What is the best beach in Phuket?

#1

Kata Beach

143points · on 22 of 31 lists: Y Travel Blog, Phuket 101, Happiness on the Way, Thailand Beaches, Travel in Phuket, Go2Thailand, 1001beach, Byklo, Faszination Südostasien, Hotels.com Go Guides, Make-Trip.ru, Marco Togni (marcotogni.it), NEWT (ニュート), Sputnik8, Visit Thailand Today, Остров сокровищ (TISLAND CO., LTD., tisland.travel), Пхукет Инсайдер (Phuket Insider), Phuket Expat Guide, ExcursionMania, 什么值得买 (SMZDM) user post and THAIest

Kata curves for about a mile around a bay, with the small green island of Koh Pu just offshore and a river meeting the sea at the quieter northern end. From June to November the swell suits beginner surfers and a contest is held each September; from December to April the water turns blue and calm. Lifeguards work the beach and raise red flags when rip currents run in the monsoon months.

“The sand is very soft and fine, making it perfect for walking barefoot.”

Google review

“Sunset was phenomenal.”

a Google reviewer

Address

Kata Beach, Karon, Phuket 83100

Google

4.5 from 4,727 reviews

#2

Karon Beach

133points · on 24 of 31 lists: Y Travel Blog, Phuket 101, Happiness on the Way, Thailand Beaches, Travel in Phuket, Go2Thailand, 1001beach, Byklo, Faszination Südostasien, Hotels.com Go Guides, Make-Trip.ru, Marco Togni (marcotogni.it), NEWT (ニュート), Nomado Travel, Ryo (ryo.co), Sputnik8, Visit Thailand Today, Остров сокровищ (TISLAND CO., LTD., tisland.travel), Пхукет Инсайдер (Phuket Insider), Phuket Expat Guide, Generation Voyage, Urlaubsguru (Austria) and 什么值得买 (SMZDM) user post

Karon is two miles of white quartz sand that squeaks underfoot on dry afternoons, and because most hotels sit across the beach road, the beachfront stays open. From December to May the sea is calm enough for swimming, parasailing and jet skis, and in the evening people walk the promenade. On Tuesday and Friday evenings, Wat Suwan Kirikhet, the temple inland from the beach, holds a night market.

“Wide beach where everyone comes out to witness amazing sunsets!”

Google review

“There are many shacks and good options for food and drinks, making it a great place to relax.”

a Google reviewer

Address

Karon Beach, Karon, Phuket 83100

Google

4.6 from 9,305 reviews

#3

Patong Beach

121points · on 22 of 31 lists: Phuket 101, Happiness on the Way, Thailand Beaches, Travel in Phuket, 1001beach, Byklo, Faszination Südostasien, Hotels.com Go Guides, Make-Trip.ru, Marco Togni (marcotogni.it), NEWT (ニュート), Nomado Travel, Ryo (ryo.co), Sputnik8, Visit Thailand Today, Остров сокровищ (TISLAND CO., LTD., tisland.travel), Phuket Expat Guide, ExcursionMania, Generation Voyage, Home Is Where Your Bag Is, Urlaubsguru (Austria) and 什么值得买 (SMZDM) user post

Patong Beach curves for 2.6 kilometers around the bay, and at low tide its firm white sand makes an easy, flat run. A sidewalk runs between the beach and the road for much of the way, so the route can switch from sand to pavement. The sand stays cool underfoot in the early morning and evening.

“The beach looks particularly lovely at night, and the bars situated right alongside it are excellent.”

a Google reviewer

“The beach is long and perfect for a nice walk or a run, with a lovely sea breeze.”

a Google reviewer

Google ratings from Google on 3 October 2026. Quotes are from the published lists and reviews named beside each one.

Honorable mentions

• Freedom Beach

  Fifth, with 115 points from 18 lists.

  “The water was incredibly clear, the sand felt soft underfoot”

  Google review

• Kata Noi Beach

  Fourth, with 119 points from 20 lists.

  “Peaceful, clean stretch of sand with clear turquoise water and fewer crowds than nearby beaches.”

  a Google reviewer

• Surin Beach

  Sixth, with 113 points from 23 lists.

  “Loads of natural shade from the trees.”

  a Google reviewer

The lists we counted

1. Y Travel Blog · December 2025
2. Phuket 101 · September 2026
3. Happiness on the Way · October 2026
4. Thailand Beaches · June 2026
5. Travel in Phuket · March 2026
6. Go2Thailand · March 2026
7. Travel Guides Tip · October 2026
8. 1001beach
9. Byklo
10. Faszination Südostasien
11. Hotels.com Go Guides
12. Make-Trip.ru
13. Marco Togni (marcotogni.it)
14. NEWT (ニュート) · August 2026
15. Nomado Travel
16. Ryo (ryo.co) · September 2026
17. Sputnik8
18. Villa Finder (villa-phuket.com)
19. Visit Thailand Today
20. Wongnai
21. Остров сокровищ (TISLAND CO., LTD., tisland.travel) · July 2026
22. Пхукет Инсайдер (Phuket Insider) · September 2026
23. Phuket Expat Guide
24. awd.is (Vinsky)
25. ExcursionMania · December 2025
26. Generation Voyage · November 2025
27. Home Is Where Your Bag Is · July 2025
28. Urlaubsguru (Austria) · November 2025
29. 什么值得买 (SMZDM) user post · March 2024
30. TrueID Travel
31. THAIest · September 2024

Full details of each list are available on request through our contact page.

How the points work

We read every independent published best-of list we can find for the question. Each list gives 10 points for first place, 9 for second, down to 1 for tenth, and 5 points to each place on a list with no order. Points are added up. A business must be in the top 10 of at least two lists to be ranked. Rankings are never sold. Full method.

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