Today I want to share my top picks for the best southern Phuket beaches in Thailand. From famous stretches of sand to secluded spots on the Andaman Sea, there are a lot of places to love in the south of the island. I’ve traveled to Phuket with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and I’m excited to bring you this advertising feature to show you some of my favorite beaches.
Southern Phuket Beaches
I’ve discovered these southern Phuket beaches during a stay in the south of the island. After a busy Phuket itinerary for 7 days, I spent 7 more relaxing on the sand.
During the week I got around to as many beaches as I could. From famous ones with busy nightlife scenes to quiet ones with relaxed vibes, I enjoyed discovering the best the island has to offer.
1. Kata Noi Beach, Phuket
Way down in the southwest, Kata Noi Beach is one of my favorite southern Phuket beaches. This small crescent of sand is a great place to soak up the sun, have a drink at a beach bar, and enjoy a chilled out environment.
There’s a street running behind the beach with a few restaurants, resorts, shops, and massage places. They make this a good place to spend a day at even if you aren’t staying on Kata Noi Beach.
But I did. I stayed at The Shore at Katathani, a 5-star resort with private pool villas climbing the hill above the southern end of Kata Noi Beach.
It was a great place to stay, and the perfect base near busier Kata Beach but in a quieter environment. I loved my villa for both its pretty decor and its views over Kata Noi beach below.
2. Kata Beach, Phuket
Just north of Kata Noi beach, the 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) stretch of Kata Beach is another of the best southern Phuket beaches. Famous for water sports, Kata Beach attracts surfers and those who want to learn to surf alike.
But even if you don’t surf, the golden sand and abundance of food market stalls and beachfront restaurants mean it’s a great place for anyone to enjoy. If you like shopping, there are plenty of surf shops in the town behind the beach, too.
Kata Beach was my favorite of all the beaches I visited in Phuket. My inner Californian loved the surf vibe, and I liked that the beach was busy without being crowded.
3. Karon Beach, Phuket
Just north of Kata Beach, Karon Beach is another of the best southern Phuket beaches. This west coast beach is just south of the famous Patong Beach, but it’s a bit quieter and more low-key.
Karon Beach is one of the biggest beaches in Phuket, too. It features a 2-mile (3-kilometer) stretch of golden-white sand along the Andaman Sea. Behind it runs a street full of restaurants, shops, and hotels.
At the southern end of Karon Beach, I discovered a great cafe and restaurant called Tann Terrace Phuket.
With a big beachfront terrace full of tables, hammocks, and loungers, it was a great place for passion fruit cheesecake and other sweet treats in the afternoons.
4. Patong Beach, Phuket
Patong Beach needs no introduction. The most famous beach in Phuket, it merits inclusion in any list of the best southern Phuket beaches.
Known for its nightlife scene on Bangla Road, the streets behind the beach are also full of restaurants, shops, markets, and other entertainment venues.
Patong Beach itself features a long crescent of sand backed by cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Stretching for 2 miles (3 kilometers), it’s a popular place day and night.
5. Rawai Beach, Phuket
On the southernmost tip of Phuket, Rawai Beach is another of the best southern Phuket beaches. A west-facing beach, Rawai is more sheltered than the others on my list, meaning the waves are smaller and the sea calmer.
Rawai Beach is also lined with colorful boats, making it pleasing on the eye. The boats take passengers to islands off the coast of Phuket, so it’s a great beach to visit if you want to take a day trip or go snorkeling.
There’s a long pier off Rawai Beach, too, and lots of beachfront restaurants pack the area right above the sand. If you like shade, the trees along the beach provide plenty of it.
The road behind Rawai Beach features lots of restaurants, ice cream shops, fish markets, hotels, and other points of interest as well.
Best Southern Phuket Beaches
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to my favorite southern Phuket beaches, and that it’s made you want to visit the island yourself someday.
If you want to read more about other destinations in the country, you can head over to my blog posts about 8 days in Thailand and 24 hours in Bangkok. Happy travels!
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