Freedom Beach: How to Get to the Most Beautiful Beach on Phuket
Everything you need to know about finding the beach, available facilities and our best tips | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
Phuket’s most beautiful beach?
We must admit that, despite spending almost three weeks in Phuket, we didn’t manage to visit every single beach on the island (although we certainly saw quite a few!).
Still, we can confidently say that Freedom Beach is at the very top.
Phuket is undeniably touristy, especially around areas like Karon and Patong. That’s why it feels extra special that, just a few minutes’ drive away and a short hike through the jungle, you can reach a beach that remains largely unspoiled.
While Freedom Beach does have a few beach stalls (and other tourists), it remains free from hotels, large buildings and roads nearby. The feeling of tranquillity is unmatched.
Read on to learn all about how to get to Freedom Beach, the facilities available, where to stay nearby and our best tips.
Our recommendations: Where to stay near Freedom Beach?
- Budget: Baan Chay Lay Resort – We stayed at this hotel in Karon (close to Freedom Beach!). The rooms are family-friendly with a kitchen, and the pool was in half shade/half sun.
- Value for money: Chanalai Hillside Resort – A great deal in Karon with a rooftop pool and a lovely location close to the beach and restaurants.
- Luxury: Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa – Beautiful 5-star hotel with its own beach, just under 10 minutes from the heart of Patong (and even shorter to Freedom Beach).
- Ultra luxury: Rosewood Phuket – Pure luxury with private pool villas set in stunning, lush surroundings. Also really close to Freedom Beach.
Search for the cheapest and best hotels in Phuket here.
Table of contents
Where is Freedom Beach?
Freedom Beach is located on the southwest side of the peninsula, along the ridge that separates Patong to the north from Karon to the south (on Phuket’s west coast).
While the beach, of course, is right by the sea, the nearest road is higher up in the hills, meaning you’ll need to hike down or arrive by boat.
The map below shows the two driving routes to Freedom Beach, along with the two different hiking paths. The northernmost route requires an entrance fee, while the southern one is free.
How to get to Freedom Beach
There are two main ways to reach Freedom Beach: drive and hike or arrive by boat.
With your own transport
If you’ve rented a car or scooter in Phuket, it’s relatively simple to drive as close as possible to Freedom Beach and walk from there.
When Alex visited Freedom Beach, he rode a scooter from Karon. The trip took around 15-20 minutes.
Follow the main road connecting Patong and Karon until you reach the road “ สันที่วรับ“. If coming from Karon, it’s the first road on the left after passing the Le Méridien hotel. Continue along this road, passing Grandma’s Kitchen, until you reach The Lek Sand Beach Bar.
The road is somewhat bumpy and occasionally steep, but it’s wide enough and manageable for most drivers. Just take it slow. After heavy rain, conditions can become more challenging, and we wouldn’t recommend it if you aren’t used to driving a scooter.
Parking
At The Lek Sand Beach Bar, it is free to park on the side of the road.
The hike down to Freedom Beach
From The Lek Sand Beach Bar, it’s a 20-25 minute walk down to Freedom Beach.
The distance isn’t very long (the signs mention 450 metres), but as you descend about 150 metres towards the water, some sections can be quite steep.
The path is well-maintained, but it may not be ideal if you’re unsteady on your feet or if there has been heavy rain recently.
We strongly advise against hiking in flip-flops. Instead, wear sneakers or other sturdy, closed shoes for better grip and comfort.
Taxi to Freedom Beach
Many taxis appear to drop passengers off at another entrance to Freedom Beach, located further along the same road near Avista Hideaway.
Here, an access fee of around 100 baht (~ 2.7 EUR / 3 USD)* is charged, which can be avoided by using the entrance at The Lek Sand Beach Bar, as described above.
That said, some visitors mention that the walk down to Freedom Beach is easier from the paid entrance.
*Prices were last updated in 2025.
By boat
If you prefer not to drive to Freedom Beach, luckily, it’s also possible to sail there (unless the sea is too rough).
