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Mai Khao Beach Everything You Need to Know

Mai Khao Beach: Everything You Need to Know

| Last Updated: March 2024

Mai Khao is Phuket’s longest beach, with a long coastline that’ll put the best beaches on the island to shame. 

But that’s not the only special thing about it – it’s also the go-to place for plane-watching! If you’ve seen photos of airplanes flying close to peoples’ heads while they’re on a beach, chances are, they’re on Mai Khao!

So, where should you start if you want to visit this unique beach? Well, we’ve got you covered. Our detailed travel guide will take you through the ins and outs of exploring Mai Khao Beach and its attractions, so you’re well-prepared for your trip!

Things to Know

Time Zone: Indochina Time (UTC/GMT+7)

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66), (076)

Location: Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Nearest Airport: Phuket International Airport (9.8 km)

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 76 328 226

Admission Fee: 200 baht (via Sirinat National Park)

Mai Khao Beach in a Nutshell

Mai Khao Beach is the longest beach in Phuket with a shoreline that stretches 11 kilometers. It’s also dubbed Airport Beach or Sa Nam Bin Beach as it’s very near Phuket International Airport.

You might expect Mai Khao to be crowded, but it’s actually one of the quietest beaches on the island because it’s part of a protected area, the Sirinat National Park.

Best Time to Visit Mai Khao Beach

It’s best to visit Mai Khao Beach anytime between January and March because you’ll experience perfect weather conditions for beach activities in Phuket.

Otherwise, you can visit during the rainy season if your goal is to catch surfing waves in Mai Khao Beach. Just avoid days with reported thunderstorms and heavy rains because the waves and ocean currents can become dangerous, especially newbies.

How to Get to Mai Khao Beach

Plane: The southern portion of Mai Khao Beach is only 500 meters from the runway of Phuket International Airport so traveling by plane is the fastest way to get here. But there’s no path from the runway to the beach, so you still need to travel 9.8 kilometers. 

Within the airport grounds, you’ll find metered taxis that can take you straight to Mai Khao Beach. The asking price for taxis should not exceed 350 baht, but it’s a lot less if the driver turns on the meter which they usually don’t do with foreigners for more cash.

Pro Tip: 

Walk to the taxi stands at the right of the airport’s terminal building if you want to find taxis that charge reasonable fare prices. The ones you first see upon arriving at the airport typically charge absurd prices.

Taxi: If your starting point is Phang-nga or anywhere that isn’t the airport in Phuket, the best option to get to Mai Khao Beach is via a taxi. Taxis are everywhere, so it’s easy to catch a ride from the streets.

It’s advisable to negotiate the fare price before boarding a taxi from the street if you want to get a fair deal.

Otherwise, you can book a taxi using an app like Grab, so only need to pay the fixed price for the booked ride and avoid the tedious negotiation.

Rental Car or Motorbike: Rental vehicles are available at the airport and anywhere in Phuket, so it’s a solid option if you’re already familiar with the island. Take note that rental companies will ask for a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP).

You must exit the airport to Highway 402 and head north until you reach the next left turn at Rural Road 3033. From this rural road, turn left at Mai Kha Road, make a right turn to Soi Mai Khao 4, and keep going until you finally reach the beach area.

If you’re starting from Phuket Town or anywhere in the island’s southern portion, you need to follow the same route via Highway 402.

What to See and Do in Mai Khao Beach

Enjoy a long walk

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The 11-kilometer Mai Khao Beach is the longest coastline in Phuket, so it’s the perfect place to go for long beach walks. It’s a great activity to do here since the beach’s length guarantees that you’ll see numerous fun attractions along the way.

Think luxury resorts, small beach bars, seaside restaurants, theme parks, massage centers, shops, and more. That makes it ideal if you don’t have a particular plan since you can do random interesting things as you go.

Go for a swim near 

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Going to Mai Khao Beach gives you a good chance to find a solid swimming spot due to the long stretch of shoreline it covers. 

However, not all parts of the beach are good for swimming. There’s usually a red water marker that will warn you about danger zones.

But if you explore the beach area from Sirinat National Park to Sarasin Bridge, you’ll most likely find a spot or two with the ideal water conditions for swimming.

Get a nice tan 

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If your goal is to get a nice tan, this is the beach to go. Mai Khao Beach has plenty of soft white sands where you can set up your beach blanket. 

There are also plenty of beach resorts along the shoreline that offer sun loungers to guests and visitors. For a unique and relaxing tanning experience, you can even go for a hammock. 

The southern portion of Mai Khao Beach in Sirinat National Park has trees on the shores where you can attach a comfy hammock to catch the sunlight.

Watch landing planes at the Mai Khao Beach Airport Viewpoint

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Mai Khao Beach is a well-known plane spotting destination since it’s near the runway of Phuket International Airport. That’s why it attracts a mixed crowd of tourists who want to watch and take photos of planes flying by.

If you love planes and the beach, this Airport Viewpoint is a must-see. The fun photos and videos you take as the planes are about to land at the airport will definitely make your visit here more memorable.

As this is a plane spotting hotspot, plenty of people will gather at the end of the runway to grab a photo. The best part is since the beach is a public beach, there’s absolutely no fee to watch and picture planes go up just watch your step.  

Witness Mai Khao Beach’s stunning sunset

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Though most tourists come to watch the landing planes, Mai Khao Beach’s sunset is a stunning sight that’s worth a look. The beach’s length gives you a panoramic view of the moment the sun kisses the sea!

