Phuket has more than 30 beaches scattered along its coastline, and they often have nothing in common with each other. The rowdy, crowded strip of Patong has virtually no resemblance to the rocky cove of Ao Sane, a snorkeling paradise, or the deserted stretches of sand at Mai Khao.
Choosing the wrong beach means you might spend your vacation dodging jet skis when you dreamed of reading in peace, or ending up on an empty shore when you were hoping for a cocktail bar within walking distance.
As we explain in our complete guide to visiting Phuket, the west coast offers the most beautiful sunsets and the biggest waves, the south packs the greatest variety into a small area, and the east coast remains swimmable when everything else is rough. This guide covers 15 beaches worth visiting, organized by their location on the island.
West Coast Beaches
The west coast is where most visitors lay down their towels. It faces the Andaman Sea, offers front-row sunsets, and has the widest selection of accommodation and restaurants. In high season (November to April), the water is generally calm and clear. During the monsoon (May to October), this side of the island gets hit by strong waves and rip currents—a red flag means you absolutely must not swim.
Patong Beach
Patong is Phuket’s most famous beach and the one most people picture when they think of the island. The reality is less glamorous than the reputation. The sand is fine, sure, but the water is murky compared to virtually every other beach on this list.
Jet skis zoom back and forth non-stop. Hawkers roam the sand constantly. The whole place has a distinctly commercial atmosphere.
What Patong actually delivers is convenience. Jungceylon shopping mall is steps away. Bangla Road and its nightlife are a few minutes’ walk from the sand. Restaurants, pharmacies, convenience stores—everything is within reach.
If your ideal itinerary involves partying until 3 AM every night and dragging yourself onto a beach the next morning without needing a taxi, Patong delivers. It’s the only area on the island where you can truly do everything on foot, without a scooter or ride-hailing app.
For actual swimming, rent a scooter or grab a taxi to one of the beaches listed below. Phuket regulars all say the same thing: stay in Patong if you want the nightlife, but leave Patong for the beach.
Tri Trang Beach, a few minutes’ drive south of Patong, is a quieter alternative if you’re staying in the area but want cleaner water and fewer crowds. It stays shallow and sheltered when the main beaches are rough.
Karon Beach
Karon is a long, wide strip of sand located 10–15 minutes south of Patong by tuk-tuk. The beach is large enough to never feel crowded, even at the peak of the season. The sand here is famous for squeaking underfoot when you walk on it—and it’s true.
The downside with Karon is the sea. The waves tend to be stronger than at Kata, the neighboring beach, and a steep drop-off near the shore creates nasty shore breaks. This makes it a poor choice for families with young children. Many travelers have reported that this sudden drop-off is genuinely dangerous for toddlers.
Karon works well for couples who want quiet evenings while keeping easy access to Patong’s nightlife. The classic strategy: base yourself at Karon, grab a taxi to Patong when you feel like going out, and come back to peace and quiet. To find out which neighborhood to choose near Karon, check out our neighborhood guide.
Kata Beach
Kata sits just south of Karon and is probably the best all-around base for a first visit. The bay forms a crescent with views of Koh Pu island. Behind the beach, a small, walkable village offers restaurants that go beyond the ordinary—more polished spots than the generic joints in Karon. A surf school on the beach rents boards and gives lessons.
In high season, the water at the northern end of Kata is calm enough for families with children to swim safely. The beach is busier than Karon but remains pleasant, and the atmosphere has a lively village feel that Karon lacks. In low season, the southern end of the beach gets bigger waves—that’s when the surf school does its best business.
Kata beats Karon for families thanks to calmer seas (in season) and the ability to walk everywhere with kids without needing a vehicle. The food scene is another strong point—Kata offers more variety and more creative cooking than Karon, which tends toward classic tourist restaurants with laminated menus.
Kata Noi
Five minutes south of Kata, Kata Noi is a smaller, more peaceful version of its neighbor. The water is clearer. There are fewer people. The beach has an air of exclusivity without the price tag of a private resort.
