What to Do in Nai Harn Beach? ✓
Nai Harn is a superb beach with soft, smooth white sand tucked between green hills and a couple of tiny islands in the south of Phuket. More laid-back than West Coast tourist spots, Nai Harn has enough restaurants, hotels, and shops near the beach for a great day and has remained relatively untouched. The protected bay offers great anchorage for sailing boats and luxury yachts and has always been very popular among expats and locals. There is no town nearby but a dozen scattered restaurants along the road that goes north.
Nai Harn Beach Travel Guide
The beach is vast, with clear blue water during the high season and not too busy during the high season (December to May). However, it can get a bit crowded during the peak months of December and January. The land in front of the beach itself is protected by law, and thankfully, nothing can be built on it, and very tall casuarina trees cover it.
If you get hungry, there is a line of restaurants just across the small street beyond this land. It’s not further than a hundred metres. At the south end of the beach, a small stream of water from the lake across the road crosses the beach, and you will have to get your feet wet to go to the other side.
Pros and Cons of Nai Harn Beach
Pros:
- Beautiful and peaceful beach: Soft white sand with clear blue water, surrounded by green hills and small islands.
- Less commercialized: No large town nearby, offering a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Family-friendly: Quiet environment with beach massages, paddle boat rentals, and nearby viewpoints.
- Scenic dining options: Several Thai and seafood restaurants near the beach and along the road to Ao Sane.
- Nearby viewpoints: Windmill Viewpoint and Promthep Cape provide stunning views and sunset photo opportunities.
Cons:
- Limited nightlife: Very few nightlife options compared to more touristy areas.
- Remote location: Fewer activities and shopping options; most attractions require travel.
- Busy during peak season: Though generally quiet, it can get busy in December and January.
- Minimal amenities: Few hotels and accommodations directly on the beach, though some resorts offer scenic views.
WHAT TO DO IN NAI HARN BEACH?
Despite its remote location, Nai Harn offers many things to do. In addition to the beach, visitors can explore several viewpoints, visit a beautiful Thai temple by the lake, and enjoy many local Thai and seafood restaurants.
Beach Massage
A massage on the beach for 300 baht for an hour is the best way to treat yourself when you start tired of doing nothing. If you prefer a peaceful and quiet massage, there are some real shops near the restaurants. Don’t worry about finding one; they will find you, usually greeting you with the now-iconic “Hello, you want massaaaaage?”
Wat Nai Harn
Wat Nai Harn was once a small and unknown temple surrounded by walls between the beach and the lake. After adding a brand new building, it expanded to become a landmark. Once natural, the lake behind the beach is now a large concrete pond where you can rent some paddle boats, which are fun for the kids.
Nearby Beaches
While Nai Harn itself is undoubtedly the nicest beach in the south of Phuket, several lovely coves and beaches are at a short distance.
Ao Sane Beach
Ao Sane is a tiny sandy cove hidden in the back of Nai Harn. Visitors can enjoy a very relaxing Thai restaurant by the beach, a small hotel, and even a handful of cheap beach bungalows. You must drive through the Nai Harn Resort to reach this beautiful hidden beach.
Ya Nui Beach
The small but much-loved Ya Nui Beach is on the main road between Nai Harn and Promthep Cape. Visitors can rent kayaks and standup paddleboards and then enjoy a nice lunch at one of the lovely Thai restaurants across the street.
Rawai Beach
Rawai beach, about 4 kilometres south of Nai Harn, is not a swimming beach but is great for fresh seafood by the ocean. You can also hire a longtail boat or a speedboat to reach the nearby islands of Koh Bon or Coral Island.
Black Rock Viewpoint
If you are ready for some exploration and are not afraid of climbing a steep hill, try the Black Rock Viewpoint. The view on Nai Harn is definitely worth the effort, but ironically, you must drive back to the Karon viewpoint to find the entrance road. That one requires dedication, but the view is truly rewarding.
