Naiharn beach Phuket

South Phuket’s best beach

Naiharn beach is many people’s favourite beach in Phuket. It’s quieter than Patong and Kata beaches. The sand is a little whiter and the sea a little clearer. It’s popular with yachties and Phuket expats who have made their homes in the area.

The bay is a good anchorage in high season. At certain times of year it’s a popular windsurfing beach. At other times paramotors take off from the headland south near the wind turbine, and land on Naiharn beach.

Naiharn is a good swimming beach in high season when the sea is flat. In low season watch for rip currents, that applies to all west coast beaches from May to October.

If you are staying at a resort in Rawai then Naiharn beach is probably where you’ll come to because the beach at Rawai is not ideal for swimming (too shallow and too many longtail boats).

If you’re staying in Kata beach then a day out to Naiharn is well worth it. The road over the headland is a fun drive with spectacular sea views, watch out for elephants along the way.

The resort at the south end of Naiharn beach is called “The Naiharn” (previously called the Royal Meridian Yacht Club resort). It’s possible to go through the resort  to get to a hidden bay called Ao Sane. It’s an excellent bay for snorkeling from shore. Ban Krating resort has some cool bungalows a little further on.

With a kayak you can get from Naiharn beach to Koh Man, the small island that you can see to the left as you look out to sea. It’s also a very good place for snorkeling.

You can find plenty of beach restaurants behind the beach at Naiharn. Or bring your own food and have a picnic  under the trees, it’s a good places escape the midday sun.

Beach vendors also walk up and down the beach selling ice creams and drinks.

Behind the restaurants, there is a Buddhist temple which you can visit. Please don’t go in wearing beach clothes, cover up first.

The lake behind Naiharn beach is a popular early morning and evening exercise spot, locals like to walk or run around.

Late in the day after you leave the beach, head up to Phromthep cape and join the bus loads of tourists for sunset. For dinner head to Rawai where restaurants put out candle lit tables along the shoreline.

Heading south from Nai harn the next beach is Yanui, north is Kata Noi.