 |  |  |
 |
 |
| SPOTLIGHT | | Tropical
beaches and jungle, Wildlife, natural heritage and sun-kissed islands. |
| |  |
 |  |  |
| | | |
| "Thailand Most Beautiful Beaches |
Karon Beautiful Beaches
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.
Karon Beach is
the second largest of Phuket's principal tourist beaches. The slightly curving
beach is long, broad, and not very shady. The southern end has a fine coral reef
stretching around the small headland into Kata Yai and Pu Island.
Karon
has been developed with a number of mid-range resorts, most set well back from
the shore. Escalating construction of beer bars, nightclubs and discos, as well
as new high-rise hotels, tarnishes Karon's once proud reputation for environmental
consciousness, and as a haven for families and couples who wanted nothing more
than to relax on the beach and eat Phuket lobster. But it still has a slower pace
than Patong, and local fishermen still cast their nets in a charming lagoon at
the north end of the beach.
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.
Karon is concentrated around three main areas. In the Karon Plaza area on
the south end there a number of budget guesthouses, restaurants and bars. The
side sois are worth exploring, particularly the one that leads to a small art
community, where some budding Thai painters have built a complex of huts, pubs
and art galleries in which they live and work. Nearby, on the beach road leading
to Kata, is the newly opened football stadium, which hosts both local and international
sporting events.
The sprawling grounds of Thavorn Palm Beach Resort and
the Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa dominate much of the central part of Karon,
then just north of these is Aroona Plaza. Aroona, which opened a few years ago,
houses a range of nice handicraft shops, good restaurants and cafes, a few bars
and a hotel modeled after the Sino-Portuguese architecture of Old Phuket. The
nice, wide avenue is ideal for taking an evening stroll and doing some shopping.
The north end features the Karon Circle, which has sculptures of workers
commemorating Phuket's tin-mining and agricultural past. The busy Patak East Rd
leading back from the circle is a jumble of bars, restaurants, all kinds of shops
and small hotels. While Karon's nightlife is more subdued than Patong, the bars
along this road can get lively and loud in the evenings. Just north of the circle
is a small lake, around which a public park and outdoor theatre are being developed.
Unlike Patong Beach, big-name restaurants and fast food chains have yet to
arrive in Karon, but it is by no means lacking in dining options. The restaurants
of the larger resorts offer gorgeous settings and fine food, while the streets
are clogged with a range of seafood, Thai and Western restaurants. For a spectacular
sunset view, drive just a few minutes' north of the beach and stop in at one of
the cliffside restaurants up the hill.
For lunch, the stalls set up on
the beach just north of the circle are worth trying for their curries and other
Thai dishes at reasonable prices, and also for the sheer pleasure of feeling only
sand underfoot and an unfettered view of the sea as you dine |
|
 |
Top Beaches |
 |
|
|
 Kata
Beachs  |
|
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 |
|
|
| Kata
Noi Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Kamala Beach |
|
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 |
|
|
| Laem Singh Beach |
|
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.. |
|
|
| Surin Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Bang Tao Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Pansea Beach |
|
Pansea is a tiny
cove of glittering white sand - but only accessible to the rich and famous guests
of The Chedi and Amanpuri Resorts |
|
|
| Cape Panwa |
|
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. |
|
|
| Nai Thon Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Nai Yang Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Mai Khao Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Nai Harn Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Ao Sane Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Ya Nui Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Rawai Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Chalong Beach |
|
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. |
|
|
| Patong Beach |
|
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 |
|
|
| Karon Beach |
|
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 |
|
|
|
| |
