Patong, Phuket’s main coastal resort town, is home to the island’s gay nightlife and beach. Patong has a huge choice of hotels & resorts. Many are gay, gay-owned or target the gay market.
The area of Patong not only is famous for its vibrant gay life but also for its exclusive gay beach section in the middle of Patong Beach!, just in front of La Flora hotel. The sun lounges have unfortunately gone but beach umbrellas can be hired for 100BHT or you can buy your own for about 250BHT from the local market stalls.
If you’re feeling active the parasailing and jet-ski operators are still working the beach. You can buy food and drinks at the back of the beach or from the sellers with their ice cold fresh pineapple, mango, drinks and snacks. It is also a great place to hire a long tail boat to go to Freedom Beach for the day but make sure you organise a pick up at the end of the day or it could be a longer visit than you anticipated.
With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Phuket offers every kind of atmosphere whether youʼre looking to find a beach to relax on or socialize with other tourists. Patong and Karon Beach are going to be the busier beaches, located near plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops. Patong Beach, Nai Harn, and Laem Sing are more popular among LGBT visitors. Surin Beach has a popular beach club for a sunset drink. If youʼre looking to relax, head out to Kamala Beach where you will find this to be relaxing even in the high season.
The “unofficial” gay beach is in front of La Flora Resort Patong
You can rent a sun lounge and umbrella. The beach is busy all day long.
This is the busiest beach and resort town on Phuket island, home of both straight and gay nightlife. Phuket has no official gay beach. Many gay tourists spend the day at the beaches of their own resorts spread out across the island and only visit Patong in the evening.
Patong being the capital of Gay Phuket offers the gayest unofficial beach around. Patong beach is 3.5km long with the gayest section of the beach is front of La Flora Resort Patong, naturally this resort is close to Paradise Complex the gay nightclub area. Just under the trees, behind the beach there is a stall that rents out umbrellas and sells cold drinks. Most evenings, around 5pm the volleyball net goes up. Everyone is welcome to take part.
Kata Beach is another favourite spot for sunbathers. The beach is 10 kilometres south of Patong Beach (about 2o minutes by taxi) just beyond Karon Beach. The white sandy Kata Beach has clear waters and a great selection of shops and restaurants along the road that runs behind this palm tree-lined beach.
The beach is divided by a headland into two sections, Kata Yai and the smaller Kata Noi. Kata Noi, to the south of the headland, is usually the quietest of the two sections. Kata Noi is bordered to the north by the Mom Tri’s Villa Royale Hotel.
Much of the area behind the beach is occupied by Katathani Phuket Beach Resort.
Check out the Hotels in Kata Beach!
A long 5km (3 miles) beach of fine white sand. The beach has a good range of accommodation, ranging from budget guesthouse to luxury hotels and resorts. Karon beach is only 3 km from Patong beach.
Check out the Hotels in Karon Beach!
Huge, peaceful and beautiful. Bangtoa beach is perfect for those seeking to get away from the it all and escape with a good book. What makes it so peaceful is the fact that there is so little to do.
However Bangtoa is far from Patong beach, around 40 mins driving. This stunning 5km long soft sandy, tree fringed beach runs past the extensive Laguna complex, home to several luxury resorts including the Dusit Thani Laguna and Banyan Tree Phuket. At the far north end of the beach is the ultra-exclusive DREAM Beach club.
Check out the Hotels in Bang Tao Beach!
Located about 15 km north of Patong, Surin is sometimes called ‘millionaire’s row’ due the nearby fabulous luxury hotels Twinpalms and The Surin, upscale restaurants, shops, wine bars and beach clubs.
The beach itself has clear water and beautiful white sand, and is lined with tall trees. Just north of Surin is Pansea Bay, a scenic enclave occupied by luxury resorts.
Check out the Hotels in Surin Beach!
Laem Sing is regarded as one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches. Located north of Patong between Kamala and Surin beaches, this cape and its 150-metre beach is nestled in a hidden bay fringed with palm trees and lush green surroundings.
Check out the Hotels in Laem Sing Beach!
Kamala Beach is located just 5 miles north of Patong, but it is much quieter. The beach is popular with longer-term visitors staying in small resorts, villas and apartments around the village.
There is a great choice of cheap restaurants, bars and market stalls on the main Kamala Road. The southern end of the beach can get busy during the high season, but the northern part is usually peaceful all year round.
Check out the Hotels in Kamala Beach!
Kamala Beach is located just 5 miles north of Patong, but it is much quieter. The beach is popular with longer-term visitors staying in small resorts, villas and apartments around the village.
There is a great choice of cheap restaurants, bars and market stalls on the main Kamala Road. The southern end of the beach can get busy during the high season, but the northern part is usually peaceful all year round.
Check out the Hotels in Nai Han Beach!
After Nai Han Beach comes Yanui Beach. This beautiful little cove has gorgeous soft sand and is great for snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. The northern part of the beach is good for swimming (the southern end is a bit rocky).
There are a couple of restaurants and plenty of vendors selling all kinds of goods. Just offshore (about 200 metres), there is an uninhabited island called Koh Mun which is great for snorkeling.
Book your own villa on Yanui Beach!
The popular gay bars and nightclubs in Phuket are located in the area surrounding the Exit Road of the Paradise Complex in Patong Town. Clubs get busy from 11pm. The hotels we have recommended are within a short walking distance of the bars and beaches.
Diamond Cliff Resort and Spa is set within 20 acres of gardens above Patong. Overlooking the Andaman and Kalim Beach, it offers 3 restaurants, 3 bars and 2 pools
Bangla, Lub d Phuket Patong offers both private and dormitory-style rooms with air conditioning. The stylish hostel features its own outdoor pool, free WiFi in all areas
Featuring private balconies, rooms at R-Mar Resort and Spa come with a 32-inch flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. A fridge and tea/coffee making facilities, Free WiFi is available
The air-conditioned rooms come with cable TV and a fan. A refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities are also provided. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower.
