Many British tourists head to Phuket to enjoy the sun, sea and sand on a relaxing beach holiday. It’s a fabulous place to relax and work on your tan, so if you want to explore the area at a leisurely pace, stopping to relax here and there, you can spend a pleasant day or two searching for some of Phuket’s best beaches. Here’s a bit of information on five very different sections of the coast to get you started.

1. Patong Beach

This is the most famous beach in Phuket with many sun worshipers spending all day sunbathing here. This means that the beach can get very crowded and if you want to sunbathe, you need to rent a sun lounger because they cover pretty much the entire beach. Many different services are offered on the beach. Massage; hair braiding; towel rental; Drinks and snacks will be brought to you if you want them. If you don’t like people trying to sell you stuff, this can be a bit annoying, but they’re never too pushy if you say no. There are a plethora of water sports available in Patong, from speed boating to snorkeling, parasailing and banana boating. Be sure to check the condition of any boat or jet ski you hire and that you are happy with the people you hire.

Patong Beach is even more famous for its nightlife than its daytime activities. It is widely considered to be the party capital of Phuket. There are hundreds of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and pubs, mainly concentrated on Soi Bangla. If you want to check out the Phuket party scene, this is definitely the place to head to.

2. Bang Tao Beach

The eight-kilometre-long Bang Tao Beach boasts stunning scenery ideal for relaxing, walking, swimming and diving. It is flanked by luxurious resorts and villas and is very popular with tourists. Like Patong, there are sun loungers for hire and there are always people walking the beach trying to sell you stuff, but they won’t push you if you say no. The beach is clean, more spacious and less crowded than Patong and you can practice water sports. Bang Tao has more of a family atmosphere than the party atmosphere found in Patong. The beach is sandy with clear water that is not too cold. As you’d expect in an upscale area, there are numerous excellent beachside restaurants with various themes, many specializing in seafood.

3. Surin Beach

Surin is located just south of Bang Tao. It’s a laid-back beach about a kilometer long with noticeably fewer people than Patong or Bang Tao. While excellent for sunbathing on the golden sand, the sea is not safe for swimming, especially for young children, as the beach slopes sharply into the sea and there can be strong undercurrents. Set back on the road, a couple of hundred meters from the beach, there are restaurants offering haute cuisine. There is also a variety of shops, from high-end clothing stores and tailors to supermarkets.

4. Nai Thon Beach

Nai Thon is located north of Bang Tao. There are much smaller resorts in this area and as a consequence the beach is refreshingly calm despite having golden sand and crystal clear water. In high season there are beach bars where you can eat excellent food without leaving the sand. To reach Nai Thon, you travel a narrow path through a forest and then along a stunning coastline. Boat rentals and diving are available in high season.

5. Banana Rock Beach

If you choose to rent a car for part or all of your stay in Phuket, there are numerous smaller beaches that are rarely encountered by tourists. Tucked between Bang Tao and Nai Thon beaches is a true hidden gem of a beach called Banana Rock Beach. Heading north from Bang Tao, shortly after you pass Trisara, you will see a small blue sign nailed to a tree that says Banana Beach. You have to park your car there and walk through the trees. Its relative isolation means that it is often virtually deserted and you may almost have the beach to yourself. It is a small beach by Phuket standards, less than 200 meters long. You can swim there from November to May, but it is dangerous the rest of the year and even during those periods, you should check the weather and tidal forecast before swimming. There is a restaurant on the beach, a seafood restaurant which is also where you can rent a sun lounger. The restaurant is relatively expensive because if you want to spend the day at Banana Beach, you are a captive audience with nowhere else to dine.

While these are some of the beaches you could explore, it’s worth investigating to find your own little piece of paradise. The beaches in the north of Phuket are calmer than those in the south, which is where tourists tend to flock.