Ya Nui Beach

Ya Nui lies in the shadow of two of Phuket's loveliest viewpoints; Phrom Thep and the viewpoint featuring large white windmill/propeller power generators.

It's a charming little cove featuring good snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. During high season there is a line of sun loungers for hire (200 baht a set) as well as a stand that rents out masks, fins, kayaks and body boards for very reasonable prices.

At this time of year there is also an ad hoc restaurant. The sand is beautifully soft and children love to collect shells on this beach.

An island called Koh Keyao Noi stands 700 metres out in the sea and in calm weather yachts moor just off the coast and it is possible to paddle out to explore the coral or to pay a visit to neighbouring Nai Harn. In rougher weather local fishermen climb the rocky promontory to cast off or simply brave the waves with casting nets.

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach will surprise you. For a start, it's stunningly beautiful; one of the most attractive of the many wonderful beaches Phuket has to offer. It also features safe swimming all year round.

It's compact and has a great view right across Patong Bay. The beach itself is barely 150 metres long and there is another small beach next to it, reached by a path through the rocks.

Paradise Beach features shade-giving palm trees and tropical almonds (terminalia catappa). There are large granite rocks at both ends of the beach and a coral reef some 100 metres out.

Jet-skis are actively discouraged from approaching the beach, resulting in a calm, peaceful location.

Phuket Town Treasure Map

Nai Thon Beach

Nai Thon is a beautiful stretch of sand that for reasons unknown has still been overlooked by large resort developers. Thus it's an ideal spot to get away from the crowds and enjoy a quiet swim.

It's a village of two seasons, during the high season the hotels fill up, the sea is flat, calm and crystal clear, beach restaurants appear where you can dine with your bare feet in the sand, very much a stereotypical tropical paradise. In low season the boot's on the other foot, it's almost a ghost town with an occasionally raging sea.

The journey to the beach is almost more enjoyable than the beach itself. On the southern approach to Nai Thon, the narrow road leads through some of the island's last remaining virgin jungle, and winds along a coastline that rivals Cote d'Azur in its brilliant beauty. If driving to Nai Thon from the north, the road takes you through a village then into a lush green valley before reaching the beach.

Activities to be enjoyed whilst staying here include exploring rocky coves only accessible by longtail boat and scuba diving which can be arranged by the dive shop on the Beach Road.

Surin Beach

Naturally beautiful Surin is known as 'Millionaires Row' due the the top-end celebrity haunts Amanpuri, Twinpalms and The Chedi amongst the luxury resorts there, as well as the many US$ 1 million+ houses that sit proudly on top of the hills overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Although popular with tourists it's not a busy resort town, more like a coastal village. Fine white sand and turquoise water has ensured that the picturesque beach is very popular with tourists and Thais alike. The whole area is awash with high end hotels and housing which in turn has created opportunities for high end restaurants and wine bars.

Bangtao Beach

Bangtao is a study in contrasts, with the luxurious resorts and villas along its 6km (4 mile) stretch of beach just a few minutes' away from the town of Cherng Talay, where many villagers still make their living as their ancestors did - by fishing, farming and rubber tapping. The northern tip of the beach, so far untouched by development, is still an area where visitors might find that they have the beach to themselves. Apart from going to the beach and a few bars and restaurants there's not much that you need to leave your resort for.

Taking up a huge area in the middle of Bangtao beach, Laguna Phuket, one of Asia's largest resort complexes, comprises Sheraton Grande, Dusit Laguna, Laguna Beach, Allamanda, Laguna Holiday Club and Banyan Tree Phuket resorts, and some are open to outside visitors as well.

Kata Noi Beach

This cosy little bay is found at the end of a dead-end road, just a few minutes' drive over the hill from Kata beach. There's not much to do in Kata Noi apart from admiring the wonderful scenery, which is precisely the point of coming here.

Relax, take a walk along the soft sands, snorkel or swim. It's long been a popular spot for surfers in the monsoon season of May to October, though swimming can be dangerous during this period.

The popular Kata Viewpoint, offering a stunning vista across the three bays of Karon, Kata and Kata Noi, is only a 5-minute drive along a winding road towards Nai Harn.