Beaches · Phuket · Thailand
The best beaches in and near Phuket
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
The best-known beach is Kata Beach (About 20 minutes south of Patong). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 8
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 30°C (86°F)
The beaches
About 20 minutes south of Patong · Families and surf lessons
1.Kata Beach
A wide, golden bay with clear water in the dry season and beginner surf in the monsoon, backed by restaurants and hotels.
About 15 minutes south of Patong · Long walks and space
2.Karon Beach
A long, wide beach with squeaky sand and plenty of space, even in high season.
About 35 minutes south of Patong · Swimming in the dry season
3.Nai Harn Beach
A sheltered bay in the south, beside a lake and a hilltop monastery, popular with locals and long-stay visitors.
About 15 minutes by longtail from Patong · Escaping the crowds
4.Freedom Beach
A secluded bay south of Patong reached by longtail boat or a steep jungle path, with clear water and white sand.
In Patong · Activities and atmosphere
5.Patong Beach
Phuket's busiest beach, with parasailing, jet skis, beach restaurants and the town right behind it.
About 25 minutes north of Patong · Upmarket beach clubs
6.Surin Beach
A small, steep-shelving bay with fine sand and upmarket beach clubs at its northern end.
About 10 minutes from the airport · Quiet beach near the airport
7.Nai Yang Beach
A shaded, casuarina-lined beach in Sirinat National Park with seafood shacks and a reef offshore.
About 20 minutes north of Patong · Snorkelling and photos
8.Laem Singh Beach
A small cove between Kamala and Surin, reached on foot down a steep path, with boulders and clear water.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 34°C (93°F) |
| April | 30°C (86°F) | 34°C (93°F) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| June | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, couples, beach and first-timers
Kata and Karon
South of Patong, Karon has a long, uncrowded beach and Kata a pretty bay with an island offshore and gentle beginner surf from May to October. Kata Noi, over the headland, is smaller and quieter. Restaurants and bars are plentiful but far calmer than Patong.
- Good
- Good beaches for swimming in the dry season; Family-friendly hotels; Easy reach of Patong and the south
- Watch out
- Rip currents in the monsoon; Steep roads between beaches
- Nearby
- Karon Viewpoint, Kata Noi Beach, Big Buddha, Promthep Cape
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — The Phuket Smart Bus runs from the airport down the west coast to Rawai, and blue songthaew buses link Phuket Town's Ranong Road market with the main beaches during the day.
- Scooter — Scooter rental is widespread but accidents are common on steep, busy roads; police checkpoints fine riders without helmets or a valid licence.
- Car — Renting a car is practical for exploring the north, the south and quieter beaches; driving is on the left.
- Boat — Speedboats, longtails and ferries leave from Rassada, Chalong and Ao Po piers for Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Koh Racha and Koh Yao.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in December–April. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Rip currents cause drownings every year, especially in the May–October monsoon — never swim when red flags fly. Scooter accidents are common, and some jet-ski operators make false damage claims, so photograph equipment before renting. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Phuket have beaches?
Yes: Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Freedom Beach, Patong Beach, Surin Beach, Nai Yang Beach and Laem Singh Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Phuket?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Phuket?
Kata Beach: A wide, golden bay with clear water in the dry season and beginner surf in the monsoon, backed by restaurants and hotels.