| Attractions
Beach
The west coast of the island has some of the best beaches to be
found anywhere and, during the sunny and dry November-May season,
the water is calm, clear and warm.
Each beach has its own style and distinctive points of
interest. Some, like Patong are hot spots for nightlife, while
others, like Nai Yang are quiet havens away from the crowds. The
main beaches are as follows: |
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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 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.
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Sai
Kaew Beach ::
This strip of sand is just the
north portoin of Mai Khao Beach and has much the same character.
Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between Phuket and
Phang–nga provinces |
Bang
Tao Bay ::
Bang Thao 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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Surin
Beach ::
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.
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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 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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Kalim
Beach ::
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. |
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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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Kamala
Beach ::
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. |
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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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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
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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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Viewpoint ::
From this point can be seen the
bays of Kata Noi, Kata and Karon, and also Poo Island. It is one of
the island's best views. A large public sala, or shelter is there
for visitors, and several vendors sell food, drinks, and souvenirs
in the area when the weather is nice. The viewpoint is between Kata
and Nai Han Beach. |
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Nai
Thon Beach ::
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.
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Mai Khao Beach
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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Rawai Beach ::
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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