Beaches · West coast, between Patong and Kata
Karon Beach
A long, wide beach of pale sand, and the beach where the most people have drowned on Phuket.
Access
By road
Entry
Free
Time to allow
A few hours, or a stay
Best time
December to March, for a calm sea
Why go
For space on the sand: about 3 km of beach, wide and pale, with most hotels across the road rather than on the beach itself. In the dry season it is a fine place to swim between the flags.
What you will find
About 3 km of pale sand between Patong and Kata. Just over 20 lifeguards work the beach, with posts about every 500 m. A green turtle laid eggs here in January 2026, and lifeguards protected the nest.
Getting there
By road. The Phuket Smart Bus from the airport passes through Karon and stops on the main road, not at hotels.
Before you go
Karon is where the most people drown on Phuket: 20 of the 56 deaths counted by the provincial administration in three years. In the monsoon, from May to October, lifeguards here make three or four rescues a day. A tourist drowned here under a red flag in June 2025.
Swim only between the red and yellow flags, never under a red flag, and never after the lifeguards have left. In May 2026 the marine department warned of Portuguese man o' war at Karon.
Where this place leads
Common questions
Is Karon Beach dangerous?
In the monsoon, yes: it has the most drownings on the island, 20 of 56 in three years. From December to March, swimming between the flags with lifeguards on duty is usually fine.
Are there lifeguards at Karon?
Yes, just over 20, with posts about every 500 m. They work in the daytime only.