'''Surin Beach''' (???????????? ''Ao Surin'', also ??????????? ''Hat Surin'') is on the west coast of Phuket, about 15 km north of Patong.
Understand
Surin Beach still has a small village atmosphere, but this is gradually changing as more and more major housing developments and hotel projects get underway. Accommodation is not cheap and the best prices are around 500 baht in the low season.
The beach itself has clear water and beautiful white sand, and is lined with tall casuarina trees and small Thai style restaurants. While one of the quieter beaches in Phuket, hawkers can still be a minor nuisance, although most are just content to walk about without actively getting in your face.
Just north of Surin is '''Pansea Bay''' (????????? ''Hat Phan-si''), a mouth-wateringly scenic enclave dominated by two deluxe resorts: Amanpuri and the Chedi. Film stars or VIPs like to stay there, as they can get away from the crowds. There are just a few restaurants and shops nearby.
Get in
Surin Beach is about 20 minutes away from Phuket Airport. An airport co-op taxi costs 450 bath, while a metered taxi may do the trip for as little as 300. For the way back, the local taxi mafia wants 600 baht.
Blue-and-white songthaews trundle past along the main road to Phuket Town and Kamala Beach, but there are no direct connections to Patong. Tuk-tuks lying in wait at the intersection in front of the beach demand a non-negotiable 350 baht for the trip.
Get around
Surin can be easily covered on foot, and you can even walk to neighboring Bang Tao beach if feeling energetic. You can also rent motorbikes from stalls near the beach, with prices starting from 200 baht/day.
See
The only sight in Surin is the temple (''wat'') down by the beach.
Do
The thing to do in Surin is to '''chill out at the beach''', which is nicely separated from the hotels and the main road by a disused golf course turned into a park. The beach is lined from end to end with restaurants and cafes, which will happily rent you a sun lounger and umbrella for around 100 baht/day.
Buy
There is a 7-Eleven in the village center, as well as a few overpriced minimarts on the beach and the hotel strip.
Eat
Along the beach road there is a large array of simple restaurants offering denatured, totally spiceless Thai food and simple international dishes for tourists, but the specialty is seafood. In the last few years there has been a new wave of redevelopment on the beach road resulting in some international standard restaurants. There are currently a few more restaurants under construction. Most restaurants have bathrooms and showers that guests can use after having been on the beach.
Budget
Cheap eating options in Surin are quite limited, but there's a decent noodle stall in front of the 7/11 (evenings only) and a few stalls at the parking lot next to the beach.
Patcharin Seafood. xtreme south end of beach. Don't be scared off by the decrepit appearance, this is the oldest eatery on the beach and still does a roaring business serving up tasty and cheap food. The Thai food is authentic and delicious, and the Western food is, well, generously portioned. Basic noodles start from 60 baht and a huge pot of tom yum kung goes for 150.
Mid-range
Nok Seafood. iddle of beach. 00 baht. Thai and Western food on a raised platform above the beach, with little luxuries like a tablecloth. Thai dishes here are a cut above the competition.
Positano. ext to Manathai. 00 baht. Kitschy Italian eatery run by a voluble Italian guy. The wood-fired pizza is good (from 220 baht), but the haphazard and overpriced pasta dishes are best avoided. Wine menu is limited to one red and white each.
Splurge
Silk. /50 Moo 3, Cherng Talay. he Plaza Surin. 66-76-271702. ttp://www.silkphuket.com/. 000 baht. Well-presented gourmet Thai food in slick, modern surroundings, priced to match.
Drink
Catch Beach Club. orth end of beach. ttp://catchbeachclub.com. Surin's only nightspot worthy of the name, with slick, billowing white sails, lit-up palm trees, roaring fires, several fully-stocked bars and a menu of expensive, pretentious fusion food. Also open during the day, but lounger rental goes for a ridiculous 1500 baht if you're not a guest at the Twinpalms Resort. Cocktails around 300 baht.
Sleep
Budget
Surin Bay Inn. ??????? ???? ?????. 06/11 Moo 3, Cherngtalay. ext to Courtyard. 66-76-271601. ttp://www.surinbayinn.com. 00-3000 baht. 12-room basic hotel next to Courtyard that has seen better days, but might be worth considering if you just want a place to crash near the beach.
Mid-range
Courtyard Surin Beach. 06/27 Moo 3, Cherngtalay, Talang. 66-76-303300. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hktsb-courtyard-phuket-at-surin-beach. 500 baht and up. Formerly the ''Surin Beach Resort'', thoroughly reworked by Marriott in 2008 and now a very slick-looking modern resort. Three pools, one of them enormous (but shallow), with two water slides and hence plenty of kids. Two-story gym, pool bar, restaurant, good breakfast buffet.
'''Pen Villa''' (???? ??????) 9/1 Mu 3, Tambon Choeng Thale, Tel: 0 7627 1100, 0 7627 1101, 19 rooms: 1,200-3,900 baht.
Splurge
'''Amanpuri''' (???????? ???????) 118/1 Mu 3, Srisunthon Road, Tambon Cheong Thale (Tel: 0 7632 4333-8, Fax: 0 7632 4100 Bangkok Tel: 0 2636 0633 www.amanresorts.com), 70 rooms: US$ 252-1,200
'''Benyada Lodge''' (??????? ????? 106/52 Mu 3, Tambon Cheong Thale (Tel: 0 7627 1261-4, 0 7627 1777), 29 rooms: 2,750-10,000 baht
'''Manathai''' (??????? ???????), 121 Srisunthon Road, Tambon Choeng Thale, tel. 0 7627 0900. Opposite the beach, a delightful, modern hotel with spacious rooms and excellent stylish communal areas with cool furnishings and high ceilings. 55 rooms: 8,000-30,000 baht.
Stay safe
Surin beach can become quite dangerous in the monsoon season due to its steeply sloping beach, and many unwary swimmers have lost their lives here; however this has not deterred the local surf enthusiasts and when the waves are right you'll see many Thais on surfboards. The safer parts of the beach have been marked off with floats.
Get out
Bang Tao, the next beach north
Kamala, the next beach south