any clean beaches left in phuket?

[bearpolar]

is the garbage off mai khao yet? Been there last week and it was still 80% garbage 20% sand

Just been to a small waterfall in isaan 1hr from small capital and it was also filled with more garbage than grass

[glassdude007]

Karon beach Kata beach & Kata Noi beach are all nice beaches IMHO

[grumpyoldman]

These comments are all great news for me thank you so much can I ask am I best booking coral island or racha island for snorkeling

Between the two, probably Racha. Keep in mind there is pretty decent snorkeling in Phuket i.e. Kata point if looking at the water far right, I once saw an eel in the rocks there, and then at Nai Harn a place called Ao Sane often has loads of colorful fish.

Another option is to rent your own longtail boat at Rawai Beach and tell the guys you are after good snorkeling, they'll know where to go.

[FBlue72]

A lot of Concerning comments as I will be there in just over a week expecting to see some great places and enjoying some snorkeling

The concerning comments are from the Phuket bashers that don't even live here and have nary a clue about the current state of the beaches. I was at Karon yesterday, the water was crystal clear and there were some shoulder high waves for body surfing.

I often stop by the beach in the early morning after taking daughter to work at Centara Grand. A couple of days ago Karon was like a glass lake & yesterday exactly as steel describes. The beach is clean & because of its size never appears too crowded.

I completely agree. All the beaches look great now that all the vendor clutter has been removed, except for the horrible jet ski and paraglide guys. The beaches have never looked so good for over 20 years. Ok there are complaints about no loungers and umbrellas, but these can be bought (cheaply) and taken to the beach, or even rented and set up by the road side vendors. Refreshments are still available from wandering vendors carrying a coolbox.

I've read various reports that refreshments and food are not to be taken to the beach, and also private chairs and umbrellas are not allowed except on the really confusing 10 % sections. What I wonder is,on a long beach like Bang Tao which is about 8 kilometers long, are chairs and vendors only going to be on one end?

It's just insanity and entirely because the Or Bor Tors ( local govts.) were incapable of restricting licenses to a reasonable number, and enforcing rules. Eco-tourists who want a strictly natural setting can go to the Similians. High end tourists on their holidays in resort situations want a lounger, a frozen fruit smoothie and some lunch under an umbrella and so do I.

[FBlue72]

There are some beautiful and deserted areas on Mai Khao beach, but you will need your own transport to reach them.

Granted I've never walked the entire length I never seen one part of Mai Khao that is clean aside from in front of the resorts , and deserted is what got that young Swedish woman knifed to death a few years back.

Aren't large swaths of it also rip tide prone even in winter?

[CharlieH]

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[Old Croc]

This live web camera can give some insight into conditions at the south end of Karon Beach.

There were several snorkelers on those rocks when I last looked.

http://phuket-weather.blogspot.com/2014/06/new-webcam-at-karon-beach.html

[robin4977]

These comments are all great news for me thank you so much can I ask am I best booking coral island or racha island for snorkeling

Between the two, probably Racha. Keep in mind there is pretty decent snorkeling in Phuket i.e. Kata point if looking at the water far right, I once saw an eel in the rocks there, and then at Nai Harn a place called Ao Sane often has loads of colorful fish.

Another option is to rent your own longtail boat at Rawai Beach and tell the guys you are after good snorkeling, they'll know where to go.

Rawai Beach sunny day.jpg

Thanks for that gives me a few beaches to explore Can I ask where is that in the picture

[Old Croc]

These comments are all great news for me thank you so much can I ask am I best booking coral island or racha island for snorkeling

Between the two, probably Racha. Keep in mind there is pretty decent snorkeling in Phuket i.e. Kata point if looking at the water far right, I once saw an eel in the rocks there, and then at Nai Harn a place called Ao Sane often has loads of colorful fish.

Another option is to rent your own longtail boat at Rawai Beach and tell the guys you are after good snorkeling, they'll know where to go.

