Separated from the hotels and the main road by a disused golf course turned into a park, the beach’s clear waters and white sands are lined with tall trees and small Thai style restaurants. The area is famed for its wealth of luxury boutique accommodation, yet mid-range options are growing. Most hotels are either set back slightly from the beach or in the hills, and there are some great sea views to be found.
Surfboards, kayaks and bodyboards are available to rent, and snorkeling is best at the headland at the northern end and out to the headland at Pansea Beach. Unlike some of Phuket’s other beaches, there is a refreshing absence of jet-skis and speed boats in Surin.
The beachfront is a gathering place for locals and visitors alike to snack on barbecued seafood, enjoy a cool drink and escape the heat of the day. Restaurants on nearby Soi 8 have a greater focus on international cuisine, and hawkers offer fruit and snacks on the beach. Outside of the exclusive resort bars, Surin maintains a refined nightlife.
The upmarket Surin Plaza shopping mall is located just before Surin Beach from Cherng Talay, and there are some nearby shop-houses with some quality items closer to the beach.
Most visitors arrive in Surin via taxi from Phuket International Airport, which is about 20 minutes away. Surin can be easily covered on foot, and it’s possible to walk to neighboring Bang Tao Beach. Tuk-tuks are available from the main intersection, but the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the rest of the island is to rent a motorcycle from one of the shops near the beach.
![Swimming pool [outdoor]](http://pix10.agoda.net/hotelImages/109/109079/109079_14052816270019611447.jpg?s=312x235&ar=16x9)
