Lifeguards on duty
Lifeguards patrol Surin; swim within sight of their stations, especially with children.
Surin Beach
Choeng Thale · west coast
A short bay of soft, pale sand between Bang Tao and Kamala, with turquoise water in the dry season and tree shade. Since May 2025 there are no vendors or sunbeds.
Also written Hat Surin, Surin Beach Phuket, Ao Surin · สุรินทร์ · Сурин
Surin Beach in photographs
Umbrellas and sunbeds at the north end. Rocks and clear water at the south end. A swing under a palm on the beach.
- Sand
- Soft, pale sand
- Water
- Turquoise water, December to April
- Shade
- Shade under casuarinas and palms
- Quiet
- No vendors or sunbeds since 2025
- Parking
- Large car park by the beach
About Surin Beach
Surin is a short bay of soft, pale sand on Phuket's west coast, between Bang Tao to the north and Kamala to the south, framed by rocky headlands. From December to April the water turns a deep turquoise, and a line of casuarina and coconut trees along the back of the beach gives shade from end to end.
Surin was once the heart of Phuket's beach-club scene, with beach clubs and restaurants along almost the whole shore. They were cleared in 2016; small food vendors, chairs and umbrellas crept back over the following years, and in May 2025 they were removed again. Today the beach has no vendors, sunbeds or massage mats, and only Tukta, a restaurant built into the rocks at the south end, still serves food by the sea.
It has become a morning and early-afternoon beach: arrive, swim, sit under the trees and eat afterwards at Tukta or at one of the restaurants on the road behind. From May to October the waves are big, and lifeguards often close the water.
Surin Beach, north to south
The north end, towards Pansea
The rocky northern headland separates Surin from Pansea, whose sand belongs in practice to two luxury resorts. The shore here is narrower and closer to the rocks.
Good
- Fewer people.
- Rocks for a look at fish on calm days.
Less good
- Close to the rocks; better on flat days.
Confident swimmers on calm dry-season days, and walkers.
The middle, by the car park
The main stretch of sand, with the large car park, toilets and showers along the road behind and the lifeguard stations on the beach.
Good
- Parking, toilets and showers a few steps away.
- Shade under the trees.
- Lifeguards close by.
Less good
- Busiest part of the beach at weekends.
Families and anyone who wants the easiest, best-supervised swimming.
The south end: Tukta on the rocks
The beach ends below a headland where Tukta, the last restaurant by the sea, is built into the rocks over several floors.
Good
- The only food by the sea.
- Views over the bay from Tukta's upper floors.
Less good
- Rocks and breaking waves below the restaurant.
Lunch or a sunset drink with a view.
Things to do at Surin Beach
Sand, palms and the turquoise sea. Palms on the sand by the water. Shade trees along the sand.
Swimming · dry season
Swim in turquoise water
From December to April the bay is calm and clear with a gradual entry. Swim between the lifeguards' flags.
On the sand
A shady morning under the trees
Bring a towel or mat: the casuarinas and palms give shade along the whole beach, and no one will try to rent you a chair.
Food and drink
Lunch at Tukta
The last restaurant by the sea, built into the rocks at the south end: Thai food and grilled fish at fair prices, with the best views upstairs.
Food and drink
Sourdough tasting menu
The Smokaccia Laboratory, by the road in Surin, serves an 18-course menu built on sourdough, with a zero-waste approach; Michelin-listed. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Food and drink
A steak night
Wagyu Steakhouse, part of the Twinpalms resort, dry-ages beef for up to 45 days and cooks it in a charcoal oven; Michelin-listed.
Snorkelling and diving · dry season
Snorkel near the rocks
On flat dry-season days the rocks at the ends of the bay are worth a look with a mask; keep well away from them when there are waves.
Shopping
Shops on the road
A few shops sit near the beach: spa oils and essences at Lemongrass, homeware and paintings at The Plaza, and Ginger's clothing from Chiang Mai.
On the sand · monsoon months
Watch the monsoon surf
From May to October the bay fills with big waves; a walk along the shore under the trees is the way to enjoy it.
A day at Surin Beach
The car park is easy in the morning. Walk the length of the beach under the trees while the sand is cool.
In the dry season the water is at its calmest and clearest in the morning; swim near the lifeguards in the middle of the bay.
Tukta, built into the rocks at the south end, serves honest Thai food and grilled fish; climb the hidden stairs to the upper floors for the view. Tukta Food & Drink
With no chairs on the sand, the hottest hours are for a long lunch, a nap in the shade or the shops on the road behind the beach.
Back at Tukta, or on the rocks nearby, for the sun setting over the Andaman. Tukta Food & Drink
For a special dinner, Wagyu Steakhouse on the main road serves dry-aged beef from a charcoal oven. Wagyu Steakhouse
Our Surin Beach score
4.6out of 5
A morning of swimming in clear high-season water and shade under the trees.
Soft, pale sand, deep turquoise water from December to April and shade from casuarinas and palms along the whole beach, with lifeguards on duty. Since May 2025 it has no vendors or sunbeds, which leaves it natural but bare, and the sea is rough in the monsoon.
The character of the beach
A profile, not a mark: where Surin Beach sits on four scales, and what it is known for.
- Lively
- For children
- Surf
- Snorkelling
Lifeguards on duty · Soft pale sand
What is good about Surin Beach
Some of the island's clearest water
In the dry season the bay turns a deep turquoise and the water is clear enough to see your feet well out from the shore.
Shade all the way along
Casuarina and coconut trees line the back of the sand, so you can sit in the shade anywhere without renting anything.
A beach returned to nature
Since the 2025 clearance there are no chairs, vendors or massage mats, and the beach looks as natural as it has in years.
Toilets, showers and parking
A large car park sits along the road behind the beach, with toilets and showers that visitors describe as free.
Sunset over the bay
The beach faces west; the rocks and upper floors of Tukta at the south end make a good spot to watch the sun go down.
Before you swim at Surin Beach
Swim between the flags
Lifeguards sometimes mark a swimming zone with red-and-yellow flags; swim inside it, and stay on the sand when the flag says no swimming.
Big waves May to October
The west-facing bay takes the full monsoon swell; the dry season is the time for swimming.
Rocks at both ends
Headlands close the bay at both ends; swim in the middle of the bay, away from the rocks.
Bring water
There is nothing to buy on the sand now. Carry water and sunscreen, and stay in the tree shade at midday.
Beach clubs, bars and restaurants on Surin Beach
1 place open on the sand in September 2026, walked south to north, then the road behind the beach and a few minutes inland. A price level is what one visit typically costs a person.
The middle, by the car park
The Smokaccia Laboratory
Restaurant · the road behind · Monday and Thursday–Sunday 12:00–15:00 and 18:00–21:00; closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Chef Luca Mascolo's tasting-menu restaurant on Srisoonthorn Road in Surin, listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Wagyu Steakhouse
Restaurant · the road behind · 17:30–00:00 on Wednesday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
The steakhouse of the Twinpalms resort in Surin, on the road towards Bang Tao, listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
The south end: Tukta on the rocks
Tukta Food & Drink
Restaurant · on the sand · 10:30–21:00 on Wednesday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
A Thai restaurant on the rocks at the southern tip of Surin Beach: the only sit-down restaurant on that stretch since the beach was cleared in 2014–2016.
A few minutes inland
Boat to Laem Sing (Surin south end)
Transport · Daytime, weather permitting
The small local boat that shuttles visitors from the south end of Surin Beach to Laem Sing in a few minutes: 100 THB a person one way with a free return, or about 400 THB for the whole boat. Runs in good weather.
FAVE Café & Bar
Café · Monday–Friday and Sunday 08:00–17:00, Saturday 09:00–17:00
A bright, tucked-away café near Surin Beach with outdoor seating; cash only.
The Plaza Surin
Shops · 09:00–19:00 on Sunday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
An upmarket two-level plaza of boutiques about 650 m from Surin Beach.
What it costs to live near Surin Beach
6 months or more
Apartments
฿51,000/ month
median of 3 · from ฿25,500
Villas
฿228,500/ month
median of 3 · from ฿144,000
Townhouses
฿95,500/ month
median of 3 · from ฿84,500
- The zone
- The waterline
- Chosen step: The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes for rent near Surin Beach
6 months or more
- homes for rent nearby
- 16
- within a 13-minute walk of the sand
- 8
- the nearest home to the sand
- 240 m
No hotels stand on the sand itself. Twinpalms and several mid-range resorts are a few hundred metres inland along the road, The Surin and Amanpuri sit on Pansea just north, and villas and condos climb the hills around the bay.
Homes by type
Rent a month
9 homes in the beach zone
- New building
4‑bedroom villa in Surin, Andaman Heights
฿258,000/ month
240 m to the sand · 3 min on foot
4‑bedroom villa in Surin, Andaman Heights
฿228,500/ month
320 m to the sand · 4 min on foot
- Sea view
Studio apartment in Surin, Lotus Park
฿25,500/ month
360 m to the sand · 4 min on foot
- New building
- Sea view
2‑bedroom villa in Surin, Andaman Heights
฿144,000/ month
480 m to the sand · 6 min on foot
3‑bedroom apartment in Surin, Lotus Park
฿59,500/ month
490 m to the sand · 6 min on foot
- Rooftop pool
2‑bedroom townhouse in Surin, Saiyuan Villas
฿84,500/ month
660 m to the sand · 8 min on foot
All homes near Surin Beach (16)
6 of 9 shown here.
Around Surin Beach
Every place inside the beach zone, by category: choose one to see its places, nearest the water first, each numbered as its mark on the map.
- FAVE Café & Bar660 m from the sand · 8 min on foot
- The Plaza Surin680 m from the sand · 9 min on foot
Surin Beach by month
The season · November to April
Calm sea, clear water
November to April: calm, clear water, turquoise from December, with a gradual entry. The best months for swimming, especially in the morning.
