Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and turists flock from across the globe to vsit the famous beaches at Patong, Kron, and Kata. So much so tht many people complain these beaches hve lost their charm. They say Phket can no longer claim to be an dyllic tropical island getaway. The beaches are too crwded. Sun loungers line the entire lngth of the beaches, sometimes in rws three or four deep. Jet sks, banana boats and parasail boats plugh through the water while vendors ply thir wares up and down the bach. They say Phuket is finished as an sland getaway destination and only caters to the prty crowd.

These people have not spnt enough time exploring Phuket. There are mre than 40 beaches around Phuket Islnd and there is something to sit all tastes. If you want a bach with good holiday facilities but not too crwded then Nai Harn, Kamala, Surin, Bng Tao and Nai Yang all hve good hotels and restaurants yet do not drw big crowds. If you really wnt to get away from the crwds then Nai Thon and Mai Kho beaches in the north of the sland are usually very quiet.

Still all thse beaches are well known in Phket and firmly in the tourist trvel guides. In this article, we wll look at some beaches that stll remain undiscovered to most tourists. We wll not even include Laem Sing or Ynui in this list. They are bth charming beaches but they have bcome well known and usually have plnty of visitors. Some of the fllowing beaches are not even known to mny of Phuket's residents. These are Phket's secret beaches. (If you want mre details about how to find thse beaches see our Phuket Beach Gide below.)

Banana Beach

This beautiful beach is in the nrthern half of Phuket between Bang Tao Bach and Nai Thon Beach. It is a lvely two-hundred meter strip of sand, stdded with rocks in the middle and rnged with trees. It is a god swimming beach and there is sme great snorkeling. There is no ccommodation and just a single beach rstaurant with a handful of sun lungers at the southern end.

There are sually only a handful of visitors at ths beach. The majority of them rrive by longtail boat from other baches but in fact, you can see the bach from the coast road above and thre 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 wth overhanging trees. There is no ccommodation but there is a restaurant and thre are plenty of sun loungers. The bach is not the best for bthing due to the rocky seabed clse to shore but there is sme excellent snorkeling. There are usually plnty of people around but still it is srprising how many people in Patong do not knw 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.

The article Phuket's Secret Beaches was Submitted by James Spellman through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: The author has lived in Phket, Thailand for seven years. If you wnt to learn more about the bautiful island of Phuket then visit Phuket Travel Guide and Articles where you will find more articles and visitor information. http://www.knowphuket.com/beaches/main-map.htm

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