What to Do in Ya Nui Beach?
The charming Ya Nui Beach is a tiny bay tucked in a cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and the famous Promthep Cape in the very south of Phuket Island. It is easy to recognise for its little rocky hill in the middle. It looks like a secret beach, but it is very well known and can be busy sometimes. Don’t expect to find a deserted secret beach such as Banana Beach, north of Phuket Island, or the hard-to-reach Nui Beach nearby.
Ya Nui Beach Video
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Pros and Cons of Ya Nui Beach
Pros:
- Charming and scenic: A small, picturesque cove with soft sand and clear, blue-green water.
- Good for water activities: Offers snorkelling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding rentals.
- Close to popular viewpoints: Located near Windmill Viewpoint and Promthep Cape, ideal for panoramic views and sunsets.
- Relaxed atmosphere: Less crowded than larger beaches, with a laid-back vibe.
- Convenient amenities: Local restaurants, hotels and bungalows are available nearby.
Cons:
- Small size: The beach can get crowded during peak times.
- Busy during peak season: It can become busier between November and February.
- Basic dining options: Simple restaurants mainly offer Thai food and drinks.
- Limited parking: It can be challenging to find parking during busy times.
What to Do on Ya Nui Beach?
The Beach
As usual, the beach is the main reason people drive and stop here. It is tiny and easily recognisable from the unique rock formation splitting it into two bays and a large island in front of it. The water is blue-green and beautiful, except maybe in the northern part where a small stream reaches the sea, and the sand is thin and powdery.
You’ll find an occasional beach chair and even a diving centre operating near the beach. What makes the small cove of Ya Nui beach unusual and attractive is the small cape in the middle, the big island in the background and the grassy slopes on each side.
. If you fall in love with the beach, you’ll find the ‘Yanui Bungalows’ across the road, a very local accommodation with a restaurant and diving centre.
Kayaking, Snorkeling and SUP
The bay frequently shelters yachts and fishing boats and is also a beautiful beach for easy snorkelling, with clear waters and plenty of rocky areas. Snorkelling equipment is available for 100 baht. You can also rent a kayak for 100 baht per hour or a Stand Up Paddle for 300 baht per hour if you wish to explore further away.
Windmill Viewpoint
Windmill Viewpoint, located on the hill high above Ya Nui Beach in south Phuket, offers panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. Easily spotted from far by its old white windmill, the spot overlooks the sparkling waters, with Nai Harn Beach to the north and Ya Nui Beach to the south. It’s a popular place for watching sunsets, with a peaceful atmosphere and stunning vistas of the coastline and mostly It is the spot where the iconic photo of Ya Nui beach is taken from.
Promthep Cape
Promthep Cape, located just 1 kilometre south of Ya Nui Beach, is a popular viewpoint offering panoramic sea views and stunning sunsets when weather permits, obviously. A lighthouse stands at the top, serving mostly as a small museum. Iconic palm trees line the area, enhancing its natural beauty. Promthep Cape is a favourite spot for photography, capturing Phuket’s coastal charm in one iconic location, and while it is always very quiet during the day, it gets suddenly busy after 5 pm.
Where to Stay Near the Beach of Ya Nui?
While there are no hotels with direct beach access to Ya Nui Beach, there are a few nice hotels nearby or at a short driving distance. You will be able to choose from cheap local bungalows to modern pool villas.
 3-star hotel - Score: 8.6 Distance from the Beach: 500 m |  3-star hotel - Score: 8.6 Distance from the Beach: 170 m |  3-star hotel - Score: 8.4 Distance from the Beach: 150 m |
Where to Eat in Ya Nui?
Two tiny thatch-roofed restaurants serve all the usual Thai food, nothing fancy, but you get to cold drink with your feet in the sand, and this is only enough to stop for a break.
Ya Nui Restaurant
There are two or three restaurants around, which also rent basic bungalows. One is called Ya Nui Restaurant, and it’s just across the street from the beach, set in the welcome shade of tall trees; it is a perfect place for lunch. They serve excellent Thai food at the right price, so don’t hesitate.
Royros Restaurant
Royros is a lively local restaurant located along the roadside of Ya Nui Beach in Phuket. With its large outdoor seating area shaded by tall trees, it’s an excellent spot to enjoy a meal or a drink after activities like swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, or relaxing on the beautiful beach. The menu offers a mix of Western and Thai dishes, along with seafood, a la carte options, beverages, cocktails, and refreshing fruit shakes.
How to Get to Ya Nui Beach?
Ya Nui is easy to find. If you come from Kata or Patong, take Nai Harn Beach’s direction and keep driving. Follow the signs to Promthep Cape and Rawai beach. The road curves a lot and goes up and down.
Keep your eyes on the side of the road not to miss it: in the lowest curve, you will see cars parked on one side and a restaurant under the trees. You will understand as soon as you see it. There is little parking in front of the beach, but you can also park on the road that turns right, perpendicular to the main road.
More Photos of Ya Nui beach
Street View
Fast Facts about Ya Nui Beach
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Good |
| 🤿 Best for: | Sunbathing, snorkelling, Kayaking |
| ⛱️ Beach nearby: | Nai Harn Beach |
| ⛱️ Hidden Beach: | Nui Beach |
| 📷 Best viewpoint nearby: | Windmill Viewpoint |
| 🍴 Restaurant nearby: | Royros Restaurant |
| 🧳 Budget accommodation: | Ya Nui Bungalows |
| 🛎️ Luxury hotel nearby: | The Nai Harn |
| 🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 22 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Bang Tao Beach: | 39 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 51 km |
Ya Nui Beach Map
Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/F1aYbcLBc6JHPTDL6
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