The most popular swimming beach and yacht anchorage during the dry season. Great for swimming from November to April, however care should be take in the low season (May-October) when there can be strong undertows on occasion. The local restaurants just above the beach make a great place to relax with a sundowner. The beach is green fine water, but big waves strike it during the wet season, making swimming dangerous. Regular bus service to and from Phuket town during daytime.

A quiet little spot at the southern end of Phuket, Nai Harn is one of the island?s most beautiful locations and most popular places with in-the-know locals. This quiet and tranquil place has only a few hotels including the Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and is a favourite anchorage for boats during the high season.

Just north of Nai Harn, along the coast, is Nui Beach, small, secluded and difficult to access. Further along is Ya Nui, a sandy cove that attracts snorkelers and divers. Another out-of-the way spot nearby is the tiny beach of Ao Sane, a great spot for snorkeling, reached by taking the dirt road that starts at Le Royal Meridien?s car park.

A great place to have a snack and watch the sunset is Promthep Cape, a popular viewpoint only a few minutes drive from Nai Harn.

South of Kata Noi and north of Phrom Thep cape, Nai Han is not Phuket?s longest beach, but it borders the most gorgeous lagoon on the island. The middle of the beach is dominated by the Samnak Song Nai Han monastery, which has obstructed excessive development and is the reason that the beach is generally less crowded than other spots on the southern part of the island.

Nai Harn Beach, home to the Phuket Yacht Club, is a secluded area near the tip of the Island and is home to many of the local ex-pat residents. There are few places to rent for short term.

A Buddhist monastery is centred here: Samnak Song Nai Harn. During monsoon season swimming can be dangerous as there is a steep drop-off close to shore and strong undertow

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.

Laem Prom ThepA wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed, but swimmers should be alert for the red flag which warns of dangerous currents during the monsoon season from May to October. One can walk to nearby Phrom Thep cape to observe sunsets which are often fiery and spectacular.

The few available accommodations range from the sumptuous and extremely expensive on the western end of the lagoon, to more modest places, most of which are a little remote from the beach itself.

Bangtao Beach, Phuket is a large open bay with one of Phuket?s longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel development with golf course. There are, however, accommodations available outside Laguna at the bay?s south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay?s north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Cherng Talay.

Bang Tao is a study in contrasts, with the luxurious resorts and villas along its 6km (4 mile) stretch of beach just a few minutes? away from the town of Cherng Talay, where many villagers still make their living as their ancestors did – by fishing, farming and rubber tapping. The northern tip of the beach, so far untouched by development, is still an area where visitors might find that they have the beach to themselves. Apart from going to the beach and a few bars and restaurants there?s not much that you need to leave your resort for.

Taking up a huge area in the middle of Bang Tao beach, Laguna Phuket, one of Asia?s largest resort complexes, comprises of 6 luxury hotels, a golf course and residential housing.

A wide range of activities – including a ropes course and rock climbing, windsurfing, elephant riding and kids? sports – is available for guests of Laguna?s Sheraton Grande, Dusit Laguna, Laguna Beach, Allamanda, Laguna Holiday Club and Banyan Tree Phuket resorts, and some are open to outside visitors as well. Play a round of golf at the Laguna Phuket course, practice your swing on the driving range nearby or go horseback riding along the beach. Afterwards, indulge in a massage and spa treatment at the world renowned Banyan Tree spa or at other retreats nearby.

Of course there?s more to Bang Tao than just Laguna, it?s also home to many other resorts.