16 Phuket Beaches, Fully Reviewed – Here’s How the Final 8 Compare
Table of Contents
Recapping from Part 1- Phuket Beach Reviews, I reviewed the top half beaches of Phuket map, which are 8 beaches:
- Sai Kaew Beach
- Mai Khao Beach – plane spotting
- Nai Yang Beach
- Nai Thon Beach – my most favorite in Part 1
- Bang Tao Beach
- Surin Beach
- Kamala Beach
- Freedom Beach – hidden beach
In Part 1, my most favorite one is Nai Thon Beach but after visiting all of them, I change my mind. So, let’s see how beautiful the beaches on the map’s bottom half are.
📸 A Quick Note About the Photos
Just a heads-up before we dive in—all the photos in this post were taken by me, and I try to keep them as close as possible to what I actually saw.
I don’t retouch or heavily edit the images, because I want you to see the real atmosphere of each beach—not a photoshopped version of paradise. That said, I sometimes adjust the exposure slightly when needed (you know, for cloudy skies or heavy shadows).
Also, I visited these beaches on different days, and some happened to be a bit cloudy ☁️—which might make them look less stunning than they really are under full sun.
But hey, that’s part of the real travel experience, right?
Phuket Beaches Review - Part 2
Table of Contents
9. Patong Beach
🌴 Patong Beach – Famous, Crowded, but Still Worth a Walk
Patong is probably the most famous beach in Phuket, so yes—you can expect crowds. But with a shoreline stretching about 4 km, there’s still plenty of space to spread out.
You’ll see rows of beach beds and umbrellas lined up 🏖️, but if that’s not your thing, just walk a bit further and you’ll find open spots where you can lay your own towel in peace.
The beach is well-maintained: clean water, soft white sand, and surprisingly beautiful despite all the buzz 🌊. It’s definitely more “active” than peaceful—but it’s the kind of energy some travelers love.
One unique touch? Thai massage services right on the sand. I haven’t seen this at other beaches. It’s a surprisingly great way to unwind 🧘♂️ after a long stroll.
Should You Go?
✅ Famous, vibrant, and easy to access
🏖️ Plenty of rentals, food, and services
🧘♂️ Beach massage is a rare bonus
⚠️ Definitely not a quiet beach – expect lots of people
10. Karon Beach
☀️ Karon Beach – Great for Sunburns, Not So Much for Shade
If your goal is to get a tan as fast as possible, Karon Beach is your dream. This place is hot and wide open—no trees, no shade, and nowhere to hide 🌞. Unlike other beaches with pine or palm trees along the back, Karon offers barely any cover.
There are still plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas, but I must say, the setup feels more organized than at Patong—less visual chaos 🏖️.
The beach itself is long, wide, clean, and the water is clear. The sand is a bit darker than Patong’s, and while it’s not crowded, it doesn’t feel particularly calm either.
Personally, I think this beach doesn’t have a strong personality. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t stand out for me.
If I were you, and had limited time, I’d probably spend it elsewhere.
Should You Go?
✅ Clean, wide, and organized
☀️ Great if you love sunbathing with zero shade
🏖️ Plenty of beach beds, not too crowded
⚠️ Lacks uniqueness – skip if you’re short on time
11. Kata Beach
🌤️ Kata Beach – A Slightly Cooler Version of Karon
Kata Beach is quite similar to Karon in many ways—long, clean, and lined with sunbeds. The difference? There are more trees nearby, so it doesn’t feel as scorching hot ☀️. That little bit of shade makes a surprising difference.
Still, I have to be honest—Kata didn’t leave much of an impression. It’s beautiful, yes, but nothing stood out for me personally. If you’ve been to Karon, this might feel like more of the same.
That said, let’s move on to Kata Noi, which has a bit more charm… but still not the best just yet 😉
Should You Go?
