Phuket Beach Guide

The beaches of Phuket, Thailand’s biggest and most famous island, swarm with tourists throughout the year. Phuket is an island of contradictions. In some areas, the beach-front is dominated by huge, luxury resorts, while in others, whole streets are swamped with brothels and strip-clubs. But although Phuket can be over-the-top, and sometimes a little ugly, no trip to Thailand’s beaches is complete without a visit to this crazy, non-stop hive of activity. It can also serve as a great base from which to visit the more remote islands of the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is home to some of the most lavish (and expensive) beach resorts in Thailand. The up-market Kata Beach is much less developed than the rest of the island, and boasts some beautiful high-end hotels. Budget travelers, however, should avoid it. Patong Beach is the biggest and busiest beach in Phuket, with some cheap guesthouses and countless boat-tours running daily. Outdoor massage-parlours spill out onto the beach, and are oases of calm amongst the endless crowds. Bear in mind that, after Bangkok, Patong Beach is the capital of the Thai sex-trade, so it gets seriously seedy at night. Families should avoid it altogether.

Surfing on Phuket’s Beaches

Phuket isn’t just about swanky hotels and dirty bars. It is also one of Thailand’s very few surf-spots. The waves aren’t big, but they’re complex, and with beautiful, warm water, Phuket’s beaches have begun to attract both surfing connoisseurs and absolute beginners. Kata Beach gets some nice waves, and has quite a few surf shops where you can rent a board. Kamala Beach, on the other hand, has been growing in popularity amongst surfers. Situated on the west coast, Kamala is quieter than Patong, and cheaper than Kata, making it a favourite destination for those in the know.

If surfing doesn’t appeal to you, most of the big resorts will offer scuba-diving lessons for beginners. Phuket’s overdeveloped beaches don’t offer much in the way of marine wildlife, but some of Thailand’s best dive-sites are only a short boat-ride away. Phuket’s busy boat-routes mean that the beautiful surrounding islands like Ko Phi Phi (highly recommended) are easily accessible. Just ask at your hotel, or head to ferry-ports in Phuket town.