is the town of Surin. This popular beach draws crowds for snorkeling and other water sports. There is also a seemingly endless amount of beach chairs for those who just want to relax.
The coastline is surrounded by luxury villas and resorts, so you’ll have no problem finding a nice place to stay near Surin either. At the same time, it’s close enough to Patong and other nearby beaches for your days of adventure.
10. Nui Beach
Speaking of adventure… Nui Beach is a hike to get to. Literally! To begin, a small turn-off between Kata Beach and Rawai leads to a steep dirt road. We wouldn’t recommend driving your motorbike down the 1.5 km track.
Yet, if you don’t feel like doing the hike there are passenger trucks that will take you round trip for 100 Baht. At Nui Beach, you’ll find two restaurants overlooking the water, umbrella chairs, and fun photo spots to enjoy.
This beach is very secluded and you may have it all to yourself if you get there early in the morning. While most of the best beaches of Phuket Thailand are easily accessible, Nui Beach is a little bit of a trek. Just know the trip is so worth it!
→ Nui Beach Phuket: How to Get There, Fun Photo Spots, & Beach Guide
11. Bangtao Beach
Bangtao Beach is another family-friendly place to stay in Phuket. It’s also one of the closest Phuket beaches to the airport, making it somewhat desirable for the front or back end of your vacation.
Bangtao tends to stay quiet with only a few beach bars. If you do decide to visit you’ll have lots of space to sprawl out on its over 6km of sand!
12. Khao Khad Beach
One of our favorite best beaches on Phuket will take you to a completely different side of the island. Khao Khad Beach is located along the stunning Cape Pawna. It’s a longer drive from the rest of these Phuket beach towns, but we loved exploring the Southeastern part of Phuket.
Khao Khad is a long sandy beach that turns rocky at low tide and gives off a rustic vibe. Yet, the best part is the angle you get across the bay to the mountains. It was so lovely watching the sunset over Big Buddha from here after a long beach walk!
13. Ao Yon Beach Phuket
If you’re heading to Khao Khad make sure to check out another nearby paradise on Cape Panwa. Large palm trees hang over the sand at this relaxing Phuket beach where you may not see many other travelers.
This was one of the best beaches on Phuket for a quick afternoon dip. Such a nice way to break up the drive to Cape Panwa and back, too!
14. Mai Khao Beach
One of the most unique Phuket beaches to visit is actually near the airport. During the high season, you can actually see planes land here! Just be extra careful to keep your distance if you visit. You don’t want to be too close to a 747 as it touches down on the island.
15. Rawai Beach
Last but not least, our best beaches in Phuket guide takes you to the digital nomad zone! Just around the tip of Promthep Cape is the town of Rawai. The beach may not be one of the nicest for swimming with so many boats.
Still, the reason why they’re there is why you should go to Rawai in the first place! From here you can take a boat trip out to some amazing smaller islands off the coast of Phuket.
There’s also a local market and a number of great seafood restaurants on the water overlooking the islands and colorful traditional Thai boats. More inland you’ll find backpacker vibes and some restaurants and bars to enjoy.
→ Rawai Beach Phuket: Top Tips for the Island’s Digital Nomad Zone
Where to Stay in Southern Phuket
5 Star Resort – The Shore At Katathani – Kata Noi – Ultra-luxury 5-star hotel offering rooms with private pools. Located on the far end of Kata Noi overlooking one of the best beaches on the island.
Ultra Luxury – The Nai Harn – Nai Harn Beach – Known as one of the nicest hotels in not just Phuket, but all of Thailand! Amazing beach and sea views from luxury rooms. If you ever want to leave you will be literally steps from the famous Nai Harn Beach.
Royal Experience – Mom Tri’s Villa Royale – Kata Noi– Once a home of the Royal family of Thailand, this converted residence is one of the most unique places to stay on Phuket.
Phuket’s First Hotel – The Memory at On On Hotel – Old Town – Built in 1927, the On On Hotel was constructed in the signature Sino-Portuguese style and retains its historical charm. It was even featured in the 2002 blockbuster “The Beach” with Leanardo DiCaprio.
Unique Stay – Roost Glamping – Rawai – Yes you can go glamping in Phuket Thailand! These upscale tents are set around a gorgeous pool and the cafe serves up healthy tropical dishes.
Hostel Life: – Sino Hostel @ Kata – Kata Beach – Hostels are very popular in Phuket and Sino is in a great location. Choose from dorms and private rooms as you use it as a base to see Kata Beach from.
More of the Best Beaches in Phuket Thailand
After spending many months on this island these are easily some of our favorite Phuket beaches! Just know that there are way more than 15 beautiful spots to swim and enjoy. Phuket is filled with long sandy stretches to secluded coves, and everything in between.
You don’t need to limit yourself to these beaches in Phuket. Instead, we hope you use this as loose guide to explore and find your own amazing places to swim.
Have any questions on the best beaches of Phuket or want to share your own favorite Phuket beach towns? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Thailand Travel Planning
Information: Explore all our Thailand articles, amazing destinations around the world, travel planning tips, and street food guides.
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Phuket! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
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Helpful Thailand Articles
Phuket: Old Town Food Guide – 6 Sunset Spots – Elephant Sanctuary – Promthep Cape Sunset – Sunday Night Market – Phuket Old Town – Big Buddha – Renting a Motorbike
Koh Phi Phi: Ferry from Phuket – 25 Things to Know – Maya Bay Private Tour – 3 Viewpoint Hike – Monkey Beach – Phi Phi Don Boat Tour
Koh Lanta: 10 Things to Do – 8 Best Beaches – One Day Motorbike
Railey Beach: 12 Things to Do – 3 Epic Beaches – Krabi to Koh Phangan
Gulf of Thailand: Koh Phangan 10 Things to Know – Bottle Beach Koh Phangan – Koh Tao 12 Things to Know – Freedom Beach Koh Tao – Koh Samui
More: Planning Thailand Trip – Koh Lipe – Chiang Mai
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Oh, these beaches look incredible! I can just about see myself relaxing on one of these; thanks for sharing!
Author
So relaxing and beautiful! Thanks for reading (-: