Ao Manao Beach - a couple of miles south of the town centre so tuk-tuk or bicycles recommended. It's on the Wing 5 Air Force base - you will be asked to sign in with your passport number, but this is just a formality. The air force keeps the beach lovely and clean, and it is the "main" swimming beach within the city. Sit on the provided deck chairs under umbrellas (10 baht per person) at the south end of the bay, near the food courts, or walk along the beautiful empty northern stretch, see tiny pink seashells and watch crabs digging holes in the sand.