Phuket best beaches! One of the most popular islands in Thailand, Phuket is a tropical island paradise that draws millions of travelers to its shores each year. From its pristine beaches and bustling nightlife to its rich cultural history and engaging festivals, Phuket has something for everyone. This guide shines a light on the best beaches and top attractions in Phuket, and can help you plan a perfect holiday on this beautiful island.
Phuket Best Beaches
1. Patong Beach
Patong Beach is one of the most popular and lively beaches in Phuket. It is the center of Phuket entertainment and its nightlife, with many bars, clubs and restaurants on the side of the beach. Patong beach has a long stretch of white sand and the water is clear and ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and various watersports such as jet-ski, and parasailing. If you are looking for a lively beach with unlimited entertainment, then Patong Beach is suitable for you. Phuket best beaches!
2. Kata Beach
Kata Beach is a family and surfer favourite. The sea is generally calm and pretty clear; the gentle waves make it perfect for a nice swim or for surfing lessons. Kata is divided in Kata Yai (big) and Kata Noi (small), but both have beautiful views and tend to be less crowded than Patong. There are good restaurants on the beach, from simple beach barbecues to fancy places, so it’s easy to spend a whole day here. Phuket best beaches!
3. Karon Beach
A little south of Patong, Karon Beach is another one of the biggest beaches in Phuket and lesser crowded than Patong as it is more expansive and has more white sand, open spaces. Karon Beach’s waters are more calm during the dry season compared with Patong Beach, making it good for swimming and snorkelling. Aside from the long expanse of Karon Beach, there are also a few beachfront resorts and bars on this beach, having excellent views of the sunset. Phuket best beaches!
4. Surin Beach
The beach is sometimes called ‘Millionaire’s Row’ Surin Beach is the next stop north on Phuket island. The beach is less developed. It has fewer stores and a local feel. The waters are clear and calm and the sand is soft and white. It’s a little more elegant and secluded. It’s a wonderful place for a lazy day listening to the surf and dozing in the warm sun. It’s also a great place for snorkelling, especially under the rocky sections at the northern and southern end of the beach. Phuket best beaches!
5. Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach is a beautiful, hidden away beach in the southern part of Phuket. This small stretch of sand is perfect for those looking to escape the noise of the crowds, and for Thai families. The water is crystal clear and often very calm, perfect for swimming. Another plus is that it is a great place for a beach picnic with many local Thai restaurants serving delicious Thai food right on the beach.
Top Attractions in Phuket
1. Big Buddha
The Big Buddha is one of the most known landmarks of the island. This impressive statue stands 45 metres tall on Nakkerd Hill and offers a 360 degree view of the island below. As well as a place to admire the most majestic statue in Thailand, the site is a place for worship with many statues and buildings for meditation and learning about Buddhism. There is no entrance fee, and the winding roads to the Buddha are as beautiful as the destination itself. Phuket best beaches!
2. Old Phuket Town
Old Phuket Town. Photo supplied With others, I set off to explore Old Phuket Town. Clutching my camera and wearing flip-flops, I felt excited about the day’s adventure. Pastel coloured Sino-Portuguese buildings, boutique cafés and heaving markets characterised this compact area. Thoroughly enjoyable on foot, you won’t be able to resist a photo op at every turn. Bustling shophouses and mansions testify to Phuket Island’s multicultural history. Do not miss the Sunday Walking Street Market where you can taste street food and buy souvenirs. Phuket best beaches!
3. Phi Phi Islands
Not technically part of Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands are one of the most popular day trips you can take from Phuket. Their clear blue waters, rock formations and colourful sea life make them one of the most photographed places in Asia. The Bay where the movie The Beach was filmed, Maya Bay, must be seen to be believed! Snorkelling, diving and boat tours allow your to most easily enjoy the beauty of the Phi Phi Islands.
4. Wat Chalong
One of the largest and most important Buddhist temples in Phuket, Wat Chalong is a beautiful temple complex, a place of worship and pilgrimage for many Buddhists from across Thailand. Tourists learn about Buddhist traditions and practices at the temple, wander in the beautiful grounds, and even participate in some ritualistic activities. The Grand Pagoda is one of the most beautiful buildings in Wat Chalong. Colourful murals adorn the walls, and the pagoda exhibits a relic of the Buddha. You get a lovely view of the gardens when you reach the top of the temple stairs. Phuket best beaches!
5. Phang Nga Bay
While there are many limestone karsts that rise out of the ocean around Southeast Asia. None of them are as effective a backdrop for drama as the karsts that loom out of the emerald-green water in Phang Nga Bay – a popular destination just south of Phuket in Thailand. It’s always best to encounter Phang Nga Bay by boat, and the most common tour gets you to James Bond Island (also known as Khao Tapu). Here, tourists pose for photos next to the small, tapering karst that was made famous by the film The Man with the Golden Gun.
After touring around with larger boats, it’s also worthwhile to rent a kayak for a quick paddle through Phang Nga Bay’s hidden lagoons and mangroves. The bay is one of the most popular destinations in all of Thailand, and the mother ship that gives daily tours there is often as big as a football field. Unsurprisingly, it can get pretty crowded on the water. Yet, even with all that human activity, Phang Nga Bay is still a great place for photography. Phuket best beaches!
Conclusion
Phuket truly has it all – gorgeous beaches, rich culture and exciting attractions to feast your eyes on. Here you can have your pick of activities and destinations to visit, whether you seek beach relaxation, market scene-savouring, or adventure-filled journeys. Oh, and did I mention the culinary scene – absolutely fantastic. From Patong’s floating market, to bright blue seas of Nai Harn, to bamboo rafting, Phuket has it all. So what are you waiting for? Get your asses to Thailand today. Make Phuket your next destination.