Nai Harn Beach has remained relatively unspoilt because it has no resorts nearby. You’ll only find across local restaurants and the odd massage hut. There are very few man-made attractions aimed at tourists, very few shops and no noisy nightclubs. What you will find here though is clean pure white sand, warm waters, a freshwater lagoon and authentic Thai cuisine, all set against a backdrop of jungle-covered hills. If you want to experience the real island and see how the islanders live, away from the crowds, then this is the place for you.
Part of the reason there’s no large-scale development here is down to Samnak Song Nai Harn Monastery, which is located just behind the beach and which owns much of the surrounding land. The monastery and its ornate buildings are still occupied by monks, and villagers come here early in the morning to pay their respects and to donate food. Visitors are welcome, but be aware that you need to dress appropriately—shoulders and knees must be covered.
Just inland from the beach on the southern end, there’s a large freshwater lagoon, which is popular spot with locals who come here to jog, walk, fish, cycle and enjoy a picnic. Hire a paddleboat and head to the island in the centre of the lake, which contains a pretty park with a children’s playground.
Phuket is a diver’s paradise, and some of the island’s snorkelling and diving spots can be found just off the beach here. Join a tour or hire a snorkel and head out just in front of the Royal Phuket Yacht Club, where there’s an abundance of coral and tropical fish waiting to be discovered.
At 29 degrees Celsius, the sea is almost as warm as the air here, and from November to May it is calm and still. Outside of these months, grab a body board and catch some of the small waves on the south end of the beach. A permanent sandbank slightly further out provides surfers with the opportunity to catch a wave all year round.
Nai Harn has more of a residential feel than other busier villages, which only adds to its charm. And you know that if a Phuket beach is popular with the locals, it must be good!
Nai Harn Beach is on the southern end of Phuket, about 20 minutes’ drive south of Patong, an hour south of the International Airport.
