Pretty and popular
Patong beach on Phuket is the island's most
popular beach and probably the most popular beach in all of Thailand. For many
vacationers, it's the best of both worlds - a gorgeous, big, wide beach with
white sand and warm water and plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs in
the surrounding area.
Getting to Patong:
Patong Beach
is on the west coast of Phuket and if you're coming from the airport you can
either take a taxi for about 350 baht or get on the island's equivalent of a
share-the-ride van for about 150 baht. There are no public buses directly from
the airport to the beach, but if you don't mind switching, take the public bus
from the airport to the bus terminal in Phuket Town, then switch to a bus heading
for Patong.
Getting Around Patong:
The beach and surrounding area are big enough that
you might not want to walk from place to place. Rent a scooter or take one
of the many mini-buses that ply the streets to get from your hotel to the beach
or shopping.
Where to Stay:
Patong is
filled with hotels, guest houses and resorts, although there are no
accommodations right on the beach. Since Patong is so big, make sure you know
how far a walk it is from your room to the beach before booking.
What to Expect:
Patong Beach is a built up, busy beach area but because there is
no development right on the beach (and a road separating the town from the
beach) it still offers sweeping view of the ocean and relative tranquility. If you just want to relax on the
beach, rent a beach chair from one of the vendors who've set up shop on the
beach. They also sell beer, water and juice. People of all ages visit Patong
Beach but it is particularly popular with visitors in their early 20s.
What to Do:
Patong Beach
is action-packed, so if you like paragliding, jet skiing or riding banana boats
you are in luck. If you want to get out of the sun for a while, head to the
upscale Jung Ceylon Mall in town, or grab something to eat at one of the many
food stalls and restaurants.
Quiet and
sporty
Railey Beach, surrounded by immense limestone
cliffs and backed by lush jungle, is one of Thailand's most beautiful beaches.
Although it's on the mainland in Krabi Province, because it's only accessible
by boat, it has a desert island feel. There are Railey beaches, West Railey and
East Railey. East Railey is mud flats and mangroves. It's just a few minutes by
foot to West Railey, but make sure you know which beach you’re staying
on.
Getting to Railey:
Railey Beach is
on the mainland but because it's separated from the rest of the country by
mountains, you must get there by boat from Krabi's main beach, Ao Nang. There are
frequent longtail ferries that make the fifteen-minute trip from one beach to
another during daylight hours.
Getting Around Railey:
Railey Beach is
a small isthmus off of the mainland and is small enough that you can get around
on foot. In fact, there are no cars or motorcycles on Railey.
Where to Stay:
Railey has very limited accommodations and there are only a few
resorts and bungalows on West Railey, including the convenient and homey Railei Beach Club and the luxurious Rayavadee Resort.
If you want to stay on this beach, make sure you book well in advance.
What to Expect:
Although it's
becoming more and more popular every year, Railey Beach is still laid back and
quiet compared to other popular beaches in the area. There are a couple of bars
on Railey but generally nightlife is
limited and those seeking big parties might feel a little bored.
What to Do:
Sporty folks will love Railey because of all the activities
available on the beach or around it. The area is known for rock climbing and
there are hundreds of bolted routes available (beginners can sign up for
lessons and advanced climbers can rent equipment easily), kayaking and
snorkeling. If that's not your thing, it's a quiet beach for relaxing.
Just gorgeous
Koh Phi Phi, a small island a
couple of hours by boat from Phuket, is an island lover's dream. Clear water,
majestic cliffs and soft sand make Koh Phi Phi a picture-perfect paradise. The
only downside? Thousands of others already know about it and it's in danger of
being overrun by boats, guest houses and tourists. Still, if you're not
bothered by crowds or overdevelopment, you might find it the most
beautiful place on earth.
Getting to Koh Phi Phi:
By boat from Phuket: Boats
leave the Rasada Pier in Phuket three times a day. The ride usually takes about
90 minutes.
By boat from Krabi: Boats
leave the Chao Fa Pier or Klong Jilad Pier two to three times per day,
depending on the season, and take about 90 minutes. During high season, there
are sometimes ferries from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi.
Check with your
hotel or a travel agent for specific schedules, as they change often.
Most ferries
arrive in Ton Sai. If you're heading somewhere else on the island, take a
longtail boat to your final destination.
Getting Around Koh Phi Phi:
If you're
staying around Ton Sai, the area that connects the two strips of land that form
the island, you can walk anywhere in the area.
Longtail boats are available for charter to take you from one beach to another on
the island. They also make trips to neighboring islands for snorkeling, diving
or other excursions.
What to Expect:
Koh Phi Phi was
hard hit during the 2004 Tsunami but has bounced back in full force. The group
of islands, comprised of Koh Phi Phi Don (where the accommodations are) and Koh
Phi Phi Ley, plus a smattering of other small islands, is one of the most
beautiful places in Thailand but can be very crowded. It's traditionally be a
back-packer destination, although Koh Phi Phi is increasingly going upscale as
there are more and more luxury resorts every year.
Where to Stay:
There's no shortage of accommodations on Koh Phi Phi as parts of
the island, especially around Ton Sai, are covered with guest houses. Some are
very basic affairs with ceiling fans and no hot water. There are also upscale
resorts on the island, especially around Laem Thong Beach. Check out this list
of Top Phi Phi
Hotels but keep in
mind that because Phi Phi is so popular, accommodations are sometimes
disappointing.
What to Do :
