Categories > Guides and Tips
The Ultimate Guide to Rawai Beach
- Best Time to Go
- How to Get There
- Things to Know
- Highlights of Rawai Beach
- The Beach
- Expat and Digital Nomad Zone
- The Gypsy Village and Seafood Market
- Various Restaurants and Bars
- Spectacular Views
- What to Do in Rawai Beach
- Enjoy the vibe
- Taste some fresh seafood
- Go island-hopping
- Have fun at the Rawai Park Kids Club
- Take in the sights from Promthep Cape Viewpoint
- Enjoy a great view of the ocean at Windmill Viewpoint
- Appreciate local art at Phuket Art Village
- Other Attractions near Rawai Beach
- Nai Harn Beach
- Ya Nui Beach
- Bon Island
- Buddha Island
- Coral Island
- Where to Stay in Rawai Beach
- The Beachfront Hotel
- The Nai Harn
- The Phuket Sea Resort
- Friendship Beach Resort
- Selina
- Where to Eat in Rawai Beach
- Nikita’s Beach Restaurant
- Restaurant Da Puccio
- Macaw Cafe and Restaurant Phuket
- Rock Salt Restaurant
- Costa Grill Restaurant Rawai Beach
- Apps to Download for Your Rawai Beach Trip
Rawai Beach isn’t your typical beach. While it’s not ideal for swimming due to the many long-tailed boats moored along its shore, it can offer you some of the best and most unique experiences this side of Thailand.
There are a ton of things to know about Rawai Beach so we created this ultimate guide to give you ideas on what to do, where to go, and how to party in this tropical locale!
Best Time to Go
Rawai Beach is generally hot all year round but if you want the weather to be much more comfortable for travel, you can visit from the months of January to March.
During this period you’ll get some of the best weather for strolling and enjoying the views surrounding the beach. You can expect clear skies and a lower chance of rain during these months.
If you travel to Rawai Beach from April to October, expect rain throughout your trip. While this can mean discounts on some services (hotels, tours, etc.) you might experience rescheduled itineraries due to inclement weather.
How to Get There
Located on the southernmost tip of Phuket Island, it’s a beach with plenty of trees and nice views all around making it ideal for you to do some sightseeing or a picnic with the family. It’s also near Phuket Town making it convenient if you need to eat or shop.
Things to Know
Time Zone: Indochina Time (GMT+7)
Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Thai
Calling Code: +66
Location: Rawai Beach
Go early: If you want to get the perfect view of the sunrise or the sunset, we recommend getting early to the beach. Getting to Rawai Beach 30 minutes before each event so you can experience its full beauty from a great and less crowded spot.
Wear clothing with light materials: It goes without saying that Rawai Beach can get really hot especially come mid-day.
Hence, we strongly suggest that aside from applying some sunscreen, you wear clothing with light materials to reduce the heat you’ll experience throughout your stay.
Bring some insect repellant: You’ll need to bring and apply some insect repellant if you plan to stay and relax under the palm trees along the beach.
Rawai Beach may have beautiful views and relaxing vibes but there are also mosquitoes just hanging out under the trees lining the shore. Use some repellant if you see (or hear) any of these pesky insects hovering near your spot under the shade.
Highlights of Rawai Beach
The Beach
One of the major highlights of Rawai Beach is the beach itself—but it’s not for your swimming and sunbathing. Instead, the beach is perfect if you want to enjoy the beautiful views of the open ocean and the surrounding islands with lush greenery.
If you time your trip to the beach just right, you can also enjoy some of the best sunrise and sunset views in Thailand.
There are also numerous boats along the shoreline waiting to depart for nearby islands which you can just watch and enjoy as they sail to their destination.
Expat and Digital Nomad Zone
There’s a bustling area full of apartments, restaurants, and bars if you head inland from Rawai Beach. This fun and affordable atmosphere turned this part of Phuket into one of the most sought-after sites for digital nomads (like us) and expats to spend time in.
You can find tons of eateries and cafes serving delicious local cuisine along with some vegan fare– ideal if you want to stay healthy while staying in Rawai. If you’re a digital nomad or expat, you need to check this place out and maybe decide if you want to stay.
