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Mai Khao Beach
9 kilometers of deserted
beach characterize
Mai Khao where there is little tourist business.
The beach is part of the
Sirinat National Park and protected. 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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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.
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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.
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Rawai Beach
Site of the
Chao Ley or
Sea Gypsy village, many restaurants and
bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and both fishing and charter
boats to the nearby islands. The beach itself is just ok for
swimming and protected by the
Coral island in front. Rawai is 7 km west of Chalong Circle.
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Nai Thon Beach
 This quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills has a
900meter long fine strip of
the sand. There are some
accommodations but virtually no other
business. The beach is good for
swimming outside the monsoon season and a coral reef at the southern end
provides good snorkeling. 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.
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Bang Tao 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 Beach Resort, 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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Layan Beach
This beach is at the northern end of Bang Tao beach where the beach meets
a river and a lagoon. The area is home to many birds and other wildlife
who enjoy the peacefulness of the lagoon. The many small tracks which
cover the hillside of the beach are well known by climbers and bird
watchers. You can reach the beach by walking pass the Laguna Phuket
Resort or by following the highway and turning in to Nai Thon beach at
the road sign.
Layan Beach Resort & Spa Village is the only resort on this beach.
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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.
Cafes and bars on the beach serve excellent food for reasonable prices.
Accommodation
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Ao Sehn Beach
This remote bay is Northwest of
Nai Harn Beach and a little secret of Phuket
because it is not easy to reach. The beach is small, clean and features
many rocks. it is a perfect place for a picnic. To get there you must
pass the gates of the
Le Royal Meridien Yacht Club, drive through the parking deck on the
left side and follow the way through the Hotel Complex until you reach a
small road which goes for app. 1 km Northwest.
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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. The beach is mostly frequented by Thais and the locals on weekends
and on the southern end you can find some small snack and souvenir
shops. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented there. Surin is most
famous for its breathtaking sunsets. 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.
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Kamala Beach
 Kamala is
named after the 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. There are no
palm trees so shadow is only provided by some beach umbrellas you can
rent. The
FantaSea Phuket Themepark is
located here which offers daily evening shows. Regular bus service to and from
Phuket Town during
daytime;
tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5 km. away on the new road.
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Sing Cape
The name means
Lion's Point in English. The beach is in a small, 100 meter long curving bay with rocky
headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is among Phuket's most
beautiful spots. The beach is good for swimming and quiet. In the high
season you might find some small food stalls and bars for refreshment.
Located about 1 km. south of the entrance to Surin Beach.
Look for signs indicating the path down to the beach.
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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 center 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. All kind of
watersports are on offer here and the beach
is good for swimming so you should be careful in monsoon season. In addition, there
are many tour companies waiting to help visitors plan their vacations.
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Kalim Beach
This beach is
really a continuation north of Patong beach, from which it is separated
by some rocks. It is not yet developed and thus affords some privacy. The
beach itself is a mixture of sand and small rocks. At
the back of the beach are
accommodations. The waters contain extensive
coral reefs which you can reach by foot at low tide (you must wear shoes
as some of the rocks are very sharp) The northern part is battled by
monsoon winds and from June to September you might have some big waves
suitable for surfing.
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Freedom Beach
This beach can
only be reached by a 10 minute trip with a
longtail boat around the
southern corner of Patong. It is one of the most beautiful beaches with
fine white sand. It is a private beach, but as long as you not arrive in
a jet ski access is granted by the owner. There is a coral reef which
invites for snorkeling and a restaurant with some beach chairs. To get
there rent a
longtail boat at Patong.
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Karon Beach
The second largest of Phuket's principal tourist beaches. Large
resort
complexes line the road back of the beach, but the beach itself, 3 km 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. In the
monsoon season it can be dangerous for swimming because of the currents
so watch out for the red flags which are put up when it is to dangerous.
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Kata Beach
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.
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Kata Noi 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.
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Pansea Beach
This is a small exclusive bay
encircled by rocks which houses only two resorts: The luxurious
Amanpuri and
The Chedi. The
resorts are blocking the entrance to the beach but you can reach it by
walking through
The Chedi as all beaches in Thailand are public.
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Nakalay Beach
Nakalay is app. 5 minutes from
Patong and occupied by only one resort which covers the whole bay -
The Thavorn Beach
Bungalow. It is suitable for
people who like it
quiet but still
want to be near the
entertainment area of Patong.
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Relax Bay
This wonderful little bay is part
of the
Le Meridien
Phuket Beach Resort and not freely accessible. It is located between
Patong and
Karon beach.
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Nui Beach
This little remote beach can be
reached by a small path. Follow the sign on the left side on the beach
road from
Nai Harn to
Kata. You can drive only the first hundred meters through a coconut
plantation then you have to walk for another 2 km through dense forest
and a hilly area. It is a small adventure to reach the beach but
well worth it as there are few people due to its remote location. Its a
nice place for swimming. There is no accommodation or else at this
beach.
Chalong
Bay
This quiet bay is used as
anchorage by many
yachts and tour boats
because it is protected from strong winds. Many trips to the nearby
islands starting here so it is crowded between
sunrise and 9am, when the boats leave, and between 4pm - 5pm when they
return. In the evening the beach restaurants are a favorite place for
tourists coming back from watching the sunset at
Promthep Cape.
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Yanoi
Beach
This little beach is one of the
best kept secrets on Phuket which offers beautiful rock formations and
good snorkeling at the reef in front of the beach. To get there follow
the road from
Promthep Cape to
the west. Between Promthep and the wind energy plant watch out for a
small restaurant with a small parking lot. A few meters behind the
restaurant you can see the beach.
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Remark
For your safety please always check
for the flags on the beaches which indicate if it is safe for swimming.
Green Flag = No Danger
Yellow Flag = Swimming is on
your own risk
Red Flag = DANGER -
swimming prohibited
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