Categories > Guides and Tips
The Ultimate Guide to the Beautiful Nai Harn Beach
A tranquil spot in Phuket, Nai Harn Beach boasts clear waters, white sands, and picturesque views that will surely tick your dream summer destination!
Not sold yet? Let us convince you with this list of incredible things you must know about Nai Harn Beach, including the places you can visit to satisfy your hungry taste buds and adventurous spirit!
Things to Know
Nai Harn is largely undeveloped, mainly due to the Buddhist temple on the east side, because its owners choose to preserve the beauty of nature and not touch it.
But there are still many exciting things you can do here. In particular, there are plenty of attractions and adventures to embark on when visiting this pristine beach, so you won’t run out of things to do.
Location: 110 Naiharn Beach Rd, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand
The beautiful Nai Harn Beach is in the southernmost section of Thailand’s Phuket Island, within Rawai Town in the Muang District. It’s 49 kilometers south of Phuket International Airport (HKT) and 3.5 kilometers north of Promthep Cape.
Admission Fees: Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about paying admission fees to visit Nai Harn Beach. That’s because Nai Harn is a public beach, and you’re free to make the most of the beach, given various safety rules.
Best Time to Go
The best months to visit Nai Harn Beach are from November to April because the waters are still pretty calm for swimming. Try to avoid June to October since those are when the monsoon season hits.
How to Get to Nai Harn Beach
Traveling 49 kilometers from Phuket International Airport to Nai Harn Beach will take approximately an hour and two separate rides. You need to ride a Phuket Airport bus to Phuket Town, a 33-kilometer commute that will cost around ฿453.
From Phuket Town, you can choose to ride a taxi, tuk-tuk, or songthaew, the mini shuttle-like public vehicle you’ll find in Thailand. However, it’s important to note that songthaews work similarly to buses, so you must wait for the next one if you miss it.
Thus, we recommend taking a taxi or tuk-tuk from Phuket Town to Nai Harn Beach instead to avoid waiting. The remaining travel distance will be approximately 16 kilometers, costing you around ฿400 to ฿500.
Although riding a public vehicle like Songthaew is much cheaper, traveling in a group might be a hassle, especially while carrying your baggage. So, catching a shared taxi might be the best option since you pay for your fare as a group.
Things to Do
There are many activities and places to explore when visiting Nai Harn Beach in Phuket. Here are some things you can expect once you arrive at one of Thailand’s most tranquil and pristine tourist destinations.
Swim and snorkel on the beach
The calm and warm waters are excellent for those who enjoy swimming or snorkeling, especially with lifeguards on standby. Snorkeling is a popular activity in the area, since the underwater visibility is so stunningly clear.
But, you won’t find cottages to stay in along the shores of Nai Harn Beach because local laws prohibit construction on this strip of land, which is the key to preserving its beauty.
Instead, you can rent an umbrella and mat or a chair to put on your chosen spot by the beach. It’s a nice way to relax after swimming!
Play beach volleyball
Stay active with beach volleyball. It’s a good way to enjoy the beach and get a bit of tan if you’re not into sunbathing.
Locals and tourists usually play a friendly game of beach volleyball. Don’t worry; everyone is approachable, so you won’t have any issue joining for a game or two.
Get a massage by the beach
Walking around Nai Harn Beach, you’ll notice open areas where stalls offer Thai massage for around ฿300. While these may not offer some privacy, they’re excellent if you want to enjoy the beach’s breeze and vibe.
Alternatively, you can find massage services inside shops and establishments, so your options aren’t limited. These shops are easy to spot because they’ll have signs and staff outside offering massage treatment to passersby.
Check out Ao Sane Beach
You can move to the small Ao Sane Beach Cove behind Nai Harn to enjoy a cozier and quieter spot. You can reach this beach cove through the shore of The Nair Harn Hotel, and follow a steep road going down—be careful!
Ao Sane’s cozy waters are the best place for snorkeling in Nai Harn. However, it doesn’t offer a wide area for swimming or surfing, unlike the Nai Harn beachfront.
Still, you can find restaurants and small hotels near Ao Sane Beach. This way, it’s more convenient for swimming activities and exploring Thai food because you don’t have to walk far to find a desirable spot.
Pay respects at the Wat Nai Harn Temple
Address: Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
This Buddhist temple in the east of Nai Harn Beach is where locals pay their respects and bring offerings early in the morning, making it the ideal time to visit. Wat Nai Harn Temple’s new building makes it an excellent landmark to see.
If you ask a monk for permission in advance, they may allow you to watch or join their scripture chanting at dawn. Remember: this temple is a place of worship, so you must be respectful and dress appropriately during your visit.
So, wearing clothes that cover the shoulders and ankles is advisable when visiting Wat Nai Harn Temple. You can also hire a tour guide who can help arrange your visit and teach you about the history of the place.
Take a morning jog at Nai Harn Lake
Address: Highway 4233, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, 83100
You can find the once-natural Nai Harn Lake near the Buddhist temple, now a massive concrete pond. This lake is popular among locals and visitors because it’s an excellent place for early-morning jogs and early-evening walks.
While jogging or walking near the lake, you can find stalls beside the concrete path to buy refreshments, like coconut water and smoothies. If you’re up for some fun time, you can rent paddle boats in Nai Harn Lake.
A little tip if you visit Nai Harn Lake in November: you might be able to join in the Loi Krathong festival. Locals will float candles and flowers in the lake as ritual offerings.
