Pansea Beach, like most of Phuket’s beaches, has rocks at either end and a big sandy spot in the middle. Pansea Beach is located just to the north of (next to) the lovely Surin Beach. These beaches are very similar, with Pansea Beach being the smaller of the two.
The Surin and the Amanpuri resorts are on the beach here at Pansea, and access is either through the wooded area (find your own path), swimming or snorkeling around the point from Surin Beach, or by taking a longtail boat from another nearby beach. One website said the staff from the Amanpuri will chase you off the beach if you arrive by boat. We cannot verify that, but just be aware that they’re not going to be happy about your boat pulling up. All Thailand beaches are by law public access, so, if you wanted to cause a scene about it and file a complaint, you could. There are plenty of other beaches in Phuket to visit, like Surin beach next to it – so, maybe your best solution is to say mai pen rai (no matter), and let it rest like Thais usually do.
Pansea beach, like Surin Beach, has nice deep, soft sand, and plenty of trees to relax under. Chairs with umbrellas and restroom and shower facilities are of course available for guests of The Surin or Amanpuri Resorts.
Pansea Beach Clubs
No actual clubs to be found at Pansea Beach, but there is a great restaurant reviewed below, and if you stay at the Amanpuri, they have a fantastic Italian restaurant which also serves the usual seafood and Thai cuisine.
Pansea Beach Restaurants / Bars
- Beach Restaurant by The Surin Phuket – not sure if this is the actual name of the restaurant, or if it has no name and they’re just calling it this. Apparently, it’s part of The Surin hotel at the other end of the beach. Beautiful views from this on-the-beach restaurant. High ratings at online review sites from guests. This is a really stunning place the view is magical.
- The Amanpuri Resort – has tables set up on the beach for enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner under the trees in front of their property.
Pansea Beach Accommodations
- The Surin Phuket – this private 5-star resort has some tough competition at the other end of the beach but is holding its own with equally as incredible views, and architecture. The Surin Phuket was previously called the “Chedi” – if you’re wondering. Some visitors to Pansea Beach may appreciate the smaller scale of The Surin compared to the larger Amanpuri up the beach. Starting at 17,000 to 20,000 THB per night, they’re both targeting the same guests with financial means.
- Amanpuri – another 5-star resort on Pansea Beach that is stunning to see. The views are perfect, and the private location makes you feel like royalty. Not surprisingly, you’ll almost have to be royalty to afford the 22,000 THB starting rate for rooms during low or high-season. Is it worth it? Overwhelmingly, most guests rate the Amanpuri very highly despite the cost. If you’re looking for one of the most breathtaking high-end resorts on Phuket, and you don’t mind paying 10,000 THB for a meal for 2-persons, this one is a great choice.
Pansea Beach Facts
- Location in Phuket: On the west side of Phuket Island, past Patong and Kamala, you’ll come to Surin Beach first, and Pansea Beach is just to the north, separated by a rocky outcrop. The name in Google Maps is “Pansea Surin” beach.
- GPS Data: 7° 58’ 55” N, 98° 16’ 37” E
- Distance to Patong / Phuket Town / Airport in km: 14 / 25 / 24
- Taxis available: Yes
- Surrounding Beaches: To the south is Surin Beach, one of the prettiest beaches on the island. To the north around the peninsula is Bangtao Beach.
- Direction Facing: Almost directly west.
- Beach Length: 400 meters (437 yd.)
- Beach Width: About 40 meters (44 yd.) – a very wide beach, nearly twice as wide as Surin Beach.
- Estimated Beach Area: 16’000 m2 (19,136 square yd)
- Beach Quality: Exceptional – great sand, soft and light colored. Mostly free of rocks and sharp shells. Very few people compared to Surin Beach, Pansea is just better all around.
- Ocean Bottom: Nice – sandy bottom that changes with the tides. Some coral reef near the rocks at the north end of Pansea Beach.
- Restroom / showers facilities? Not for public use. This beach is occupied by two five-star resorts and there doesn’t seem to be any access from the highway except through these resorts. You can, of course, take a longtail boat from another beach to reach Pansea.
- Beach features: Rocky at both ends and beautiful deep sand in the middle – ideal for picnics, wading, and swimming when the waves are not bigger than waist high.
- Lifeguard Available? No
- Sunbeds Available? Yes, at both resorts.
- Umbrellas? Yes, at both resorts. The Amanpuri has thatched umbrellas – quite nice.
- Public or Private? Entrance fees? Public, but you’ll need to come around by boat or possibly swimming around the rocks at the north end of Surin Beach, to reach Pansea.
- Water quality: Very Good
- Boat anchorage possible? Temporary anchorage is possible. You’ll find a better spot north of here at Bangtao Beach – plenty of boats anchored there. Pansea is open to the wind
- Boat dock and marina? N/A
- Longtail boat rental possible? No
- Speedboat/longtail boat tours possible? No/No
- Sea inflow:: No
- Slope into sea until 1m deep: unknownm
- Convenience shop available? No
- Attractions: No real attractions nearby, but Phuket FantaSea is just south by ten minutes. If you haven’t been to Surin Beach (connected to Pansea and found by going south, you should definitely have a look.
- Activities: Snorkeling can be good on the north end of the beach by the rocks at the base of the Amanpuri resort. There are rocks and coral and a lot of fish. There is a sand volleyball court set up during high season near The Surin beach restaurant.
- FKK possible? Not permitted, but if empty…
- Massage available? Yes
- Picnic possible? No
- Surfing? Yes! Quite good for surfing here when the conditions are right. There is a nice ‘right’ from the north end of the beach that starts off the coral and rocks. Beware rip-currents.
- Smoking? In November Thailand is cracking down on smoking at beaches around the country. In November 2017 in Phuket, Patong Beach is affected. Soon they expect to make it a country-wide smoking ban – so do stay up to date because fines are high and can include prison time.
- Warnings: During high season (November to May) the waves are usually calm enough so that Pansea provides an ideal beach for relaxing for families. However, as soon as the waves pick up, the rip-currents can become dangerous.
- Waste runoff into the sea? Yes
More about Pansea Beach
For more Pansea Beach information check out the Blog:
This Phuket Beaches Blog and most of the published articles have been researched, written and compiled by Sepp Hatzl.
Sepp started visiting Phuket in 1975, felt in love with the island, and in 1997 decided to spend most of his time in Nai Thon Beach Phuket.
Sepp is happy to provide you with more specific information about all kind of Phuket topics, just drop him an email (email see in the footer).
