11 Best Beaches in Phuket for Snorkelling in 2024

If you enjoy snorkelling, Ya Nui Beach is a must visit in Phuket. It is located in the South of Phuket and close to the popular Nai Harn Beach. This beautiful beach takes the form of a cove, with white sand and crystal clear waters - the perfect snorkelling conditions.

Ao Sane is one of the few beaches in Phuket that remains an almost “hidden gem”, due to the extra effort required to get there. However, as one of the best beaches in Phuket for snorkelling it is certainly worth it. Although very visible from Nai Harn Beach you have to drive through The Nai Harn Resort to access the beach itself.

Despite being quite a long and beautiful beach on mainland Phuket, this beach is often much quieter than other beaches on the island due to the many windy roads you have to conquer before you arrive at it - however, the trip is worth it, particularly if you are in search of a tranquil snorkelling spot. The crystal clear waters of Nai Thon beach make it the perfect snorkelling location and you can snorkel at either end of the beach. When snorkelling around the granite boulders keep an eye out for: trumpet fish, crocodile needlefish, parrot fish and many others amongst the breathtaking marine life.

Kata Noi is the smallest of the beaches in Kata, located just South of the popular Kata beach. The beach is only approximately 1km long but is easily one of Phuket’s favourite beaches. There is a stunning reef to be admired at the south end of the beach amongst the rocks. It is possible to spot stingrays in the sand here so keep your eyes peeled.

Accessible by going through the stunning Le Meridien Resort is the equally stunning Karon Noi Beach. Despite appearing as if it is a private beach - it is not, it just requires some extra effort to get to but it is certainly worth it. This picturesque beach is a dream for snorkelling enthusiasts and this quiet cove is the perfect location for a relaxing day out while visiting Phuket. You can also make the most of these stunning surroundings by renting a paddle-board or kayak from the hotel itself.

Coral Island is a small, beautiful and tranquil island accessible by a short speedboat ride from Phuket mainland. The colour of the water around Coral Island is crystal clear and a fantastic shade of turquoise, so mesmerising that you will not be able to take your eyes off of it. This really is one of the best beaches in Phuket to snorkel in 2023, scuba dive or even spend a day relaxing in the sun.

As a guest at Club Med Phuket, we do not only assist with your in-house activity bookings, but can also offer a helping hand in booking additional excursions for you and your family to enjoy outside of the resort. A day trip snorkelling around the Phi Phi Islands is highly recommended. Spend your time island hopping while taking in the breath-taking surroundings - from turquoise blue waters to beautiful limestone cliffs, topped off with the array of marine life to be spotted below the surface - this is a trip not to be missed. It’ll be no surprise to you that Phi Phi islands are some of the best snorkelling locations near Phuket.

Located just south of Patong beach, is the still relatively well kept secret that is Merlin beach. This beach is host to an impressive JW Marriott Resort which is why many people exploring Phuket would remain unaware of it. A small dirt road runs along the side of the hotel which leads you to the beach itself.

In comparison to Patong Beach, Freedom Beach is a much quieter and a more tranquil alternative and it is also one of the best beaches in Phuket for snorkelling. What’s not to love? This beach does require some extra effort to get to. You can only access freedom beach via a long tail boat or a short but steep hike down to it. You won’t regret a visit to Freedom Beach though.

Paradise beach is a small bay easily accessible by car or by a longtail boat from Patong beach. Although this is the busier of the many beaches mentioned in this article, it is still worth a visit if you enjoy snorkelling. However, there is a 100THB fee to enter the beach which does entitle you to a sun lounger and an umbrella. There are shallow reefs just waiting to be explored at both the front of the beach and along the rocks. High tide is suggested to be the best time to go here for snorkelling.

Despite attracting many surfers during the South West monsoon season, from May - October, the sea is much calmer in high tide and ideal for both swimming and snorkelling. This is another relatively small and quiet beach during most days.