The boat trip takes just 15–25 minutes from the southern end of Patong Beach, but it will cost around 1,000-1,500 baht (~ 27-41 EUR / 30-45 USD)* to rent a longtail boat. It’s worth negotiating with the captain for a better price.
It’s a good idea to protect your phone, camera, and other valuables with a dry bag for the boat ride.
There is no dock at Freedom Beach, so you’ll need to jump directly into the water from the boat and walk the final stretch to the beach.
*Prices were last updated in 2025.
Facilities at Freedom Beach
Although Freedom Beach feels almost untouched, several locals make a living from tourism here.
Along the beach, you’ll find a few small, makeshift stalls selling coconuts, Thai dishes, drinks and snacks.
At both ends of the beach, there are restaurants where you can sit in the shade.
The northern end has a restaurant with a great view of the beach, though it was closed when Alex visited. At the southern end, Barefoot Bistro looked like a cosy spot to relax.
There are no traditional sunbeds at Freedom Beach. Instead, vendors dig a small “headrest” in the sand, place a mat over it and set up a parasol. A simple but clever setup! Expect to pay around 100-200 baht (~ 2.7-5.4 EUR / 3-6 USD)* for this.
There don’t appear to be any functioning toilets or showers at Freedom Beach.
*Prices were last updated in 2025.
When to visit Freedom Beach
If you plan to visit Freedom Beach by boat, it’s best to go during the high season (roughly November to April). Outside this period, the sea is more likely to be too rough for the trip.
The best time of day to visit Freedom Beach
If you have the chance, we highly recommend visiting Freedom Beach in the morning. This way, you can enjoy the beach before the “sunbeds” are set up and before too many other tourists arrive.
Midday is when the beach is at its sunniest and the water is typically at its clearest. It’s also the hottest time of day, so be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection.
With its west-facing position, Freedom Beach is also an excellent spot to watch the sunset. Just remember to bring a flashlight/headlamp if you need to hike back up in the dark!
Where to stay near Freedom Beach
Unless you plan to visit Freedom Beach every day, you don’t necessarily need to stay nearby to visit the beach.
Although Phuket is a large island, it’s not so big that getting to Freedom Beach from other parts of the island is difficult.
Alex visited Freedom Beach from Karon, which, along with Patong, are the closest major beaches to Freedom Beach.
Below, we highlight some of the best hotels at both beaches (as well as a few that are even closer to Freedom Beach).
The best hotels at Karon Beach
When we first arrived in Phuket, we checked in directly at the Baan Chay Lay Resort (adlink) at Karon Beach.
The area offers everything you could want for a holiday in Thailand. There are plenty of restaurants, massage parlours, shops, tour operators and whatever else you might need!
The beach itself is stunning, with 3 kilometres of soft, squeaky sand that invite you to relax all day long.
Karon Beach is very family-friendly, offering the perfect spot for building sandcastles or simply enjoying the view from a beach chair or (for free) under the palm trees.
In high season, there’s no doubt that Karon is popular. Especially around sunset, many people gather – mostly at the northern end near the roundabout. But there’s always room for a few more towels on the sand.
From the roundabout in Karon, it’s about a 15-minute drive to the parking area at Freedom Beach.
Consider the exact location of the hotel
There are two “main roads” at Karon: one along the beach and another a little further inland.
If you stay on the road further inland, your access to the beach may be limited. Some large resorts, like the Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort (adlink), occupy prime spots, which can restrict where you can walk down to the water.
Where to stay at Karon Beach?
- Budget: Baan Chay Lay Resort – We stayed in a family-friendly room with a sofa and kitchen. We were pleased with the pool, where we could choose between sunbathing or relaxing in the shade.
- Value for money: Chanalai Hillside Resort – A great deal in Karon with a rooftop pool and a lovely location close to the beach and restaurants.
- Luxury: Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort – Large 5-star resort just across the road from the beach with multiple pools, restaurants, sports facilities and even a waterslide.
Search for the cheapest and best hotels near Karon here (adlink).
The best hotels at Patong Beach
Patong is the undisputed centre of tourism in Phuket.
With numerous hotels, you’ll find everything from the island’s cheapest options to some of the most luxurious (especially at the smaller beaches just west of Patong).
