Phuket's quieter places

We soon realised that Phuket should not be judged by what we saw sprawled out each side of road 402. August is the 'off peak' season and the number of visitors is low, which makes the shops empty, the hotels and restaurants are only a quarter full, but the weather is not bad and it does not stop you from doing what you would have done if you were there in the 'peak' season.
We stayed for 5 nights in Surin, which is on the west of the island about 15 minutes drive north of Patong and the next bay along from Kamala Bay.  The sea is not exactly rough this time of year, but it does give a few exciting moments as waves crash on the steep beach.  The under current is a potential danger to watch out for.




A more remote beach can be found at Nai Thon. This is so laid back it hardly wakes up at all.  Beach restaurants serve fantastic southern Thai dishes laced with coconut and fruit smoothies.  The beach was endless and the surf crashing down.  The enthusiastic life guards seemed to be in constant training, which was very re-assuring.







Nai Thon is on the west of the island, making it a sunset location - and they never fail to please.  I can never quite decide if I am a sunset or sunrise person, but I do appreciate a good sunset after a great day out.  The sun drops quickly in the last hour and it reminds that wherever you are in the world and you watch the sun set, it is the same sun, but it is the surroundings and the company that make it complete.








On another day we spent a lazy afternoon at Nai Harn beach, which is very close the iconic picture of Phuket taken at the view point from Promthep, the most southerly part of the island.

Karon beach is a popular tanning spot for Patong's sun worshippers.  Apart from driving through Patong on a couple occasions, we did not venture into its flesh pot.  This was like Blackpool in its hay day and Benidorm at its worst.  Great for a stag do.

Karon beach did not disappoint when the sun sank slow into the horizon. 

This is living pal!

After five nights at Surin beach we made a move 2 kilometres round the headland to Bangtao beach and the excellent Blue Garden hotel.

The owner is an amiable Frenchman called Eric Seigneurin and the staff are delightful.  The rooms are simple and placed around the pool with an open bar with spacious table settings.
We liked this place so much we extended our stay. www.bluegarden-phuket.com

There are lots of restaurants in Bangtao, the beach is fantastic and stretches for about two miles end to end. 

I was so inspired I got up early one morning to jog along the beach.  Soft sand made it hard going but it was well worth the effort.  

Bangtao is on the sunset side of the island, so we enjoyed further magnificent light shows and endless peace, solitude and quiteness.


It was difficult to leave this place, but eventually we pulled ourselves away to make the long journey north to Ayutthaya, via Prachuap Khiri Khan.