What is the situation in Phuket with beaches near hotels? Can non-guests relax there?
Insider's Response
In Phuket, all beaches are public by law, meaning there is no private territory in the sense of “for hotel guests only” — anyone can access the shore, even if the path goes through hotel property, and no hotels have the right to prevent this.
If someone tries to charge you an entrance fee to the beach or does not let you access the water, this is against the law.
Any problem can be resolved simply by walking past the buildings or asking the local police to clarify the right of access.
Here are a few more tips to make your beach vacation more comfortable:
● Morning hours are the best time. In the high season (December–March), beaches are very popular, so it’s better to arrive early in the morning when there are fewer people.
● Choose a beach slightly away from large hotels. Sometimes just 50–100 m to the side from the “first line” is enough for the beach to become freer and less crowded.
● Wild and less well-known areas. Phuket is an island with more than 30 beaches and bays, so even in the high season you can find areas with fewer people. See the list of all beaches here.