Cape Panwa in Phuket: observation decks, deserted beaches - an ideal place for lovers of a relaxing holiday. Panwa Beach in Phuket - complete unity with nature Holidays in Thailand at Cape Panwa
Cape Panwa is the southeastern part of the island of Phuket in. To get here from the airport, you need to drive 42 kilometers. Cape Panwa has several beaches, the length of which varies from 200 m to 3 km.
The main advantage of a holiday on Panwa is the opportunity to enjoy the natural, untouched beauty of Phuket. The sea coast here is overgrown with coconut palms, the water is crystal clear. From the shore there are amazing views of the small islands located near Cape Panwa.
Tours to Panwa
Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.
Beach
The beaches of Cape Panwa are sandy and white. However, the sea here is highly subject to ebb and flow, so it is impossible to swim all the time. In addition, the bottom at Cape Panwa is rocky.
Beaches where you should go for a swim if you are vacationing on Cape Panwa:
The most popular beach in Phuket. The beach is located in the west of the island, the distance is 26 kilometers.
A long beach known for its squeaky sand. The distance to the beach is 23 kilometers.
A well-groomed and comfortable beach, located 22 kilometers away, in the southwest of the island.
Weather
The weather at Cape Panwa corresponds to the weather in Phuket. The best time to holiday on the island is from November to March. It is at this time that dry, sunny weather prevails. During these months, tours to Phuket are especially popular among those who are tired of the cold. From April to October, as a rule, the weather becomes hotter, heavy rains and high humidity are observed daily.
Attractions
Walking along the coast is one of the favorite activities of those who choose to holiday at this resort. located throughout the resort. In the center of the cape there is an observation deck from where you can admire Chalong Bay. At Cape Panwa there is a Biological Center for Marine Research, which operates a huge Phuket Aquarium. Here you can see rare species of corals, unusual tropical fish, mollusks and other inhabitants of the Andaman Sea. Huge turtles are also raised here, which you can even meet in person.
Hotels
There are several hotels of different categories at Cape Panwa. All of them are located on the first line. Almost every hotel has a swimming pool.
Kitchen
The hotels have restaurants that are ready to offer resort guests both Thai and European cuisine. On the main road and in the side streets that adjoin it, you can find small and cozy restaurants. On the embankment located next to the Aquarium in the evening, a market starts operating where you can buy ready-made Thai food.
In search of exotic things, tourists are ready to climb to the most remote corners of the planet, and the most exotic vacation can perhaps be called a trip to Thailand on the island of Phuket. Phuket has many famous beaches, loved by locals, divers and tourists from all over the world.
There are always a lot of vacationers here, and life is in full swing both day and night. But along with the “promoted” Phuket beaches there are other places that promise relaxation and complete unity with nature. Welcome to the deserted Bounty style beach - the calm and secluded Panwa Beach.
A paradise for lovers of beautiful landscapes
In the southeast of Phuket is Panwa Beach (locals call it Khao Kat Beach). The sea here is calm, but there are such strong low tides that the rocks on the bottom are exposed.
Due to its favorable location, there are practically no monsoons here, so you can swim and relax at any time of the year - this is an indisputable advantage compared to Phuket beaches .
The name of the coast was given by the fishermen of the village of Ban Panwa, which is located nearby. Even in ancient times, they measured the length of the coastline, which amounted to “Pan” (translated from Thai as “one thousand”) and “Wa” (“two meters”). Today, the small village peacefully coexists with luxury resorts, and everyone can get acquainted with the peculiarities of life of the indigenous people.
Panwa Beach is a narrow strip of sandy shore, its width is no more than 5 meters. Located far from civilization, the beach is rarely full. The untouched beauty of nature, a pleasant, very picturesque bay, crystal clear water, a coastline with coconut palms - Panwa generously gives all this to its guests. It is especially beautiful here after sunset, when there is not a soul on the coast and you can wander in silence.