The Gypsy Village and Seafood Market
Once you reach the south pier of the beach, you’ll see the Gypsy Village where you can observe and admire the local fishermen as they go about their daily routine. Here, you’ll witness how they live off the bounty of the ocean as they’ve done for many years.
While these local fisherfolk sell ornately designed shells and offer chartered boats, the main thing that will draw you to this part of Rawai Beach is their seafood market. You can buy lobsters, crabs, and fish before having these cooked by nearby restaurants.
Various Restaurants and Bars
Rawai Beach is also a fantastic place if you want to experience the restaurants and bars of Phuket. We’ll discuss some of them later in the article but suffice it to say, you’ll find a myriad of establishments to choose from – from casual eateries to unique bars.
The beach is close to Old Town Phuket so there are a ton of options for you here for some dining. If you want a more “beside the beach” feel, though, there are also some bars and diners right next to the water for you to drink and eat while enjoying the view!
Spectacular Views
The views that’ll greet you when you get to Rawai Beach are simply astounding. The clear blue waters with the colourful boats dotting the shore will give you that feeling of tranquillity and calm.
Plus, the islands on the horizon are also quite picturesque and you can take photos of these views as a souvenir of the island. There are also viewing points (e.g. Promthep Cape) you can visit to see some of the most stunning views in this part of the country.
What to Do in Rawai Beach
Enjoy the vibe
Rawai Beach is the perfect spot to vibe to if you want to feel like you’re on an island paradise. It has one of the best open ocean views in the area with different boats waiting for you to sail to one of the nearby islands.
The landscape on the beach itself is also a sight to behold with fine white sand and trees lining the beachfront where you can relax and just chill out. You can also do as the locals do and have a picnic under one the shade of one of these trees.
Lastly, you can take a stroll down the beach while admiring the view and slowly walk your way towards the other destinations nearby. These include Old Town and Gypsy Village– both of which are definitely worth your time!
Taste some fresh seafood
Now’s your chance to taste some local and fresh seafood at the Sea Gypsies Fish Market on Rawai Beach. It’s popular with both tourists and locals as the market can offer you some of the freshest catches from the local fisherfolk.
If you want a certain seafood item, you’ll most certainly find it here– from lobster, oysters, and even sea cucumbers. just bring your choice of seafood to the restaurants nearby and have them cooked right in front of you for some local and authentic cooking!
Go island-hopping
The boats moored right in front of Rawai Beach can take you island-hopping around the nearby locations of the beach. The best part is that you don’t even need to have a reservation to enjoy and experience this unique experience.
Just tell them which islands you wish to visit and these boats will be happy to oblige. We recommend that you visit Coral Island for its beautiful beaches, Buddha Island for its unique statues, and Bon Island for some snorkelling and lunch!
Have fun at the Rawai Park Kids Club
Address: Rawai Beach, 58/88, Soi Rouyphad, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +66 (0)98 396 5369
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost:
- Weekdays: 100 THB for adults and 250 THB for kids
- Weekends: 200 THB for adults and 350 THB for kids
Located to the south of Phuket, Rawai Park Kids Club is the perfect destination if you have young kids with you during your trip to Rawai Beach. It boasts a colourful water playground that’s ideal for both kids and adults.
This playground is massive and can offer you and your family some fun water activities. You can enjoy the attraction’s waterfall, water slides, and fountains within its shallow waters which means you don’t have to worry about how deep the waters are.
If heavy rains spoil the outdoor fun, you can always proceed to the park’s covered play area. There’s also the Love Rawai Coffee Shop where you can enjoy some meals and drinks if you ever get too tired of doing water activities under the heat of the sun
Take in the sights from Promthep Cape Viewpoint
Promthep Cape Viewpoint is one of the most popular viewing points or areas in Phuket and it’s not surprising why. It’s located near Nai Harn Beach and is one of the best spots to capture a great photo of that Phuket sunset.
The viewpoint is an elevated strip of land that can give you a great view of the open sea and the horizon. This gives the spot an advantage during sunsets since it has an unobstructed view of the area and a wide-open shot of the sky above.
