08 Beaches with soft white sand in Phuket – A beach holiday in the tropics

You will find the finest beach sand on Karon beach. The moment you step on the sand, it releases a funny, squeaky noise; this is because the sand is the softest sand that is there in Phuket. The coastline stretches over 3.3 kilometres – so there's plenty of space for your kids to run around and play. You can take a dip in the water and later relax on this soft bed of a beach.

This strip of beach is quite long, and the atmosphere is calm and quiet; the perfect spot for some meditative time. The waters of the ocean are soothingly warm, which makes for a relaxing swim. You can bring down your kids here as the beach is equipped with restaurants and hotels – it has now become a place where you can find a luxury villa Phuket for yourself.

A short walk from Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is Layan beach. The beach doesn't get very crowded, and the sand is quite lovely. You can swim in the water or lie down on the beach enjoying the warm sun. You can also rent lounge chairs for a small price.

This particular beach claims the whitest sand in Phuket, not to mention the softness of sand. The beach seems to be hidden from sight as it is sheathed in a bay – you will also see many boats anchored in the water. The beach has a calm and tranquil quality to it, and it is at its best when the sky is a fiery orange from the setting sun; the beach, in response, gleams in the projected light. If the wind starts to blow, you can go paddleboarding or kitesurfing.

Kata beach hasn't been sucked into the industrial boom that's taken place in Phuket – you won't see any tall buildings contrasting the natural beauty of the beach. Kata has a laid-back feel, and there's a line of palm trees in the place of buildings. You will see long-tail boats anchored in the sea patiently waiting for the cue to sail the ocean. The perfect spot for you to lie down and relax; you can make the whole thing better by refreshing yourself with coconut water.

The beach is aptly called the Millionaire's Row; there are luxury resorts and villas lining the beach. The beach sand is white against the blue waters of the sea. It isn't much crowded at Surin beach, and you shouldn't be surprised if you see one or two celebrities at the beach. If the weather permits, you can go jet skiing or parasailing. You can also experience some upscale dining at one of the restaurants.

Adjacent to Kata beach, Kata Noi is relatively quieter: the strip of sand is only 700 meters long. This might not be ideal for a family getaway if you are with kids; for example, if you run out of water or if your kids want some snacks, there aren't any shops where you can buy anything.

The quiet and secluded beach in Phuket, Freedom beach has the perfect juxtaposition of blue and white: the sand is super white, and the water has a bright blue colour. Accessing the beach can be a little challenging, but if you somehow get there, you are in for a perfect beach getaway. The beach is backed with a thick crowd of palm trees which is the perfect backdrop for photos. There aren't many restaurants around the beach, so you need to take your own food and water.