Laem Singh Beach

Overview

Laem Singh Beach is the small cove between Surin and Kamala that used to be one of the easiest beautiful beaches in Phuket to visit and is now one of the hardest. It is a short arc of pale sand wrapped by boulders and jungle, with clear water and a genuinely secluded feel, and for most of the last decade the way in was a staircase down from the coastal road viewpoint above it.

That staircase is closed. Following a land dispute over the access route, the way down from the road was shut and has stayed shut, so there is no longer any road access to the beach. The beach itself remains public, because under Thai law every beach is, but getting onto it now takes deliberate effort.

The upside of all that friction is what the beach is like when you get there. On a weekday in high season Laem Singh can be close to empty, which is not something you can say about any other cove this pretty within twenty minutes of Patong.

What to expect on the sand

Assume nothing is provided. The vendors, mats, massage and beachfront restaurant that once operated here went with the access, so there is no food, no drink, no toilets, no shade for hire and no lifeguard. Bring water, bring sun protection and take your rubbish out with you.

What you get instead is the cove: fine pale sand, big granite boulders framing both ends, clear water over a sandy bottom, and enough tree cover at the back for natural shade. Snorkelling around the rocks is worthwhile when the sea is flat, and the water clarity here in high season is better than on the long open beaches nearby.

Because there is no infrastructure and no supervision, this is a beach for confident, self sufficient visitors rather than a family day out with small children.

Location and getting there

Laem Singh sits on the west coast between Surin Beach to the north and Kamala Beach to the south, below the viewpoint on the coastal road that connects them. There are two realistic ways in, and both start at the southern end of Surin.

The first is on foot: a rocky path from the south end of Surin Beach, which takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes and begins with a short scramble over boulders. Wear proper shoes, not flip flops, and do not attempt it at high tide or in rough seas when the rocks at the start are being washed.

The second is by boat. Small local boats have run from the southern end of Surin across to the cove in good weather, at around 100 baht per person each way. Since beach vendors were cleared from Surin in mid 2025 the boats have become harder to find, though the service was still operating in early 2026. Look for a boat at the southern end, agree the price and the pickup time before you get in, and be aware that in the green season it often does not run at all.

Swimming, surf and safety

In high season, November to April, the cove is usually calm and clear and swims beautifully. There are rocks at both ends, so keep to the sandy middle and be careful around the boulders when there is any swell.

In green season, May to October, this is not a beach to plan around. The monsoon puts swell straight into the cove, there is no lifeguard, the rocky approach path becomes hazardous and the boats often stop. Anyone getting into trouble here is a long way from help. If the sea is up, go somewhere with a flag and a lifeguard on it instead.

Our guide to the best time to visit Phuket sets out the year if you are planning around conditions.

Good to know

Entry is free. The access is the cost.

Go early, because both the walk and the boat are more pleasant before the middle of the day, and go in high season if you have the choice. Take everything you need and leave nothing behind, because nobody is cleaning this beach for you. Check the current access situation locally before setting out, since it has changed more than once and could change again. Every other beach on the island, including the ones you can simply park at, is on our Phuket beaches page.