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  1. #1

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    Phuket's Secret Beaches

    Phuket's Secret Beaches


    Author: James Spellman

    Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and tourists flock from across the globe to visit the famous beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so that many people complain these beaches have lost their charm. They say Phuket can no longer claim to be an idyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are too crowded. Sun loungers line the entire length of the beaches, sometimes in rows three or four deep. Jet skis, banana boats and parasail boats plough through the water while vendors ply their wares up and down the beach. They say Phuket is finished as an island getaway destination and only caters to the party crowd.

    These people have not spent enough time exploring Phuket. There are more than 40 beaches around Phuket Island and there is something to suit all tastes. If you want a beach with good holiday facilities but not too crowded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang all have good hotels and restaurants yet do not draw big crowds. If you really want to get away from the crowds then Nai Thon and Mai Khao beaches in the north of the island are usually very quiet.

    Still all these beaches are well known in Phuket and firmly in the tourist travel guides. In this article, we will look at some beaches that still remain undiscovered to most tourists. We will not even include Laem Sing or Yanui in this list. They are both charming beaches but they have become well known and usually have plenty of visitors. Some of the following beaches are not even known to many of Phuket's residents. These are Phuket's secret beaches.

    Banana Beach

    This beautiful beach is in the northern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Beach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a lovely two-hundred meter strip of sand, studded with rocks in the middle and ringed with trees. It is a good swimming beach and there is some great snorkeling. There is no accommodation and just a single beach restaurant with a handful of sun loungers at the southern end.

    There are usually only a handful of visitors at this beach. The majority of them arrive by longtail boat from other beaches but in fact, you can see the beach from the coast road above and there is a trail down.

    Pansea Beach

    Right at the northern end of Bang Tao Beach is beautiful and peaceful Pansea Beach. There are two up-market resorts here yet the location retains its refreshing tranquility. Just offshore is Kala Island (or Kata Island depending who you believe) which shelters the shallow bay from waves so it is always calm. The waters are too shallow for swimming and when the tide is out you can walk to the island. It is a great beach for paddling and ideal for children to play. There are no refreshments here so it is a good idea to bring a picnic.

    Pon Beach

    This secluded little beach is in the headland north of Patong. The locals know it as Nai Yair Beach. It is amazing how few people find this beach considering it is located so close to the hordes at Patong. There is nothing here but a couple of rural shacks and a few grazing cows. It is a sandy beach but not good for swimming due to the rocky seabed. There is some good snorkeling.

    There are usually a couple of locals renting sun loungers and selling refreshments. They can also provide you with a small barbecue to cook your own. There may be a small charge for crossing the private land to reach the beach.

    Paradise Beach

    In the headland south of Patong, there are two beautiful beaches that remain relatively unspoiled. They are not as undiscovered as the other beaches we mention on this list but still a break from the heaving masses at Patong. The first is Paradise Beach. Right at the tip of the headland, you can reach it by road (track) or boat.

    It is a beautiful beach with overhanging trees. There is no accommodation but there is a restaurant and there are plenty of sun loungers. The beach is not the best for bathing due to the rocky seabed close to shore but there is some excellent snorkeling. There are usually plenty of people around but still it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

    Freedom Beach

    You can only reach this stunning beach by boat. It is in the headland south of Patong all the way around and back towards the Karon Beach side. Still it is well worth the boat ride with fantastic bathing and snorkeling.

    There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of sun loungers under the trees. The locals take great care of the beach and it is always pristine. Plenty of people do make this a day trip from Patong but the beach is never crowded and again it is surprising how many people in Patong do not know this beach is here.

    Nui Beach

    This beach is most known for how difficult it is to reach by land. Located between Kata and Nai Harn, the only way to reach it by land is down a two-kilometer dirt track that is almost impossible to traverse in a car. You can just about do it on a motorbike but it is better to walk or let one of the locals take you down on their ATV for a small fee.

    It is also known as the most expensive beach in Phuket because you have to cross private land to reach it and they charge 250 baht for the privilege. This fee does get you a sun lounger and drink. When you do arrive, it is a beautiful secluded spot with good swimming and snorkeling. There is a rustic restaurant overlooking the beach but no accommodation. It is never crowded.

    Ao Sane Beach

    This beach is in the headland at the north end of Nai Harn Beach. You need to go through Le Meridian Phuket Yacht Club's car park to reach it but they do not stop you. There is a restaurant here and some budget bungalows by the beach. There are usually a few people around but it is never busy.

    It is actually a series of three small beaches split by little rocky headlands. None of them is good for swimming due to rocks and corals close to shore. There is some excellent snorkeling.

    Laemka Beach

    This little beach is at the southern end of Phuket between Rawai and Friendship Beach. It is not signposted and a little difficult to find but a beautiful spot. The Evason Resort and a small bungalow resort are nearby but still the beach remains quiet. It is one of the few southern beaches where you can have a swim and there are nice views out to the southern islands.

