Surin Beach is a quiet and very relaxing beach, a rather undeveloped bay lined by a row of high Casuarina trees which give shade to those who are tired of Phuket’s tropical sun and provide a pleasant change from the common palm trees found everywhere else.
It is the favorite beach for the locals, who flock here on weekends and holidays to enjoy seafood and other freshly prepared meals in one of the beach restaurants.
Unlike most Phuket beaches, Surin Beach has a steep sand shelf, making it not so suitable for swimming. Big waves are common on Surin beach during the monsoon season and can create dangerous undertow conditions.
Surin Beach offers some good snorkeling opportunities at both ends of the beach but during the rainy season the water visibility is not very good, due to high turbulence.
Surfing is becoming increasingly popular here because there are often good waves during monsoon season.

Kamala Beach, Phuket is a Muslim fishing village north of Patong. Tourist development on the beach much of which is covered by a Muslim graveyard and a police outpost has been slow in coming.Buffalo herds still come down to the beach to cool off in the afternoon. The beach is beautiful and about 2 kms. in length. There are accommodation ranging from guesthouse to international class, and a number of small Thai restaurants specializing in seafood for the tourist. Kamala is the perfect place to get away from it all and has a little to offer in the way of entertainment for that go across the mountains to Patong. Regular bus service to and from Phuket Town during daytime; tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5kms. away on the new road.

Along the rocky shores of the southern-most tip of Phuket Island, Nai Harn is another of Phuket’s great beaches. Seriously lacking in shade, the beach is a favourite among sunbakers — without an umbrella you will burn to a crisp here. The water is calm and very clear, with some ok snorkelling off the southern headland. In wet season though the waters can be pretty rough.

Most of the accommodation along here is upmarket hotels, though there are budget spots on hideaway Yu Nui beach to the south, and Ao Sane to the north (via the yacht club) has one good budget choice and a mid-range option. Compared to Nai Harn, Ao Sane feels like a different world — enroute the grassy hills along the shore slope sharply downwards to the secluded, rocky beaches, and the winding road crosses several wooden bridges over streams running into the ocean. It’s a great little hideaway.

The main reason Nai Harn is so undeveloped is thanks to the Samnak Song Nai Harn monastery which occupies most of the land off the centre and southern stretch of the beach. It’s a shame more of Phuket’s beaches didn’t have temples like this to keep the developers at bay.

A kilometer north of Laem Sing Beach lies the popular Surin Beach. As of now this beach has not been developed and it is a quiet and peaceful bay lined with a row of stately Casuarina trees.

A tropical beach with pine trees rather than palm trees may seem out of place to many but the local Thais flock to this beach on weekends and holidays and bask in the shade provided by these unusual trees. The middle of the beach front is occupied by a dozen Thai beach-style mini restaurants serving up sizzling seafood to hungry visitors. Surin Beach is usually the second stop on the north beach safari and a good place for lunch because the next beach stop does not serve food.

Kamala BeachFor the careful swimmer Surin offers some good snorkeling opportunities at both ends of the beach but during the rainy season the water visibility is not very good. Big waves that are common on Surin beach during the monsoon season have caused a steep drop from the shore to the water line and can create dangerous undertow conditions. During high tide when the swells are big and running swiftly good surfing conditions exist here and is becoming an increasingly popular sport. There are no vendors renting surf boards at the beach yet but that may change in the future. Good surfing conditions can make for hazardous swimming and care must be taken with children and non-swimmers.

Surin Village

Is the traditional heart of Phuket’s Muslim community. As you pass through this picturesque village strung out along the highway you will see the Ban Thao Mosque. This impressive and ornate structure is the largest mosque on the island. Visitors are allowed and discrete photos may be taken, but care should be exercised and avoid going on Fridays the Muslim holy day. The village offers several roadside markets that offer up delicious Muslim food and fruit picked fresh from the many nearby orchards. When ordering food or buying fruit you may have to resort to “point and smile technique”, because English is for the most part only spoken by the younger generation. At the traffic light you can continue straight to the Heroines Monument and the main road to Phuket Town or turn left onto highway 4020 and continue your tour of the northern beaches.

Phuket’s busiest resort area, Patong has the greatest concentration of bars, restaurant and shops on the island.

Patong has suffered from a lot of negative publicity in recent years for being over-developed and its hedonistic party scene. However, the majority of visitors to Phuket still choose to spend their time in Patong and for good reason. Patong has much to offer and despite its reputation for naughty nightlife, Patong is also very popular with families.

The 3km long beach still possesses beautiful white sand and clear water, which is now visibly clearer after the tsunami. The deck chairs and umbrellas are now back in force, providing an ideal place to relax and soak up the sun with all the conveniences you could want nearby.

You’ll find everything here you could need on your holiday. There are numerous shops and stalls, as well as other leisure and recreational activities. However, if you are looking for a quiet beach retreat, you probably won’t find it in Patong.

Visitors hoping for a glimpse into the exotic East will likely not find it here among the McDonald’s, KFC, Boots and Starbucks outlets, though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival. The key to full enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of water and learn the meaning of ‘mai pen rai’ - which translates roughly to ‘It doesn’t matter’ or ‘Don’t worry, be happy’.