A Beach Exploration Guide for Phuket Island in Southern Thailand

Phuket | Beach Map | Photojourney

Patong beach at low tide can be a beautiful place to kick back and relax in the cool evening hours!

Phuket has been a premier tropical vacation destination for Western tourists for about 60 years. This southern province, slightly smaller in size than Singapore and itself Thailand’s largest island, boasts beautiful tropical beaches, international-class resorts, and easy access points to islands situated in the transparent aquamarine waters of the adjacent Andaman Sea. For Bangkokians, Phuket is also synonymous with a sister-province across Pgang Nga Bay called Krabi, as well as the popular islands between of Koh Yao Yai, Koh Yao Noi, and Koh Phi Phi. Phuket is a land of fantasy. A vacation to Phuket can take the form of whatever the visitor desires: secluded beaches for the whole family to enjoy, resorts situated in large coves with good surfing waves, touristy beach towns with scenes and experiences similar to Pattaya- all can be found within the province. And for those who prefer short excursions off the mainland, day trips to various islands and snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, and adventure sports await.

Naka Island: A Tropical Paradise in Phang Nga Bay

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Welcoming point for guests visiting The Naka Island near Phuket in Thailand

Naka Island is a small, semi-private island to the West of Phuket in Thailand’s South, sheltering from the Andaman Sea with larger islands Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai in the massive Phang Nga Bay. The island is shared between a sprawling luxury hotel, a local fishing village, and the isolated COMO Beach Club. Our destination for this extended weekend trip was The Naka Island, a hotel that is part of Marriot’s Luxury Collection Resorts.

Tiger had been eyeing The Naka Island as a romantic getaway from Bangkok for several years and jumped at the extended weekend opportunity even though it was the rainy season. After all, why not make time for a beach escape during the offseason? Prices are (slightly) more reasonable and there are fewer crowds in nearby Phuket. The resort was indeed splendid, but little did we know that through a series of events this might literally have become a trip to end all trips - cue Gilligan’s island theme song.