Nai Harn Beach, Phuket Thailand Travel Guide

Nai Harn Beach is located at the southern tip of Phuket Island and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is over a kilometer in length, with a long headland to the north and another to the south, along with a saltwater lagoon which empties and fills with the tide and can be used for therapeutic bathing.

Behind the beach are several casuarina trees and coconut palms, and behind the trees are several small restaurants and souvenir shops. From the beach, it is difficult to see any man made structures except for the giant Royal Phuket Yacht Club which is embedded in the hills at the north end of the beach.

The beach is underdeveloped, in large part due to the fact the much of the land is owned by Buddhist foundations and occupied by monks, and the presence of a large fresh water reservoir.

Because the beach faces the southwest, it is very vulnerable to ocean turbulence during the monsoon months of May through October. The turbulence helps shape the beach and keep it clean, and it creates waves that are good for surfing. But it also makes swimming dangerous, at least on many days during this period.

From November to May, the swimming is excellent. It is possible to rent kayaks here but there are no jet skis for rent, so the beach is quite quiet and nice. Sun loungers are available at 100 baht each. From May to November, beach goers can admire the large number of yachts that anchor here for protection from the winds.

Accommodation - Hotels - Resorts on Nai Harn Beach

There are not many places to stay at Nai Harn Beach and it is a little difficult to get to it. One must tranverse a narrow road that winds through rubber plantations and small villages. The best place to stay – and one of the few places to stay – in Nai Harn is the Royal Phuket Yacht Club, which is one of the few places on the island generally acclaimed for its excellence and value. Of course it is not cheap.

Another possibility is the All Seasons Nai Harn Phuket, a three star facility one half kilometer from the beach, Two three star facilities are about one kilometer from the beach, Naiharn Garden Resort and Two Villa Oxygen Hotel. Cheaper places are available in nearby places such as Rawai Beach.

There is not much shopping in Nai Harn. It is not that kind of beach but there is a 7-11 store and basic shopping is available in Nai Harn village, which is a few minutes drive away. The nightlife is also pretty basic. There are a few "open air" bars in the village and it is said that a nightclub recently opened. A (somewhat) more active nightlife is available in nearby Rawai, and Patong Beach is a twenty minute drive away.

Video of Nai Harn Beach in Phuket