WINDOW on Phuket: Mai Khao Beach Phuket – Longest and Quietest Beach

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Phuket Beach Guide: Mai Khao Beach – Phuket’s Longest, Quietest Stretch

What is Mai Khao Beach like?

Mai Khao Beach is something rare on Phuket: 11 uninterrupted kilometres of wide, golden sand where you can walk for hours without seeing more than a handful of people.

Located along the northwest coast near the airport, Mai Khao sits inside Sirinat National Park. Development here is strictly limited. No beach chairs. No clubs. Just sea, sand, sky, and occasional casuarina pines.

Mai Khao is famous for two things: its extreme length and its airplane-viewing point at the southern end, where planes pass low overhead as they land at Phuket International Airport.

Quick Facts

📍 Location: Northwest Phuket, near the airport and Sarasin Bridge
🚗 Access: Direct road access, free parking in several clearings
🏊‍♂️ Swimming: Steep drop-off, strong currents outside high season — caution advised
🍜 Food/Facilities: Minimal — a few local stalls and resort areas
🌴 Shade: Casuarina trees in some sections
🧘‍♀️ Best For: Quiet walks, photography, plane spotting, nature lovers
🕒 Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for light and temperature
🐕 Dogs Allowed: Yes, commonly seen

How to Get There

Mai Khao Beach runs from the northern edge of Phuket International Airport all the way up to Sarasin Bridge.
Follow Thepkrasattri Road (Highway 402) and turn west wherever signs say “Mai Khao Beach” or “Sirinat National Park.”

📍 Google Maps: Mai Khao Beach

What Makes Mai Khao Beach Special

Longest Beach: 11 km of uninterrupted coastline — unmatched on Phuket
Plane Spotting: At the southern end, planes fly low over the sand as they land
Natural Quiet: No bars or clubs; limited food stalls and small resorts
Sirinat National Park: Protected land means wildlife, turtles, and untouched dunes

Historical Note:
Mai Khao means “white wood” in Thai, a name linked to the pale casuarina trees lining parts of the beach. The area has long been part of Sirinat National Park, established in 1981 to protect Phuket’s northern coastline.

Activities & Local Highlights

Plane Spotting: South end near the airport — a favourite for photographers
Nature Walks: Uninterrupted sand, dunes, and quiet
Picnicking: Bring your own food and drinks — local stalls are limited
Turtle Conservation: Nesting turtles occasionally visit in the early season
Photography: Long, open perspectives perfect for minimalist shots

Nearby Beaches

Nai Yang Beach: Just south, more local colour and small shops
Haad Pak Phra Beach: North end — fishing bay atmosphere
Natai Beach (Phang Nga side): Wild and near-deserted across the bridge

Closing Reflection

Mai Khao Beach is not for everyone. No shopping. No clubs. But for those who appreciate space, silence, and nature — it’s as good as it gets on Phuket.
Sit under the trees. Watch planes. Walk as far as your legs will carry you. That’s Mai Khao.

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Written by Mads D
Photography by Mads D
Phuket Beach Guide series – Window on Phuket

Subscribe to the Window on Phuket newsletter to keep discovering the beaches where real Phuket life meets the sand.

Written by Mads D

Photography by Mads D

Learn more about Mads D:KamalaBeachEstate.com/mads-d