In Short:
Patong Beach is one of the most popular beaches of Phuket and is perfect for those looking for party and lounging on the beach.
Why Avoid: Too crowded, prone to rubbish, lots of boat traffic
Things You Can Do Here: Water sports, swimming, beach clubs
What’s So Awesome About It
Patong Beach is everything you’ve seen in Thai travel brochures. Warm turquoise water laps at soft sand and there are plenty of palm trees around to relax under. With a huge selection of beach bars, clubs, and restaurants, you can while away time with a delicious cocktail, cold beer, or some local Thai delicacy. It’s perfect for day sessions and lively nights, or that moment between the two when the sun sets over the ocean.
If you’re looking for action and adventure, there’s a thriving water sports scene here with jet skis zipping across the water and squeals of delight from banana boat rides that can be heard all over the beach. If nightlife interests you, you should check out the areas near the beach. One such area is Bangla Road, where clubs pump music long into the night and you can do everything from dancing the night away to gorging on tasty Thai street food. This is a beach destination with nightlife to rival Bangkok.
What’s The Catch
When a beach is this popular, it comes with its own drawbacks. One of them being the crowd. Tourists and vendors both throng the beach, with the later trying to sell you everything from sunglasses to fresh coconuts and even tattoos. And because of so many people swarming the beach, it is prone to getting dirty. So, watch your step and don’t litter! And you might have to get creative with your angles to snap the perfect Insta moment.
Should You Stay There
Patong is the busiest area of Phuket. So, it is very touristy. But it still has areas where it is quiet and less noisy. North and South Patong are two such areas. So, if you’re not ready to give up the comfort of staying near markets and restaurants but still crave for some low-key surroundings, head to these two areas. There are loads of accommodation options available here – from boutique hotels to budget hostels, guesthouses to five star resorts. The beach is just a walk away. Most importantly, you can easily move around from here because other parts of Phuket are easily accessible from Patong.
How To Get There
Right next to Patong Town, the beach is one of the easiest to access on Phuket. Less than an hour’s drive from Phuket airport, this is a popular place for people to stay. There’s a direct bus from the airport, or a taxi for faster access.
Pro Tip
Head to the south of the beach if you want to avoid the crowd. There’s no swimming area in the south, but the views are just as good and the sand just as nice to relax on.
