Not the most popular Surin Beach in Phuket, nevertheless, is always full of tourists. The number of visitors is significantly lower than on Nai Harn or Kata, where party lovers and fun-seekers gather. However, every year, this stretch of coast is gaining more popularity, and with it, the tourist infrastructure is improving and developing.
In descriptions of the beach, it is often mentioned that Surin is located between Bang Tao and Kamala. Practically, this is not the case. On the Kamala side, Surin's nearest neighbor is Laem Singh Beach (which can only be reached from the sea). On the Bang Tao side, the shoreline is adjacent to the private Pansea Surin Beach, where a hotel is located. Access is either through the hotel (which does not allow outsiders) or by climbing over rocks from Surin Beach. But who would want to climb rocks?
The shoreline stretches for one kilometer and is bounded by rocks. The sand is fine, yellow, and pleasantly glistens in the sun, unspoiled by natural debris. Twigs and dried leaves are regularly cleared by diligent cleaners who rake the sand every morning.
The wide shoreline is lined with palm and casuarina trees. These trees provide little natural shade; you can find relief from the bright sun until about 11 AM, but after lunch, you will need to use an umbrella or rent sun loungers with shades.
The sea entry is gentle, with a sandy shore transitioning smoothly into a sandy bottom, making swimming very pleasant. You can quickly reach deeper waters or relax in the shallows, enjoying a light wave massage. There can be waves in the winter, but during the high season, they are very soft and pleasant. In the low season, the sea becomes dangerous, with strong winds creating high waves that mostly attract surfers.
Sun loungers and umbrellas on Surin Beach appear and disappear unpredictably. In the high season, the chances of a resort zone being set up increase. Sometimes, inflatable chairs, loungers, and bean bags appear for rent or purchase.
Recently, Surin Beach has started offering beach chairs under umbrellas instead of traditional sun loungers. This is a great option for those who prefer to sit comfortably in the shade while enjoying the beach.
The area around Surin Beach has the basic infrastructure needed by tourists. Along the beach, there are cafes and restaurants with terraces offering stunning sea views. Expensive establishments are mostly located on the northern side, while in the southern part, street vendors sell goods. The street food selection is typical for Phuket – fruits, shakes, rice dishes, flatbreads, and a small selection of alcoholic beverages.
Everything sold in the stalls allows for a relatively inexpensive snack, but for a tasty meal, it is better to go to restaurants.
Near the beach, there are small shops selling souvenirs and beach accessories. So if you forgot something at home, don’t worry – you can buy it here.
There are no public restrooms, but cafes offer them for a small fee. On the beach, there are a few makeshift showers with fresh water in barrels, where visitors can rinse off. This is one area where improvements could be made.
Traditional Thai massage services can be found everywhere, and Surin Beach is no exception. Under the shade of umbrellas, massage beds are set up where, for a small fee, professionals will relax the muscles of tourists tired from sunbathing.
On the way to the shoreline, you can visit one of the local attractions. Just before reaching the beach, there is a Buddhist temple. In the northern part, there is a small park with a simple children's playground.
One of the park's attractions is a large tree decorated with colorful lanterns. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary tree, but visit it in the evening – it lights up with bright colors and looks mesmerizing.
Near the temple, a large stadium is being built, which will likely make the already popular beach even more crowded once it opens, especially if it regularly hosts major sporting events.
Fortunately for those who enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, Surin Beach is not rich in beach entertainment. There are no jet skis or banana boat rides to disrupt tourists napping under umbrellas. Occasionally, you may see snorkelers, but what they are looking at in these waters without reefs or rocks remains a mystery.
The choice of places to stay is limited. There are a few expensive hotels, but even they are mostly located 200 meters from the beach. The only hotel on the front line is "The Surin Phuket," but it occupies the beach area in Pansea Bay, which is separated from Surin Beach by a rocky cape.
The "Surin Beach Resort" has a good location. It is built on a hill in the southern part of the beach, offering an ideal view of the Andaman Sea from its panoramic pool. A staircase leads from the hotel to the beach.
The rest of the hotels, villas, and guesthouses are farther from the shoreline. Prices vary depending on the level of service and the range of amenities provided to guests during their stay.
It is best to book rooms in advance because this once-quiet area is rapidly filling up with travelers. Previously, mainly elderly European tourists and locals visited on weekends. Recently, Russian speech has been heard more often along the coast, and there is less free space for comfortable relaxation near the water's edge on the soft sand.