✅ Clean, organized, and less hot than Karon
🌴 Some shade from nearby trees
⚠️ Feels very similar to Karon
🤷♂️ Pretty, but not particularly memorable
12. Kata Noi Beach
🌺 Kata Noi Beach – Small, Scenic, and Just a Bit Too Loud
Just 2 km south of Kata Beach, you’ll find Kata Noi—a much smaller beach (about 600 meters long), but honestly, quite lovely 🌴.
In Thai, “Noi” means small, and that fits this beach perfectly: compact, relaxed, and charming.
There are two standout spots here:
A small beach bar with a cozy, laid-back vibe—perfect for a drink or two 🍹
And Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, which sits directly on the sand. I didn’t stay there this time (missed it while booking), but it looked impressive. The hotel gets an 8.7 on Agoda, so I’m adding it to my list for next time ✅
However, one thing I didn’t like: Jet Ski rentals are way too close to where people are swimming 🚤. It felt unsafe and honestly kind of noisy for such a peaceful setting.
Should You Go?
✅ Beautiful small beach with a chill vibe
🍹 Beach bar and beachfront resort on-site
⚠️ Jet Skis too close to swimmers – noisy & risky
🏨 Katathani looks great if you’re planning to stay nearby
13. Nai Harn Beach
🌟 Nai Harn Beach – Phuket’s Best (Yes, I Changed My Mind)
If you read Part 1, you’ll know I crowned Nai Thon Beach as my favorite—natural, peaceful, and perfectly my vibe.
But then… I went to Nai Harn Beach, and let’s just say—I’ve found a new #1 😍
This beach has it all: restaurants, beach bars, shops, food carts, and yes, plenty of people—locals and tourists alike. There are also sunbeds available, which usually isn’t my thing…
But here’s what makes Nai Harn exceptional: it still preserves a large green area with big trees 🌳, perfect for shade, picnics, and relaxing between swims. That balance between nature and convenience hits just right.
And of course, the beach itself is stunning—fine-grained soft sand, clear water, and a wide open shoreline 🌊. It’s clean, beautiful, and somehow still feels calm even with the crowd.
I actually loved it so much that I came back twice. On the first day, I had to leave early to catch the sunset at Promthep Cape 🌅. So the next day, my girlfriend and I returned to spend more time there.
Fun fact: Nai Harn wasn’t the only beach we visited twice. Coming up next: the little gem called Ya Nui Beach.
Should You Go?
✅ Beautiful, clean, and well-balanced
🌳 Natural shade and picnic-friendly areas
🍜 Food, shops & beach bars without killing the vibe
🏖️ My personal #1 beach in Phuket (so far)
14. Ya Nui Beach
🏖️ Ya Nui Beach – Small, Crowded, and Totally Adorable
At just around 100 meters long, Ya Nui might be Phuket’s tiniest beach—but don’t let the size fool you.
It’s instantly charming. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel that this place is different: compact parking, cozy tree shade, and a quirky L-shaped shoreline.
One side of the beach is rocky, so most people just sunbathe 🧘♀️. The other side also has rocks but offers a small, swimmable zone.
Don’t expect solitude though—the beach fills up quickly, and with such limited space, privacy is pretty much off the table.
Water activities like kayaking and snorkeling are available too (100 baht/hour), making it a great spot for a short, active beach stop 🚣♂️.
Right across the street, you’ll find a shady, local restaurant (or two?) that blends into the trees. I didn’t catch the name, but it looked like a great place to cool off with a drink 🍹 under the canopy.
I actually liked this beach so much that I came twice. It’s small, warm, and full of life—a must-visit, if only for the vibe.
Should You Go?
✅ Super charming, compact beach
🚣♂️ Kayaks & snorkeling available
🍹 Local shaded spots for drinks and snacks
⚠️ Very crowded — no chance of quiet time
15. Rawai Beach
🦞 Rawai Beach – Seafood First, Sand Second
Unlike Phuket’s other beaches, Rawai Beach isn’t about swimming or sunbathing—it’s about fresh seafood, cooked right in front of you. Especially at night, this place turns into a lively hub for food lovers 🍽️.
