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| 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.
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 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. |
| 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. |
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.
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| 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. |
| 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 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 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 kms. away on
the new road. |
| Evergreen trees rim this small, curving
bay beneath the foothills north of Kamala. Surin is home to Phuket's
first golf coures, 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 kms. from Phuket Town. Accommodations
and restaurants are nearby. |
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.
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| 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. |
| This quiet bay nestled at the foot
of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. There are some accommodationes
but virtually no other business. Located between Bang Thao Bay and
Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach can be reachd 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. |
| 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 |
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