Rawai Beach sunny day.jpg

Thanks for that gives me a few beaches to explore Can I ask where is that in the picture

It's Rawai at high tide. When the tide goes out those vessels will be high and dry, and the deep water channel a couple of hundred metres out. Not a swimming beach except for kids and dogs to splash in. Best beaches are on the west side of the island.

http://www.phuket.com/island/beaches.htm

[steelepulse]

Nai Harn today, looks pretty clean to me.

Edited October 30, 2015 by steelepulse

[JetsetBkk]

Nai Harn today, looks pretty clean to me.

Glad they've cleaned it up since I was last there.

I see somebody else uploaded a video a couple of weeks after me:

Edited October 30, 2015 by JetsetBkk

[grumpyoldman]

These comments are all great news for me thank you so much can I ask am I best booking coral island or racha island for snorkeling

Between the two, probably Racha. Keep in mind there is pretty decent snorkeling in Phuket i.e. Kata point if looking at the water far right, I once saw an eel in the rocks there, and then at Nai Harn a place called Ao Sane often has loads of colorful fish.

Another option is to rent your own longtail boat at Rawai Beach and tell the guys you are after good snorkeling, they'll know where to go.

Rawai Beach sunny day.jpg

Thanks for that gives me a few beaches to explore Can I ask where is that in the picture

It's Rawai at high tide. When the tide goes out those vessels will be high and dry, and the deep water channel a couple of hundred metres out. Not a swimming beach except for kids and dogs to splash in. Best beaches are on the west side of the island.

http://www.phuket.com/island/beaches.htm

Correct and agreed Ol Croc, my suggestion was to get a longtail there to go out to some outer places for snorkeling.

Also, Kata Noi, snorkeling along the rocks there around the corner toward Sabai Corner is probably pretty good. Was super clear yesterday.

Comment on the videos from JetsetBKK (and reason for edit) first one clearly low season and yes the monsoon winds that time of year blow things in from far away, as far as second vid, opening shot area has now been cleared and they have exercise equipment there for the public.

Edited October 31, 2015 by grumpyoldman

[stevehaigh]

went to Nai Harn this a.m. and it looked very nice, super clear water, very few people and dogs on the beach and now they have built a little exercise park next the lake which is nice. looks like they are trying to make the lake circuit into the clean living part of the island. good job Phuket.

[grumpyoldman]

Whilst over on the other side...................http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/867050-oil-slicks-hit-ban-khao-tao-and-pran-buri-beaches/#entry10023863

[FBlue72]

Correct and agreed Ol Croc, my suggestion was to get a longtail there to go out to some outer places for snorkeling.

Also, Kata Noi, snorkeling along the rocks there around the corner toward Sabai Corner is probably pretty good. Was super clear yesterday.

Comment on the videos from JetsetBKK (and reason for edit) first one clearly low season and yes the monsoon winds that time of year blow things in from far away, as far as second vid, opening shot area has now been cleared and they have exercise equipment there for the public.

blow things in from far away,

I have to strongly disagree the garbage that covers all the beaches in summer ( May - August ) is from " far away" but is from garbage routinely tossed on the ground which makes its way into creeks, and then into the sea. A cursory view of it will show Thai writing on the bulk of the plastic packaging.

It is a well known habit of the locals which is evident alongside any road when the grass has just been cut. Impromptu dumps are everywhere, and a blight on the natural beauty of the region. Lack of respect for the environment is the general consensus.

[grumpyoldman]

Correct and agreed Ol Croc, my suggestion was to get a longtail there to go out to some outer places for snorkeling.

Also, Kata Noi, snorkeling along the rocks there around the corner toward Sabai Corner is probably pretty good. Was super clear yesterday.