There are not many hotels on the beach, but they all have a high standard of accommodation. On the very shore there is the most popularNovotel BeachResort Panwa. Higher up is the luxurious Cape Panwa Hotel, with stunning views of the sea and coastline. As well as the four-star Radisson Blu Plaza Resort Panwa, Makham Bay Resort Hotel, Panwa Beach Phuket and comfortable Sri Panwa Phuket villas.
What to see
Directly from the beach there is a road to the Khao Khad view point. From here a magnificent panorama opens up: the bay, the sea and the surrounding area lie in full view, and in clear weather you can see a snow-white mountain sitting on the top of a mountain on the opposite side of the bay.
If you are not going to limit yourself to the beach, Panva has its own small but beautiful and well-groomed embankment. This is a good place for morning and evening walks, where you can have a tasty snack in a cozy cafe, looking at the turquoise sea. Colorful Thai boats park nearby and will take you to neighboring islands for a fee.
When you're tired of lounging on the beach or it's a cloudy day, be sure to visit the local Aquarium. This is one of the most interesting attractions in Phuket, located at the end of the embankment. It will be interesting for adult tourists, and even more so for children, to get to know the colorful inhabitants of the Andaman Sea better. Hundreds of fish, marine inhabitants, strange plants, giant groupers, and on weekends you can see demonstration feeding of sharks and rays.
The transparent tunnel in the central part of the aquarium, where the inhabitants of the deep sea swim overhead, makes a great impression. Ticket price for an adult is 100 - 180 baht (depending on the season), for children - 100 baht, admission for a child under 3 years old is free.
How to get to Panwa Beach in Phuket
There are no buses from the airport to Panwa Beach, so you will have to get there on your own. The fastest and most comfortable way is a separate transfer, which should be ordered in advance. Taxis in Phuket are expensive (taking into account the distance of 40 km, the cost of the trip according to the meter is about 750 baht).
You can rent a car or rent a bike. But before you look for transport from the Thais, look on social media. networks of the community of Russian expats in Thailand. It is likely that you will be able to come across very interesting offers in terms of price and rental conditions.
If you are coming from Phuket (the distance from the city to Panwa is 10 km), follow the Chao Fa Highway until the first traffic light, then turn east onto Sakdidejana Street, and in 10 minutes you will be at your destination.
Hi all!! I decided to write about our first impressions of Phuket, in a month and a half there will only be dry facts and reflections on whether the island is suitable for life, but for now, under the influx of emotions after the weekend, I can safely say that I definitely like Phuket!
Although, to be more precise, I like the way we saw it.
Firstly, now there is no such influx of tourists, especially Russian ones, and secondly, sun loungers have been removed from all the beaches; you can’t recognize the beaches from pictures from the Internet a year ago))
Thirdly, we live in a non-tourist part of the island - there are Thais or expats/long-steamers all around, but if we talk about the sea, not all of the island’s coastline is popular among tourists. Therefore, all the beautiful places in the south of the island - bays, capes, viewpoints and beaches, were created here as if for us)) that’s where we went on Sunday morning.
We arrived at Cape Panwa, there is a granite embankment,
pleasant bay, calm sea, colorful Thai boats,
a couple of hotels, cafes and absolutely no one,
We met only a couple of Europeans, Thais, walking their dogs
and a Thai man with a child
Perhaps this atmosphere was only in the morning; it wasn’t even 8 o’clock yet)).
We walked along the pier to the warship, 
We had breakfast with papaya, made a circle on the bike around the end and returned again to the embankment, where a cafe had already opened 
and lured us into a cup of cappuccino)) 
I was filled with some unusual feelings, like I had never imagined Phuket to be, obviously not like this... as if we were somewhere in Finke on the shore of a lake 
While we were sitting on the embankment drinking coffee, and before our eyes there was a picture of the turquoise sea, a beautiful embankment, 
silence and idyll 
After the coffee shop we stopped at a couple of beaches, some of course, just for a walk, contemplation, 
but we weren’t going for a swim (we love swimming in the pool more).
