| "Thailand Most Beautiful Beaches |
Nai Yang Beaches Beautiful Beaches
Is noted for its impressive
forest of tall casuarina trees, and as a picnic spot for Thais. Mobile food and
fruit venders gather around the perimeter of the park and do a brisk business
especially on weekends.
As throughout southern Thailand if you find a
beach that is popular with local Thais it will also have a wonderful selection
of grilled seafood stalls and other Thai munchies and Nai Yang Beach is no exception.During
low tide swimming can be good and a large coral reef a short distance offshore
harbors a considerable variety us sea life and seashells are known to wash ashore
here, especially after a monsoon storm.
Nai Yang Beach has a very different
feeling than beaches to the south. The Pearl Village Hotel across from the beach
usually has an elephant in residence that will give you ride on the beach and
splash water on you for a few baht. Nai Yang is usually the last beach stop on
the north beach safari. (See Photos of Nai Yang Beach)
Nai Yang National Park
Comprises two beaches the Nai Yang and
the Mai Khao beach and covers over 10 miles of beautiful white sandy beach on
the north end of the island. Most planes fly over the park when landing at Phuket’s
airport. At low tide from the air the sea can appear muddy compared with the translucent
water off the beaches farther to the south and partly for that reason the beaches
here have always been less popular with tourists and are not as developed. Another
reason is the shore drops steeply into deeper levels, creating unpredictable and
potentially hazardous water currents during the monsoon season. All of which is
just fine with the Giant Ridley Sea Turtle who can weigh up to 850 kg (1874lb)
and who tend to be shy creatures and prefer the beach to themselves. Between November
and February each year these lumbering giants clamber onto the sandy shore at
night to lay their eggs. Digging holes with their flippers, they lay up to 200
leathery-shelled eggs, an instinctual behavior said to be 90 million years old.
Unfortunately the number of sea-turtles who make there yearly appearance continues
to decline. This has led to efforts locally to increase the turtle population,
with education programs for villagers and the release into the wild of turtles
spawned in captivity. The turtles usually lay the eggs very late at night and
you are allowed to witness this wonder of nature, but try not to disturb the turtles
laboring at their task. Authorities maintain strict surveillance on the turtle
eggs and move many of them to special hatchery fields.
Located on the
north end of Nai Yang Beach is the Nai Yang Park Visitor’s Center, which offers
displays of corals shells butterflies, turtles, and other interesting fauna found
on the island. Camping is allowed on both beaches and the park maintains a few
modest bungalows near the Visitor’s Center.
Part of the Sirinath National
Park area, Nai Yang beach is fringed with casuarina trees providing picnic areas
for locals, and a shady spot for souvenir and food vendors. Accommodation is fairly
limited with a couple of hotels right on the beach and government bungalows in
the adjacent national park. For beachside eating, Nai Yang has a great choice
of local beach restaurants, serving freshly barbecued seafood.
Nai Yang
Beach, combined with Mai Khao Beach to the north, is the longest stretch of sandy
beach on the island, covering nearly 10 km. It is here that giant sea turtles
come ashore to lay their eggs every year. At the Songkran festival in April, one
of the activities is to release baby turtles to the sea. During the low season
(June-October) car must be taken when swimming as there can be an undertow. Visitors
should check with the hotel.
