Nai Harn Beach
Rawai
A wide bay of soft sand framed by wooded hills, with yachts anchored offshore in the dry season. It has a relaxed, local feel.
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Phuket, Thailand
Nai Harn Beach
A scenic bay at the south of the island, framed by green hills, with a lake behind it and a laid-back feel.
Favourite places
Nai Harn Lake
Behind the beach
A freshwater lake with a path around it used by joggers, walkers and cyclists, especially in the cool of the evening.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Ao Sane Beach
Just north of Nai Harn
A tiny rocky cove reached by a narrow road past Nai Harn, with good snorkelling in calm weather.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Ya Nui Beach and the Windmill Viewpoint
Between Nai Harn and Promthep Cape
A small beach popular for kayaking and snorkelling, with a hilltop viewpoint beside a wind turbine above it.
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Local food
Grilled seafood
Phuket, Thailand
Freshly caught fish and shellfish grilled over charcoal, a speciality of the Rawai seafront nearby.
Khao man gai
Phuket, Thailand
Poached chicken on rice cooked in chicken broth, served with a ginger and soybean sauce.
Where to eat
Rawai seafood market
Rawai Beach
Buy fish, prawns and crabs from the market stalls by the sea and take them to the restaurants opposite to be cooked.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Beach food stalls
Nai Harn Beach car park
A few simple stalls sell Thai dishes, grilled snacks and fresh coconuts by the sand.
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Where to stay
Nai Harn
Phuket, Thailand
A few hotels near the beach and many villas and guesthouses around the lake — quiet and green.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Rawai
Phuket, Thailand
A relaxed residential area with long-stay apartments, seafood restaurants and easy access to the southern beaches.
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Culture
Nai Harn is popular with local families at weekends and with long-stay residents. Keep the beach clean and do not leave rubbish by the lake. The Buddhist temple beside the lake is a working monastery — dress modestly if you visit.
History
Nai Harn is a favourite of locals and long-stay visitors. The Nai Harn Lake behind the beach has a walking and jogging path, and the bay is calm and clear in the dry season.
Tour plans
The south of Phuket
1 dayStep 1: Nai Harn Beach
Spend the morning swimming and relaxing on the bay.
Step 2: Rawai seafood lunch
Head to the Rawai seafood market and pick your lunch.
Step 3: Ya Nui and the Windmill Viewpoint
Snorkel or kayak at Ya Nui, then climb to the viewpoint.
Step 4: Promthep Cape
Finish at Promthep Cape for sunset.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to April, when the bay is calm and clear; late afternoon for a lake walk and sunset on the sand.
How to get there
About 20 minutes south of Kata, near Rawai.
Getting around
The south is spread out, so most visitors use a scooter, rental car or Grab. Songthaews run from Phuket Town to Rawai and Nai Harn during the day, but services are infrequent. Walking around the lake is easy.
Travel tips
Bring snacks and come for sunset; the beach has a few small food stalls.
