Mai Khao Beach
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Phuket's longest beach, with about 11 km of undeveloped coastline. Its southern end borders the airport runway, where planes fly low overhead.
Mai Khao Beach lies at the far north of Phuket inside Sirinat National Park. About 11 km long, it is the island's longest and least developed beach. Behind the sand are casuarina trees, and in winter sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs. The southern end is close to the runway threshold of Phuket International Airport, where planes pass low overhead as they come in to land. Small bars along the beach are popular plane-spotting spots, and you can check flight schedules before going. A few high-end resorts line the northern section, while the rest sees very few people. The slope is steep and the waves are big, and rip currents in the rainy season are dangerous, so swimming is not recommended. It is about 5–10 minutes from the airport by car, convenient for stops on arrival or departure.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Nai Yang Beach
- Bang Tao Beach
- Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary & Bang Pae Waterfall
- Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
- Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
- Surin Beach
- Heroines Monument
- Carnival Magic Phuket