Phuket, Thailand, is a beach lover’s dream! Discover firsthand the nine best beaches in Phuket, Thailand that stole our hearts!
Phuket, Thailand, holds a special place in our hearts since it was our very first international trip together! We’ve now been back three times and even brought my (Alicia’s) parents with us.
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9 Best Beaches in Phuket
1. Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach feels like a hidden paradise, untouched and serene thanks to the nearby Buddhist temple preserving its beauty. There’s so much to love about this beach, whether you’re in the mood to chill or ready for some adventure, Nai Harn Beach has it all!
If you’re looking to stay with ocean front views, I recommend to stay on the cliffside at The Nai Harn. You can also find just behind the beach, a cozy lagoon with charming bungalows, private villas, and some great bars and restaurants.
For the best experience, visit between November and April when the weather is perfect. Skip the monsoon season from June to October when the waves at this beach can be particularly rough.
Don’t miss out on our Best Activities in Phuket blog for more guided adventures in the city!
2. Patong Beach - High Energy
Looking for the most energetic beach on Phuket? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! You can easily head to Patong Beach for a large swath of different types of daytime adventures and stay for the nightlife. Its central location on the west side of the island makes it a convenient trip from just about anywhere!
If you are looking for an adventurous day at the beach, Patong is where you will find the energy and activities. You can rent jet skis, hop on a banana boat, try out a jet pack, or parasail. Though I will say, the parasailing here is next level. They take off and land from the beach and there is a Thai man up in the parachute with NO ROPES! We didn’t have the bravery to do it ourselves, but it was wild to watch!
As the sun sets, Patong Beach transforms into a vibrant hotspot, with street life, delicious food, and music that keeps you dancing all night. If you crave energy and excitement, this is the place for you!
The plastic chairs set up along the sand with little plastic tables are free to sit in with a purchase of some food or drinks (unlike the sun bathing chairs which have a fixed cost regardless of purchases). These are a great place to watch sunset and enjoy the music over a drink. They even bring coozies for your beers! We love coming here for sundowners before heading out to dinner!
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3. Ao Sane Beach - Best Snorkeling
Ao Sane is one of Phuket’s best-kept secrets. It is one of our favorite secret beaches, tucked away from the usual tourist spots and with crystal clear water, perfect for snorkeling.
To get there, we start at Nai Harn Beach and drive past The Nai Harn hotel at the northern end. After passing through the hotel grounds, we go up the hill to a small parking lot. From there, we park and walk down to the teeny beach.
After our friends showed us Ao Sane, we were always amazed by how beautiful it was. The clear blue waters are a perfect fit for snorkeling and diving. While they do have snorkel rentals for fairly cheap, I wouldn’t recommend them since most are super old and beat up. Instead, we always travel with our own snorkel and mask, it’s just cleaner and is guaranteed to work!
PRO TIP: be sure to wear water shoes or a sturdy, waterproof pair of sandals, the coral here is sharp! I cut my toe just trying to walk out a bit.
Done beach-hopping? Check out the Best Beaches in Phuket for your next stop.
You can find a restaurant on the deck here as well as rental lounge chairs as with most beaches in Phuket (even the “hidden” ones). We paid 200 THB for two chairs for the whole day. We definitely didn’t get there early enough since we could only get a spot in the third row, but it is a super small beach so it was still a great spot.
We also love the cute stray golden retrievers that live here. The restaurant owners and workers seem to take care of them and they love rolling around in the sand and swimming in the calm waters. I wouldn’t advise petting them though… not sure if they’ve ever been bathed and who knows about fleas.
Ready to eat like a local (and beyond)? Discover the Best Restaurants in Phuket you shouldn’t miss.
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4. Maya Beach - Best Day Trip
While this is not technically on Phuket island, it is only a short trip away! Maya Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Located out at Phi Phi Islands, you can easily hop on a ferry from the east coast of Phuket and be there within a few hours. We HIGHLY recommend going for at least two nights to really get to enjoy the paradise-island-life, Phi Phi provides.
Phi Phi Islands is full of gorgeous beaches and clear blue water, but if you get a chance to see it (while it’s still open to the public), you have to visit Maya Beach. This beach gained it’s insane popularity from the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, The Beach. It’s basically the perfect beach, with pure white sand, clear, calm blue water, and towering limestone karsts in every direction.
I will say, it is BUSY. Like, tour group central and it’s a bit much when you first arrive, BUT you can literally walk down the beach about 500 yards and you’ll have the entire beach to yourself. Bring an easy-to-pack travel towel and set up under one of the cliff overhangs in the shade and enjoy the view (just like Leo!). Even though you cannot fully swim in the water (up to your knees only) since they are trying to preserve the natural wildlife of this island, the views alone are worth it.
A must-do in Phuket! Here’s everything you need to know to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to James Bond Island Phuket.
