The Best Beaches in Phuket Thailand - Infographic and Photo Gallery

The Best Beaches in Phuket Thailand – Our Top List

Ready for the high season and some swimming weather? Here’s a new infographic worth saving: our map of the best beaches on our beautiful home island of Phuket in Thailand. Phuket has some of the finest beaches in the world, and here we present the best of the bunch.

Swimming Safely

Swimming conditions can be treacherous around Phuket during the rainy season from April to about October, especially on the popular West Coast beaches where there can be strong waves and currents. If you do choose to go swimming at this time, choose a beach patrolled by life guards and obey the warning flags:

“There are 84 lifeguards covering 38 points on 13 beaches: Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Nai Harn, Bang Tao, Surin, Laem Sing, Kamala, Patong, Kata, Kata Noi, Karon and Ya Nui. There are at least two lifeguards on each beach.”

Mai Khao Beach

Distance: 27 km
Cycle: 1:02 hrs
Run: 2:42 hrs
One of the longest beaches in Phuket, much of it protected as a national park. The coast here is very open to the sea and it’s not the best for swimming, but it’s perfect for long runs or walks on the beach at sunset. Photo: Anantara Journeys @ Flickr

Banana Beach

Distance: 16 km
Cycle: 37 mins
Run: 1:36 hrs
This small but beautiful golden-sand beach lies in a crescent-shaped rocky cove, beside a small island capped by banana trees in the Sirinat National Park. The steep track that leads to the beach from the road helps keep it free from crowds. Photo: Honzasterba @ Flickr

Surin Beach

Distance: 11 km
Cycle: 25 mins
Run: 1:06 hrs
Surin has a reputation as an upscale party beach, with fashionable clubs, bars and restaurants lined along the beach road. The beach itself has clear water and beautiful white sand, lined with tall casuarina trees. Photo: Sukianto Hamzah @ Flickr

Laem Singh Beach

Distance: 12 km
Cycle: 27 mins
Run: 1:12 hrs
Laem Singh beach is in a small, curving bay with rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs. It’s reached by a long staircase that leads down from the road, but the walk up and down is worth it. Photo: Lawrence Michaels @ Flickr

Kamala Beach

Distance: 15 km
Cycle: 34 mins
Run: 1:30 hrs
A beautiful beach that’s often uncrowded even in high season, especially at the northern end. Kamala has a great dining and shopping area just a short walk from the beachfront. Photo: Alexander King @ Flickr

Patong Beach

Distance: 22 km
Cycle: 50 mins
Run: 2:12 hrs
For all Patong’s fame as a party town, its beach is still one of the best in Thailand, with plenty of white sand and warm water for everyone. Kalim Beach at the northern end of the bay is quieter, a haven from the crowds. Photo: Luke Ma @ Flickr

Karon Beach

Distance: 27 km
Cycle: 1:02 hr
Run: 2:42 hrs
Karon is one of Phuket’s most popular tourist beaches, but the hotels have been kept well back and there is a wide pedestrian and bicycle path running the length of the beach. The coral reefs at the south end of the bay are popular for snorkeling. Photo: Lutz @ Flickr

Kata Beach

Distance: 27 km
Cycle: 1:02 hr
Run: 2:42 hr
Kata is a scenic gem, its clear water flanked by hills, and picturesque Pu Island sits offshore. In low season Kata has some powerful waves and is one of the island’s most popular surfing spots. Photo: Gabriel White @ Flickr

Nai Harn Beach

Distance: 32 km
Cycle: 1:13 hr
Run: 3:12 hr
Laid-back Nai Harn at the very southern end of Phuket island borders a beautiful lagoon and the sheltered bay is a popular with swimmers and yachts. Photo: Bryan Nys @ Flickr

Paradise Beach

Distance: 27 km
Cycle: 1:02 hr
Run 2:42 hrs
This small beach is reached over a hilly road through the rainforest at the southern tip of Patong Bay. The beach has clear water and powdery sand, and the rocks and corals are great for snorkeling. Photo: Lofor @ Wikimedia