About Phuket Beach Clubs
Beach clubs represent Phuket's sophisticated side of nightlife - infinity pools overlooking turquoise water, sunset cocktails with DJ soundtracks, Mediterranean-inspired menus, and Instagram-worthy settings. Far from the chaos of Bangla Road, these venues attract couples, groups celebrating special occasions, and travelers seeking upscale beach experiences.
Expect to pay premium prices for premium locations. Day bed rentals typically include food and beverage credits. Dress codes apply at many venues - beachwear fine during day, smart casual expected for dinner. Reservations strongly recommended, especially for sunset times and weekends during high season. Find luxury hotels nearby.
Best Beach Clubs in Phuket
Catch Beach Club (Bang Tao/Surin)
Location: Bang Tao Beach, northern end
Vibe: Sophisticated, Mediterranean-inspired, upscale bohemian
Phuket's most famous beach club setting the gold standard since 2011. Two-level layout with beachfront dining, infinity pool, day beds, and sunset lounge. Mediterranean-Asian fusion menu. Regular DJ events and special parties. Beautiful white and blue color scheme.
Prices: Day beds 2,000-5,000 THB (includes 1,500+ THB F&B credit). Cocktails 400-600 THB. Mains 500-900 THB. Minimum spends apply weekends.
Best for: Special occasions, Instagram photos, sophisticated crowd, excellent food quality
Dress code: Smart casual evening, beachwear acceptable daytime
Kata Rocks (Kata)
Location: Kata cliffside, south of Kata Beach
Vibe: Ultra-luxury, intimate, exclusive
Boutique luxury resort's beach club perched on clifftop overlooking Andaman Sea. Stunning sunset views. Two infinity pools. Contemporary design. Smaller, more exclusive than big beach clubs. Exceptional service and attention to detail.
Prices: Day beds 3,000-8,000 THB with F&B credit. Very expensive cocktails 500-800 THB. Fine dining menu 800-1,500 THB per dish.
Best for: Honeymoons, anniversaries, ultimate luxury, spectacular views, avoiding crowds
Dress code: Smart casual mandatory, no beachwear at restaurant
Xana Beach Club (Bang Tao)
Location: Bang Tao Beach, south of Catch
Vibe: Lively, party atmosphere, younger crowd
High-energy beach club popular with younger tourists and locals. Daily DJ sets. Pool parties on weekends. Modern tropical design. More affordable than Catch while maintaining quality. Full moon parties and special events monthly. Gets very busy during high season.
Prices: Day beds 1,500-3,000 THB with credits. Cocktails 300-500 THB. International menu 400-700 THB.
Best for: Party atmosphere, meeting people, more affordable luxury, energetic crowd
Dress code: Casual, more relaxed than other clubs
Cafe del Mar (Kamala/Patong)
Location: Between Kamala and Patong beaches
Vibe: Ibiza-style, sunset focus, chill-out music
Ibiza's legendary beach club brand's Phuket outpost. Famous for sunset sessions with chill-out beats and house music. Tiered seating ensures good views. Multiple pools and lounging areas. More music-focused than food-focused. Sunset times get extremely crowded.
Prices: Day beds 2,000-4,000 THB with F&B minimum. Drinks 350-550 THB. Food secondary to drinks and atmosphere.
Best for: Sunset cocktails, electronic music lovers, Ibiza vibes, big groups
Dress code: Beach casual accepted
Dream Beach Club (Layan/Bang Tao)
Location: Layan Beach, quieter northern area
Vibe: Relaxed luxury, family-friendly daytime, sophisticated evening
Elegant beach club with excellent balance of relaxation and energy. Beautiful beachfront location on quieter Layan Beach. Well-designed with multiple zones. Good children's facilities making it family-friendly during day. Transforms to adult atmosphere evening. Consistently high reviews for service.
Prices: Day beds 1,800-3,500 THB. Reasonable cocktail prices 300-450 THB. Good value compared to competitors.
Best for: Families with children daytime, couples evening, avoiding Patong crowds, good value
Dress code: Smart casual recommended
Beach Club Practical Information
Booking & Reservations
Book online or call ahead, especially for sunset times and weekends during December-February. Day bed reservations often require deposit or prepayment. Specify pool access, beach access, or dining table when booking. Popular clubs fully booked weeks ahead during peak season.
