Things to Do in Nai Yang Beach
Nai Yang Beach is one of those out-of-the-beaten-tracks hidden gems, little known to first-timers but very popular with returning travellers. Beautiful, shaded, and full of tiny fun bars and restaurants, Nai Yang remains peaceful like most of the northern beaches of Phuket because it is not along the main roads.
Nai Yang Beach Video
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With a vast beach, a shallow sea, and many trees to provide shade, this place has not been overly developed and has kept a bit of the old Phuket atmosphere.
WHAT TO DO IN NAI YANG BEACH?
Across the tiny street that runs parallel to Nai Yang Beach, you’ll find the inevitable tailor, a mini-mart, a diving shop, and a few shops selling batik clothing and beach toys. Like on any beach in Phuket, a little group of ladies stands by chit-chatting all day, waiting for the opportunity to give you a beach massage (300 baht). Overall there are no particular attractions except for the controversial plane spotting, so take it easy and enjoy the beach and the local food!
Sirinath National Park
Because Nai Yang Beach is just next to the Sirinat National Park, locals love to spend the weekend picnicking and drinking under the trees while the kids play in the sea. To enter the park, there might be a 40 baht park fee; on some days, you can drive through. Sirinat Park is not very big and has no particular signs making it worth visiting. Still, at least it prevented hotels from building on the beachfront, except for a few tiny local ones that probably took their chances and did it anyway.
The Beach of Nai Yang
The beach itself is large and sandy, with a few beach chairs. The water is very shallow, and because of this, the water might not always be as blue as on other beaches lower on the west coast. The sea gets more beautiful in the northern part of the bay. People here seem to love staying under the casuarina trees’ shade while enjoying cold drinks, local food, and the breeze from the sea.
Like many northern beaches, the low season is pretty quiet, but some places remain open all year round, and it’s a favourite Kite Surfing spot, so even though swimming is not safe, you can see and get some action in the low season.
Mai Khao Beach
Just next to Nai Yang is the immense and mostly unspoiled beach of Mai Khao. There are only a few luxury resorts on this 11-kilometre-long beach, and you can walk to it from Nai Yang. Since it is part of a national park, there are no beach loungers and vendors on this beach. Most of it is deserted, except for the small section in front of Phuket International Airport, where people gather daily to take selfies.
Plane Spotting
This once-unknown spot in Phuket has become a favourite selfie spot in Phuket for two reasons. Being so close to those landing metal roaring giants is jaw-dropping, but the fact that it is technically forbidden to stand in the path of the landing planes adds to it.
Wat Mongkhon Wararam (Wat Nai Yang)
The Mongkhon Wararam Temple, also known as Wat Nai Yang, stands close to Nai Yang Beach in the Sakhu area of northern Phuket. This historic temple holds significant spiritual importance, serving as a central focus for the faith of the Sakhu Subdistrict community in northern Phuket.
WHERE TO STAY IN NAI YANG?
There are now many hotels and resorts in Nai Yang. Only the Marriott is on the beach, The Slate is across the street, and many more are on the back road, usually cheaper.
Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach
Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa Nai Yang Beach is a beautifully designed hotel in a unique location and right on the beach. The hotel has many great features and qualities; there is much to enjoy and discover during your stay. Read more
Address: 92 Moo 3 Tambol Sakoo, Amphur, Talang Tambol Sakoo Phuket, Phuket 83110
Phone: 076 625 555
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 2
Distance to the closest beach: on the beach
Check the Rates:
The Slate Phuket Resort
The Slate Phuket is a superb 5-star resort designed by the famous architect Bill Bensley with a fantastic and unusual design. The resort is set on a spacious property near the beach, with the tin mining era of Phuket to inspire layout, decoration, rooms and outlets often described as ‘Industrial Chic’. Read more
Address: 116, Moo 1, Sakhu Thalang Phuket 83110
Phone: 076 327 006
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 3
Restaurants and bars: 3 restaurants and 2 bars
Distance to the closest beach: across the street
Check the Rates:
Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas
Dewa Phuket Resort and Villas is a luxury hotel located in the serene Nai Yang Beach area, close to Phuket International Airport. It offers a peaceful environment, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing getaway. Nai Yang Beach provides a well-balanced experience with beach restaurants, local markets, a Thai temple, and a beautiful beach, all within a short walk from the affordable luxury of Dewa Phuket.