Kata Noi is a natural pick for couples looking for a beautiful beach without the noise. It doesn’t have Kata’s restaurant scene, but you can walk or scooter over in a few minutes when you want dinner or a drink. Since the beach is fairly small, it fills up faster than the larger bays—best to arrive early, especially on weekends.
Kamala Beach
Kamala is the beach that families with children consistently recommend to other families with children. It has a quiet, small-town beach resort feel, with a seafront promenade, calm water, and zero trace of the raucous nightlife that defines Patong. Everything is walkable, including with a stroller.
The water stays calm and shallow—a critical factor when traveling with kids under five. The Sunwing Resort at Kamala comes up constantly in family travel discussions as one of the best kid-friendly hotels on the island.
If your idea of a perfect vacation is dinner at 7 PM and lights out by 9 PM, Kamala is your beach. That’s not a criticism—it’s a genuinely peaceful place, in a way that most west coast beaches simply aren’t.
Surin Beach
Surin has an upscale vibe and moderate crowds. The beach itself is beautiful, but the main reason to come here is the boats: longtail boats depart from Surin for Laem Singh Beach, a cove between Surin and Kamala that was closed for years due to a land dispute and is once again accessible, primarily by boat.
Laem Singh offers crystal-clear water, very few people, and the feeling of having found a private cove.
If you’re spending a day at Surin, the short boat ride is well worth it.
Bang Tao Beach
Bang Tao is one of the longest beaches on the island, lined with upscale resort complexes yet spacious enough that you can always find your own patch of sand. It’s a more upscale, quieter alternative to Kamala for families with a comfortable budget.
Its length is its main asset. Even when the resorts are fully booked, a ten-minute walk in either direction gets you space to yourself.
The atmosphere is relaxed without being deserted. The southern end of Bang Tao meets a lagoon where some of the largest resort complexes sit, while the northern end has a wilder, more untouched feel.
South Coast Beaches
Phuket’s southern tip packs the greatest diversity into the smallest area. Within a 15-minute drive, you can hit a family-friendly bay, a snorkeling cove, a kayaking beach, and one of the best swimming spots on the island. If you’re staying in the south, there’s no need to stick to just one beach.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn is the beach that comes up most often when you ask: “What’s the best beach in Phuket for swimming?” In high season, the water is crystal clear with a gentle slope toward the open sea. Behind the beach lies a freshwater lagoon where toddlers can splash safely while parents keep an eye on the older kids in the sea.
Nai Harn used to be the well-kept secret of expats. Those days are over. The beach now draws crowds, especially on weekends, but it remains far less chaotic than Patong or Kata. The village atmosphere is still there, and the swimming is genuinely excellent.
During the monsoon, Nai Harn can get waves—check conditions before getting in the water. But from November to April, it’s the closest thing to an ideal swimming beach on Phuket island.
Yanui Beach
Yanui is a small cove just south of Nai Harn. People come here for two things: sunsets and kayaking. You can rent a kayak on the spot and paddle out to Koh Man island offshore, where the snorkeling is far better than anything you’ll find from shore on the main island. Snorkel sets can be rented for 100 to 200 baht (about 3 to 5 EUR) from the beach stands.
The beach gets busy around sunset and with photographers, but earlier in the day it’s perfectly manageable.
You can also spot some fish directly from the beach near the rock formation in the middle of the bay, if you’d rather not kayak out. Yanui is also near the Windmill Viewpoint, one of the island’s best lookouts for watching the sunset, reachable on foot from the beach parking lot.
Ao Sane
Ao Sane is a small rocky cove near Nai Harn that most tourists never find. To get there, you need to walk through the parking area of The Nai Harn resort, which leads many people to assume it’s a private access. It’s not.
It’s the number-one answer every time someone asks where to snorkel from shore in Phuket. The rocky bottom hosts real coral and real marine life—parrotfish, clownfish, and many other species.
You can rent a mask and snorkel from the small beachside restaurant for about 100 baht (less than 3 EUR). There are also simple bungalows right on the beach if you want to spend the night in a rustic, no-frills setting.
Ao Sane is not a beach for sunbathing on fine sand—the rocks are the whole point. If you want to put your head underwater without booking a boat trip, this is the place to come.
