Beach-hop the west coast

Phuket's beaches are all free and public, and they range from the buzzing sweep of Patong to the quieter sands of Kata, Karon, and the harder-to-reach gems like Freedom Beach. The best way to enjoy them on a budget is simple: rent a scooter, pack water and snacks from a 7-Eleven, and spend the day moving from one to the next, paying for nothing but the petrol. Sunset from a west-coast beach is one of the island's great free pleasures. We'll suggest which beaches suit swimming, which suit quiet, and how to reach the hidden ones.