Phuket Coastal Drives and Viewpoints

Those who enjoy road trips will love Phuket’s coastal drives and viewpoints atop the various hills that dot the island. Along the way, there are several beaches, hilltop temples and shrines, and plenty of excellent beachside and air conditioned cafes. 

The easiest way to see these viewpoints is with a car rental in Phuket via Drive Car Rental. We have two locations on the island: one at the airport and the other at the Holiday Inn Patong Beach. Both are great starting points to seeing everything the island has to offer. 

Western Coastal Drives and Points of Interest

Phuket’s western coast is the more beautiful side of the island to visit, as the roads wind their way through the hilly terrain that stretches nearly to the water’s edge.

Starting in the north and heading south will have you coming across several points of interest. Rural Road 4018 is a leisurely coastal road that provides access to beautiful views and beaches such as Nai Thon and Banana Beach. This road intersects with Highway 4030, which will take travellers all the way to the southern tip of Phuket island. 

Once on 4030, drivers will pass through Kamala Beach and the quaint Naka Thani Village on their way to the bustling Patong Beach area with its high rise hotels and shopping complexes. Continuing south on 4030, you’ll see Karon, Kata, and Kata Noi Beaches. Just south of Kata Noi is the stunning Karon Viewpoint, which provides a wide view of the seaside towns and mountains. 

At the very southern end of 4030 is Promthep Cape. This is a hilly peninsula that descends into the ocean with a fantastic view to the south, east, and west. 

Eastern Coast Drives and Scenic Stops

Highway 4030 continues northeast from Promthep Cape and passes Rawai beach until it intersects with Road 4024. From here, 4024 makes its way along the east coast until connecting to Road 4021. Both of these roads are set back some distance from the beaches, but there are several small roads that intersect it and provide seaside access along the way. 

After getting on 4021, visitors with families may wish to stop at Dolphins Bay. This is not a seaside bay but rather an aquatic show that is very popular with children. They offer several shows daily featuring dolphins and sea lions performing amazing tricks that are sure to delight. 

Heading north on 4021, you’ll approach Phuket Town, and you can hang a right onto Road 4023 to head southeast towards Ao Makham Beach and Cape Panwa. Panwa is a top choice for Phuket scenic sunset spots by car. The sun sets across the bay and as it ducks behind the peninsula, fills the sky with beautiful colours. 

If you choose to continue north on 4021, Phuket Town is worth a stop for its colonial era buildings and quaint shopping streets. North of town, tourists have a choice of the quicker Road 403 that stays inland or the scenic route of Road 4027 that runs closer to the coast. From there, it’s back to the hotel for a relaxing dinner and rest. 

Additional Viewpoints Worth a Visit

The following viewpoints are listed in order from north to south along the west coast and south to north along the eastern coast:

North to South:

• Mai Khao Airport Viewpoint
• Kamala Beach Viewpoint
• Black Rock Viewpoint
• Big Buddha Viewpoint

South to North:

• Khao Kad Viewpoint
• Monkey Hill Viewpoint
• Khao Rang Viewpoint

Each of the above viewpoints are accessible by road. Some visitors wonder about the pros and cons of a car rental versus scooter rental in Phuket; a car is the more convenient option as it doesn’t require driving on the far side of the road to avoid large vehicles. 

See More for Less with Drive Car Rental

Drive Car Rental has a wide selection of vehicles at competitive rates. Electric cars, sedans, SUVs, and luxury vehicles are all available. Travellers arriving in the high season from November to April are encouraged to book well in advance to secure the best selection and rates. 

If you’re planning to stay longer, expats and business travellers can take advantage of discounted monthly and annual rates. For maximum flexibility, Drive Car Rental also offers customers the option to pick up in one location and drop off in another. Visit our site today to see our full selection of vehicles and locations!