Choices are abundant here. While some might find the area overwhelming, others see it as the ultimate holiday experience.
As the major tourist hotspot, it can feel commercialised, crowded and not as authentic as other areas on the island. If you’re looking for a more laid-back atmosphere, Patong might not be the ideal spot.
However, if you want to experience Phuket’s nightlife, this is the place to be.
We preferred staying in Karon, which is still close enough for shopping trips to Patong’s malls. If you’re after convenience and want everything within walking distance, or if you find a great deal, we understand why Patong would be appealing.
It’s worth noting, though, that the area around Bangla Road can be noisy, especially if you’re not there to party all night.
Patong is the nearest (larger) beach to Freedom Beach. From the roundabout near Malin Plaza, it’s just approximately a 8-minute drive to the car park.
Where to stay at Patong Beach?
- Ultra luxury: Rosewood Phuket – Pure luxury with private pool villas set in stunning, lush surroundings.
- Luxury: Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa – Beautiful 5-star hotel with its own beach, just under 10 minutes from the heart of Patong (and even shorter to Freedom Beach).
- Value for money: Rak Elegant Hotel Patong – A bit set back from the beach and all the fuss. Cool rooms and apartments with a rooftop pool.
- Budget: Casa Jip Guesthouse – Large rooms with a central (and quiet!) location in Patong.
Search for the cheapest and best hotels at Patong Beach here (adlink).
The best things to do and see in Phuket
On Thailand’s largest island, there’s plenty to do (beyond relaxing on its stunning beaches).
We’ve created a comprehensive travel guide to Phuket, covering the best things to do and see.
Read the entire guide here or click directly to the experiences below:
- Big Buddha – Great view from Phuket’s largest statue
- Wat Chalong – The largest and most stunning Buddhist temple on the island
- Phuket Old Town – Colourful Sino-Portuguese houses
- Karon Temple – Pretty Buddhist temple in Karon
- Karon Temple Market – Classic market in a sacred setting
- Boat trips from Phuket – Island hopping to Thailand’s most beautiful islands
- Water activities – Try everything from snorkelling to jet skiing
- Trekking in the jungle – See waterfalls in the rainforest
- Active experiences – Get moving and connect with nature
- Samet Nangshe Viewpoint – Day trip to an epic panoramic view
- Nightlife – Party in Thai style
- Massage – Relax and unwind
- Shopping – Buy unique souvenirs
Our best tips for visiting Freedom Beach
- Freedom Beach is truly photogenic. Make sure to bring a good camera! Here’s our guide to lightweight photography gear for high-quality travel content. Just be careful if you sail to the beach.
- Transportation with Grab or Bolt is often cheaper than local taxis. They work similarly to Uber. Download both apps and compare prices for a ride to Freedom Beach – just make sure you have data on your phone. There is even a data connection available on the beach.
- Remember sun protection. The sun is really strong in Thailand. We recommend that you use an organic, vegan sunscreen.
- Bring cash. We wouldn’t count on being able to use your credit card for anything at Freedom Beach, so be sure to bring some extra baht.
- Don’t forget swimwear. It’s great for a dip at Freedom Beach. If you have snorkel gear, there’s also some decent snorkelling opportunities to be had at both ends of the beach.
- Bring your own water bottle and drink plenty of water. Especially if you hike to Freedom Beach in the heat.
- Take all your rubbish with you. A garbage truck won’t pass by Freedom Beach (fortunately!), so be sure to take everything back with you.
- Wear sturdy shoes. If you’re hiking down to (or up from) Freedom Beach, it’s a good idea to wear sneakers or other sturdy shoes. Even more so if it has rained.
- Remember travel insurance! We compare the best travel insurance for digital nomads and long-term travellers here.
Thank you for reading along
Thanks for reading our travel guide to Freedom Beach in Phuket.
Have you already been to Freedom Beach? How did you get there – and what do you think?
If you’ve already been there, it would be great to hear about your experiences – or feel free to ask away in the comments below if you haven’t been there yet. We are happy to help!
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.
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