The big sandy beaches like Patong, Karon, and Kata have sandy bottoms with nothing to see beneath the surface—no point bringing your snorkel there. You can also check out our full list of water activities and excursions for more options beyond shore snorkeling.
Northern Beaches
The further north you go in Phuket, the quieter things get. The northern beaches are closer to the airport and further from the tourist hubs of Patong, Kata, and the southern tip. What you gain in tranquility, you lose in restaurant options and nightlife. For some, that’s exactly the trade-off they’re looking for.
Mai Khao Beach
Mai Khao is the longest beach on the island and the quietest. It sits at Phuket’s far north, near the airport. On weekdays, you can walk for 20 minutes without seeing another soul. The sand stretches for about 11 kilometers, largely backed by Sirinat National Park rather than hotels.
The flip side is genuine isolation. There are few restaurants and virtually no nightlife. The resorts here (mostly upscale chains like the JW Marriott) are self-contained, because there isn’t much around them.
If you dream of pristine sand and the sound of waves as your only company, Mai Khao is for you. If you want to be able to walk to dinner without arranging transport, look elsewhere.
Mai Khao is also in the airport’s flight path—planes pass regularly overhead. Some find it annoying. Others consider it part of the charm.
Nai Thon Beach
Nai Thon offers a good compromise in the north. The beach is backed by a quiet little village with enough restaurants that you don’t feel stranded. Crowds are low. The sand is pleasant. Nothing exciting, and for many visitors, that’s precisely the appeal.
Nai Thon suits travelers who looked at Mai Khao and thought “too remote” but looked at Kamala and thought “too busy.” It’s the sweet spot. The beach is also swimmable during part of the low season, when the more exposed west coast beaches are not, though you should always check the flags before getting in the water.
Banana Beach
Banana Beach sits between Bang Tao and Nai Thon, hidden behind a steep trail. You can reach it either on foot (bring proper shoes, not flip-flops) or by longtail boat. The effort discourages crowds, and what you find at the bottom is a small beach with an end-of-the-world atmosphere.
A clarification on the name: there are two “Banana Beaches” near Phuket. This one is on the main island. The other, more easily accessible one, is on Coral Island (Koh Hey), a 15-minute speedboat ride from Chalong pier.
The Coral Island version has better facilities—restrooms, food stands, and shaded areas—and the water is shallow enough for kids to watch the fish while standing waist-deep.
Don’t mix them up when planning your day. If you’re looking for the family-friendly, easy-access option, it’s the Coral Island Banana Beach you want, not this one.
East Coast and Hidden Coves
The east coast doesn’t offer the dramatic sunsets or wide sand stretches of the west. What it does offer is calm water, especially during the monsoon months when the west coast becomes dangerous. Two beaches are worth knowing about on this side, and one hidden cove on the west coast deserves its own section.
Ao Yon
Ao Yon sits on Phuket’s southeastern side, in the Panwa area. Very few tourists venture here. The beach is mainly used by locals and expats, and the surroundings have a residential, off-the-beaten-path feel—a world apart from anything on the west coast.
Its real advantage is seasonal. From May to October, when west coast beaches fly red flags and lifeguards blow their whistles non-stop, Ao Yon stays glass-calm. The bay is sheltered from the swell that hits the western side.
If you’re visiting Phuket during the monsoon and want to swim in the sea (not just in the hotel pool), Ao Yon is one of the only reliable options. Cape Panwa, nearby, is another sheltered choice on the east coast during the rough months, though it’s less suited for swimming than Ao Yon.
This beach also works year-round for families with young children or anyone uncomfortable in waves. The water stays shallow and gentle. The beach itself isn’t as photogenic as the west coast options, and the sand is coarser. You come here for the swimming conditions, not the scenery.
Freedom Beach
Freedom Beach sits on the west coast, between Patong and Karon, and those who’ve been describe the water as “Maldives-worthy.” It’s frequently cited as the most beautiful beach on the island of Phuket, with white sand and the clearest turquoise water you’ll find without taking a boat to another island.
