Mai Khao Beach is Phuket’s longest beach, roughly 10 to 11 km of wild, west-facing sand at the island’s northern tip, running north from the airport. It has no beach clubs or vendors, a few luxury resorts, occasional leatherback turtle nests, and planes landing low over its southern end.
Drive north past the airport and the last souvenir shops, and the island shows itself in its original form. Mai Khao is not for everyone: there are no jet skis and no one walking the sand selling drinks. What it offers is increasingly rare on Phuket: genuine coastal wilderness.
At a Glance
- Where: Northern tip of Phuket, from the airport northwards; about 3.5 km off the main road
- Beach: Roughly 10 to 11 km of coarse sand facing west onto the Andaman Sea
- Swimming: Possible in calm dry-season weather; very strong currents and a steep beach in the monsoon
- Wildlife: A few leatherback turtle nests (November to February); an annual turtle release in April
- Best for: Long walks, sunsets, plane spotting, quiet resort stays
In This Guide
- Mai Khao Beach in Brief
- Sea Turtles at Mai Khao
- Swimming and Surf
- What to Do at Mai Khao
- The Luxury Enclave
- Getting to Mai Khao
- Best Time to Visit
- Tips for Visiting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Mai Khao Beach in Brief
Mai Khao runs along the whole northern tip of Phuket, from just north of the airport to the top of the island. It faces west onto the open Andaman Sea with no reef to break the swell, so it is rougher than most of Phuket’s beaches for much of the year. The sand is coarser than on the west-coast bays, and wind-sculpted casuarinas and driftwood give it a wild character.
None of this is a flaw. It is exactly what people who find Patong exhausting are looking for: natural, peaceful and long enough to walk for an hour without seeing another person. Phuket Province also notes the cicadas (jakkajan) that sing in the trees behind the beach.
Sea Turtles at Mai Khao
Mai Khao is one of the last places on Phuket where sea turtles still nest, though far fewer than before: Phuket Province says a large number once laid eggs here and only a few do now. Leatherback turtles come ashore between November and February; a leatherback nest found at Mai Khao in early 2024 was the island’s first of that season. Nests are marked and protected, and disturbing them is illegal.
The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, launched in 2002 by the JW Marriott Phuket and Minor Hotel Group, protects nests, incubates eggs and releases hatchlings. Its annual public turtle release at the JW Marriott reached its 16th edition in April 2025, one of the most memorable things to see in Phuket.
Swimming and Surf
Mai Khao is not a reliably safe swimming beach. According to Phuket Province, it is suitable for swimming, but not in the monsoon season because of very strong currents and a steep beach. With no reef protection, waves are bigger and less predictable than in Phuket’s sheltered bays, so assess conditions on arrival and never swim alone.
Bodyboarders and surfers come when a swell arrives. For easy swimming in most conditions, Nai Yang Beach, just to the south, is safer and better equipped.
What to Do at Mai Khao
The main activity is walking: roughly 10 km of open, almost empty beach, which is genuinely scarce in Phuket. The beach faces west, so late afternoon and sunset are the best times, when the light turns gold over the Andaman Sea.
At the southern end, beside the airport runway, planes on their final approach pass low over the sand, a favourite spot for plane spotters and photographers. Further north, the lagoons and mangroves behind the beach are good for birdwatching, and a small fishing community keeps boats and nets on the shore.
The Luxury Enclave
Counterintuitively, Mai Khao is home to some of Phuket’s best-known luxury resorts, including the JW Marriott Phuket, SALA Phuket and Anantara’s Mai Khao villas, with vast pools, restaurants and spas behind an almost undeveloped beach, a combination some guests find perfect.
The trade-off is distance from the island’s restaurants, nightlife and other beaches. This is where we at Silqhaus come into the picture: Silqhaus, a Phuket and Pattaya holiday-rental company, has apartments in Bang Tao, about 30 minutes south, for a base with more on the doorstep. Booking direct is always at least 10% below Airbnb and Booking.com for the same home and dates.
Getting to Mai Khao
From Phuket Town, follow Thepkasatri Road north and turn left towards Phuket International Airport; several small roads lead to the beach, about 3.5 km from the main road, according to Phuket Province. From the airport it is a short drive, and metered airport taxis start at 150 THB for the first 2 km plus a 100 THB airport fee (as of September 2026). From Phuket Town, allow 45 to 50 minutes.
There is no reliable public transport, so a car or scooter is the practical option without resort transfers. The road through this part of the island is quiet and easy to drive.
Best Time to Visit
November to February is the best window: dry weather, comfortable walking and the chance of turtle nesting. March and April stay good but get more humid, and the annual turtle release usually happens in April. See the best time to visit Phuket for every month.
From May to October the monsoon brings rough seas and strong currents, and a raw, dramatic version of Mai Khao that suits walkers and photographers. For more ideas, see our travel guides.
Tips for Visiting
A few things to know before you go:
- Keep away from turtle nests. They are marked and protected by law.
- Bring everything you need. Outside the resorts there are no shops or restaurants on the sand.
- Do not swim alone, and stay out of the water in the monsoon.
- Stay for sunset. The beach faces west over the open sea.
- Check flight times if you want to watch planes land at the southern end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Mai Khao Beach?
Sometimes. Phuket Province calls Mai Khao Beach suitable for swimming outside the monsoon, but warns of very strong currents and a steep beach from May to October. Nai Yang, just south, is safer.
Are there turtles at Mai Khao Beach?
A few leatherback turtles still nest between November and February, far fewer than in the past. The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation holds a public turtle release each April.
Where can you watch planes land at Mai Khao?
At the southern end of Mai Khao Beach, beside the airport runway, where planes pass low over the sand on approach.
How long is Mai Khao Beach?
Roughly 10 to 11 km, which makes it the longest beach on Phuket.
