Phuket Part VII

Surin Beach

Surin Beach, just north of Kamala is an underdeveloped stretch of sand lined with casuarina trees. Although there are now some hotels that arise Surin is still quiet and peaceful.

Surin is very popular with locals who frequent the seafood stalls and restaurants along the beach in the shade of casuarina trees, and can get a bit busy at weekends during peak season.

Inland from the beach of Surin Village, a predominantly Muslim neighborhood of Phuket. There is a small market here and a few restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious Masaman curry.

There is good snorkelling offshore when the sea is calm. Popular activities here are sea kayaking, surfing and body boarding. During the rainy season (from June to October) there is a strong rip current and the waves can be quite big making it a dangerous beach to go swimming.

Phuket Part VI

Karon Beach

Karon beach is a long stretch of white sand just south of Patong. The beach is very long so it never feels crowded.

At 4 km, Karon is one of the longest beaches of Phuket. Although there are some important stations and hotels, they are divided and the area feels very relaxed. As in Patong, the hotels are separated from the beach by a road. However, unlike Patong, the beach is still pretty quiet. The beach itself is well exposed, with little or no natural shade. The sand is so fine and powdery that it squeaks when walked on.

The southern tip has a coral reef stretching toward Kata and Pu Island. There are not many water sports on Karon beach as in Patong or Kata. During the rainy season Karon can be good for surfing but dangerous for swimming because of high waves and strong currents.

The beach road in Karon is lined with some of Phuket's larger hotels. In the area around Karon circle and at the southern end of Karon are a number of guesthouses if you're on a budget.

Karon nightlife is relaxed and friendly. Most bars are located in the area around Karon circle at the north end and south end around Luang Pho Chuang road. It is a good amount of beer bars in Karon, but the scene is not as strong as Patong.

As the nightlife, restaurants in Karon are centered around the traffic circle, at the north end, and also at the southern end of the beach before arriving in Kata. It is a good selection of Thai and international dishes. For more lavish dining, most of the waterfront hotels have charming restaurants.

Phuket Part V

Nai Harn Beach

A tranquil and picturesque beach near the southern tip of the island. There are not many places to stay here, but the beach is easy to obtain from Kata and Karon.

One of the most beautiful beaches of Phuket, Nai Harn is relatively undeveloped thanks to Samnak song Nai Harn monastery, which occupies much of the land by the sea at its north of Le Meridien Phuket Yacht Club, which has a few bars restaurants and just before, but in general the area is quiet.

Behind the beach is a lagoon where there are some housing developments and some upscale bars and restaurants.

Ao Sane

This is a small rocky beach that can only be achieved by a small road which passes under the Phuket Yacht Club. There are a couple of bungalow operations here and some restaurants.

During the dry season, the sea here is ideal for swimming. However, the waves during the rainy season can be quite large with strong currents. Check flags for swimming. This is probably the best place for surfing in Phuket, although few surfers make it this far south.

Phuket Part VI

Kata Beach

Towards the southern end of Phuket's Kata Beach, which is divided into Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Both beaches offer stunning scenery and a relaxed atmosphere.

Kata Yai

This is the larger of the two beaches. The bay is very picturesque with Koh Pu (Pu Island) at the north end. Half of the beach is bordered by a road, while the southern half has a few resorts right on the beach. Club Med occupies much of the land behind the beach road to the north end of the beach, keeping the end of the beach fairly quiet.

Because of its relatively small size, Kata has a cozy feel about it and is ideal for families. There are quite a few shops, restaurants and bars around Kata Centre and between Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Kata is perhaps the best compromise between the frenetic pace of Patong and some of the quieter beaches on Phuket.

Kata Noi

Kata Noi only has a few hotels and is dominated by the Kata Thani Hotel. The beach is lovely and there has only been a little development.

There is a good range of accommodation in Kata, from luxury resorts to budget guesthouses behind the beach. At the southern end of Kata Yai beginning at Kata Beach Resort there are hotels right on the beach, which are a rarity on Phuket's west coast.

There are plenty of watersports to be enjoyed at Kata. The bay is excellent for sailing and plays host to the annual King's Cup Regatta every December.

Kata Yai and Kata Noi are quite popular with surfers during the rainy season. You can rent all kinds of boards on the beach. It is also one of the best beaches on the island for snorkelling. Confident swimmers can try swimming out towards Koh Pu to view the beautiful coral there, although don't attempt this during the rainy season. The area to the South of Kata Noi beach has some decent coral that is worth exploring.

It is a good variety of restaurants in Kata, especially around Kata Centre. Seafood restaurants serving Thai, Italian, Scandinavian and of course can all be found here. Restaurants right on the beach can also be found at the southern end of Kata Yai.

The nightlife in Patong is quite relaxed but there are a few bars to find, especially around Kata Centre. There is also a collection of beer bars title, the interior of the junction in Kata Center. However, for a great evening that you are better off heading to Patong.

Phuket Part V

Phuket View and Sightseeing

Laem Phrom Thep

Located between Rawai and Nai Harn beaches, Phrom Thep Cape is a dramatic promontory that extends into the sea at the southwest corner of Phuket Island. The course has spectacular views of the small island of Koh Kaew Yai and the Andaman Sea, and is an essential place to enjoy the sunset.

At the top is a shrine dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, whose cape is named after. (Phra Phrom is the Thai name for Brahma, Laem means "cape" while Thep means "god"). To get a better view, climb a couple flights of stairs to an elevated platform in the Golden Jubilee Lighthouse. The lighthouse also contains a small nautical museum.

The view attracts many tourists and locals at sunset, so if you want to avoid crowds consider going earlier in the day. There is an outdoor restaurant with fantastic views of the cape that can sustain a memorable dining experience.

Laem Phrom Thep is located between Rawai and Nai Harn. Go south to Rawai for a couple of miles. There is ample parking and plenty of little souvenir shops so you will not miss it. The road is steep and windy so take extra precautions, especially if its wet.

 

Kata Viewpoint

A large sala or pavilion by the side of the road between Kata and Nai Harn marks the location of this view. Clear day the view over the bays of Kata Noi, Kata Yai, Karon and Pu Island all put on before you is nothing less than magnificent.

The view is approximately five minutes drive south of Kata on the way to Laem Phrom Thep.

 

Rang Hill

This hill is located at the northwest edge of Phuket City, providing lovely views across Phuket's capital. At the top is a fitness park as well as a statue of Phuket's most famous governor, Ratsada Korsimbi Na Ranong, who presided over the city's early development at the turn of the twentieth century.

The best reason to visit Rang Hill (Khao Rang in Thai), is to dine at one of the hill-top restaurants. The view, particularly at night, is a perfect accompaniment to a tasty meal.

Pictures Credit : navithaitour.blogspot.com