Laem Ka Yai Beach (bigger of the two Laem Ka beaches) is north of well-known Rawai Beach and is 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from Koh Lon island off Phuket’s southeast coast. This beach faces southeast, and there is an island easily visible just off-shore. Unfortunately, this is a beautiful beach that has become a through-way for endless Chinese tourists getting gout of buses and onto longboats at one side of this beach. It’s sometimes loud and destroys the serenity of the place. On the other hand, you may get lucky and not have any tourists boarding boats. Depends on time of year.

There is some snorkeling at the south end of the beach, near the rocks. There are big and small rocks in the water all along Laem Ka Yai Beach, so be careful while walking around if you don’t have protective shoes on.

Or, just lay around the beach with the pigs. Yes, you heard that right – there are pigs running wild here.

There is no resort built right on Laem Ka Yai Beach, but you’ll nearly always find people here because it’s on the maps, and it’s such a lovely little beach on Phuket’s east side that people seem to find it easily. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth going to beaches in the early morning when you may get lucky and have it to yourself.

To reach Laem Ka Yai Beach, just come south on Highway 4024 as if you were going to Rawai Beach. Instead, make a left hand turn after the “Laguna Nightclub Rawai”. There is a 7-11 convenience store on the corner. Go 900 meters (984 yards) straight down that road until it ends. The beach is just 35 meters away.