Comment on the videos from JetsetBKK (and reason for edit) first one clearly low season and yes the monsoon winds that time of year blow things in from far away, as far as second vid, opening shot area has now been cleared and they have exercise equipment there for the public.

blow things in from far away,

I have to strongly disagree the garbage that covers all the beaches in summer ( May - August ) is from " far away" but is from garbage routinely tossed on the ground which makes its way into creeks, and then into the sea. A cursory view of it will show Thai writing on the bulk of the plastic packaging.

It is a well known habit of the locals which is evident alongside any road when the grass has just been cut. Impromptu dumps are everywhere, and a blight on the natural beauty of the region. Lack of respect for the environment is the general consensus.

http://centerforsurfresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Trash-Talking.pdf

"a beach cleanup alert posted by the Phuket Boardriders website in late August 2008 when the trash collected was predominantly from Indonesia."

[FBlue72]

Correct and agreed Ol Croc, my suggestion was to get a longtail there to go out to some outer places for snorkeling.

Also, Kata Noi, snorkeling along the rocks there around the corner toward Sabai Corner is probably pretty good. Was super clear yesterday.

Comment on the videos from JetsetBKK (and reason for edit) first one clearly low season and yes the monsoon winds that time of year blow things in from far away, as far as second vid, opening shot area has now been cleared and they have exercise equipment there for the public.

blow things in from far away,

I have to strongly disagree the garbage that covers all the beaches in summer ( May - August ) is from " far away" but is from garbage routinely tossed on the ground which makes its way into creeks, and then into the sea. A cursory view of it will show Thai writing on the bulk of the plastic packaging.

It is a well known habit of the locals which is evident alongside any road when the grass has just been cut. Impromptu dumps are everywhere, and a blight on the natural beauty of the region. Lack of respect for the environment is the general consensus.

http://centerforsurfresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Trash-Talking.pdf

"a beach cleanup alert posted by the Phuket Boardriders website in late August 2008 when the trash collected was predominantly from Indonesia."

So your belief is that Thais do not, en masse simply throw garbage everywhere?

Your own link shows you're mistaken in claiming " most " garbage comes from Indonesia.

Indeed the food wrappers with writing were 74 % Thai

From that site ( which was a survey that did not end until 2011) please note the last remark which you seem to base your claim on ; a ship , I thought it was Indonesian threw garbage overboard ...

Hardly proof for your assertion. More from it ;

Although interviews with Phuket residents regarding how, why, or where,

the rubbish originates offer only provisional results, a number of

hypothesis emerged from eyewitnesses, including the following:

•

During periods of high tides and heavy rains, debris are flushed from

local canals and are carried out to sea, returning with the waves and

tides to the Andaman’s west-facing coastlines.

•

Materials are carried out to sea and dumped by local fisherman.

•

Materials are carried up from the Straits of Malacca by the dominate

ocean currents and wind patterns.

•

Large Indian Ocean storms transport the rubbish to the Thai coast.

•

Boats passing in the outer shipping lanes are dumping these materials.

•

Local beach businesses are somewhat responsible.

•

Picnickers and beachgoers, including tourists, are somewhat

responsible.

•

Materials are dumped in the sea from workers at construction sites.

•

Cruise ships pay local Thai companies to dispose of their rubbish

when they come to Phuket, however these companies may be

dumping the refuse at sea rather than on land as required.

•

“While off shore on a small boat I saw a large ship (I believe it was

Indonesian) throwing enormous amounts of trash/garbage overboard.”

Additionally

The plastic bags and food wrappers identified in this study were plucked

from the sea while surfing. Overall, they were mainly small packets of

‘ready to eat’ or ‘instant cooking products’, such as instant noodle or

coffee packages. Also, approximately 9% of the plastic bags with Thai

labeling were from dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, or fabric

softener. Identified in the study, were plastic bags with Thai, Bahasa

Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, and Hindi labeling.

Edited November 3, 2015 by FBlue72

[stevenl]

Correct and agreed Ol Croc, my suggestion was to get a longtail there to go out to some outer places for snorkeling.

