8+8 PHUKET BEACHES Tour – Review The Most Beautiful Beaches
Table of Contents
Phuket Beaches
Table of Contents
🏝️ Phuket’s 16 Beaches – Which Ones Deserve Your Time?
Phuket is hands-down one of the most stunning destinations in Thailand—world-famous for its beaches. But did you know there are around 16 major beaches scattered along the island’s west and south coasts?
So…
What’s the difference between them?
Do you really need to visit all of them?
Honestly, probably not—unless you’ve got a lot of time.
But as a travel blogger, I wanted to see them all myself, so I could review the real differences and give you feedback that’s more than just “this beach is nice.” Because they’re not all the same.
If you’re short on time, I hope this guide helps you decide which beaches best match your travel style—peaceful and hidden, or lively and social.
I visited Phuket in December 2021, right after Thailand started opening up again.
This post is Part 1, where I was only able to explore 8 beaches—because, yes, I still have a full-time job and can’t disappear on annual leave forever 😅
>>> Here is Part 2 for another 8 beaches review 🙂
Hope you enjoy my honest reviews and the photos.
Phuket Beaches Map
🗺️ Let’s Start with the Map of Phuket
Before diving into the beach reviews, let’s get oriented.
Most of Phuket’s famous beaches are located along the west coast, with a few gems found further down south.
As for the east coast? Hmm… I haven’t made it there yet, to be honest 😅
From what I’ve researched, the east coast doesn’t really offer postcard beaches. The landscape is different—muddy shores, shallow water, and mangrove forests instead of white sand and clear blue seas.
So if you’re beach-hopping in Phuket, west is best (for now).
Let’s hit the first beach 👉
Just a little note
🚗 Getting Around Phuket – What You Should Know First
Before we dive in, just a heads-up: Phuket is big.
Like, really big. Driving from Phuket International Airport to Old Town takes around 45 minutes by car, or an hour by local bus.
I chose to rent a car for more flexibility, but it’s not super cheap—expect to pay around 800–1,000 THB per day.
A motorbike is a more budget-friendly option (200–300 THB/day), but be warned: Phuket has some steep and winding roads, so only go for it if you’re confident on two wheels 🛵.
That said, I’ve seen tons of foreigners cruising around on scooters like pros.
Honestly… I have no idea where you guys learned those skills, but respect 😅
Phuket Beaches Review - Part 1
1. Sai Kaew Beach
🏖️ Sai Kaew Beach – Phuket’s Quiet Northern Edge
Tucked away at the far northern tip of Phuket, Sai Kaew Beach is the most peaceful spot I visited on this trip. Its remote location — about 30 minutes from the airport and far from major attractions — makes it feel like a world of its own 🌍.
The beach offers fine sand and decent water, though not the crystal-clear kind. It stretches for about 2–3 km but stays quite narrow — possibly due to high tide during my early morning visit.
I stopped here first just to check it off before heading south. But honestly? Unless you’re staying nearby or on a mission to visit every beach in Phuket, this one’s probably skippable.
That said, if you’re the type who enjoys quiet, empty beaches and doesn’t mind the detour 🚗, you might still appreciate this calm little corner of the island.
Should You Go?
✅ Peaceful and uncrowded
👣 Soft sand, calm atmosphere
⚠️ Far from everything, little to do
🧭 Good for completists or if staying in the area
2. Mai Khao Beach
✈️ Mai Khao Beach – Phuket’s Plane-Spotting Playground
Located right next to Phuket International Airport, Mai Khao Beach isn’t about soft sand or turquoise waters—it’s about planes roaring right over your head. This beach has become wildly popular among locals and selfie hunters 📸.
Instead of sunbathing or snorkeling, visitors flock here to capture that perfect shot: standing on the beach as a jumbo jet descends dramatically just meters overhead. It’s a one-of-a-kind photo op you won’t find at any other Thai beach.
To reach the plane-spotting zone, park near the entrance and hop on a quirky local ride—a three-wheeled sidecar motorbike (not a tuk tuk!) that costs just 20 baht per person. That short ride is part of the charm 🛺 and adds a bit of old-school fun to the whole experience.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see a plane every 10–15 minutes. If not, you might wait up to 30—but the vibe, the anticipation, and the photos? Totally worth it.
Should You Go?
✅ Unmatched photo opportunity with landing planes
📸 Super Instagrammable (you will post it)
🛺 Fun sidecar ride adds quirky local flair
⚠️ Not much else to do beyond the plane zone
3. Nai Yang Beach
🌅 Nai Yang Beach – A Quiet Lunch Stop Near the Sand
While most tourists stop at Sirinath National Park, I decided to go a bit further to the center of Nai Yang Beach for lunch. This laid-back area has a small town vibe—with local shops, restaurants, and guesthouses tucked just behind the beach.