Address: 65 Moo 1 Sakoo Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Phone: 076 372 300
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 1
Restaurants and bars: 2
Distance to the closest beach: across the street
Proud Phuket Hotel
Proud Phuket is a 4-star rating boutique hotel situated in the peaceful and serene surroundings of Nai Yang Beach along the pristine northwestern coast of the island. The hotel’s architecture draws inspiration from traditional Phuket designs with a modern touch for a contemporary twist. Read more
Address: Nai Yang Beach, 135 Soi Nai Yang 2, Tambon Sa Khu, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Phone: 076 380 499
Range: 4-star
Swimming pools: 3
Restaurants and bars: 3
Distance to the closest beach: 450 m
WHERE TO EAT IN NAI YANG?
Nai Yang Beach is like a quaint village, which is excellent. You will find a dozen little restaurants to enjoy by the street, but the beach is still the best place for lunch or dinner.
The Good View
The Good View is a superb restaurant serving good Thai food on the beach at a good price. A perfect place for a holiday lunch and to relax at the end of the day with a cold drink, waiting for the sunset! The team is friendly and always very welcoming, day or night.
Address: 37QW+JWM, Sakhu, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Open: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: 086 185 9615
Sea Almond Restaurant
Next to The Good View is Sea Almond restaurant, a great place to enjoy a sunset while sitting right on the beach. The food is not fantastic but goes well with the atmosphere.
Address: 90/55 m. 5 Nai Yang beach road, Sakhu , Thalang, Thalang, Thailand, Phuket
Hours: 10:30 am – 10 pm
Phone: 086 398 2005
Facebook: click here
Monkey Beach Cafe
Black Ginger Restaurant
Nai Yang is home to ‘Black Ginger’, one of Phuket’s best Thai restaurants. Located inside The Slate Resort, this unique restaurant is beautifully designed and serves superb Thai Cuisine. It doesn’t come cheap, but it’s an excellent place for that unique Thai experience.
Big Fish Bar & Grill at Phuket Marriott, Nai Yang
Big Fish Restaurant is a lovely place to enjoy a more trendy but relaxed dinner since it’s located just by the beach. Even better: most of the seafood comes from the little fishing village just next to the hotel! You get to eat the freshest seafood, and you support the local community at the same time 🙂
Street Food in Nai Yang Beach
A holiday in Phuket is an excellent opportunity to try all kinds of real, local food sold on carts; it often tastes better than in restaurants. Try Som Tam (papaya salad) with Fried chicken. Many shops also sell those amazing tropical fruits, already cut and ready to eat for a very small price: pineapple, guava, rose apples, mango, and papaya.
How to get to Nai Yang?
This beach is very close to Phuket International Airport, and you can see the planes taking off on Mai Khao Beach, which is more of an attraction than a disturbance. So when approaching the airport, turn left at the T-junction and keep your eyes on the right, then turn and follow the street leading to the Dewa Phuket Hotel, which is reasonably easy to find. Note also that to enter the Sirinath National Park, a fee is requested, but if you got to Nai Yang itself, you wouldn’t have to cross the park, which is very narrow in this part.
Useful Tips:
Parking a car is a bit of a problem as the street along the beach becomes narrow and dead-end, and unless you are on a bike, you better park when you see the first restaurants on the right.
Nai Yang Beach Fast Facts
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Excellent |
| ⛱️ Beach nearby: | Mai Khao Beach |
| ⛱️ Hidden Beach: | Banana Beach |
| 📷 Best viewpoint: | Planes landing viewpoint |
| ⛱️ Best restaurant: | Black Ginger |
| 🧳 Best hotel nearby: | The Slate |
| 🧳 Best hotel nearby: | Phuket Marriott Resort Nai Yang |
| 🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 31 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 30 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 3 km |
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