If you’re planning to visit, search for Rawai Seafood Market on Google Maps—not just “Rawai Beach”.
Here’s how the experience works:
🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Eat Like a Local at Rawai
Park Your Vehicle
There’s a big lot behind the market (I paid 40 THB for a car). Motorbikes can often park for free along the street.Find a Table First!
Pick a restaurant and talk to the staff to reserve a spot 🪑.
I went during Songkran, and the queues were insane—some restaurants said 2–3 hour wait times!
My girlfriend and I looked at each other like: “Definitely NOT.” So we skipped the meal but kept walking around to enjoy the scene.Pick Your Seafood
Vendors line the front of the restaurants selling live lobsters, prawns, crabs, and fish 🐟. Choose what you want, pay, and tell them which restaurant you reserved.
⚠️ Tip: If there’s no price tag, compare with nearby vendors first.
Choose Your Menus
Back at the restaurant, they’ll weigh your seafood and charge a cook-to-order fee based on how you want it done:
0.5 kg / 1 menu = 75 THB
1 kg / 1 menu = 100 THB
1 kg / 2 menus = 150 THB
English menus are available 👍
You must visit Rawai Seafood Market if you’re into authentic Thai seafood in a lively, local atmosphere.
It’s not super cheap (you pay for cooking), but it’s definitely fresh, fun, and full of flavor.
Should You Go?
✅ Best seafood experience in Phuket
🦞 Choose-your-own fresh & live seafood
🍛 Cook-to-order with local flair
⚠️ Long wait times during holidays – plan smart!
16. Chalong Beach
🚤 Chalong Bay – A Pier, Not a Beach
Don’t come here for swimming, sunbathing, or seafood—Chalong Bay is a working pier, mainly used as the launch point for trips to nearby islands like Coral Island (Ko He) and Racha Island 🏝️.
I intended to stop and have a look, but honestly? Finding a parking space was impossible. Traffic was packed, and there wasn’t a single spot available. I ended up snapping a few photos from the car window while stuck in traffic… then left.
So unless you’ve booked a tour or boat trip, there’s really no reason to visit.
It’s a transit point, not a destination.
Should You Go?
✅ Yes, but only if you’re catching a boat tour
🚘 Parking nightmare – avoid without a plan
📸 Not scenic – not really a beach
⚠️ No shade, no swim, no chill – move along
Sum up from Phuket Beaches Part 1 & 2
🏆 My Top 3 Phuket Beaches (Out of All 16 I Visited)
🥇 #1 – Nai Harn Beach
The perfect balance of natural beauty and good vibes:
Clear water, soft sand
Big trees for real shade 🌳
Beachfront restaurants, local food, and sunset bars 🍹
Busy, but never overwhelming
This is the beach I came back to—and I rarely do that. It just feels right.
🥈 #2 – Nai Thon Beach
Pure and peaceful.
No crowds, no commercialization—just beach, trees, and silence.
If you want a calm, slow moment in Phuket, this is the spot.
🥉 #3 – Ya Nui Beach
Tiny, crowded, and full of charm 🏝️
You don’t go here to be alone—you go for the cozy beach bar, snorkeling, and warmth of it all.
This is the other beach I visited twice, and it left a mark.
These three beaches are very different, but each gave me that moment of “yes… this is it.”
I hope you find yours, too.
🌟 Last but not least, here are 2 “one-of-a-kind” beaches you shouldn’t miss:
✈️ Mai Khao Beach – Stand just meters below a landing airplane. Unreal.
🦞 Rawai Beach – Pick your seafood, then have it cooked fresh. Loud, chaotic, delicious.
And if you’ve got time like I did—see them all. That’s what ThaiTrav is all about 💙
Thank you for all of this! Great, detailed information.
You are the best! Currently in Phuket following all of your recommendations. As I type this, I’m on a Bolt drive headed to your new favorite beach (Nai Han) and really looking forward to it. Thanks for all the amazingly detailed information. Sharing this with my friends.
Thanks for sharing this extensive review!
Bravo!