Ao Sane Beach

If you’re looking for a small sandy spot in Phuket, look no further than Ao Sane, a quiet 200m long cove tucked away and reasonably uncrowded. It is not easy to find, hence it remains something of a hidden gem.

Although the cove is visible from the road and from Nai Harn Beach, it is only accessible by driving through the Nai Harn Resort. There are a few beach bungalows overlooking the beach. Be aware that beach parking is limited so you need to get there early in the day.

The beach consists of three little coves with soft golden sand, clear blue seas and a scattering of large rocks. The first cove is the largest and has some trees for shade and a nice beach shack restaurant which is open from dawn to dusk. Best of all, the restaurant has showers and toilets for customers.

Despite its hidden location, there are some services on the beach including beach chair and umbrella rentals and a small dive shop offering snorkelling gear and diving lessons at rock-bottom prices.

The clear sheltered bay is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, even in the rougher rainy season. There are some submerged rocks and coral quite close to the shore.