| "Thailand Most Beautiful Beaches |
Cape Panama Beautiful Beaches
Ideal for those seeking peace and relaxation. Cape Panwa is located to the south of Phuket City where lush hills provide magnificent views of the Andaman Sea.
Apart from a few resorts and bungalows there is very little tourist development here. However, the area is seeing an increasing amount of high-end property developments. Dining and nightlife options outside of the hotels are quite limited, although Phuket City is not too far away.
Just a short 10-minute drive from Phuket Town, Cape Panwa is a lesser-known area where rubber and palm plantations still outnumber the resorts, and where Phuket's deep sea port and naval base are found. The roads are quiet, offering the chance to take in the sea views and other sights as you wind around the cape. A major attraction is the Phuket Aquarium at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
The Phuket Yacht Club organises regular sailing and family-oriented activities at Ao Yon beach on the west side of the cape, where mooring can also be arranged. Outside of the resorts, dining options are limited to informal Thai and seafood restaurants serving fresh local fare. For accommodation, the area has some beautiful resorts ( see Novotel Panwa Beach Resort ) and luxury home developments offering peaceful seaview retreats, as well as a few small bungalow operations.
Activities
The Marine Biological Research Centre and Phuket Aquarium is home to a large variety of beautiful and exotic sea creatures. For those who plan to dive or snorkel during their stay on the island, a visit to the Phuket Aquarium will serve as an excellent introduction to the local marine life as most of their specimens are found in the waters off Phuket. |
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Top Beaches |
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 Kata
Beachs  |
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Just a few minutes south of Karon, Kata has a cosier
feel about it, with headlands at each end and calmer waters. A place for families
and couples to relax, snorkel, body surf and enjoy the fine sands. Good surfing
conditions during the monsoon season of May-October |
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| Kata
Noi Beach |
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This small bay of stunning white sand, separated from
Kata by a headland, is a quiet and peaceful retreat. The Kata Thani resort complex
dominates the area, while a few shops, small hotels and restaurants line the beach
road. A nice place for a relaxing snorkel or swim. |
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| Kamala Beach |
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This well-enclosed bay and fishing village has developed
rapidly in recent years yet it still retains a small-town feel. Popular with families,
Kamala Beach is lined with casual restaurants and food stalls, with good snorkelling
at the rocky north end |
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| Laem Singh Beach |
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This small,
hidden gem of a beach just south of Surin is accessible only by walking down a
fairly steep path from the road. Even so, it can get busy in the high season so
get there early for a beach chair. A few rustic restaurants offer cold drinks
and food. A pretty, quiet place to wile away an afternoon.. |
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| Surin Beach |
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This 900-meter
stretch of sand is packed with food stalls, beachfront bars and restaurants yet
life never feels too hurried here. A good place to meet friends for a relaxed
afternoon of snorkelling, swimming or touch football. Kayaks, surf and boogie
boards available for rent. |
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| Bang Tao Beach |
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Bang Tao is
beautiful wide beach of fine sand that up until the mid 1980s was a virtual moonscape
following extensive tin mining activity. Much of the area has now been converted
into the lush and lovely lagoon-dotted grounds of the 5-resort complex of Laguna
Phuket - a stunning ecological feat. |
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| Pansea Beach |
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Pansea is a tiny
cove of glittering white sand - but only accessible to the rich and famous guests
of The Chedi and Amanpuri Resorts |
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| Cape Panwa |
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The exquisite Cape Panwa, just south of the eventful Phuket Town, remains a calm, untouched gem of a place. Its blossoming hills, sandy coves, mangroves and tidal flats offer a settle down place to walk around away from the crowds. |
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| Nai Thon Beach |
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One of Phuket's
best-kept secrets. Approaching this quiet beach of silky white sand is spectacular
in itself - a drive on the coastal road from the south takes you through forested
hills while the northern approach winds through a lovely valley and small village.
Once you arrive, swim, sunbathe and marvel at how few people have discovered this
little piece of paradise. |
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| Nai Yang Beach |
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The casuarina-fringed
Nai Yang, together with Mai Khao in the north, forms the longest and most secluded
stretch of beach in Phuket, about 10-km altogether. Two hotels sit on the south
end of Nai Yang, while the north enters into Sirinath National Park, a protected
marine and coastal area. A good spot to rent a beach chair or gorge on barbecued
seafood. |
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| Mai Khao Beach |
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An endless
stretch of fine sand; the only real getaway on the west coast of Phuket. Aside
from the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, the area is largely undeveloped with
only a few bungalow operations and a campground on the beach. Take a stroll and
watch the crabs scuttle, swing on a hammock under the trees or enjoy a refreshing
swim. |
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| Nai Harn Beach |
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With most of
its beachfront land occupied by a temple, Nai Harn has been spared from over-development,
with only Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and another resort nestled into
the hill at its north end. The soft sands and clear waters make Nai Harn an ideal
swimming and sunbathing spot, though conditions can be dangerous in the monsoon
season of May-October. |
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| Ao Sane Beach |
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A little beach
reached via a dirt road that runs through the car park of Le Meridien Phuket Yacht
Club in Nai Harn. Sometimes called "Jungle Beach". Usually a quiet and
peaceful place, with decent coral outcroppings off its mostly rocky shore. Just
one very inobtrusive resort here, the Baan Krating. |
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| Ya Nui Beach |
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A little sandy
beach found between Nai Harn and Laem Promthep, with some fairly good snorkelling.
Also a launch point for divers. Getting busier in recent years and now lined with
beach chairs for rent, but it's still quite relaxed here. There's one small, informal
restaurant with friendly staff. |
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| Rawai Beach |
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Rawai is Phuket's longest-established beach resort,
though the sea-gypsy village at its north end probably hasn't changed much over
the years. The beach is lined with open-air seafood stalls and restaurants for
casual dining under the shade of the casuarina trees. A popular launching point
for boat trips to Racha, Coral and other islands. |
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| Chalong Beach |
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This bustling
bay, a major launch area for boat and dive trips, is filled with bobbing vessels
of all shapes and sizes throughout the year. Plenty of casual restaurants, dive
shops, fishing charter and tour operators, watersports equipment suppliers, Internet
shops and even yoga and Reiki centres are packed into the short street leading
to the pier. |
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| Patong Beach |
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Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous
- beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong
is an ideal place to party and play. Patong's 3,000 metres of soft sand is a great
place to people-watch as you soak up the sun on a beach chair |
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| Karon Beach |
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Karon, featuring an incredibly long stretch of squeaky
white sand, is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of facilities,
dining and activities. While it's a fast-growing area, Karon is nicely spread
out and rarely feels crowded |
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