Phuket

janner · #36 08-03-2006, 16:00

Top information all... my best post yet
Couple of extra things:
I will find out in May, but directions to Laem Sing as not been there yet??

Try Sennen Beach in Cornwall one day, glorious beach and excellent surf, just crap weather!!

Hobbsy · #37 08-03-2006, 16:15

Laem Sing is the beach between Kamala and Surin - stop on the hillside - you will see a load of motorbikes parked 'in the middle of nowhere' it's then a steep walk down to the beach.

Nicke · #38 08-03-2006, 18:50

When I first visited Nui beach 7-8 years ago there was no charge to enter the beach, I went there many times with different girls

Be careful you dont leave too late, drive in the dark on that road after sunset was not fun.

I dont know when they started to charge tourist, any idea?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Kiddo

What I couldn't believe was that there were people who wouldn't pay the 200 baht to get to the beach. After making their way all the way down that hill, they turned around and trekked back up... even though the 200 baht included a drink!

domifletch · #39 08-03-2006, 18:50

For me it's :

1. Nai Harn
2. Kamala (but don't know exactly how it is now, in Feb 2005, it was devastated)
3. Laem Sing (but so many stairs)
4. Kata

landofsmiles · #40 08-03-2006, 18:56

2 or 3 times a week I bike off to another beach. Although I live in Patong it's for the amenities, entertainment and nightlife....not for the beach which is way down my favourites list...too busy and too many vendors.

1)LAYAN - my favourite, quietest and most beautiful beach in Phuket. Found it while out on a ride one day. It's in the Sirinath National Park, about 3 miles north of the Laguna complex. Had the whole beach to myself once apart from a couple of locals fishing with nets and the other Thais in the only restaurant there. Only a dozen sunbeds and if you want peace and quiet to read a book, eat, drink, swim and sleep, it's top of the pile. Enjoyable 30 minute bike ride from Patong too.

2)NAI HARN - almost as far as Layan, but the other way and a pleasant ride again. Like the cloth cover on the sunbed so your asre doesn't stick to it.

3)SURIN (north end of) - like the restaurants right on the beach so you sit and eat with your feet in the sand. Swimming a bit scary sometimes in low season...can get big surf and rip tides.

4)PARADISE - you have to appreciate it's natural beauty. Only a 5 minute ride from Patong, but what a ride along the track over the hill...not so hairy now as they've concreted some of the steeper parts. It was very quiet pre-tsunami, not too many people seemed to know about it....but the only restauarant got trashed by the tsunami , they've built a new bigger one and done a major clean up and word seems to have got out about the place as it was very busy a few weeks ago. Not brilliant for swimming...you need to wear flipflops to avoid shredding your feet on all the broken coral.

5)NUI - entrance track about 300m after the Kata View Point. About 2km of VERY rough track to get to the beach. I once went after a monsoon and the ruts were really deep and on one very steep bit got caught in one and took a tumble off the bike :-( You pay 200 baht to park your bike and go down onto the beach...bit naughty but it includes a drink and a sunbed and after all the effort to get there you might as well pay and enjoy it.

6)KATA - of the busiest beaches on Phuket like this one the best and if you're a cheap charlie you can have a sunbed for free if you park your bike in the road alongside the Club Med almost dead centre where there is a security guard aiding people to cross the road...make sure you have a BLUE towel...and sit on a sunbed immediately opposite on the beach. Club Med have a section of the beach they pay for their guests as I discovered when I tried to pay for my bed at the end of the afternoon and was told I didn't have to pay :-)

I like KATA NOI, KAMALA and NAI THON (very quiet) too.

One to swerve is NAI YANG up near the airport. Very unattractive and water doesn't look very inviting for a swim.

....and if you like an interesting bike ride, go down past The Green Man pub and the shooting range, turn left at the Chalong roundabout, then left after about 1/2 a km where there are lots of blue and yellow flags....keep following the flags...eventually the road changes from tarmac to dirt and then you ride up for another 3km through the hills to just about the highest point on Phuket where the huge Golden Bhudda shrine is being built. Stunning views from up there.

LAYAN and NAI THON and PATONG (a few months after the tsunami and before the crowds returned)

IRISH JONNY · #41 08-03-2006, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

2 or 3 times a week I bike off to another beach. Although I live in Patong it's for the amenities, entertainment and nightlife....not for the beach which is way down my favourites list...too busy and too many vendors.

1)LAYAN - my favourite, quietest and most beautiful beach in Phuket. Found it while out on a ride one day. It's in the Sirinath National Park, about 3 miles north of the Laguna complex. Had the whole beach to myself once apart from a couple of locals fishing with nets and the other Thais in the only restaurant there. Only a dozen sunbeds and if you want peace and quiet to read a book, eat, drink, swim and sleep, it's top of the pile. Enjoyable 30 minute bike ride from Patong too.

2)NAI HARN - almost as far as Layan, but the other way and a pleasant ride again. Like the cloth cover on the sunbed so your asre doesn't stick to it.