    Ao Yon Beach

    Nestled deep into Cape Panwa is Ao Yon Beach. This is the best beach on the southern side of Phuket. Although it is well developed with residential property, there are no hotels or restaurants by this beach. It is home to Phuket Yacht Club and there are always plenty of boats moored in the bay.

    It is a beautiful stretch of sand and a good bathing beach. It is usually very quiet and a real getaway.

    Article Source: Phuket's Secret Beaches

    About the Author

    If you want more details about how to find these beaches see our Phuket Beach Guide
    If you want to learn more about the beautiful island of Phuket then visit Phuket Holiday Guide and Articles where you will find more articles and visitor information.

  2. #2
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    Secret beaches.
    Not anymore.

  3. #3
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    Phuket's Secret Beaches
    Posted: Dec 01, 2007 |Comments: 0 | Views: 303 |
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    A little out of date maybe??

  4. #4

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    ^What, you think the beaches have gone now?

  5. #5
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    Have you got any pictures? (from 2007)

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    Paradise beach. It was the only beach I would spend any time at. Had a lovely little bar/restaurant there that sold a great pineapple fried rice dish. Had two little pug puppies there that made great friends with my puppy at the time. They had loads of pictures and photo albums of shots from when it was hit by the tsunami you could look through. Was interesting chilling out on the beach as all the trees were still showing damage from the tsunami.

    When I was there it was a very dangerous dirt track going over the mountain to access the beach, very hard to find which added to its charm.

    I have heard now there is a paved road leading to it, but i'm not 100% on that
    Last edited by Satonic; 21-07-2011 at 10:24 AM.

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    I've been to Banana Beach and Pansea Beach quite a few times. I'll have to check out the other ones. Thanks for this, DD.

  8. #8
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    the secret beaches do not have names

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Satonic
    When I was there it was a very dangerous dirt track going over the mountain to access the beach
    First time I went 10 years ago it was very difficult track for a bike. Not so bad now. But they have a new rule about entry charge and can't bring your own food which I didn't remember from before.

    Quote Originally Posted by Satonic
    Had two little pug puppies there
    They have a monkey on a chain now that you can throw food at.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Looper View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Satonic
    When I was there it was a very dangerous dirt track going over the mountain to access the beach
    First time I went 10 years ago it was very difficult track for a bike. Not so bad now. But they have a new rule about entry charge and can't bring your own food which I didn't remember from before.

    Quote Originally Posted by Satonic
    Had two little pug puppies there
    They have a monkey on a chain now that you can throw food at.
    They charge you just to enter the beach? I didn't realise it was private.

    Chucking some food at the monkey sounds fun, I'll try and head back to phuket next year. I'd imagine I'll be in for a lot of suprises.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to go to a shithole like Phuket these days.

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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to go to a shithole like Phuket these days.
    Just to see how much its changed in 5/6 years and visit old friends Harry, I left phuket because of the way it was heading and haven't been back since.

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    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Satonic View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to go to a shithole like Phuket these days.
    Just to see how much its changed in 5/6 years and visit old friends Harry, I left phuket because of the way it was heading and haven't been back since.
    That would be about my only reason, too.

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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to go to a shithole like Phuket these days.
    All cynicism aside, Harry - one can still find areas devoid of the predictable maddening crowd.

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    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to go to a shithole like Phuket these days.
    maybe because they like it there, love phuket even the shitty parts

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    "Pansea " beach is actually Layan , the northern part of Bang Tao where it forms its own bay and even has a small island accessible in low tide, it is safe to swim year round too. It borders a National Park so it is well protected from encroachment and vendors are not allowed. I think it is the finest beach I've seen in Thailand.

    The best little secret beaches are north of Bang Tao just south of Nai Thon. Park on the road and walk down. Bring your own snacks , no vendors here

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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    It's beyond my comprehension why anyone would want to go to a shithole like Phuket these days.
    Phuket is much more than just Patong. And I do wish the old town would get it together and obtain UNESCO heritage status, but I find it a great place to live. Best of Thai, and foreigner lifestyles.

    I don't see how someone could live in Bangkok or Pattay, or even Chiang Mai which I found to have unbreathable air in addition to being overcrowded , overrated bore.

  18. #18
    Newbie tanakorn's Avatar
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    Phuket is more than Patong and Kata/Karon.
    The North of Phuket is still beautiful with many beaches, and the east coast is touristfree with many beautiful islands.

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    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    I was watching something where they were bemoaning the fact that turtles have stopped nesting in Phuket since the tsunami.

    Fuck all to do with them building shitty hotels on all the nesting beaches leading to the premature death of all the hatchlings then.

    C**ts.

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