The best thing is you can photograph the planes with the beautiful sunset as your backdrop to capture a one-of-a-kind scene. 

Otherwise, a refreshing drink from the bars along Mai Khao Beach is a solid option to level up your sunset viewing experience.

Catch the waves

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Mai Khao Beach isn’t Bali, but the waves that break at its sandbank are great if you’re looking for a decent surfing spot near the airport. The waves here often don’t exceed 1 meter so it’s perfect if you’re still practicing and want to avoid judgmental looks.

The only issue is you won’t find nearby services that offer surfing lessons which means you also need to bring a surfboard.

Get a relaxing spa experience

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This beach is the perfect place for tourists who enjoy luxurious spa treatments. Since there are numerous luxury resorts will full-service spas on this beach, you have plenty of options.

The notable spas in Mai Khao Beach include Sala Phuket, Anantara Mai Khao, JW Marriott Phuket, and Renaissance Phuket. If you’re staying at any of these resorts, just pick the spa in your hotel and you should be good to go.

Explore Sirinat National Park

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The Sirinat National Park in the southern portion of Mai Khao Beach is perfect for nature lovers. Going here gives you the best chance to observe Phuket’s local fauna and flora.

In fact, this park is a well-known bird-watching site since it has approximately 130 recorded bird species. This park also has a mangrove forest where you can spot numerous fish and reptile species like turtles, monitor lizards, groupers, and more.

Check out the gorgeous Sarasin Bridge

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The gorgeous Sarasin Bridge is a must-see attraction that’s visible from the northern tip of Mai Khao Beach. Aside from connecting Phuket to Phang-nga, this structure is a fine subject for photos while you’re exploring the beach.

Plus, it’s only a kilometer away so it’s easy to reach if you want to get a closer look.

Where to Stay in Mai Khao Beach

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

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Address: 231 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 338 000

Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktjw-jw-marriott-phuket-resort-and-spa/overview/

Costs: ฿฿฿

JW Marriott Phuket is a top-tier luxury resort in Mai Khao Beach. It’s a great place if want the most comfortable and sophisticated accommodation during your vacation.

This is a 5-star hotel, so expect to get top-of-the-line services and amenities during your stay. Of course, that also means you have to pay premium prices but it’s a solid option if you got the money to burn.

Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa

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Address: 555, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 363 999

Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktbr-renaissance-phuket-resort-and-spa/overview/

Costs: ฿฿

This place is great if you want a high-quality alternative for almost half the price of the more luxurious accommodations in Mai Khao Beach. Plus, it’s still a 5-star hotel so you’re not compromising on the quality of services and amenities.

The best rooms in Renaissance Phuket are just not on the same level as the ones in its sister resort JW Marriott Phuket. But this makes this a favorable option if you prefer a more relaxed hideaway in Mai Khao Beach.

SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort

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Address: 333, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 338 888

Website: https://www.salahospitality.com/phuket/

Costs: ฿฿

SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is a nice luxury resort that’s touted for its excellent spa center. Stay here if getting a good spa treatment is your top priority during your vacation.

This resort is also popular for its private pool villas, and we think it’s worth considering if that’s your cup of tea.

Coriacea Boutique Resort

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Address: Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 76 206 748

Website: http://www.coriacearesort.com/

Costs: ฿

If you want affordable accommodation in Mai Khao Beach, there’s Coriacea Boutique Resort. It’s also a pet-friendly hotel which makes it the best option if you’re traveling with a fur baby.

This underrated place doesn’t get as many visitors as the more popular resorts in the area, so you’ll appreciate it if you enjoy privacy and peaceful moments.

Where to Eat in Mai Khao Beach

Parichart Restaurant

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Address: 82/7 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 63 637 5797

Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Parichart-Restaurant-100063855318960/

Costs: ฿฿

This local eatery in Mai Khao Beach is the perfect spot to get fresh seafood and affordable meals. Parichart Restaurant’s menu is diverse, so you have plenty of options.

They serve all the classic Thai food you’d expect from a local eatery: pad Thai, tom yum goong, papaya salad, mango sticky rice, steamed fish, fried rice, curry, and more.

Yum Yum on the Beach

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Address: 126 5, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 81 892 5155

Website: https://www.facebook.com/YummyseafoodMaikhao/

Costs: ฿฿

The food this place serves is a great value for your money, so it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s a Thai restaurant which makes it a good spot to try local dishes.

Plus, the restaurant’s charming interior and relaxed vibes make it ideal for casual meals during your Mai Khao Beach exploration.

Takieng

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Address: Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa 555, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 76 363 999

Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktbr-renaissance-phuket-resort-and-spa/dining/

Costs: ฿฿฿

For the sophisticated, Takieng is the best Thai restaurant when it comes to service and atmosphere. It’s at Renaissance Resort, so expect a nice ambiance when dining here.

Sure, the prices here are higher than local food places, but the quality of their food and service makes the experience worth every penny.

Sunset Restaurant

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Address: Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 83 174 2035

Website: https://website–151991005076004060666-restaurant.business.site/

Costs: ฿฿

If you love seafood, you’ll appreciate the food at Sunset Restaurant. This seaside alfresco restaurant is a great place for fresh seafood dishes like tom yum goong, grilled shrimp, crab curry, and steamed sea bass.

Aside from seafood, their menu has chicken and beef massaman curry, pad Thai, spring rolls, and Hokkien-style noodles for variety.

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