Once done with the viewpoint, you can then proceed to the mini lighthouse cum museum of Promthep Cape. Its grounds are serene, well-kept, and incredibly interesting as it has different carvings, and statues of elephants that you can take selfies with!
Enjoy a great view of the ocean at Windmill Viewpoint
Here’s another viewpoint that you need to visit if you want those amazing views of Phuket– Windmill Viewpoint. It got its name from the rotor blades of the slim windmills of the area that help generate electricity for the residents of the region.
It’s a small viewpoint but it has a lot of beautiful views and sceneries to offer you despite just being 3 kilometres away from Promthep Cape. Here, you can take in the splendour of both Nai Harn Beach and Ya Nui Beach and admire the island of Koh Man.
Aside from the views, you’ll also appreciate the unique activities you’ll witness at Windmill Viewpoint. The good news is that despite all of these, the viewpoint is not too crowded, making it the perfect spot if you want to enjoy the sunset of Phuket in peace.
Appreciate local art at Phuket Art Village
On your way to Rawai Beach, you’ll see a small lane with a hidden gem for art lovers– Phuket Art Village. It features the works of different local artists within the community divided into little galleries each with their own unique style for you to appreciate.
You might get lucky and spot a local artist working on his or her painting during your visit. Watch them as they do each brush stroke with passion and care and if you liked any of their work and to show you support local art, you can buy one as a souvenir.
Other Attractions near Rawai Beach
Nai Harn Beach
Rawai Beach might not be a swimming or sunbathing beach but this nearby beach, Nai Harn – sure is. It’s the typical Thailand beach as you’d imagine it to be with its powdery white sand and crystal clear waters surrounded by lush greenery.
What makes this beach stand out though, is that it is relatively untouched meaning that much of its shoreline is still all natural without any structures built close to the water. You can swim and relax here all day without any facilities blocking you from the beach.
There are a lot of restaurants and bars for you to choose from near Nai Harn Beach and you can also get a cheap beach massage here. You can then check out the nearby Wat Nai Harn with its intricate red and gold design– perfect if you want some selfies!
Ya Nui Beach
Located between Promthep Viewpoint and Windmill Viewpoint, Ya Nui Beach is beloved by both locals and tourists and it’s not hard to see why. You’ll be wowed by the stunning beauty of this beach thanks to the natural formations you’ll see here.
It’s divided into two bays and you’ll spot a large island (Koh Man) right in the middle. The waters of the beach will also surprise you as it’s a stunning combination of blue and emerald green as you relax at the beach or lounge chairs in the area
You can also join a diving or snorkelling centre to help hone your skills while in Ya Nui Beach. If you want to try these water activities out, with rentals ranging from 100 THB to 300 THB per hour.
Bon Island
From Rawai Beach, you can take a short boat ride to Bon Island. It’s a tiny island that isn’t too crowded with tourists and it’s one spot we recommend that you visit.
It’s not as impressive as the other large and more well-known beaches here such as Similan or Coral Island. However, it’s close to Phuket Island making it an ideal go-to if you want a short detour away from the more common and crowded beaches.
Buddha Island
Buddha Island may seem pretty straightforward– it’s called as such because of the two Buddha statues found here. One’s sitting while the other one is standing up but if you look at what the island has to offer, it’s more than meets the eye!
It’s more of a diver’s ultimate dive site with tons of corals to explore and marine life to spot and interact with. If you’re serious about honing your diving skills or if you’re a newbie trying to find out if this hobby is for you, a dive to Buddha Island is a must.
Coral Island
Coral Island has two beaches for you to explore and both can offer you a unique experience for the day. They’re called Long Beach and Banana Beach and since they’re both just 15 minutes away from Rawai Beach, why not drop by to check them out?
Long Beach is, as the name implies, a long strip of white sand with blue-green waters where you and your group can do some snorkelling, diving, and kayaking. There are also some restaurants and food stalls you can order food from while you chill out.
On the other hand, Banana Beach is a massively popular beach where you’ll see throngs of tourists being dropped off by speedboats as early as 9:00 a.m. That’s understandable as this location has a ton of water activities for you to try out.