Getting to the beachfront was a bit confusing. The path seemed blocked by restaurants, and I wasn’t sure if I was even allowed to pass through 🧐. After hesitating for a while, I simply asked a staff member, “Can I walk through your place to the beach?”
He smiled and said, “Of course!”
So I walked through and found a stretch of restaurants, most with tables right on the sand. They all looked about the same, so I picked the one that let me pass—felt fair enough 😄.
The food and drinks were solid 🍹, prices reasonable, and the beach? Stunningly quiet. In my photos, you’ll see almost no one on this long, beautiful shoreline. Maybe it’s the midday heat, but it felt surreal.
I imagine it gets busier in the evening—otherwise, I don’t know how these beachfront spots stay open.
Should You Go?
✅ Great spot for a peaceful lunch by the beach
🍹 Relaxed restaurants with feet-in-the-sand vibes
🧐 Beach access might be unclear (just ask!)
⚠️ Very quiet at noon – not for the hype chasers
4. Nai Thon Beach
🌿 Nai Thon Beach – My Quiet Favorite
Out of all the eight beaches I visited, Nai Thon Beach stole my heart. I love peaceful places with minimal human distractions—and this one delivers just that.
There are no beach clubs, no umbrellas, no water sports, no loud music. Just pure beach. Families bring their own food and camp out under the pine trees 🌲. If you’re planning to stay a while, I recommend doing the same—bring your own supplies.
The beach is incredibly clean and calm. The sand is soft—light brown, not white—but the water is impressively clear 🌊. A few rocks dot the edges, but nothing that ruins the swim.
I didn’t explore the entire length of the beach, but from the moment I arrived, I could tell: this place isn’t commercialized, and that’s exactly why I love it.
Should You Go?
✅ Unspoiled, peaceful, and natural
🌲 Ideal for self-made picnics under pine trees
🌊 Clear water & soft sand, no crowds
⚠️ Bring your own food—no shops nearby
🔄 [Update 2022] Nai Thon Still Has That Peaceful Magic
I revisited Phuket in April 2022 during Songkran Festival, and wow—the island was way livelier than in 2021. Crowds were back, restaurants were buzzing, and many beaches felt full again.
That made me wonder:
Was I wrong about Nai Thon?
Has it become just another commercialized beach?
So I decided to go back and see it for myself.
And the answer is: Nope. Still peaceful. Still lovely. 😌
It’s one of the few beaches that hasn’t lost its calm charm.
📸 Below are the photos I took in April 2022—proof that some quiet corners in Phuket still remain.
5. Bangtao Beach
🧭 Bangtao Beach – Long, Beautiful, and (Surprisingly) Hard to Find
Bangtao is Phuket’s longest beach, stretching around 5 km. But here’s the funny part: this was my first time visiting… and I literally couldn’t figure out how to get there 😅.
Even though the road runs parallel to the shore for kilometers, it’s mostly lined with fences and private property. I kept driving until the very end (thanks Google Maps), and finally found a spot to park and walk in—just past Movenpick Resort, if you’re wondering.
Once I made it, I was glad I came. The beach is similar to Nai Thon—quiet, clean, chill—but with a few more people. There were some beach chairs and umbrellas, but only a handful 🏖️.
Since the beach is so long, I imagine some areas might be livelier, especially where the beachfront restaurants are. But in the section I visited, it felt peaceful and unspoiled.
Bonus: the sand is a bit whiter than Nai Thon, and the water was beautifully clear 🌊. Definitely worth a visit—once you figure out how to get in.
Should You Go?
✅ Long and scenic, great for a quiet walk
🏖️ A few chairs and umbrellas, but still relaxed
🧭 Entrance can be tricky (private fences)
🌊 Clear water and whiter sand than Nai Thon
6. Surin Beach
🌞 Surin Beach – Busy, Bright, and Built for Tourists
Among all the beaches I visited, Surin Beach is by far the busiest. Crowds are mostly made up of foreign tourists, and the beach is lined with food vendors, umbrellas, and sun-loungers as far as the eye can see 🏖️.
The upside? You really don’t need to bring anything. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, grab tasty Thai food from stalls in the parking area just behind the trees 🍜, and spend hours here without much planning.
I’m not sure about the exact rental price for chairs, but other sources say it’s around 200 baht per chair per day. Still, better to double-check with the vendor before sitting down 💸.