Also, Kata Noi, snorkeling along the rocks there around the corner toward Sabai Corner is probably pretty good. Was super clear yesterday.

Comment on the videos from JetsetBKK (and reason for edit) first one clearly low season and yes the monsoon winds that time of year blow things in from far away, as far as second vid, opening shot area has now been cleared and they have exercise equipment there for the public.

blow things in from far away,

I have to strongly disagree the garbage that covers all the beaches in summer ( May - August ) is from " far away" but is from garbage routinely tossed on the ground which makes its way into creeks, and then into the sea. A cursory view of it will show Thai writing on the bulk of the plastic packaging.

It is a well known habit of the locals which is evident alongside any road when the grass has just been cut. Impromptu dumps are everywhere, and a blight on the natural beauty of the region. Lack of respect for the environment is the general consensus.

http://centerforsurfresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Trash-Talking.pdf

"a beach cleanup alert posted by the Phuket Boardriders website in late August 2008 when the trash collected was predominantly from Indonesia."

So your belief is that Thais do not, en masse simply throw garbage everywhere?

Your own link shows you're mistaken in claiming " most " garbage comes from Indonesia.

Indeed the food wrappers with writing were 74 % Thai

From that site ( which was a survey that did not end until 2011) please note the last remark which you seem to base your claim on ; a ship , I thought it was Indonesian threw garbage overboard ...

Hardly proof for your assertion. More from it ;

Although interviews with Phuket residents regarding how, why, or where,

the rubbish originates offer only provisional results, a number of

hypothesis emerged from eyewitnesses, including the following:

•

During periods of high tides and heavy rains, debris are flushed from

local canals and are carried out to sea, returning with the waves and

tides to the Andaman’s west-facing coastlines.

•

Materials are carried out to sea and dumped by local fisherman.

•

Materials are carried up from the Straits of Malacca by the dominate

ocean currents and wind patterns.

•

Large Indian Ocean storms transport the rubbish to the Thai coast.

•

Boats passing in the outer shipping lanes are dumping these materials.

•

Local beach businesses are somewhat responsible.

•

Picnickers and beachgoers, including tourists, are somewhat

responsible.

•

Materials are dumped in the sea from workers at construction sites.

•

Cruise ships pay local Thai companies to dispose of their rubbish

when they come to Phuket, however these companies may be

dumping the refuse at sea rather than on land as required.

•

“While off shore on a small boat I saw a large ship (I believe it was

Indonesian) throwing enormous amounts of trash/garbage overboard.”

Additionally

The plastic bags and food wrappers identified in this study were plucked

from the sea while surfing. Overall, they were mainly small packets of

‘ready to eat’ or ‘instant cooking products’, such as instant noodle or

coffee packages. Also, approximately 9% of the plastic bags with Thai

labeling were from dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, or fabric

softener. Identified in the study, were plastic bags with Thai, Bahasa

Indonesian, Malay, Burmese, and Hindi labeling.

And all that based on 'a number of

hypothesis emerged from eyewitnesses,'

[grumpyoldman]

Bottom line point to the article was the FBlue 72 posted

"blow things in from far away,

I have to strongly disagree the garbage that covers all the beaches in summer ( May - August ) is from " far away""

and this report states that 26 percent is from far away. I never stated that "most" was from far away, obviously not, but some definitely is, again it all has to do with the monsoon that time of year.

[JetsetBkk]

Bottom line point to the article was the FBlue 72 posted

"blow things in from far away,

I have to strongly disagree the garbage that covers all the beaches in summer ( May - August ) is from " far away""

and this report states that 26 percent is from far away. I never stated that "most" was from far away, obviously not, but some definitely is, again it all has to do with the monsoon that time of year.

Just go to Nai Yang beach - the beach south of the airport - on a Sunday evening.

It's a predominantly Thai beach. Look at the mess after they've all left.