And then, unexpectedly, we saw the beach-cove of Ao Yon, first from above, 
and of course, we went down, 
if they showed me this photo, I would confidently say that it is or )) 
In the west of Phuket, the beaches are different, let them be for tourists, but this one will remain for us 🙂 by the way, now it’s low tide and despite this, it’s quite swimmable here.
We stopped at the long Panwa beach, 
here the ebb is much more noticeable, 
but the bay is still very picturesque 
Even autumn was found here 
In general, I liked Phuket for its rugged coastline, if you drive along it, everywhere you look there is a bay for a photo :) 
there are so many yachts here... 
Directly from this beach there is a road to Khao Khad view point, 
from where there is a 360 degree view, 
from here you can see the same bay along which we were driving below 
On the opposite side is Chalong Bay-port, and at the top the snow-white statue of Big Buddha sparkles 
And on the other side - a scattering of islands in the haze 
the sun is just rising there, so we’ll come here again to watch the sunrise :)
We also drove around Phuket Town, looked into the park on the embankment, and then visited “Balinese” (in the sense, Russian, but we met them in Bali) friends for tea 🙂 and by lunchtime we were already home.
A little more about Phuket:
As for products, some things are cheaper here, some are more expensive than in Bali. It’s not very clear with fruits, there is nothing seasonal yet - mangoes are $2-3 per 1 kg, pineapples are $0.7 per 1 piece, bananas are $1 per bunch. Durians, mangosteens, passion fruit are not in season yet, we are waiting for lychees and even more mangoes, they will come soon :)
As for housing, there is a lot of it, but the prices are good only for a long term; if we talk about monthly rent, then the price is 1.5-2 times more expensive than if you rent the same housing, but under a contract for six months or a year. Large selection of apartments in condos (multi-storey complexes, with swimming pools, fitness). Motorbikes 200-250 baht per day or 3500 baht for 1 month.
And they also frightened us with terrible traffic jams and bad driving culture, eh.. these naive people have not been to Vietnam and don’t know what traffic jams, narrow roads, and real traffic really are, it’s all nothing here)
The only thing is that the traffic lights are very long - 1-2 minutes, oh and yes, once we got a little stuck on the road because of the Queen)) if in Hua Hin our road was often blocked because of the King’s arrival, then here we ended up with Her Majesty))
That's all! Before leaving, we will thoroughly travel along all the beaches, coves, look into all areas of Phuket, maybe we will sail to the neighboring islands, but for now we are working :) By the way, about earning money while traveling, read Lesha’s next article!
Cape Panwa can be interesting for both adults and children. So, what can you do at Cape Panwa:
Phuket Aquarium
Of course, this is the main entertainment in Panwa (and one of the most favorite in Phuket). The aquarium is located at the end of Cape Panwa. It is relatively small, but with good collections of fish and marine life of various sizes and colors - seahorses, shrimp, crabs. There is a separate room where inhabitants of the deep sea swim in aquariums (sometimes quite scary), and, of course, there is a huge aquarium with a tunnel - sharks, rays and huge fish swim overhead. At the exit from the aquarium you can see a small souvenir shop. By the way, the aquarium is located on the territory of an existing research institute, where you can see with your own eyes how sea horses, small sharks and other fish are raised, and to get to the turtle aquariums you need to walk through the center along the sea strip - they are located right on the street. Advice: it is better to go on an excursion to the Aquarium on your own, without a guide, so that you can take a good look at everything without haste. A really worthwhile place, especially for those who come to Phuket with children.
Panwa observation deck
It is located at the “head” of the cape, in the north of the peninsula: follow the sign for Novotel, then turn to “Khao Khad Views Tower” (Khao Khad is a neighboring village). Near the observation deck there is a large parking lot, as well as cafes and shops and a small park-garden where you can sit on benches. The park is very fresh. Despite the fact that this is the second most popular attraction of the cape, there are not very many people here. The stairs leading to the site are quite steep, but when you finally climb to the top, you will not regret the effort - the panoramic gorgeous view of southern Phuket, Chalong Bay, the Andaman Sea and Phuket Town is incredibly beautiful! The two-level observation tower (the top floor is better) offers maps in Thai and English, so you'll know what you're looking at. 
