The beach is almost always a great place to invigorate our mind and senses. The scent of the saline air, the sound of crashing waves and the amusing feel it imparts as they touch one’s toes – seem to give an outright relaxing feeling. While I am a self-confessed mountain lover, the beach will always have a soft spot in my heart. The beach is my favorite place for watching the sunset… it’s a place I enjoy whenever I want to go surf or skim or just bask in the sun… it’s where I find happiness and bliss.

My recent trip to Phuket in Thailand was one for the books. The place is dotted with many beautiful beaches to choose from without going on an island-hopping. The sandy beaches and clear waters of Phuket offers a comforting beach holiday. Who would’ve thought that this beautiful place as once ravaged by an unforgiving tsunami more than ten years ago?

Here are 4 of the beaches I got to visit in Phuket:

Patong Beach –perhaps the most famous beach in Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play. I spent one night walking around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road). Believe me when I say it is packed with tourists! The place sure has a vivacious nightlife which includes hundreds of restaurants, bars of various sort, and night clubs. The beach, however, in my opinion, isn’t that outstanding as it is pretty crowded, and isn’t as pristine as I have imagined it to be.

Karon Beach, the third longest beach on Phuket Island. If there is one beach I loved for its more serene feel, it has to be Karon. Located on the west coast, between Patong to the north and the south, Karon Beach is not as crowded as Patong. I had an excellent morning at Karon Beach road for a stroll. Unlike Patong, Karon’s coastline is way better. Karon also offers an exciting range of restaurants, hotels and a meek nightlife to enjoy. Again, Karon Beach is a right place whether you are looking for somewhere peaceful with the little bit of exhilaration.

A few minutes away from Karon Beach is the more tamed waters of Kata Bay compared to Karon and Patong whose waves are bigger (at least during the time I was there). Kata Beach also boasts off a stretch of off-white sand and clear waters that are ideal for skim and surfing beginners. This beach maybe smaller than both Patong and Karon, but its palm-dotted shore and non-boisterous nightlife makes it perfect for family and friends who likes a quiet stay at the beach.

Finally, there is Rawai Beach. According to a person I talked to, it is considered to be Phuket’s first tourist beach. This casuarina-fringed beach would welcome visitors with the many docked long-tail boats as it serves as a launching point for day boat trips out to Phuket’s surrounding islands. Furthermore, the area is also used as a berth point for fishermen who live in the area. The area is also where one can find Phuket’s most photographed location – Promthep Cape. Located at the southernmost part of Phuket, atop the hill stands a park and a viewing deck can be found. It is said to be the best vantage point to marvel at the sunset. (Too bad, I was there in a broad day light).

The sand, the sea, and the sun… elements that inevitably makes the beach a well-loved place… it surely is a place of healing where the salt cleanses the weary soul and the sun hugs us in its warmth. So don’t be a wasted soul, be “juan”derlust. Take it easy ebri’juan’…

Hi fellow travelers! If you happen to be in Phuket for some really fun-filled island hopping activities, and you want to be assisted with your tour, check out TAKE ME TOUR and their various itineraries. Check on the link! And mind you, they also have other organized tours all over Thailand!