Karon Beach
Between Patong and Kata, this is Phuket's second most favoured beach. Great for snorkelling and diving potential, it is a wide beach so can feel less crowded during peak times.
Patong Beach
The most famous beach resort area in Phuket, Patong is an ideal place to party and play, with a heaving nightlife and hundreds of restaurants and bars. To enjoy Patong to the fullest, pace yourself and learn the meaning of "mai pen rai", which loosely translates to "don't worry, be happy".
Phi Phi Islands
Just a 45-minute speedboat trip or a 90-minute ferry from Phuket are the Phi Phi islands. They are simply stunning with sandy beaches, staggering rock formations, and vivid turquoise waters teemed with colourful marine life - it's paradise. Take a day trip to the uninhabited Phi Phi Ley, the idyllic location for Leonardo DiCaprio's film, The Beach.
Chaweng Arguably Samui's best beach, this is also the busiest and biggest town with plenty of resorts to choose from, including budget to luxury. The nightlife in Chaweng is very central and bars and restaurants cater to every taste. Koh Phangan Accessible only by boat, this island is 12km from Koh Samui. Discover the lush tropical jungle or explore the long white-sand beaches of Phangan. This island is famed for its Full Moon, Black Moon and just about any other moon beach parties. The Full Moon celebrations attract 10,000-30,000 revellers at New Year's Eve. Ao Nang Less crowded than Phuket and more laid back than Koh Samui, Ao Nang is the most popular resort town in Krabi Province. Here you will find great dining options, plenty of markets and a nightlife scene similar to (though smaller than) that of Patong in Phuket. It is also a prime island-hopping departure port.
