Naithon beach in Phuket

Naithon Beach Phuket (otherwise known as Nai Thon) is a beautiful stretch of sand on the west coast of Phuket. It is roughly a 10 – 15-minute walk from one end to the other along a pristine coastline. The atmosphere is generally laid back and quiet. With just enough restaurants and facilities that make the beach not appear too deserted. It’s a great spot to get away from the crowds and enjoy a quiet swim. Nai Thon is a seasonal village – high and low. During the high season, the hotels fill up, the sea is calm and crystal-clear, and beach restaurants normally come up. In low season, it’s almost a ghost town with an occasionally turbulent sea. Off-shore is a large coral reef which serves as habitat for several species of sea life, particularly the sea turtles.

How to get to Nai Thon

The journey to the Nai Thon Beach is quite enjoyable. The experience getting there is even better than the beach itself. If you are approaching the beach from the southern side of it, you will encounter narrow road that leads through one of Phuket’s last remaining virgin rainforests. This rain forest lies beautifully along the coastline.

If you are driving from the north side, the road will take you through a village into a lush green valley before reaching Naithon beach Phuket. You can choose to explore the island by yourself…Walk! There are also bikes available for rent for 200 baht per day. Motorbikes are 300 baht per day in the high season. Short taxi rides (to your accommodation on the main road, for example) are also available.

What to enjoy at Nai Thon

Nestled on the stunning shores of Naithon Beach Phuket, you will find the luxurious Pullman Phuket resort. If you want to escape the mass crowds and enjoy a piece of paradise then, this is the resort for you. It brings a cosmopolitan feel to a seaside setting.

It is a beautiful long and wide strip that is well shaded. It is separated into two by a small rock location. The sand is as smooth as you’d expect most Phuket beaches and during the high season, the beach is ideal for swimming. The beach is the dream place to check-in and chill out as you will find umbrellas and loungers where you can just relax and enjoy a cold drink.

Where to eat

Small informal restaurants are situated on the sand for the length of Nai Thon Beach, and offer a relaxing meal at low cost. Food is either cooked in tents on the beach or in houses across the road. Tables and chairs are set up on the sand, and range from plastic outdoor settings to solid wooden settings adorned with tablecloth. However, appearances can be deceiving, as the dingy looking restaurants often dish up the best meals.

Main courses start at around 70 baht, offering excellent value for money however, service can at times be slow, and orders confused if made in a different language. Beach-front dining on pocket change doesn’t get much better than this.

Naithon beach Phuket is free of noisy activities. You will find a few local long-tail boats hovering around adding a little Thai charm to the ocean aura. If you love to fish, you can take a long-tail boat and go fishing on the sea. This can be arranged with the local fisherman on the beach. The beach is also a great spot for snorkeling with its clear waters. The available resorts offer fun snorkeling tours for the more adventurous as well.

Other activities you can do on Nai Thon Beach include exploring the rocky coves which are only accessible by long tail boats and scuba diving, which can be arranged by the dive shops on the beach road. Mangrove Forests, situated on the island’s northern tip, cover a large area of about 320 acres. A nature trail has been cleared for the convenience of visitors with signs indicating and explaining the various mangrove species. You can kitesurf during the summer season. However, don’t expect strong winds, so take the biggest kites. This is a great place for beginners to learn how to kitesurf. Kite schools available will help with lessons and gear.