Getting there is part of the adventure. You have two options. The hike takes 15 to 20 minutes along a steep, slippery trail—wear proper shoes. Locals at the top sometimes charge an “entrance fee” of 200 baht, the official nature of which remains debatable.
The alternative is a longtail boat from Patong or Karon, for 1,000 to 1,500 baht (about 25 to 40 EUR, see our budget guide)—the best option if you don’t want to arrive drenched in sweat.
The essential timing tip: arrive before 9 AM. Early morning, you can have the beach almost to yourself. By noon, tour boats start arriving and the cove fills up. Bring water and snacks, as facilities are limited.
Don’t confuse Freedom Beach with Paradise Beach, which is a beach club with a DJ, admission fee, and organized parties. They are two radically different places. Freedom Beach is wild and undeveloped. Paradise Beach is a commercial operation.
Which Beach for Which Season
The season matters far more than most guides let on. The difference between Phuket’s beaches in December and Phuket’s beaches in July is not trivial. Check our practical guide for choosing the best time to visit.
From November to April (high season), the west coast is at its best. Kata, Karon, Nai Harn, Freedom Beach, Kamala—all are calm and swimmable. This is also the busiest period, especially around Christmas, New Year’s, and Chinese New Year.
Freedom Beach in particular fills up after 10 AM, even during the so-called “quiet” months.
From May to October (monsoon), the west coast becomes dangerous. Rip currents and violent shore breaks appear on beaches that were peaceful just weeks earlier. Red flags go up.
People drown every year by ignoring these flags. If the flag is red, do not go in the water. Do not let children in, even ankle-deep.
During the monsoon, head to the east coast. Ao Yon is the most reliable option for actually swimming in the sea. Cape Panwa is another sheltered choice. Some visitors opt for Blue Tree, a complex with an artificial lagoon, when the ocean is off-limits.
Shore Snorkeling
Most of Phuket’s big beaches have sandy bottoms with nothing to see underwater. If you want to explore the seabed from shore without booking an excursion, your options are limited but they do exist.
Ao Sane is the top choice. The rocky cove hosts living coral and real marine life. Yanui Beach offers interesting terrain near the rocks in the middle of the bay, and you can enhance the experience by renting a kayak to paddle out to Koh Man island.
Merlin Beach, near Patong, is a lesser-known spot with an ongoing coral restoration project. The bottom is rocky and the beach isn’t ideal for swimming, but at high tide, the underwater viewing is surprisingly rich for a site so close to Patong.
For more serious snorkeling, go for a day trip. Racha Yai Island and Coral Island (Koh Hey) both offer better visibility and more marine life than anything accessible from shore in Phuket.
A private longtail to Coral Island is worth the extra cost over a group tour—you can arrive before or after the 10 AM to 2 PM rush, when the tourist groups are on-site.
Choosing the Right Beach for You
If you’re visiting Phuket for the first time and want a bit of everything, base yourself near Kata. If you’re traveling with young children, Kamala is the safest and most practical choice. Couples seeking peace and quiet should look at Kata Noi or Karon. Solo travelers looking for nightlife will find what they need in Patong, like it or not.
Also discover the most beautiful beaches in Bali for a comparison with Phuket’s.
If you have a scooter or are willing to take taxis, the south coast offers the greatest variety within the smallest area. You can snorkel at Ao Sane in the morning, swim at Nai Harn after lunch, and watch the sunset from Yanui—all within a 10-minute drive.
And if you’re coming during the monsoon, plan your beach days around the east coast. Ao Yon won’t win any beauty contests against Freedom Beach, but it’ll be swimmable when Freedom Beach isn’t.
To help you decide where to drop your bags based on which beach appeals to you, find out which neighborhood to choose in our neighborhood guide. And to know what to do once you’re on the sand (or in the water), check out our full list of water activities and excursions available around the island.
For a complete overview of planning your trip, head back to our complete guide to visiting Phuket.
For an urban contrast after the beaches, discover the top things to do in Bangkok.
For a cultural contrast after the beaches, discover the things to do in Hanoi including Ha Long Bay.