Beaches of Panwa
Panwa main beach, Panwa Beach, also known as Khao Kat Beach, may not even be ideal for swimming, but these quiet coves have absolute charm! The beach is located on the east coast of the Cape and is dotted with luxury villas and several resorts: a great alternative for a holiday away from the west coast and its touristy areas. So, if you want peace and beauty, then this area will be the best option for a day or two - lying on the sand, admiring the nearby islands - what could be better! Have lunch or a drink at one of the few restaurants on the beach, such as the good old Beach Bar. In principle, you can even stay in one of the most beautiful resorts in the area - the most popular of them is Novotel Phuket Beach Resort Panwa 4*. Then you will have the opportunity to enjoy a morning stroll along the sandy bay, with several fishing boats moored at its southern end. If you drive a little south, you will find yourself at Ayo Yon beach(Ao Yon), another nice sandy one in the bay, mostly frequented by locals - stop to rest for an hour next to the small waterfall next to the beach. Further south we see the Aquarium and Cape Panwa Hotel with its small but very beautiful private beach. The beaches of Panwa and the surrounding area are not quite the usual “tropical” paradise and may not even be the most ideal beaches, however, when you find yourself here, you will experience Phuket from a different side. 
Tarzan Adventure Park
Fly above the treetops and try your hand at challenging obstacles in a stunning setting in the high mountain forest of Cape Panwa with breathtaking views of Chalong Bay and the Andaman Sea. It is located approximately 3.5 kilometers north of the very edge of the cape. At the stations of the park there are ropes, nets, boards, steps, nets, cables and even skateboards. The park has a total of 42 stations, 15 wooden bridges, 3 rope bridges and the like. We be sure to wear sportswear, and gloves and helmets will be provided to you on site. After you've worked out, you can relax and have a fruit snack at the park bar. 
Cruises by sea
You can contact, for example, Andaman Sea Club Sailing Charters. Well, what could be more enjoyable than spending a day riding a yacht along the shores of the island! There may be stops for swimming, snorkeling and of course a fantastic lunch (if you book the yacht for the whole day). 
Spa salons
There are spas in every self-respecting hotel on the Cape, as well as outside hotels, and they are cheaper. But I would like to separately note Cool Spa Phuket, which is located in the luxurious Sri Panwa Phuket complex surrounded by tropical forest, on the top of Cape Panwa. Apparently, the prices there are not the lowest, but the comfort and service are at the highest level. Scrubs, Thai massage, sauna - everything is as usual, but you need to try it yourself to believe in the authenticity of the colorful epithets. 
Russell Sunset Bar
Well, the nightlife of Cape Panwa is far from the most vibrant and lush. There are bars at some hotels, and there are separate ones. But this one just needs to be noted. The Russell Sunset Bar is located on Soi Aonui, in the center of the cape, a few steps from the Cape Panwa Hotel and Spa Resort. The bar is small, but the atmosphere is very friendly and cozy. The bar owners, Russell and Alice, are very nice and funny people who can tell you a lot of useful things about Phuket and other places in Thailand. Great cocktails; sometimes they show sporting events; pleasant music - in general, come here closer to 9-10 pm, you won’t regret it! 
Diving and snorkeling
Well, we must admit that no one is diving around Cape Panwa. However, diving is still offered to tourists - however, they are taken to the south or southeast of Phuket. With snorkeling, everything is a little simpler. There are small coral thickets off the coast of Panwa Beach, but just like with diving, to enjoy the most beautiful underwater views, it is better to sail by speedboat or long-nose boat away from the cape, for example, to Coral Island and Banana Beach.
