The Best And Least Known Beaches In Phuket

Sunset - Patong Beach Thailand

Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and most people come to Phuket with the intention of spending plenty of time at the beach. Unfortunately not everyone knows where the best beaches in Phuket are located. If you were to travel to Phuket and stay in a hotel in Patong Beach, spending all of your time in Patong, you wouldn't see any of the island's best beaches. Patong beach is crowded and filthy, however there are dozens of beaches on the island that are far less crowded and more pristine.

Kata and Karon's beaches are far nicer than Patong, however they do tend to get a little crowded in the high season, but just around the corner from Kata Beach is "Kata Noi". This is no secret to locals and expats, and most tourists that have stayed in Kata Beach will have been to Kata Noi. The beach at Kata Noi is easy to get to, simply follow the beach road through Kata and stay right, and you will end up at the Kata Thani Hotel, the beach is just a few hundred yards from the hotel .

Another well known beach in Phuket is Nai Harn Beach, this is probably the nicest of all the big beaches in Phuket. Located at the southern tip of the Island, Nai Harn is less crowded, cleaner and far more beautiful than the other well known resort beaches on Phuket. There is only one hotel with beach access, The Royal Phuket Meridien Yacht Club. At certain times of the year, the waves are big enough to body surf, however there are dangerous currents that you need to be aware of.

To the north of Patong is Kamala and Surin Beach, and just between the two of them is one of Phuket's most pristine beaches, Laem Sing Beach. To get there from Patong, you drive along the beach road toward Kamala, passing Kamala you continue up the hill toward Surin, and on the right hand side of the road you will see a sign for Laem Sing Beach. There are locals charging tourists to park their motorbike in a dirt parking lot, I believe it costs 50THB. Once you have parked, you walk along a dirt footpath down a hill until you arrive at the beach. There is a stunning view of crystal clear blue and emerald green colored water and a sandy beach with a scattered rocky landscape. There are a few food vendors and restaurants selling Thai food and drinks as well as cold beer.

For those of you that don't want to stray far from Patong, there is one quiet little beach just around the corner from Patong Beach. Tri Trang Beach is an isolated little spot with only a small restaurant and a few bungalows on the beach. To get there from Patong you drive south along the beach road, when you reach the end of Patong Beach, you can continue along staying to the right, over a few hills. When you reach the Tri Trang Hotel, you drive down the driveway and turn left toward the restaurant and there is a nice little private beach. The little restaurant is also serving great Thai food and seafood at reasonable prices.

You will find that in order to see the best of Phuket's beaches, you will need to stray away from the beaten path, and get out of the main resort areas. In order to explore the island you will need to rent a car or a motorbike, and have a look around. Phuket has much more to offer than what you see in Patong Beach, all you need to do is get out there and have a look around and I am sure you will find the tropical paradise you are looking for.