Nai Yang is a good place to relax and do
very little! |
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Top Beaches |
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 Kata
Beachs  |
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Just a few minutes south of Karon, Kata has a cosier
feel about it, with headlands at each end and calmer waters. A place for families
and couples to relax, snorkel, body surf and enjoy the fine sands. Good surfing
conditions during the monsoon season of May-October |
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| Kata
Noi Beach |
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This small bay of stunning white sand, separated from
Kata by a headland, is a quiet and peaceful retreat. The Kata Thani resort complex
dominates the area, while a few shops, small hotels and restaurants line the beach
road. A nice place for a relaxing snorkel or swim. |
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| Kamala Beach |
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This well-enclosed bay and fishing village has developed
rapidly in recent years yet it still retains a small-town feel. Popular with families,
Kamala Beach is lined with casual restaurants and food stalls, with good snorkelling
at the rocky north end |
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| Laem Singh Beach |
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This small,
hidden gem of a beach just south of Surin is accessible only by walking down a
fairly steep path from the road. Even so, it can get busy in the high season so
get there early for a beach chair. A few rustic restaurants offer cold drinks
and food. A pretty, quiet place to wile away an afternoon.. |
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| Surin Beach |
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This 900-meter
stretch of sand is packed with food stalls, beachfront bars and restaurants yet
life never feels too hurried here. A good place to meet friends for a relaxed
afternoon of snorkelling, swimming or touch football. Kayaks, surf and boogie
boards available for rent. |
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| Bang Tao Beach |
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Bang Tao is
beautiful wide beach of fine sand that up until the mid 1980s was a virtual moonscape
following extensive tin mining activity. Much of the area has now been converted
into the lush and lovely lagoon-dotted grounds of the 5-resort complex of Laguna
Phuket - a stunning ecological feat. |
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| Pansea Beach |
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Pansea is a tiny
cove of glittering white sand - but only accessible to the rich and famous guests
of The Chedi and Amanpuri Resorts |
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| Cape Panwa |
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The exquisite Cape Panwa, just south of the eventful Phuket Town, remains a calm, untouched gem of a place. Its blossoming hills, sandy coves, mangroves and tidal flats offer a settle down place to walk around away from the crowds. |
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| Nai Thon Beach |
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One of Phuket's
best-kept secrets. Approaching this quiet beach of silky white sand is spectacular
in itself - a drive on the coastal road from the south takes you through forested
hills while the northern approach winds through a lovely valley and small village.
Once you arrive, swim, sunbathe and marvel at how few people have discovered this
little piece of paradise. |
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| Nai Yang Beach |
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The casuarina-fringed
Nai Yang, together with Mai Khao in the north, forms the longest and most secluded
stretch of beach in Phuket, about 10-km altogether. Two hotels sit on the south
end of Nai Yang, while the north enters into Sirinath National Park, a protected
marine and coastal area. A good spot to rent a beach chair or gorge on barbecued
seafood. |
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| Mai Khao Beach |
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An endless
stretch of fine sand; the only real getaway on the west coast of Phuket. Aside
from the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, the area is largely undeveloped with
only a few bungalow operations and a campground on the beach. Take a stroll and
watch the crabs scuttle, swing on a hammock under the trees or enjoy a refreshing
swim. |
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| Nai Harn Beach |
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With most of
its beachfront land occupied by a temple, Nai Harn has been spared from over-development,
with only Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and another resort nestled into
the hill at its north end. The soft sands and clear waters make Nai Harn an ideal
swimming and sunbathing spot, though conditions can be dangerous in the monsoon
season of May-October. |
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| Ao Sane Beach |
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A little beach
reached via a dirt road that runs through the car park of Le Meridien Phuket Yacht
Club in Nai Harn. Sometimes called "Jungle Beach". Usually a quiet and
peaceful place, with decent coral outcroppings off its mostly rocky shore. Just
one very inobtrusive resort here, the Baan Krating. |
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| Ya Nui Beach |
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A little sandy
beach found between Nai Harn and Laem Promthep, with some fairly good snorkelling.
Also a launch point for divers. Getting busier in recent years and now lined with
beach chairs for rent, but it's still quite relaxed here. There's one small, informal
restaurant with friendly staff. |
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| Rawai Beach |
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Rawai is Phuket's longest-established beach resort,
though the sea-gypsy village at its north end probably hasn't changed much over
the years. The beach is lined with open-air seafood stalls and restaurants for
casual dining under the shade of the casuarina trees. A popular launching point
for boat trips to Racha, Coral and other islands. |
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| Chalong Beach |
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This bustling
bay, a major launch area for boat and dive trips, is filled with bobbing vessels
of all shapes and sizes throughout the year. Plenty of casual restaurants, dive
shops, fishing charter and tour operators, watersports equipment suppliers, Internet
shops and even yoga and Reiki centres are packed into the short street leading
to the pier. |
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| Patong Beach |
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Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous
- beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong
is an ideal place to party and play. Patong's 3,000 metres of soft sand is a great
place to people-watch as you soak up the sun on a beach chair |
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| Karon Beach |
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Karon, featuring an incredibly long stretch of squeaky
white sand, is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of facilities,
dining and activities. While it's a fast-growing area, Karon is nicely spread
out and rarely feels crowded |
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