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5. Kata Noi Beach
If we’re craving a traditional beach day in Phuket, Kata Noi Beach is our go to choice. Just a short distance from the busier Kata Beach, this more secluded spot offers us soft sands, clear waters, and a lush jungle backdrop. This quiet 800-meter stretch, at the end of a small road, feels like our own secret escape compared to the bustling beaches to the north. Its calm and natural beauty make it the perfect place for us to relax and enjoy the peace.
Fun Fact: ”Noi” means small in Thai!
We spent a perfect day at Kata Noi Beach, lounging on sun beds and soaking up the sun. The water was calm when we visited so we were able to buy cute inner tubes from a small shop across the street and float in the ocean. We do this a lot and end up just giving them to some kids at our hotel when we leave so they don’t go to waste! They even have small massage decks available right on the beach!
6. Karon Beach
If you’re dreaming of a perfect beach day, Karon Beach is the spot to go. With 5 km of soft white sand and clear blue water, Karon Beach in Phuket is ideal for both relaxing and adventure.
Head to the quiet northern end if you are looking for peace and quiet. The southern end near Kata is lively and full of adventure sports! While it is busier on the south side, it’s still easy to find a nice spot.
Karon Beach offers a great mix of mid-range and luxury resorts with delicious dining options. If you are looking to stay near the beach while in Phuket, this is a great option that is not too rowdy at night, but still lively enough to find a restaurant and some live music.
TAKE NOTE: If the beach is what brings you to Phuket, Kata is where you’ll feel right at home.
Wake up to postcard-perfect sunsets? Discover Where to Stay in Phuket for the Best Views!
7. Banana Beach - Best Hidden Beach
Tired of crowded beaches and craving a peaceful spot where the only sound is the waves? Let me tell you a secret: Banana Beach in Phuket is a hidden gem that’s stayed quiet and relaxed, even as other spots get busy.
To get there, you’ll drive to the point on the map marked for Banana Beach where you can park your motorbike along the side of the road. Or if you aren’t renting a motorbike, you can get dropped off in the same spot by Grab. I wouldn’t recommend parking your car along the side of the road here.
Once you find the opening in the trees, you’ve got to hike down this sketchy little trail on the side of a hill, it’s a bit of a challenge! And trust me, the walk back up is no joke, super steep. But once you’re there, the seclusion of it makes it all worth it. But the beach isn’t just about its beauty; it also has a charming “restaurant” where you can enjoy a delicious local lunch. Places like this don’t stay hidden forever!
Read all of our top tips for renting a scooter in Thailand!
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8. Rawai Beach - Best Local Culture
Not every beach in Phuket is the usual sunbathing and swimming. Rawai Beach is located at the very southern end of Phuket Island and offers a laid-back vibe and unique charm you won’t want to miss. This charming beach is mostly used as a bustling departure point for long-tail boats heading to nearby islands. You can easily reach Koh Bon and Koh Racha via boat in 30-45 minutes.
Though it’s not ideal for swimming (with all the boat traffic), you’ll find beautiful views, fresh seafood, and a true taste of local life. It’s the ideal place to relax and take in the authentic atmosphere away from the usual tourist bustle.
You’ll find the Rawai seafood market where you can order fresh seafood to be cooked on the spot for you. They also have a bunch of small clothing vendors and souvenir shops throughout the market. Despite its non-swimming reputation, we found it a peaceful spot for sunrise runs and picnics under the trees, making it a perfect escape for both relaxation and local flavor.
Ethical travel at its best: meet and care for elephants at the Best Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket.
9. Mai Khao Beach - Most Unique Beach
Mai Khao Beach in Phuket is not just about it’s endless golden sands, though it does have those. Since the international airport is next to this beach, dozens of airplanes roar low over Mai Khao Beach every day. That’s one of the reasons it’s called Airport Beach or Sanambin Beach, with “sanambin” meaning airport in Thai. For the best Instagram-worthy shots, head to the very southern end of Mai Khao Beach.
Although, we found the planes flying directly overhead thrilling and stayed at the runway the entire time (what can we say, we LOVE travel!), there is plenty more to this massive beach. There is nearly ten kilometers of golden sand with just a few locals fishing.
Despite the large area of the beach, it was very quiet because it’s still part of Sirinat National Park. There were not a lot of vendors or beach chairs around, and with only the occasional plane flying over, we really enjoyed the calm and natural beauty of this special spot.
We would love to visit the Marine Turtle Foundation at JW Marriott (for hotel guests only) on our next adventure to Phuket! There’s also Splash Jungle Water Park at Grand West Sands (great for families, open daily 10 AM – 5:45 PM), and Sirinat National Park, home to giant sea turtles.
P.S. If you don’t have a picture with a plane flying directly overhead, you definitely need to visit Mai Khao Beach to experience it for yourself!
Don’t miss out on our blog, Why Phuket Is Worth Visiting, for more reasons to plan your trip!
