Nai yang beach in sirinat national park is my favorite escape on the island. Entrance fee 200 baht for adults (foreigners), 40 baht for children but totally worth it for the peace. Beach stretches endlessly with minimal crowds even during peak season.

Unique feature: planes landing super low overhead from phuket airport. Sounds weird but actually quite mesmerizing. Water stays calm year-round, perfect for swimming. Sala thai restaurant serves fresh fish 200-300 baht beachside.

Blue songthaew from phuket town takes 45 minutes for 40 baht. Much better than dealing with patong madness when you need to decompress.