Promthep Cape
Promthep Cape is 3.5 kilometres south of Nai Harn Beach. You could walk to this iconic landmark, but it would take about 45 minutes, including some incline. The cape is famous for sunsets, but remember that the place can get quite busy as people come by car or bus, sometimes around 5 or 6 pm, to take a sunset photo.
WHERE TO STAY IN NAI HARN?
Only a few hotels are near Nai Harn Beach, including the superb The Nai Harn, formerly ‘Le Meridien’ and Chivitr Resort & Spa.
The Nai Harn
The Nai Harn is a unique hotel in a unique location; all rooms have fantastic sea views and long (but narrow) balconies. The restaurants used to be famous; people drove long distances to try them. Travellers and hotel designs have changed, but this hotel has not; it is still a great hotel and an excellent place to drink while enjoying a sunset on the southern end of Phuket. Read more
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 3
Distance to the closest beach: down the stairs
Check the rates
Sunsuri Phuket
The Gallery Hotel
View Nai Harn Hotels Map and Availability
Booking.comWHERE TO EAT IN NAI HARN?
Your only problem will be to decide which restaurant you’ll pick for lunch. There are a few local shops to choose from, all nicely set in the shade of the huge trees near the beach. They all look the same and serve more or less the same classic Thai dishes at a reasonable price. Just browse the illustrated menu in front of the restaurant and follow your instinct and appetite! It’s fun and very relaxing. There are also a few restaurants along the road between Nai Harn and Ao Sane beach. Rock Salt from The Nai Harn Resort is the most attractive among them.
The road to Nai Harn beach has many excellent restaurants, such as Maggie & Mario’s Pizza, De Renata and Rum Jungle Cafe.
Rock Salt
For something more sophisticated, walk to the beautiful Rock Salt restaurant at The Nai Harn Resort, just at the end of the beach. It’s a lovely place for lunch with a view. For dinner, don’t miss their rooftop bar!
Location: The Nai Harn
Hours: 7 am – 10 am, 12.30 – 10 pm
Price: High
Samut Restaurant
Samut is a trendy restaurant in Nai Harn that serves modern Thai cuisine, focusing on local seafood prepared with local ingredients and spices. ‘Samut’, meaning ‘Ocean’ in Thai, is perfect for a special occasion, and while it appears like a high-end restaurant, it brings a new fresh and unique touch to Phuket island.
Location: Chivitr Hotel, Nai Harn Beach
Hours: 4 pm – 11 pm (closed on Tuesday)
Price: High
Reflections Rooftop at The Nai Harn
The rooftop of the Nai Harn is immense and breezy, superbly designed, and offers incredible views of the nearby bay and island. This rooftop is a place for an unforgettable sunset with a cocktail!
Nearby Rawai Restaurants
TUGA Bar & Restaurant
SHOPPING IN NAI HARN
Along the road, a few tiny shops sell the usual batiks, beach necessities and stuff, but the best are the many fruit vendors along the street selling beautiful tropical fruits. Have you ever tried Dragon fruits, Star fruits, or freshly peeled ripe mangoes harvested the same day?
Of course, there is a mini-mart (or two) and the unavoidable tailors.
As you walk under the tree along the beach, you will find a few more shops selling everything you need for the beach, mostly buoys, beach mattresses, swimsuits, lots of kids’ stuff to build castles, and beach games and snorkelling gear.
NAI HARN BEACH VIDEO
NAI HARN BEACH PHOTOS
Nai Harn Beach Fast Facts
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Amazing, can be very busy |
| ⛱️ Beach nearby: | Ya Nui Beach |
| ⛱️ Hidden Beach: | Ao Sane Beach |
| 📷 Best attraction: | Promthep Cape |
| 📷 Best viewpoint: | Windmill Viewpoint |
| 💎 Hidden gem: | Black Rock Viewpoint |
| ⛱️ Best restaurant: | Salt Rock |
| 🧳 Best hotel nearby: | The Nai Harn |
| 🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 20 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 17 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 48 km |
NAI HARN BEACH MAP
This story was first published on June 2, 2016
What’s Nearby?
Ao Sane Beach ⛱️
Phuket Windmill Viewpoint
Promthep Cape
More beaches in Phuket
