THE BEACHES OF PHUKET

The Beaches of Phuket are famous for not only the pristine beaches and clear-blue seas but also for the activities and life that make the atmosphere exciting yet relaxing.The following is a brief description of some of the best beaches of Phuket.

Patong Beach (Had Patong)

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.

Kalim Beach (Had Kalim)

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.

Kamala Beach (Had Kamala)

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 kms 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 entertainment to offer which is easly available in nearby Patong. Regular bus service to and from Phuket Town during daytime; tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5 kms away on the new road.

Rawai Beach (Had Rawai)

Site of the Chao Ley or Sea Gipsy village, many restaurants , bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and fishing boats and charter boats to the nearby islands. The beach itself is suitable for swimming. Rawai is 7 kms.west of Chalong Circle.

Kata Beach (Had Kata)

The smallest of Phuket's three main tourist beaches, Kata is different in appearance and style from Karon or Patong. The beach itself is broad and curving, and structures bordering it are low-rise. The waters are perfect for swimming, and at the north end is a coral reef with many varied corals and fishes which stretches out toward Poo Island about 1/2 km off shore. Facilities for every price range include hotels, bungalows, tour companies, restaurants, bars and clubs. There is regular bus service to and from Phuket town during daytime.

Kata Noi Beach (Had Kata Noi)

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 beaches shoreline stretching south. To get there take the narrow beach road up over the hill from Kata.

Karon Beach (Had Karon)

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 upscale of Phuket's beaches. Regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town.

Nai Harn Beach (Had Nai Harn)

A popular swimming beach and yacht anchorage during the dry season. The beach is fine, but big waves strike Iit during the raing season, making swimming dangerous. Regular bus service to and from Phuket town during daytime. Nai Harn is just north of Phrom Thep Cape.

Surin Beach (Had Surin)

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 Sunthorn Rd., the road running west from the Two Heroines Monument, 24 kms from Phuket Town. Accommodations and restaurants are nearby.

Sing Cape (Laem Sing)

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.

Bang Tao Beach (Had Bang Tao)

Bang Tao 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 Cherng Thalay.

The beach is located off Sri Sunthorn Rd., in Cherng Thalay. 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 Sunthorn Rd., take the road leading to Laguna, but do not enter, continue on to the town of Bandorn where there is an intersection of asphalt 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.

Nai Yang Beach (Had Nai Yang)

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.

Nai Thon Beach (Had Nai Thon)

This quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. There are some accommodation but virtually no other business. Located between Bang Tao 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 turnoff to Nai Thon.

Mai Khao Beach (Had Mai Khao)

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

Sai Kaew Beach (Had Sai Kaew)

This strip of sand is just the north portion of Sai Khao Beach and has much the same character. Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between Phuket and Phang-Nga provinces.

Chalong Bay (Ao Chalong)

Phuket's principal boat anchorage and the island's largest bay. Ao Chalong has a long flat, shallow, muddy bottom; at ebbtide, waters recede as much as one kilometer. It is very picturesque but not for swimming. Most visitors to the islands south of Phuket depart from Chalong pier, and the bay's restaurants are well known for their seafood. Charters to various places can be arranged from there, and it is the center of the island's yachting businesses. To get there take Jao Fah Tawan Tok Rd., or Jao Fah Tawan Okk Rd., to Chalong Circle. The pier and a number of restaurants are located on the short road leading to the beach from the circle.

Sehn Bay (Ao Sehn)

A small bay with many rocks and corals. Snorkeling and diving are possible. For sunbathers, this secluded, curving strand north of Nai Han offers some privacy. A small open air restaurant supplies food and drink. To get there go through the parking lot of the Phuket Yacht Club hotel and follow the road to Ao Sehn, about 1/2 km.

Phrom Thep Cape (Laem Phrom Thep)

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

From Rawai Beach turn right and go for 2 kms. The cape has tall cliffs on the south, and was formerly called by local villagers "Leam Jao" (The Gods' Cape). From the cliffs running down to the boulders at the sea is a line of palm trees. Emerald green currents swirl in the deep water and breakers hurl themselves in vain against the rocky point : it is one of Phuket 's most inspiring vistas. From Promthep Cape, which is the most beautiful place to catch Phuket's famous sunset, a road leads northwest to Nai Han Beach.