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Nai Harn Beach ⛱️

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.

Naiharn Beach in south Phuket

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

  • 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

Beach massage is a popular activity in Nai Harn

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 is a colourful Buddhist temple found between the lake and the beach

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.Read More!

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 small cove hidden near Nai Harn Beach in Phuket

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.

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Ya Nui Beach

Ya Nui is another hidden but very popular beach south of Naiharn

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.

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Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach is not a swimming beach but travellers love to go there for the fresh seafood

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.

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Black Rock Viewpoint

Nai Harn Beach seen from 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.

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Promthep Cape

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.

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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 Resort in the morning, one of the best hotels in Phuket!

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

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Sunsuri Phuket

Sunsuri Phuket in Nai Harn Beach
Sunsuri Phuket is a beautiful resort nestled on the hillside of Nai Harn Beach. Offering stunning panoramic views of the Andaman Sea and surrounding nature, the resort provides a tranquil and idyllic retreat. The spacious and elegantly designed rooms and villas are equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious stay. Read More

The Gallery Hotel

The Gallery Hotel in Nai Harn Beach, Phuket
The Gallery Hotel Nai Harn is a newly opened 4-star property near the renowned Nai Harn Beach, ranked as the third-best beach in Asia. With stunning views of Nai Harn Lake and surrounded by picturesque hills, guests can reach the beach within a 5-minute walk. Read More
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View Nai Harn Hotels Map and Availability

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WHERE 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.

Local restaurants in the shade of casuarina trees by the beach of Nai Harn

The road to Nai Harn beach has many excellent restaurants, such as Maggie & Mario’s Pizza, De Renata and Rum Jungle Cafe.

Street food in Nai Harn Beach

Rock Salt

Rock Salt Restaurant is just above the beach and is part of the Nai Harn Resort

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

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Samut Restaurant

Samut is one of Phuket's best restaurants, located on the Nai Harn Lake.

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

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Reflections Rooftop at The Nai Harn

Don't miss the immense rooftop bar at the Nai Harn Resort!

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!

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Nearby Rawai Restaurants

TUGA Bar & Restaurant

TUGA Bar & Restaurant in Rawai, Phuket
Phuket is full of fantastic spots to relax and dine, but TUGA Bar & Restaurant in Rawai offers a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s not just a place to grab a meal or unwind; it’s where you can spend an entire day, starting with wellness activities and ending with a memorable Portuguese dining experience. Whether you’re there to take advantage of the wellness amenities or to savour authentic Portuguese dishes, TUGA Bar & Restaurant has something special for everyone. Read More!

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?

Fruit vendors on the streets of Nai Harn

Of course, there is a mini-mart (or two) and the unavoidable tailors.

Street shopping in Nai Harn is fun and affordable

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 PHOTOS

 

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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

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What’s Nearby?

Ao Sane Beach ⛱️

Phuket Windmill Viewpoint

Promthep Cape

More beaches in Phuket

FAQs about Nai Harn Beach

a. There are only a few hotels in Nai Harn
The Nai Harn Phuket
Chivitr Hotel
The Gallery Hotel Nai Harn

a. The best time to visit Nai Harn is between November and April, the high season in Phuket.

a. Nai Harn is a 49.2 km or 1-hour drive from Phuket International Airport and 17 km from Phuket Town.

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Phuket 101

Phuket 101

Phuket 101 Blog shares 30 years of Phuket exploration and thousands of photos, tips and secrets. This travel guide is written from our real experiences: we tried and visited every place, and we paid for almost everything, which allows us to keep our honest opinions. Phuket 101 was born in January 2011.View Author posts