Nai Yang Beach

Nai Yang Beach located at the north west side of Phuket, is just a short drive from Phuket International Airport. It lies on the fringe of the Sirinat National Park that spreads for over 90 square kilometres of marine area and 22 square kilometres of land.

Getting there is relatively easy – when you approach the airport turn left at the T-junction and follow the road until you see the sign to the Dewa Hotel. Parking however is a bit of problem, so it’s best to leave your car by the restaurants on the right, motorbikes, however should have no problem getting close to beach.

Nai Yang is one of Phuket’s out-of-the-way beaches and is a favourite for many local families and groups of friends to picnic and relax under the Casuarina trees lining the beach. There are many food vendors gathered along the road serving drinks, local fresh fruit and traditional Thai dishes.

There are a couple of dive shops on the beach front that can provide diving and snorkeling equipment for exploring the nearby reefs; and you can book trips to the renowned Similan Islands a short two hour speedboat ride away.

For families with kids there is the nearby Splash Jungle Water Park that has exciting rides, a six-level wave pool and 335 metre ‘lazy river’ to float down while enjoying the tropical sun.

Nai Yang Beach was the setting for the 2012 novel by Tony Parsons, Catching the Sun, which tells the tale of a British family who emigrate to Thailand. The family is thrilled with the beauty and tranquility of life on Nai Yang Beach and one of the characters states “the Andaman Sea is like turquoise glass” – and a visit here will confirm that.