[ Rawai Beach & Chalong Bay ] [ Nai Harn Beach ] [ Patong Beach ] [ Cape Panwa ] [ Karon & Kata ] [ Bang Tao & Laguna Beach ] [ Phuket Town ]

Patong Beach :
Phuket most famous beach and center of the island's night-life. Patong lies 15 kms. from Phuket Town. Take Vivhit Songkram Rd. or route 4020 about 9 kms. and turn left. Go on another 6 kms. to Patong Beach.

The Bay is long, wide, and gently curving, suitable for every kind of water sport, which are all available. Across from the beach, a city in all but name has developed to meet the needs of tourism growth, featuring entertainments of virtually every description both by day and night; accommodations ranging from guest houses to hotels of great elegance; shopping emporium to suit any need or taste; and tour companies to handle preparations for local explorations, either of nature or of night-life, and onward travel; international cuisine, Patong is the place to look.

Kata Beach :
Take Chao Fa Rd. south from Phuket Town and turn right at Chalong circle onto Patak Rd. following the signs to Kata. The total distance is 17 kms. There are two beaches call Kata : Kata Noi and Kata Yai ("Noi means small, "Yai" means big). Both are excellent for swimming and snorkeling, there is a coral reef running to Koh Poo, a small island nearby. Currently, Kata Beach has complete tourist facilities, including hotels and bungalow, tour agencies, shops and entertainment spots; great for tourisr service.

Karon Beach :
Just north of Kata lies Karon, along the same road. The beach is very long, the sand sparkling white, the water clear and clean. As at Kata, the full range of tourist facilities is available in abundance, including shops, hotels, tour agencies, etc.

Chalong Beach :
Lies 11 kms. southwest of town. Take Chao Fa Rd. to the traffic circle at Chalong (the Ha Yak) and turn left and the seaside is less then 1 km. The bay is very large, and the beach curves gently extending for many kms. but it is not suitable for swimming because the sand is muddy. There are a number of well known seafood restaurants, a pier from which to depart on island excursions, and a small craft harbor.

Rawai Beach :
Lies 17 kms. from town. Follow Viset Rd. from Chalong circle to its end at Rawai. There is a Sea Gypsy village on the left-hand side; on the right-hand, down the road to Promthep Cape are fishing and chartered boats, seafood restaurants, hotels, bungalows, and bars. Swimming is safe because the water is shallow, the waves small, and the wind does not blow strongly. Rawai is a popular recreational spot for both locals and tourists and is a typical destination for a Sunday outing.

Nai Harn Beach :
Follow the road northwest from Promthep which winds along the coast to Nai Harn, which lies about 18 kms. from Phuket Town. The white sandy beach is clean and rather quite, nestled in a small bay with striking views. During the monsoon season, from May to October, the sea is quite turbulent and swimming should not be attempted at Nai Harn.

Promthep Cape :
"Prom" is Thai for the Hindu "Brahma" signifying purity, and "Thep" means "God". Promthep is a headland stretching in to the sea and forming the extreme south-end of Phuket. It has been a prominent feature for marines since of early seafarers from the subcontinent, remains of whose journey's have been found all along the Malay-peninsula's west coast.

Kamala Beach :
Lies 26 kms. from Phuket Town. Take Phuket Rd., which becomes Thep Krasattri Rd., north to the Two Heroines Monument and turn left onto Sri Sunthorn Rd. After arriving at Surin Beach, the road veers left and runs over the hills along the coast another 2 kms. to Kamala Bay, which is breathtakingly pictureque when viewed in perspective from the hill top. Quiet and peaceful, with a roaming herd of buffalo. Kamala is the perfect romantic hideaway. There is some low-rise development and tourist accommodations along the 2.5 kms. atretch of beach.

Naiton Beach :
Take the same route as above but turn westward to the mountains at the sign indicating Ban Saku and Naiton Beach. Go on 3 kms. to the beach. There you will find a peaceful, quiet cove, beautiful along its length, and well sheltered from wind and waves. Fine for swimming.

Nai Yang Beach :
Is where the park offices are located. A line of fir trees runs its length providing shade and a perfect place to picnic. Swimming is fine there. A large coral reef harbors considerable and various sea life; notably sea-turtles make the bay their base, coming up to lay eggs during the period from November to February. Sea-turtles numbers have decreased, however, to the point where few now make their yearly appearance. This has led to efforts locally to increase the population, with education programs for villagers and the release into the wild of turtles spawned in

Surin Beach :
Is 24 kms. from the town of Phuket. Take Thep Krasattri Rd. to the Two Heroines Monument and turn left on to Sri Sunthorn Rd. Go on another 12 kms. to the beach, indicated by a sign, which lies at the foot of some hills. There are casuarina trees at the north end in a line along the beach, and a small old golf course first made during the reign of Rama VII. The beach is quiet and peaceful, but drops-off steeply. The waves and currents there are dangerous and swimming is not advised.

Bang Tao Beach :
Lies 24 kms. from Phuket Town. Take Thep Krasattri Rd. north to the Two Heroines Monument and turn left on Sri Sunthorn Rd. Go on another 12 kms. to Surin Beach and turn right. Go 2 kms. and you will see Bang Tao Beach on you left. Home to the sprawling Laguna Phuket development, Bang Tao, formerly a tin mine, is a long sandy beach lined with trees. Swimming is excellent. Watersports, food, and accommodations are all available.

Other Destination :

Koh Hae (Coral island)
Its relative proximity to Chalong bay ensures that the serenity of the island's two main beaches is somewhat compromised by a large number of visitors and by offshore jet skis. Sunny quieter days May-Oct are better, A daytrip with hotel transfers and lunch is B600. Tel: 281-060-2. There are bungalows and restaurants on the island.

Hat Kalim
Take Vivhit Songkram Rd. or route 4020 about 9 kms. and turn left. Go on another 6 kms. to Patong Beach. Once in Patong, turn right to Hat Kalim which is a small beach with large rocks and coral reef. Accommodation is available.