3)SURIN (north end of) - like the restaurants right on the beach so you sit and eat with your feet in the sand. Swimming a bit scary sometimes in low season...can get big surf and rip tides.

4)PARADISE - you have to appreciate it's natural beauty. Only a 5 minute ride from Patong, but what a ride along the track over the hill...not so hairy now as they've concreted some of the steeper parts. It was very quiet pre-tsunami, not too many people seemed to know about it....but the only restauarant got trashed by the tsunami , they've built a new bigger one and done a major clean up and word seems to have got out about the place as it was very busy a few weeks ago. Not brilliant for swimming...you need to wear flipflops to avoid shredding your feet on all the broken coral.

5)NUI - entrance track about 300m after the Kata View Point. About 2km of VERY rough track to get to the beach. I once went after a monsoon and the ruts were really deep and on one very steep bit got caught in one and took a tumble off the bike :-( You pay 200 baht to park your bike and go down onto the beach...bit naughty but it includes a drink and a sunbed and after all the effort to get there you might as well pay and enjoy it.

6)KATA - of the busiest beaches on Phuket like this one the best and if you're a cheap charlie you can have a sunbed for free if you park your bike in the road alongside the Club Med almost dead centre where there is a security guard aiding people to cross the road...make sure you have a BLUE towel...and sit on a sunbed immediately opposite on the beach. Club Med have a section of the beach they pay for their guests as I discovered when I tried to pay for my bed at the end of the afternoon and was told I didn't have to pay :-)

I like KATA NOI, KAMALA and NAI THON (very quiet) too.

One to swerve is NAI YANG up near the airport. Very unattractive and water doesn't look very inviting for a swim.

....and if you like an interesting bike ride, go down past The Green Man pub and the shooting range, turn left at the Chalong roundabout, then left after about 1/2 a km where there are lots of blue and yellow flags....keep following the flags...eventually the road changes from tarmac to dirt and then you ride up for another 3km through the hills to just about the highest point on Phuket where the huge Golden Bhudda shrine is being built. Stunning views from up there.

LAYAN and NAI THON and PATONG (a few months after the tsunami and before the crowds returned)

GREAT POST MATE........
A GOOD GUIDE FOR ALL NEWBIES LOOKING FOR A NICE BEACH......
MAYBE THE FORUM MODS COULD DO A STICKY ON THE BEACHES OF PHUKET .............IJ
IJ

LivinLOS · #42 08-03-2006, 19:43

Quote:

4)PARADISE - you have to appreciate it's natural beauty. Only a 5 minute ride from Patong, but what a ride along the track over the hill...not so hairy now as they've concreted some of the steeper parts. It was very quiet pre-tsunami, not too many people seemed to know about it....but the only restauarant got trashed by the tsunami , they've built a new bigger one and done a major clean up and word seems to have got out about the place as it was very busy a few weeks ago. Not brilliant for swimming...you need to wear flipflops to avoid shredding your feet on all the broken coral.

Its fine if you check the tide tables.. Mid and high tide is OK but you can get caught out over the shallows on a receeding tide and getting back in isnt nice..

Whazzzup · #43 08-03-2006, 20:10

Hat Nai Harn for me.

Nice small beach with good view. Waves were a bit bigger then the other beaches I've been to in Phuket. No constant hassle from vendors trying to sell their silk scarfs, woodcut elephants or bananas.

alibaba · #44 08-03-2006, 21:46

Another beach that hasn't been mentioned yet is Mai Khao.
Just the other side of the airport. A bit of a drive to get there but when you do you have a long stretch of unspoilt beach and very clear water.
It's 2 years since I was there but back then myself and gf. were the only ones on the beach, as far as the eye could see, except for one old guy fishing. No vendors, beach chairs, massages etc. Heaven.

janner · #45 09-03-2006, 21:38

Anyone have any pictures they wish to share?? Still living in the 80's and yet to buy a digital camera, so not many pics on desktop from fav beach...............

butterflyblonde · #46 10-03-2006, 03:16

I think it's not that easy to say which is the best as they all have their own charms.

But for me Laem Sing is also a favourite.

Great restaurant right next to the steps, to the left if you are facing them.

It's just the right size too, not to big or small. Because of the way it's so far down the path, makes it feel like a nice little 'nook'

Yes..lot's of italians..secrets out

And yes the walk back up is a killer in the heat but good exercise if you think of it in a positive way

I also like the fact that they have a hose/water sorce on the beach acting like a shower, good for washing off the salt water/sand and cooling off.

Not sure of any other phuket beaches have one of those ? Laem Sing gets my vote anyway.

Only minus I can think of, 20 baht for parking

The Mook · #47 11-03-2006, 09:31

Laem Sing, by far for me. Kata is #2...

tintin · #48 11-03-2006, 22:10

I did emdr, wich did not help much btw. You have to think about the save place.

Mine was Kata beach, but especially the middle. With a nice view on the little island and the people from the chairs bringing me fruit (together with Forn now).

I am sure there are nicer beaches to explore. This is just MY beach.

jimholio · #49 11-03-2006, 22:15

My vote will have to go for Laem Sing.