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Driving Phukets Beautiful West Coast
Here is Where
all of the Famous Beaches are Lined Up
The Road Winds Up and Over
Numerous Headlands, Affording Spectacular Views
![Karon Beach [19542 bytes]](../../images/img-6-12-0.jpg) All
of Phuket’s famous beaches are strung down the west coast of the island, for
it is this side of the island that faces the Andaman Sea. It is the winds of
the Southwest Monsoon, and the waves they send crashing onto the west coast,
that has formed such spectacular coves and beaches. Taking a driving tour of
this coastline can be one of the highlights of a visit to Phuket.
We strongly recommend renting one’s own vehicle, be it a car or motorcycle,
to spend a day driving, viewing and stopping along this coastline. The road
is generally good, though of course it sometimes winds sharply and steeply
over the headlands. It passes all of the major beaches along the way, though
sometimes a turn down a side road is needed to get right to the sands.
One can stop to swim at virtually any of the beaches, and naturally, food
can be found all along the way from vendors, small stalls and fancy
restaurants offering great sea views.
At Bang Tao Beach the road is set well back from the beach, and finding the
way further north can be a little confusing. But hunting for the road is
worthwhile, for the remote section from here to Nai Thon is exceptionally
attractive. If travelling south from the airport it is relatively easy.
Always turn right to cling to the coast.
If travelling North, one passes Surin beach where the road turns inland,
passes the island’s largest mosque and reaches the small town of Cherng
Talay. Look for the signs leading to the Laguna Phuket complex. After
reaching the huge billboard that announces the five hotels of Laguna, the
road veers left and passes through a small centre of restaurants and bars.
After this it swings left and there is a smaller road off to the right.
Follow this. It runs right through the middle of the Banyan Tree Golf Course
before meeting another road. Join this, heading left towards the sea. It
soon heads up over the mountain.
Most of the rest of the route is self evident, and relatively easy to
follow.
Remember, under Thai law every beach in the country is public property, and
every beach must, by law, have land access for the public. So there is no
such thing as a private beach in Thailand, and no-one can block you from
accessing the beach. In a few cases in Phuket that public entry is elusive,
but it is there in every case.
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