Surin Beach

Surin is the beach on Phuket's west coast between Kamala and Bang Tao, a broad crescent of pale sand backed by casuarina trees and, behind them, some of the island's most expensive villas and resorts. The water is clear and turquoise in the dry season and the sand shelves fairly quickly, which makes for good swimming when the sea is calm and a strong shore break when it isn't. The beach clubs that once lined the sand were cleared out by the authorities in 2016, and Surin has been quieter and more natural since, with a few simple restaurants and vendors along the road rather than on the beach itself.

It draws a mix of resort guests, long-stay residents and people who have driven up from Patong for a calmer day. Loungers and umbrellas are limited by design, so bring your own shade or arrive early for the trees. Bang Tao's seven kilometers of sand are a short ride north for a walk, and Kamala's family beach is ten minutes south.