Surin Beach on the west coast of Phuket is sandwiched between the beaches of Bang Tao and Laem Singh, and is considered to be part of one of the up market resort destinations on the Pearl of the Andaman, featuring high-end resorts like Twin Palms, The Chedi and Amanpuri, the latter of which has villas on offer priced at up to US$8,000 a night.

Smaller than neighbouring Bang Tao Beach, the beach in Surin is extremely popular with Thais, expats and tourists alike due to its picture perfect looks, white sand, clear water and large selection of eating and drinking options.

Where Surin Beach differs from other beaches along Phuket’s west coast is that jet-skis and speedboats are relatively conspicuous by their absence due to a lack launch sites. The added peace and quiet that this affords is one of the reasons that Surin Beach is rarely seen empty during the high season months from November until April.

Visitors to the beach at Surin should never to go hungry thanks to the wide range of restaurants, mobile barbecues and vendors that are either on, or in close proximity to the beach’s white sand.

As you approach the beach from the main body of the resort, passing a temple-like structure which is a popular hangout for young Thais practicing break dancing, you are welcomed by the delicious waft of cooked chicken prepared by a phalanx of locals with mobile carts, who also offer spicy papaya salad (som tam), sticky rice, freshly cut tropical fruits and drinks.

On the beach itself, sun worshippers can pick up an ice cream or some barbecued corn on the cob among other items from vendors who trawl up and down the sand. If eating with one’s fingers is unappealing, there is a number of good beachside eateries to satisfy even the biggest pangs of hunger.

Given the beauty of the beach and its surroundings, it comes as no surprise that Surin Beach is a popular destination to watch the sun setting. Many of the bars and restaurants have happy hours at this time, offering delicious cocktails to boost the experience.

Once the sun drops below the Andaman Sea, Surin Beach is by no means finished for the day. The majority of restaurants which sit along the road running parallel to the beach offer fresh seafood BBQs and ample seating on the beach, giving people the chance to dine under the stars and watch traditional Thai lanterns (kom loi) disappear up into the night sky.

Once dinner is over, it’s time to party along the beachfront of Surin. Stereo Lab Beach Bar and Club, which opened in late 2008 at the south end of the beach, regularly hosts international DJs from all corners of the globe and is the party destination of choice for many of Phuket’s expats.

At the northern end of the beach, the uber-trendy and chic Catch Beach Club is another popular after dark destination. Like Stereo Lab, it hosts parties along the beachfront, bringing international DJs to Surin, and is famous for its ‘white parties’, where patrons are encouraged to dress in all white, creating a dazzling sea of seemingly angelic figures.