Phuket Beaches Compared: Patong, Kata, Karon and More

Head to Kata for swimming and surf, Karon for a long walk, Patong for nightlife, and Kamala or Surin for quiet. Bang Tao is one of the longest. From the airport, a fixed-price limousine costs 700 baht to Bang Tao and Surin, and 800 baht to Patong.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Kata suits swimming and surf, Karon has a long stretch of sand, and Patong is where the nightlife is. For calm, Kamala and Surin are the quiet ones, and the table below sets them all side by side.

Phuket beaches compared

Every fare in the table is the operator’s fixed price from Phuket Airport. Each one covers a Taxi car that seats up to 3 passengers.

What to see at each beach

Follow the west coast from north to south and you go from Bang Tao down to Nai Harn. Along the way, each beach keeps its own character.

Patong

Patong is known for its nightlife, and it is the largest and most popular beach resort. The sand runs about 3 km between Kamala Beach and Karon Beach, and Phuket Town is about 16 km away.

Karon

Karon is the second-largest beach in Phuket, about 3 km long, and it sits between Patong Beach and Kata Beach. Look out for the Naga statue in the middle of the beach. The road along the sand is lined with hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Kata

Picture a crescent of sand with Ko Pu sitting just in front of it, and you have Kata. The beach splits into Kata Yai and Kata Noi, and you will find it about 17 km from Phuket Town.

Nai Harn

Nai Harn is a popular sunbathing beach among foreigners. Right next to the sand, you also have a lagoon park with a health garden.

Kamala

For a slower pace, Kamala fits well: 2 km of sand with a relaxed atmosphere. Along the beach you will find hotels, bungalows, tour companies, restaurants and shops. Coming from Patong, carry straight on past Kalim Beach to reach it.

Surin

You will find Surin, a quiet beach, near a small hill. Tall casuarina trees stand in a line along its sand.

Bang Tao

Bang Tao is one of the longest beaches in Phuket. Head to the south of the bay to swim and relax. The north end holds Laguna Phuket, one of Asia’s largest resort complexes, and a coral reef that suits snorkelling and diving.

Who it suits (and who should skip it)

Kata is suited to swimming and used for dive training, and surfers favour it too. For a long walk, Karon’s sand stretches about 3 km, as the second-largest beach in Phuket.

For a quiet day, look at Surin, a quiet beach, or Kamala, with its relaxed atmosphere. For nightlife, go to Patong, which is known for it.

Surin is not suitable for swimming in the monsoon. From May to October the current at Nai Harn is strong, so skip swimming there in those months.

How to get to the beaches

Straight from the airport, the limousine counter sells fixed prices for a Taxi car seating up to 3. Patong costs 800 baht, while Kata, Karon and Nai Harn each cost 1,000 baht. Kamala is 750 baht, and Surin or Bang Tao is 700 baht.

Smart Bus Route 1 runs hourly from the airport to Rawai at 100 baht flat. It stops at Patong, Karon and Kata, and the Airport to Rawai route also serves Surin, Kamala, Patong, Karon and Rawai beaches. Either way, you reach the beaches without a private car.

Pay on board with contactless Visa and Mastercard, QR PromptPay or cash. Times are approximate and vary with traffic. Starting from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 instead, Route 2 takes you to Patong at 50 baht flat.

Kata (opens in a new tab) · Karon (opens in a new tab) · Kamala (opens in a new tab) · Surin (opens in a new tab) · Bang Tao (opens in a new tab) (Open in Google Maps)

When to go and how long

Plan your dates around the rain: Karon has a rainy season from April to November. For swimming, avoid Surin in the monsoon, when it is not suitable. Nai Harn is the other one to watch, as swimming there is not recommended from May to October.

Karon also has fairly strong waves and winds. Pick your beach by the sea conditions you want, and check the water before you go in.

Nearby and how to combine it

Karon sits between Patong and Kata, and Kata itself splits into Kata Yai and Kata Noi. For the neighbourhoods behind the sand, read the Kata and Karon living guide and the Patong living guide. To plan the ride from the airport, see Phuket Airport to Patong and Kata.

One easy day on Route 1 starts with a swim at Kata, then carries on north to Karon for a long walk. More sights are waiting in Things to do in Phuket, the Old Town walk and Wat Chalong.

Before you go

Keep some cash on you for the limousine counter’s fixed price and for the bus. Leave slack in your day as well, as Smart Bus times are approximate and vary with traffic.

Plan around the rainy season, April to November. Look at the sea before every swim, as Karon has fairly strong waves and winds. Stay out of the water at Surin in the monsoon and at Nai Harn from May to October.

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Not confirmed: No official lifeguard or flag-system notice was found. Look for posted warnings on the day and stay out of the water where the sea is rough.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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