The beach itself is around 800 meters long, clean, and quite scenic. Whether you enjoy peaceful or lively beaches, this one clearly sits on the “lively” end of the scale. And as Thailand’s travel restrictions continue to ease, I imagine it’ll only get busier.
Should You Go?
✅ Lively, easy-access beach with everything ready
🍜 Cheap Thai food just steps from the sand
🏖️ Rental chairs & umbrellas available
⚠️ Definitely not a quiet spot — it gets busy fast
7. Kamala Beach
🌅 Kamala Beach – Like Surin, But With Sunset & Sangria
Kamala Beach shares a lot in common with nearby Surin Beach—same soft sand, same food stalls, and lots of sun-loungers scattered across the shore 🏖️. The difference? It felt a bit less crowded on the day I visited.
What sets Kamala apart is its beachfront restaurants and bars, something Surin lacks (or at least hides well). That makes Kamala a more appealing spot for those who want to eat, drink, and enjoy the view 🍹.
If you’re short on time in Phuket, I’d say pick either Kamala or Surin—you probably don’t need to visit both. They offer a similar vibe, and skipping one gives you room to explore other kinds of beaches.
But if sunset with cocktails is your thing, you might want to check out Lillo Island Restaurant & Bar, a popular beachfront spot that gets glowing reviews on Google 🌇. I didn’t go myself, but it seems worth a booking if you’re into that scene.
Should You Go?
✅ Great mix of beach chill + food + drinks
🌇 Better sunset vibes with beachfront dining
🏖️ Similar setup to Surin, just slightly calmer
⚠️ Booking recommended for popular spots like Lillo Island
8. Freedom beach
🏝️ Freedom Beach – The Not-So-Hidden Hidden Beach
Finally, we’ve reached the last—and arguably most talked about—stop on my trip: Freedom Beach, aka the “hidden” beach. I’d heard about it for years but never made it… until now. It’s been 20 years since my last visit to Phuket, so this one felt overdue.
You can follow Google Maps to get there, but I nearly turned back. The small road looked nothing like a beach route—it starts okay, but quickly turns rough and remote. I zoomed in on the map and saw no other options… so I kept going 🚗.
If you’re visiting in rainy season: don’t. The road’s bad enough when dry. I wish I took photos, but honestly—I was too focused on not dying.
Once you reach the parking area, there are two entrances:
A free one through the jungle trail 🌿 (look for motorbikes and a small bar at the gate)
A private stairway with concrete steps, but it’ll cost you 300 baht per person
I chose the jungle path—free and way more fun. Surprise bonus: I ran into a family of pigs 🐖. They were friendly… and very hungry-looking.
The hike takes around 20–30 minutes. It’s not too hard, but steep in parts, especially coming back uphill.
Yes, I was dying. Haven’t exercised in years, and I had to carry my girlfriend’s stuff. My legs were shaking by the time we got out 😅.
So pro tip: pack light.
But was it worth it?
Absolutely.
The beach is stunning—crystal-clear water, soft white sand, and surrounded by tropical jungle. It’s crowded (mostly foreigners), but still feels raw and untouched.
No chairs, no bars, no restaurants—just nature. Bring your own towel and snacks 🍉.
There was a kind woman selling drinks on the beach, and even helped me find a mat (free of charge!). I bought a water bottle for 20 baht and a soda for 40—super fair.
Some people arrive by longtail boat from Patong or Karon. I don’t know the cost, but in Phuket:
Always. Negotiate. Everything. 💸
Should You Go?
✅ Gorgeous beach with wild, natural vibes
🌿 Adventurous jungle hike or boat access
⚠️ Road is rough — avoid in rainy season
💸 No services — bring your own stuff, and bargain hard if taking a boat
Conclusion
🧳 Phuket Beaches Review: Part 1 Summary (8/16)
After exploring these 8 beaches in Phuket, one thing is clear — they’re all beautiful, but each offers something totally different.
I may have written more about Freedom Beach, and that’s because it’s not easy to access. I wanted to make sure you don’t get lost, or worse, show up during the rainy season when the road becomes risky.
To be honest, Freedom Beach isn’t my personal favorite — it was crowded, and the uphill hike nearly killed me.
But it’s still one of the best beaches overall, especially if you’re okay with crowds and love that perfect blend of white sand, clear water, and jungle backdrop. Just come prepared to hike.
If you’re more into beach activities, food, and people-watching, then Surin Beach might be your happy place.
But for me? Nai Thon Beach wins it all. Peaceful. Clean. Underrated. Just the way I like it.
That’s the end of Part 1 – See you there in part 2 with 8 more beaches to complete the full list of 16 Phuket gems.
This is a great blog, thank you