Rent a kayak and paddle on Yanui Beach
Address: Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Yanui Beach is another lovely attraction near Nai Harn Beach because they have rental kayaks and paddleboards. You can also dine in the streetside Thai restaurants beside Yanui Beach.
This beach has fine white sands but with many sedimentary rock formations, so you can find many seashells along its shore. You will also pass Yanui Beach as you travel to Promthep Cape.
Watch the sunset at Promthep Cape
Address: Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Although the sunset view in Nai Harn Beach is beautiful, the sight you’ll see at Promthep Cape is on another level. There’s a reason this cape is among Phuket’s most photographed locations.
Sunset watching is even more beautiful if you do it on the Promthep Cape Lighthouse, which gives you a premier overlook of the Andaman Sea. As such, it’s a fantastic spot for taking captivating “golden hour” photos.
Promthep Cape is also home to the Hindu god Brahma’s elephant shrine. You can take unique pictures here and marvel at hundreds of this shrine’s elephant carvings.
Climb up the Black Rock Viewpoint
Address: Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
If you’re adventurous, you can level up the experience (literally and figuratively) by climbing the hill to Black Rock Viewpoint. This spot will let you completely appreciate the beauty of Nai Harn.
Do note that the journey to Black Rock Viewpoint will be long and arduous since you must drive through Karon Viewpoint near Kata Beach. But if you’re coming from Promthep Cape, stopping by Black Rock Viewpoint will be worth the extra effort.
Where to Shop
Streetside Stalls: Looking for a place to shop in Nai Harn Beach is never a struggle because you can find little shops along the beach road that sell everything you’ll need during your visit.
You can find various swimming gear and other items, like hammocks and beach mattresses. If you’re looking for souvenirs, you can find them along the street near popular attractions, just like the ones we mentioned above.
Where to Stay
Since construction isn’t allowed near the shores of Nai Harn Beach, you won’t see as many nearby hotels as you would on other beaches. Below is a list of hotels we recommend you check into if you plan to visit this famous Phuket destination.
The Nai Harn
Website: https://www.thenaiharn.com/
Address: 23, 3 Moo 1, Vises Rd, Rawai, Mueang District, Phuket 83100
Contact: +66 7638 0200-10
Price: ฿฿
The Nai Harn Hotel is unique among the hotels near Nai Harn Beach because it’s near the shore. This hotel has its own beachfront on the right side of Nai Harn Beach since the latter doesn’t have constructions near its shoreline.
As a result, you can get a fantastic seaside view when you stay at The Nai Harn Hotel. It’s also between Nai Harn Beach and Ao Sane Beach, making it the prime location for visiting both spots during your stay.
The rooms are spacious, and most of them have panoramic views of the stunning beach. The clean and minimalist guestrooms are worth looking into for complete relaxation!
Sunsuri Phuket Hotel
Website: https://www.sunsuri-phuket.com/
Address: 11/5 Moo 1, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83130
Contact: +66 (0) 7633 6400
Price: ฿
Unlike The Nai Harn, Sunsuri Hotel isn’t near the seaside since it’s beyond the Wat Nai Harn Temple. However, that means you can stay here paying a lower price for similar quality service.
Furthermore, this makes you closer to Nai Harn Lake, which is excellent for early-morning jogs. Plus, staying here is incredible, with spacious and modern rooms but with an obvious touch of Thai culture.
Where to Eat Near Nai Harn Beach
When it comes to food, you won’t find Nai Harn Beach disappointing because there are endless options to choose from. In particular, many open-area restaurants along Nai Harn Beach Road serve local Thai food at affordable prices.
So now, here are some places we recommend adding to your food bucket list.
Rock Salt
Website: https://www.thenaiharn.com/dining/rock-salt/
Address: 23, 3 Moo 1, Vises Rd, Rawai, Mueang District, Phuket 83100
Opening Hours: Daily, 7 am – 10 am & 12.30 pm – 10 pm
Contact: 076 380 286
Rock Salt is your best option if you want a more exquisite dining experience by Nai Harn Beach. They even have a rooftop bar if you enjoy watching the sunset while you welcome the night with a good drink and pleasant conversation.
We highly recommend the seafood platter and the calamari, paired with happy hour cocktails, of course. It’s a lovely spot to wine and dine while marveling at the white sands of the beach.
Sea Oak Cafe
Address: Nai Harn Beach Road, Rawai, Meuang, Phuket 83130
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 5 pm
Contact: 064 926 4666
The Sky Oak Cafe restaurant is among the highest-rated food places for us along Nai Harn Beach Road. This spot is famous for its healthy food options, complemented by the beautiful beach views in Nai Harn.
The burgers are definitely something to try due to flavourful and juicy patties. The oatmeal pancakes with caramelized bananas also make a yummy and filling breakfast choice!
Bukito by Promthep Cape Restaurant
Address: 94, 6 Wiset Rd, Rawai, Mueang District, Phuket 83130
Opening Hours: Daily, 11 am – 10 pm
Contact: 076 288 084
You can savor the picturesque views at the Promthep Cape while enjoying dinner at the Bukito restaurant. They serve excellent Thai food with a good selection of fresh seafood dishes.
A bestseller we absolutely love is the steamed seafood dry curry, which has prawns, crab, and fish in a coconut! Another must-try is the seafood basket, which has lobsters, squid, oysters, and crayfish—perfect for groups of four to five people.
