PHUKET

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:07:52 +0100

Phuket beaches, best time Nov-March. Worst May-Oct [rough seas and winds]
Phuket is one of the world's most famous international resort islands. It is the largest, the most expensive and the most touristy of all Thailand's islands, with busy sand and an international airport.
Patong beach is particularly crowded and unpleasantly pushy, but comfortable, quiet beaches do exist here, mainly far NW or far SW:
- Nai Harn beach, SW Phuket - for those with money, this beach is quiet, clean, safe, pretty and has 2 hotels. The superb Le Meridien [Phuket Yacht Club], and less expensive Nai Harn Resort. Big waves in December.
- *[Bugbog's choice] Nai Thon beach, NW - very, very quiet, just a couple of simple bars/ restaurants/ hotels, but wonderful squeaky white sand, clear water, no boats, few cars, no package people, no clubs and an adjacent nature reserve. Romantic! Big waves in December.
- Mai Khao beach, NW - if you're looking for real solitude try the least visited, hugely long Mai Khao Beach, turtle hatching area [Nov-Jan, waves permitting]. Medium grain yellow sand, clear water, big waves in December. Only one little bungalow operation in 13km, under the trees and run by a friendly family, no air con.

KHAO LAK

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:04:49 +0100

Khao Lak
An hour's drive north of Phuket airport , this strip of medium-fine yellow sand and clear sea is little developed, with no buildings over two stories and mostly good quality bungalows scattered under the palms and casuarinas [a kind of fir tree] beside the beach.
The beach is winding, narrow in parts and has character, with rocky outcrops and a lovely cluster of stlit bars and restaurants at one end. Waves can be a problem for small children, especially at the start of the season, i.e. December/January.
The bungalows aren't cheap but the location - Andaman Sea on one side, wildlife-rampant rainforest the other, and Thailand's scuba superb Similan islands 64 km offshore makes them worthwhile.
Tour groups haven't got here yet, tho' plenty of North Europeans have.
The one horse town of Khao Lak provides basic shops and restaurants. Best time Nov-March, but showers may happen anytime.

LINK http://www.khaolak.com

thailand

PHUKET

KHAO LAK