Day Bed Packages
Day bed rental includes F&B credit applicable to food and drinks throughout day. Minimum spends typically 1,500-2,000 THB per bed. Credit doesn't cover full cost - expect to pay additional. Reserve specific bed locations - front row, pool access, shade consideration. Some clubs charge towel rental separately (100-200 THB).
Best Times to Visit
Sunset (5:30-7:00 PM) is prime time - book early or arrive 3+ hours before. Weekday afternoons quieter and easier to secure walk-in spots. Sunday sessions popular with locals and expats. Shoulder season (November, March-April) offers good availability with lower prices. Low season (May-Oct) some clubs close or operate reduced schedules.
What to Bring
- Swimwear plus cover-up for walking around
- Sunscreen and sunglasses essential
- Cash for tips and extras (credit cards accepted)
- Light jacket for air-conditioned indoor areas
- Change of clothes for evening if staying for dinner
- Waterproof phone case for pool photos
Etiquette & Rules
- Respect day bed reservations - don't sit on occupied beds
- Keep noise levels appropriate - this isn't Bangla Road
- Tip service staff 50-100 THB for good service
- Don't hog day beds if just visiting for drinks
- Children welcome daytime, check evening policies
- Photography allowed but respect other guests' privacy
Getting There
Most beach clubs located Bang Tao/Surin area (northwest) or Kata area (southwest). Taxi from Patong 30-45 minutes, 600-800 THB. Grab often cheaper but limited availability returning. Consider arranging return transport before dark. Some clubs offer shuttle service from major hotels. Parking available but limited during busy periods.
Beach Clubs by Budget
Budget-Friendly (Under 3,000 THB for 2)
After Beach Bar (Kata) - Casual beach bar with loungers and food. Not technically a club but similar vibe at lower prices. Banana Beach Club (Coral Island) - Day trip includes beach club access. Simplicity Beach (Kamala) - Local favorite with reasonable prices.
Mid-Range (3,000-6,000 THB for 2)
Xana Beach Club, Dream Beach Club, Cafe del Mar walk-in rates. Twinpalms MontAzure (Kamala) - Smaller resort beach club. Bliss Beach Club (Bang Tao) - Good value with less international recognition.
Luxury (6,000+ THB for 2)
Catch Beach Club premium packages, Kata Rocks, Amanpuri Beach Club (members/guests), Bimi Beach Club (Patong) premium positions. These deliver ultimate experience with impeccable service and exclusive atmosphere.
Alternative Beach Club Experiences
Hotel Pool Day Passes
Many luxury hotels sell day passes to non-guests for pool and beach access. Typically 1,000-2,500 THB including F&B credit. Examples: JW Marriott Phuket, Angsana Laguna, Movenpick Karon. Less scene-y than dedicated beach clubs but often better value and facilities.
Sunset Bars Without Day Beds
After Beach Bar (Kata), Ska Bar (Kata), Joe's Downstairs (Kata Noi), Catch Beach Club bar area (walk-in). Pay only for drinks without day bed commitment. More casual atmosphere. Better for spontaneous visits. Arrive early for good seating.
Beach Restaurants with Loungers
Many beaches have beachfront restaurants renting loungers 100-200 THB plus food/drink purchases. Karon, Kata, Nai Harn beaches particularly good. Much cheaper than beach clubs. More authentic Thai beach experience. Lower quality facilities and service.
Are Phuket Beach Clubs Worth It?
Beach clubs provide a memorable, photogenic experience that's worth splurging on once during your Phuket trip. The combination of stunning settings, quality service, excellent cocktails, and sophisticated atmosphere delivers something genuinely special. Sunset at Catch Beach Club or Kata Rocks creates lasting memories.
Consider your budget and priorities. If 3,000-5,000 THB for an afternoon seems excessive, regular beach chairs are perfectly enjoyable. Beach clubs are experiences, not necessities. If you appreciate design, service, and Instagram moments, they're absolutely worth it.
Best approach: Visit one top-tier beach club (Catch or Kata Rocks) for the full experience, then explore cheaper alternatives or regular beaches. Book sunset time for maximum impact. Don't try to visit multiple beach clubs in one day - each deserves several hours to fully appreciate.