The west coast of the island has some of the best beaches to be found anywhere and, during the sunny and dry November-May season, the water is calm, clear and warm.
Each beach has its own style and distinctive points of interest. Some, like Patong are hot spots for nightlife, while others, like Nai Yang are quiet havens away from the crowds.
Patong Beach (15 km from town)
Recommended hotels near: Patong Beach Hotel Discounts
Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous - beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play.
Visitors hoping for a glimpse into the exotic East will likely not find it here among the McDonald's, KFC, Boots and Starbucks outlets,though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival.The key to full enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of water and learn the meaning of 'mai pen rai' - which translates roughly to 'It doesn't matter' or 'Don't worry, be happy'By day, Patong's curved sandy bay is a hive of activity with parasail and jet-ski operators, boat drivers, beach vendors and masseuses all vying for the attention of the many visitors relaxing on the beach chairs.
Those looking for more to do than sunbathe can try their hand at diving, sailing, elephant-trekking, ATV-riding, Harley Davidson tours, sea canoeing, bungy jumping, water-skiing and more, all of which can be arranged at the many tour desks set up around town and in the hotels. And those needing some pampering can indulge themselves with a relaxing massage, spa or beauty treatment.
Patong's food choices are nearly endless. Spicy noodle stands, fast food outlets and fine dining spots featuring cuisine from all parts of the globe are all readily available.
At the top end are the Baan Rim Pa, Otowa and Da Maurizio restaurants - all clinging to the rocky shore, side-by-side, just up the road north of Patong - offering fantastic cuisine, stunning views and some of the island's best range of wines. The elegant beachfront Sala Bua restaurant at the Impiana Phuket Cabana is fast becoming a 'must visit' spot with its inventive, award-winning dishes. Other favourite spots known for their excellent service and food include Sam's at the Holiday Inn, Baluchi Indian restaurant at Horizon Beach Resort and Lim's.
Budget and mid-priced options are too numerous to mention, and best discovered by strolling Patong's streets. If the place is packed, it's a good indication that the food is tasty. Be adventurous and don't be afraid to try some of the more casual, local spots, where unexpected delights may be found.
Twenty years ago, beach huts were the only accommodation options in Patong. Since then, the huts have disappeared but in their place an explosion of options have emerged, ranging from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts. Whether one's looking for a cheap room or an opulent seaview penthouse, Patong's got it covered.
Karon Beach (20 & 17 km from town)
Recommended hotels near: Karon Beach
South of lively Patong Beach, Karon Beach is a much quieter town with shops, restaurants and bars that cater specifically to tourists. There is an abundance of good local restaurants, and accommodation ranges from small guesthouses to family resorts. Hotels line the road behind the shoreline, but the long, broad beach itself is free of development. Clothing can be purchased from markets in the main part of town or along the beach front, and there are a number of supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies in the area.
Snorkeling is best at Karon's southern end, which has a coral reef stretching toward Kata and a small offshore island, Boo Island. From November to April, Karon offers perfect conditions, but from May to October swimming can be dangerous because of strong undertows, and visitors are advised to always observe the warning flags.
Restaurants, bars, and tour companies are at the north end, near the traffic circle, and at the south end, on the little road connecting the back road with the beach road. A surprising number of restaurants cater to Scandinavian tastes. Nightlife is much more subdued than in neighboring Karon.
Besides taxis, there is a regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town. Probably the cheapest and most convenient way to get around is to rent a motorcycle from one of the many shops around the island.
Kata Beach (20 & 17 km from town)
Recommended hotels near: Kata Beach Hotel Discounts
For most of Kata beach, there are shaded areas under the palm trees that make ideal spots for relaxing in hammocks and enjoying beachside Thai massage. Sun loungers are available along the whole beach, and the area has a wide range of accommodation options, many of them on the beach itself.
Year-round beach activities include volleyball, kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding and banana boating. From November to April, the warm sea is flat, crystal clear and turquoise in color. However, from May to October, swimming conditions become rougher and surfers flock to the southern end of the beach, where boards can also be rented. The waves are a suitable size for beginners, and surfing tuition is also available.
Towards the end of the year, over a hundred yachts arrive from all over the region to compete in Asia's premier sailing event, the King's Cup Regatta. The colorful Kata Temple and Three-Beach Hill, which overlooks the area, are both popular attractions, while the nearby Dino Park mini-golf park next to Marina Phuket Resort is a kids favorite.
An abundance of restaurants line the southern part of the beach serving seafood, Thai and European dishes at reasonable prices, and hawker stalls can also be found at both ends of the beach road. The nightlife is less hectic than Patong, and more compact than nearby Karon, making Kata an ideal compromise between the two. Most guests arrive from Phuket International Airportvia taxi cab.
Kata Noi Beach (20 & 17 km from town)
South of Kata is Kata Noi, a smaller beach with only a few hotels and little other development. The beach is superb. Many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the beachless shoreline stretching south.
How to get there : Take the narrow beach road up over the hill from kata.
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Naiharn Beach (18 km from town)
Recommended hotels near: Naiharn Beach Hotel Discounts
South of Kata Noi and north of Promthep Cape, Naiharn is not Phuket's longest beach, but it borders the most gorgeous lagoon on the island. The middle of the beach is dominated by the Samnak Song Nai Han monastery, which has obstructed excessive development and is the reason that the beach is generally less crowded than other spots on the southern part of the island.
A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed, but swimmers should be alert for the red flag which warns of dangerous currents during the monsoon season from May to October. One can walk to nearby Promthep Cape to observe sunsets, which are often fiery and spectacular.
Kamala Beach (20 km from town)
Recommended hotels near: Kamala Beach Hotel Discounts
Located on Phuket's west coast, just north of Patong, Kamala is far less hectic than its neighbor. Although the southern end of the beach can get busy in the high season, the northern end is peaceful all year round.
The beach itself is home to a number of small bungalows and huts, as well as several restaurants offering delicious fresh seafood. Capitalizing on the wonderful sea and mountain views, secluded resorts are usually nestled higher up amongst the trees on the headland, and are only a few minutes' walk to the northern end of the beach. On Beach Road, visitors can also find an abundance of eateries serving both Western and Thai dishes. Cheaper food options, and market stalls can be found on the main Kamala Road. There are a growing number of bars in the area, mostly catering to tourists.
There are a number of attractions in the area, chief among them being Phuket FantaSea, an exuberant show and cultural theme park that combines the rich heritage of Thailand with unique 4D effects and animals. The 140-acre park includes a 4,000-seat restaurant offering a grand buffet of Thai and international cuisine and a shopping street selling local products.
At the southern end of the beach stands the lovingly-restored Kamala Wat. A memorial tree in the garden holds a dedication plaque to those lost in the tsunami and the temple walls are a beautiful depiction of Buddha's story.
Most guests arrive from Phuket International Airport via taxi cab. Taxis, songthaew and local buses are also available to take visitors to nearby Patong. However, the cheapest and most convenient way to get around is to rent a motorcycle from one of the many shops around the island.
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