Cape Panwa

The southernmost tip of this cape is home to a Marine Biological Research Centre and Phuket's Aquarium where visitors may inspect several hundred exotic, grotesque, and flamboyantly colourful marine species found in the teeming waters of Phuket and elsewhere.

Just a short 10 minute drive from Phuket Town, Cape Panwa is a lesser-known area where rubber and palm plantations still outnumber the resorts, and where Phuket's deep sea port and naval base are found. The roads are quiet, offering the chance to take in the sea views and other sights as you wind around the cape. A major attraction is the Phuket Aquarium at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.

Cape Panwa is divided into two parts by a 300 metre long seaside esplanade. The western part is right next to the Thai Navy Headquarters and is just 70 metres long and not that wide. Fisherman use it to beach their long tails and small boys do spectacular jumps and dives off the safety railings at high tide.

At the far end lies the Phuket Aquarium and the beach just below this is relatively quiet but not very shady. The sand underfoot is agreeable and the sea calm and there are some lovely views out to Koh Lone and other islands.

This is more of a functional than a recreational beach and indeed right at the end stands a large pier for commercial and military use.

Nearby Cape Panwa Hotel also has an attractive beach but this is reserved for their lucky guests.

Getting to Cape Panwa

To get to Cape Panwa it is simply a matter of following Sakadit Road (The main Phuket Town to Cape Panwa Road) to its very end. from Phuket town, head to Chalong Bay or Rawai Beach, when exiting phuket town turn left and follow the signs 'Phuket Aquarium'. The road makes a sharp left at the Naval Headquarters and this is where Cape Panwa Beach is located.

What to Do

No jet-skis or banana boats here. Cape Panwa offers a lot of things to do along its esplanade but nothing on the beach itself. Try a visit to the aquarium, it's fascinating.

See Hotels in Cape Panwa