Panwa Beach (Panwa Beach or Khao Kad Beach) is located in the southwestern part of Phuket island near the cape of the same name. Located 35 km from the airport and 8 km from. Despite the rapid development of the surrounding lands, these places have remained little affected by civilization and the tourism industry. Interestingly, even during the rainy season there are no big waves here, because this part of the coast is located in a large bay, closed from the open ocean.
The beach stretches for 2 km, and the width of the coastline is about 20 m. The entrance to the water is shallow, and the water itself did not seem clean to me. The bottom is rocky in places, and at low tide it is exposed for a considerable distance, also exposing shells and algae. Apparently, the beach is not cleaned or is rarely cleaned, mostly natural debris is found, but it still doesn’t look very good.
Panwa Beach is not the best place for swimming. But from here there is a cool view of the bay and the nearest islands, the largest of which Koh Lone is located literally a couple of kilometers from the coast.
Perhaps the main advantage of this beach is the almost complete absence of people. As you can see in the photo, you can count the number of vacationers along all two kilometers on the fingers of one hand. And this is during the high season - the photos were taken at the beginning of December on a weekend. So if you value privacy and silence, check into one of the hotels on the shore. You can swim in hotel pools.
Main road from above the beach:
In the surrounding area you can take a walk and breathe in the tropical humid air. That's the leaf we found :)
For those who definitely need a good swimming beach, I recommend the nearby one (Ao Yon). Plus you can live right next to the Aquarium, there is a small promenade, restaurants and several small beaches, the best of which is located next to the naval base.
Embankment near the aquarium
Small beach near a military base
Beach in front of the aquarium
Read also:
Attractions and entertainment
Panwa Beach is not very rich in interesting places and entertainment. Nearby is Aquarium, which will probably be interesting for children, but it’s not the most impressive and big, you can go once. Ticket prices: 180 baht for adults, 100 baht for children, free for children under 108 cm tall.
A little to the north is the Khao Kad View Point with a good view of the surrounding area and the Tarzan Adventure extreme park.
View of the beach from above
I didn’t notice any water activities or sun lounger rentals, only a couple of massage parlors on the entire beach. On Panwa you can rent a boat for travel to neighboring Koh Lon; negotiate the price with the boatman.
Read also:
Hotels on Panwa Beach
It’s funny that in such a place that is not particularly popular with tourists, there are several expensive hotels located at once. These options are located directly on Panwa Beach:
— from 3200 rubles per room
— from 4500 rubles per room
— from 5400 rubles per room
— from 5400 rubles per room
— from 9500 rubles per room
— from 11,700 rubles per room
Hotels nearby, also located on the cape:
— from 3500 rubles per room
— from 9600 rubles per room
— from 11,600 rubles per room
— from 10,500 rubles per room
— from 16,000 rubles per room
— from 32,300 rubles per room
Find an inexpensive hotel in Phuket:
Cafes and restaurants on Panva
The BEACH BAR is an inexpensive and simple cafe right on the beach. Low prices (shakes for 50 baht, seafood from 100-120 baht), and in the evenings there is live music and a beautiful view of the sunset.
Nurul Jamal is another cafe on the beach. Authentic Thai food, provided by a local family, large portions.
There are many good cafes and restaurants near the Aquarium, you will even find Indian (with Russian menu) and Italian restaurants there.
How to get to Panwa Beach?
There is no public transport to Panwa, so you will have to either take a taxi or rent your own transport: a bike or a car. From the roundabout at Ranong Street, drive west along this street, then turn south onto Chao Fah and continue past the Royal Park (there are still dinosaurs there), where you will turn onto Sakdidet Street. If you follow it without turning anywhere, you will eventually get to the Aquarium. You can turn earlier at the sign for Khao Kad View Point and then you will get to the beach itself. You must park on the main road.
The Aquarium area can be reached by songthaew for 35 baht from Phuket Town.
Songthaew from Phuket Town to the aquarium
A beautiful video that shows the entire Cape Panwa with its beaches from above: