Nai Yang Beach This is
where the National Park office is located. The beach itself is on
a long curving bay lined with evergreens that provide shade to
picnicker. The large coral reef is home to many different species
of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles
come to lay their eggs during the period from November to
February; the population of these has however, dropped off
greatly. First class accommodations are available and small food
vendors cater to the many day trippers. To get there take the Nai
Yang Rd., and look for signs indicating the park entrance.
Sai Kaew Beach This strip
of sand is just the north portion of Mai Khao Beach and has much
the same character. Located west of the bridges spanning the
channel between Phuket and Phang–nga provinces.
Mai Khao Beach Many
kilometers of deserted beach characterize Mai Khao where there is
little tourist business. The water is fine for swimming during the
dry season; the rainy season brings big waves and strong currents
that are dangerous. This lonely beach is another area where sea
turtles come to lay eggs. It is also home to what the Thais call a
sea cicada, which is a form of marine life. To get there go to the
northern tip of Phuket; the beach lies along the road's length
Bangthao Beach
Bangthao
is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was
once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a
luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a
massive five-hotel development with golf course. There are,
however, accommodations available outside Laguna at the bay's
south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's
north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the
mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour
companies, and other tourist facilities available either at Laguna
or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale.The beach is located off Sri
Sunthon Rd., in Choeng Thale. As for access to Laguna; the south
end of the bay may be approached by taking the road north from
Surin Beach. To get to the far north end from Sri Sunthon Rd.,
take the road leading to Laguna, but do not enter, continue on to
the town of Bandon where there is an intersection of asphalted
roads, and take the one leading west toward the sea. This road
leads also to Nai Thon Bay and makes a very pleasant drive. Along
the way are some small bays with good swimming and no development.
Surin Beach Evergreen trees
rim this small, curving bay beneath the foothills north of Kamala.
Surin is home to Phuket's first golf course, a nine-hole course
laid out more than sixty years ago during the reign of King Rama
VII. It is now largely in disuse except as a park. The steep
incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a
dangerous place to swim during the rainy season. Located at the
end of Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running west from the Two
Heroines Monument, 24 km. from Phuket Town. Accommodations and
restaurants are nearby.
Kamala Beach Kamala
is a Muslim fishing village north of Patong. Tourist development
on the beach much of which is covered by a Muslim graveyard and a
police outpost has been slow in coming. Buffalo herds still come
down to the beach to cool off in the afternoon. The beach is
beautiful and about 2 km. in length. There are accommodations
ranging from guesthouse to international class, and a number of
small Thai restaurants specializing in seafood for the tourist.
Kamala is the perfect place to get away from it all and has little
to offer in the way of entertainment for that go across the
mountains to Patong. Regular bus service to and from Phuket Town
during daytime; tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5 km. away on
the new road
Sing Cape The name
means Lion's Point in English. The beach is in a small, curving
bay with rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and
is among Phuket's most beautiful spots. Located about 1 km. south
of the entrance to Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path
down to the beach.
Kalim Beach This
beach is really a continuation north of Patong's strand, from
which it is separated by some rocks. It is not yet developed and
thus affords some privacy. At the back of the beach are
accommodations. The waters contain extensive coral reefs
Sing Cape The name
means Lion's Point in English. The beach is in a small, curving
bay with rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and
is among Phuket's most beautiful spots. Located about 1 km. south
of the entrance to Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path
down to the beach.
Nai Thon Beach
This quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip
of the sand. There are some accommodations but virtually no other
business. Located between Bang Thao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai
Thon Beach can be reached by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn at the
first traffic light north of Thalang Town to Nai Yang Rd. Look for
signs indicating the turn-off to Nai Ton.
Patong Beach This is
Phuket's central tourist and night time entertainment district.
Over the years, Patong has turned from a fishing village into one
of the island's two cities. The famous bay and 4 km. beach is know
as a centre of entertainment with restaurants catering to every
nationality. Live music can be found in most pubs and bars.
Accommodations range from budget to five-star. Shopping
opportunities appear to be endless. In addition, there are many
tour companies waiting to help visitors plan their vacations. Some
of the options available are listed below.
Karon Beach
The second largest of Phuket's principal tourist beaches. Large
resort complexes line the road back of the beach, but the strand
itself, long and broad, has no development. The sand is very
white, and squeaks audibly when walked on. The southern point has
a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Poo Island.
Restaurants, bars, tour companies and other non-hotel businesses
are at the north end, near the traffic circle, and at the south,
on the little road connecting the back road with the beach road.
The narrow road between Kata and Karon has a number of small
businesses as well as the Dino Park Mini Golf facility. Karon is
the most up-scale of Phuket's beaches. Regular daytime bus service
to and from Phuket Town.
Kata Beach
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. To get there take the narrow beach road up over
the hill from Kata.
Rawai Beach
Site of the Chao Ley or Sea Gipsy village, many restaurants and
bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and both fishing and charter
boats to the nearby islands. The beach itself is suitable for
swimming. Rawai is 7 kms. west of Chalong Circle
Nai Harn Beach A
popular swimming beach and yacht anchorage during the dry season.
The beach is fine, but big waves strike it during the wet season,
making swimming dangerous. Regular bus service to and from Phuket
town during daytime. Nai Han is just north of Phrom Thep Cape.
Kaew Island A fine
beach, natural surroundings, and coral are on this little island 3
km. from Rawai, south of Phrom Thep. There is also a giant Buddha
Statue. The island is 15 minutes by chartered boat from Rawai.
Chalong Bay Chalong
Bay, 11 kilometers from Phuket town has a beach with several
restaurants selling some of Phuket's best seafood.
Nai Yang Beach
Bangthao
is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was
once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a
luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a
massive five-hotel development with golf course. There are,
however, accommodations available outside Laguna at the bay's
south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's
north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the
mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour
companies, and other tourist facilities available either at Laguna
or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale.The beach is located off Sri
Sunthon Rd., in Choeng Thale. As for access to Laguna; the south
end of the bay may be approached by taking the road north from
Surin Beach. To get to the far north end from Sri Sunthon Rd.,
take the road leading to Laguna, but do not enter, continue on to
the town of Bandon where there is an intersection of asphalted
roads, and take the one leading west toward the sea. This road
leads also to Nai Thon Bay and makes a very pleasant drive. Along
the way are some small bays with good swimming and no development.
Kamala
is a Muslim fishing village north of Patong. Tourist development
on the beach much of which is covered by a Muslim graveyard and a
police outpost has been slow in coming. Buffalo herds still come
down to the beach to cool off in the afternoon. The beach is
beautiful and about 2 km. in length. There are accommodations
ranging from guesthouse to international class, and a number of
small Thai restaurants specializing in seafood for the tourist.
Kamala is the perfect place to get away from it all and has little
to offer in the way of entertainment for that go across the
mountains to Patong. Regular bus service to and from Phuket Town
during daytime; tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5 km. away on
the new road
