Phuket. The mere whisper of the word evokes hair-trigger impressions
from those who have been and, indeed, from those who have yet to go.
Whether pro Phuket or con, the province is a dynamo and, Bangkok aside,
the most popular tourist target in Thailand.
Deride the crass over-development and haphazard chaos of Patong,
Phuket lures millions of package holiday partisans, moneyed
globetrotters, backpacker beach bums, tireless wanderlusters and,
indeed, all manner of traveller in between year in and year out. All for
good reason too.
Phuket simply has it all. Affordable and a considerable 543 square
km, the island has enough heft to herald both the promise of a Full Moon
Party-like vibe if you so desire, or, for those in the serenity-now
camp, the possibility of a pristine beach and chichi resort.
So whether you want to revel or relax, cavort or catnap, Phuket has a
beach for you. With that in mind, discover our top picks in the
peerless island province for Andaman Sea bliss.
Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand
Although Patong loosely translates as “forest festooned with banana
leaves”, Phuket’s linchpin hive of activity hardly resonates with that
kind of idyll anymore. It is what it is. Outside of the nightlife node
our favourite beaches in Phuket include:
Kamala Beach
North of Patong, Kamala is a Muslim village in a pocket of Phuket
free from major tourist developments. Some hotels, some remarkable
seafood and other than the incessant hum of tuk-tuks, relatively quiet.
Kata Beach
Kata is a welcome departure from the island’s other seaside tourist
spots. You can get in a good swim and the coral reef delivers a decent
snorkel, with regular bus service to and from Phuket Town from dawn to
dusk.
Mai Khao Beach
Discernible stretches of deserted sand make Mai Khao a go-to beach for privacy-seekers.
Nai Han Beach
Anchor the yacht and take a paradisal dip in warm, aquamarine waters:
this is Nai Han in the dry season. Come in the wet season, however, and
the waves chop like a hasty night market cook. The beach is just north
of Promthep Cape.
Rawai Beach
Commune with Chao Ley sea gypsy culture and book a charter past the reefs. Rawai Beach is a rare gem.
Racha Yai Island
Racha Yai Island proves that some of the best beaches in Phuket are
still in the province but not necessarily on the main island. This wee
island 24 km southeast of Chalong pier on the east coast of Phuket is
pure paradise, with a photogenic postcard beach to boot.
