Cape Panwa, on Phuket's south-eastern peninsula, is one of the island's quietest upscale areas — a deliberate contrast to the west coast's busier beaches.
What it's like
A handful of long-established luxury resorts occupy much of the peninsula's coastline, alongside the Phuket Aquarium and views across to Koh Siray and the mainland.
Why travellers choose it
Genuine quiet and privacy within a reasonable drive of Phuket Town, at the cost of being far from the west coast's beach and nightlife circuit — most visitors here are settling in rather than exploring widely each day.
Windmill Viewpoint
A lesser-known sunrise-facing viewpoint sits near the cape, a quieter alternative to the crowded west-coast sunset spots.
Nearby east-coast spots
Cape Panwa sits within easy reach of Ao Yon and Cape Yamu further north, and the marinas covered in our marinas guide — a natural east-coast loop for a day away from the west coast.
Where to stay
See our resorts with a private beach guide — several of Cape Panwa's properties are the kind of naturally secluded coves that guide describes.