Patong-Beach-in-Phuket

Patong Beach in Phuket

Everything you need to know before you go

Patong Beach in Phuket


Thailand's amazing holiday island of Phuket has been a tourist magnet for decades and Patong holidays are a great way to experience the essence of Phuket. Patong Beach is the main resort on the holiday island of Phuket, on the west coast of Thailand, and is the ideal destination for days spent on gently shelving white sands with delights in the ndaman Sea and evenings enjoying clubs, bars and shows.

If you enjoy beach holidays, you are truly spoiled in Patong Beach as there are more than two of sugary soft sands on which to lay your towel. Soaking up the sun's rays while your cares drift away on the breeze is the most popular activity here, but for those looking for a bit more action, diving, sailing and other water sports are on offer.

The beach is 3 kilometres long and often crowded in the middle part during the high season. The northern part of the beach, not far from Novotel Phuket, Four Points by Sheraton and Graceland Resort, is more beautiful and much less busy. In this part of Patong, there are fewer people and more parking, plenty of local food and fruit vendors to enjoy. Water is also bluer during the high season, and there are plenty of palm trees to offer shade.

The water at the southern end is not always as transparent as in the north. On this part of the beach, you can rent umbrellas and beach chairs which are now available on more than 10% of the beach. During high season, a long floating pontoon allows tourists to board those longtail boats that will take them to the beautiful and secluded Freedom Beach.

The best time to visit Phuket's Patong Beach is between November to April when it's cool and dry, after which it remains quite hot until May. Monsoon season begins mid-May and goes on till October. So you can plan when to go: November to April. This is the coolest season in Phuket after the rains are over. Also the sea is comparatively flat and calm then. However, you should keep close eyes on the red warning flags on the sand.

Patong-Beach-in-Phuket-Island

Patong Beach in Phuket

 

Dining in Patong Beach Area

Restaurants are everywhere in Patong Beach Area, serving anything from Japanese to Russian. You’ll get some Thai restaurants serving decent Thai food. For instance, in Soi Post Office, roughly around the middle of the beach, is Sabai Sabai, a Thai restaurant very popular among tourists. You can easily find little places to eat around these small streets, but it is Thai food for tourists.

Not far from there, you can also try the 'Food Court', a popular concept in Asia, where you order your food at one of the many booths built around a central area where tables are. Usually good enough and cheap.

Restaurant-at-Patong-Beach

Restaurant at Patong Beach

 

Facilities on Patong Beach

There are public toilets spreading out along Patong Beach while you usually have to pay a few baht for using. Parking spaces for small motorcycles and scooters along the beach road are plenty, but they can fill up during the day. Due to its popularity, it's best to be the early bird in the morning to find a good place. By doing so, you can be rewarded by laying down your own mat or towel anywhere along the beach.

What to do on Patong Beach

The main reason people come here is obviously: the beach! If you decide to spend the day on the beach, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, get a beach massage, try some parasailing, or get yourself thrilled by renting a jet ski. Beyond the beach and the nightlife, Patong has a surprisingly wide array of things to do for everyone.

Parasailing-above-Patong-Beach

Parasailing above Patong Beach

 

The well-developed resort front is lined with restaurants, shops, bars and cafés but it's by night that this happening place truly bounds into neon-lit life. From karaoke bars, to shows featuring Thailand's famous lady boys, the entertainment on offer here is wide ranging and at times outlandish, but most visitors will agree that it's always fun.

Night markets also jostle for attention with the drinking establishments and you can haggle to negotiate a deal if you fancy taking home local crafts or cheap clothes. The markets that line the streets of Phuket Town are also worth exploring if you want to bag some holiday bargains.

There are plenty of options for fun in the areas surrounding Patong Beach, too. Opportunities to ride elephants can be found nearby, and there are some spectacular dive sites.