If you are in Phuket, Thailand and have found that your resort and beach are too busy, this blog is for you. We have six quiet beaches on Phuket for you to visit. Many tourists arrive in Phuket and think they can explore the island quickly, which is difficult. There is a lot of traffic. But never fear; finding a lovely, quiet beach is easy with this helpful guide. Presuming you are staying in Patong, Karon Kata, or other nearby resorts, these beaches are easy to reach for the day. They are still reasonably quiet despite being close to the big resort areas.
There are no private beaches in Thailand. This means you can walk through any resort to get to any beach you choose. When you leave for the day, it’s recommended that you arrange your return trip and keep the phone number of your hotel or a trusted taxi driver. Avoid renting your own car or motorbike unless you’re confident with driving on the left side of the road since Phuket is a hotspot for road accidents. So, in no particular order, here are some recommended quiet beaches on Phuket Island. There is a map of Phuket at the bottom of this blog.
Tri Tra Beach (Tri Trang/Emerald Beach)
About 2km south of Patong, you can find Tri Tra Beach on the way to Karon. This is an open and sunny beach, perfect for sunbathing. It’s not secluded, but it is quieter than Patong or Karon. The water is rocky at low tide, but good snorkelling is here. You can also get to one of Phuket’s best beaches, Freedom Beach, from Tri Tra by longtail boat. Tri Tra Beach is reached by going south along the last part of Patong’s Beach Road. And taking a left turn at the Amari Coral Beach Resort. Then, turn down the road that leads to the Tri Trang Resort.
Freedom Beach
Freedom Beach is another quiet beach on Phuket Island and is 2km south of Patong. It is a beautiful beach with white sand and crystal-clear water. It’s only accessible by longtail boat. The shortest route is from the southern end of Patong near the bridge. However, you can take a boat from Kata or Karon Beach too. From Patong Beach, the price is usually 1,000 – 1,200 baht per person for a round trip.
Paradise Beach
About 3km south of Patong, this beach is beautiful and, although rocky at low tide, is fine for swimming. It is also suitable for snorkelling. The beach is 150 metres long, and you can find shade under palm trees. Paradise Beach is located on the same headland as Tri Tra. Follow the same directions but drive past the entrance to Tri Trang Resort. Pass Merlin Beach Resort and follow the road to Emerald Bay. Keep on going until you reach Paradise car park.
Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi is just a few minutes drive south from Kata Beach, and you can walk it in around 15 minutes. Follow the beach road southwards until it starts to go uphill. Follow the cliff road up for 10 minutes. You’ll find a beautiful private beach with exclusive resorts such as the Kata Thani Resort. It is a charming place to spend an afternoon, but it is pretty developed compared to the other quiet beaches on this list.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach is situated in one of the most beautiful bays in Phuket, with the white sand stretching for more than 800 metres. It is on the southernmost tip of Phuket, where you will find the Phuket Yacht Club. Nai Harn Beach is renowned for its spectacular sunsets. It’s not very developed due to the location of a nearby monastery. The beach is ideal for swimming during the high season but unsafe during the low (monsoon) season. There are some great places to eat just a short walk from the beach in the little town. To get to Nai Harn Beach, drive past Kata Beach, up the slope towards the Sunset Bar and follow the road towards Rawai. Once there, you will see a road sign for Nai Harn Beach. It is around a 30-minute drive from Kata.
Banana Beach
Banana Beach is quite far from the resort towns but is still on the west coast, where you are likely to be based, as this is where most of the resort areas are. Banana Beach is situated between Bang Tao and Nai Thon beaches (see map). This small bay is around 150 metres long and is secluded.
It is a small treelined cove with white sands, palm trees and clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The nearest hotel is the Trisara Resort, which is 500 metres south of the beach. There is a wooden sign nearby saying “Banana Beach”, and you can walk down from there, or 150 metres further on, there is a sign saying ‘To Nai Thon’, and you can follow the trail down the hill and be led to the beach.
You can also hire a boat from a nearby beach to drop you off. Banana Beach is ideal for swimming from November to May but is unsafe for the rest of the year. There are two small restaurants.
As we wrap up our journey exploring the quiet beaches on Phuket, it’s clear that this beautiful island has so much more to offer beyond its bustling hotspots. Each of these six serene shores provides a unique opportunity to experience Phuket’s tranquil side, allowing you to unwind and connect with nature in a more intimate setting. Whether you’re seeking a hidden cove for reflective solitude or a gentle stretch of sand for a peaceful day under the sun, these quiet beaches on Phuket will offer an idyllic escape. Remember, the beauty of Phuket lies not only in its vibrant life but also in these serene, less-travelled paths that promise tranquility and an unspoiled touch of paradise.
Images courtesy of flickr.com:
- Featured: Ratcha Yai by Jeff Gun
- Tri Tra Beach by Eustaquio Santimano on Flickr
- Freedom Beach by Fabio Achilli on Flickr
- Paradise Beach by Ashley Lourey on Flickr
- Kata Noi Beach by Fabio Achilli on Flickr
- Nai Harn Beach by Charlie Steele on Flickr
- Banana Beach by Charles Fred on Flickr