The monsoon · May to October
Waves, walks and red flags
May to October: big waves, with swimming often closed. Come for a walk under the trees and a view of the surf, not for a swim.
| Month | The sea |
|---|---|
| Jan | Calm |
| Feb | Calm |
| Mar | Calm |
| Apr | Calm |
| May | Changing |
| Jun | Rough |
| Jul | Rough |
| Aug | Rough |
| Sep | Rough |
| Oct | Changing |
| Nov | Calm |
| Dec | Calm |
Calm: swim any day Changing: check the flags Rough: monsoon swell, red flags on many days
Surin Beach with children
In the dry season Surin suits families: the water is calm and clear with a gradual entry, lifeguards are on duty and the trees give shade. Since May 2025 there is no food on the sand, so bring snacks and water or plan lunch at Tukta.
- Calm, clear water with a gradual entry from November to April.
- Lifeguards on the beach; swim between their flags.
- Tree shade along the whole beach.
- Toilets, showers and a large car park by the road.
- Bring snacks: the only food by the sea is at Tukta.
Getting to Surin Beach and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 25–40 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 20–30 min
- From Phuket Town
- 30–45 min
Surin lies on the west-coast road between Bang Tao and Kamala; the beach road runs right behind the sand, with a large car park.
- By car. The coast road runs behind the beach, with a large car park by the sand. The airport is about 23 km north.
- By scooter. Easy to reach from Bang Tao, Kamala or Patong along the west-coast road.
- Grab and taxis. Taxis and ride-hailing cars drop off at the car park behind the beach.
Parking. A large car park along the road behind the beach; toilets and showers nearby, which visitors describe as free.
Who will love Surin Beach, and who will not
Will love it
- Swimmers who want clear, turquoise water and lifeguards, from December to April.
- Families with children in the dry season: gradual entry, shade and lifeguards on duty.
- Anyone who likes a natural beach with no vendors, chairs or loud music.
- Guests of the nearby luxury resorts, such as Twinpalms and The Surin, looking for a public beach nearby.
Will not
- Anyone coming for the old beach-club scene: it was cleared in 2016 and has not returned.
- Anyone planning a lazy day with lunch on the sand: food and chairs have gone, apart from one restaurant.
- Swimmers in the monsoon, when the sea is often too rough to swim.
Tips for Surin Beach
Come in the morning
Without chairs or food on the sand, Surin works best as a morning beach: swim early, then leave or move to lunch.
Bring a mat and water
There is nothing to rent or buy on the sand. A mat, water and snacks make the day easy.
Find Tukta's stairs
The staircase to Tukta's upper floors is tucked away at the back; the upstairs tables are quieter and have the best view.
Swim between the flags
When lifeguards mark a swimming zone with red-and-yellow flags, stay inside it.
Check before you go
Vendors have been cleared twice and returned once; the food situation may change again, so check recent reports if lunch matters.
Pansea is next door
The beach just north belongs in practice to two luxury resorts; unless you stay there, Surin is the place to swim.
Book Smokaccia ahead
The Smokaccia Laboratory is small and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; reserve before you go.
Questions about Surin Beach
Is Surin Beach good for swimming?
Yes, from November to April, when the water is calm, clear and turquoise with a gradual entry. From May to October the waves are big and swimming is often closed. Lifeguards patrol the beach, so swim between their flags.
Are there restaurants at Surin Beach?
Only one by the sea. Since May 2025 all beach vendors have been removed; Tukta, built into the rocks at the south end, is still open from 09:30 to 21:00. A few more restaurants are on the road behind the beach.
Are there sunbeds at Surin Beach?
Not at the moment. Chairs and umbrellas were removed with the vendors in May 2025, so bring a towel or mat; the trees give free shade along the whole beach.
Are there lifeguards at Surin Beach?
Yes. Lifeguards patrol Surin and post flags showing when and where to swim. Always swim within sight of them.
Is Surin Beach good for kids?
Yes, in the dry season. The water is calm with a gradual entry, lifeguards are on duty and the trees give shade. There is no food on the sand, so bring snacks or plan lunch at Tukta.
What happened to the beach clubs on Surin Beach?
They were demolished in 2016 as illegal buildings on the beach. Small vendors returned over the following years and were removed again in May 2025, so the beach is now back to its natural state.
Is there parking at Surin Beach?
Yes, a large car park along the road right behind the beach, with toilets and showers nearby.
Where is Surin Beach?
On Phuket's west coast between Bang Tao to the north and Kamala to the south, about 23 km from the airport and 24 km from Phuket Town.
Can you snorkel at Surin Beach?
A little, near the rocks at either end of the bay on calm dry-season days. It is not a reef beach; save the rocks for flat days.
Can you visit Pansea Beach from Surin?
Only as a guest. Pansea, just north of Surin, is public by law but surrounded by the land of The Surin and Amanpuri resorts, so in practice only their guests reach it.