Where to Stay in Rawai Beach
The Beachfront Hotel
Address: 25 46 Moo 5 Viset Rd, Rawai Muang Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +66 76 604 008
Pricing: $$
This property in Rawai is perfect if you want a hotel with its own private designated beachfront area. If you want to visit the other parts of Rawai Beach like restaurants, stores, and the public beach, you can take the free shuttle service of the hotel.
You’ll also get your money’s worth when you stay in the Beachfront Hotel as it offers a great breakfast, spacious room, and a swimming pool where you can chill out and relax after your Rawai Beach tour.
The Nai Harn
Contact Number: +66 76 380 200
Pricing: $$$
The Nai Harn is pricey but you’ll certainly get what you pay for! The hotel can give you and the other guests luxurious rooms, large balconies where you can check out the surrounding views, and a swimming pool where the kids can swim and enjoy.
Plus, the hotel can lend you some snorkelling gear, paddle boards, and kayaks free of charge for you to try these water activities around Rawai Beach and the nearby islands.
The Phuket Sea Resort
Address: 54/14 Moo 6 Muang Rawai Beach Phuket, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +66 76 613 900
Pricing: $$
Here’s a hotel in Rawai that will make you feel like you’re really in a tropical paradise– The Phuket Sea Resort! You can book rooms right in front of the hotel’s swimming pool which is quite convenient if you want to go for a swim plus the pool is lovely to look at.
The rooms they offer are also quite spacious and the views you’ll see outside your window are utterly relaxing– clear blue skies, tall trees, and the calm hotel ground of the Phuket Sea resort.
Friendship Beach Resort
Address: 27/1 Soi Mittapap, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +66 76 613 580
Pricing: $$
Friendship Beach Resort is the perfect hotel for you if you want some calm and peace while in Rawai Beach. It’s located a bit far from the noisy bars and clubs of Phuket and the hotel’s grounds have a relaxing and chill vibe.
For the price you have to pay, this resort can provide you with some top-notch amenities. These include a large swimming pool where you can do some serious laps and a complete fitness centre for you to improve your health while on your Rawai tour.
Selina
Address: 14/83, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +66 76 371 900
Pricing: $$
If you’re a digital nomad, then Selina is the hotel to be. It has gorgeous surroundings, great rooms, and an ideal location– not too far nor too close to the beach. It also has a co-working space making it the ideal place to be productive for remote workers.
They also have a number of services that you may want to avail after a hard day’s work. You can get a massage, enjoy their drinks at the hotel bar, or just enjoy a great meal at the hotel’s restaurant.
Where to Eat in Rawai Beach
Nikita’s Beach Restaurant
Address: 44/1 Viset Rd Rawai Beach, Rawai, Phuket, 83100, Thailand
Contact Number: +66635946224
Pricing: $$
Nikita’s Beach Restaurant is the perfect restaurant if you want great views along with some delicious local offerings. Don’t miss out on their Thai-style oysters and their grilled beef while enjoying a simple beverage such as gin and tonic.
Restaurant Da Puccio
Address: Soi wat sawang arom, Rawai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Contact Number: +66849215560
Pricing: $$
Craving for some Italian fare? Then head on down to Restaurant Da Puccio where you can order some of Phuket’s best Italian items such as pasta, cheeses, and their house specialty– fire-grilled pizzas– which are prepared using the freshest ingredients.
Macaw Cafe and Restaurant Phuket
Address: 57/62 Moo 6 57/62 Rawai, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +66834237562
Pricing: $$
Macaw Cafe and Restaurant Phuket serves some of the best and freshest local dishes that you need to try out. You have to try out their calamari and papaya salad along with their freshly prepared smoothies and juices– they are simply divine!
Rock Salt Restaurant
Address: 23/3 Moo 1, Vises Road, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83130, Thailand
Contact Number: +6676380286
Pricing: $$
This restaurant in Rawai Beach serves Western fusion dishes using local ingredients which we think you’ll enjoy. We highly recommend that you try out their juicy Wagyu rump steak and their filling Butcher’s burger while enjoying the views of the beach.
Costa Grill Restaurant Rawai Beach
Address: 57, 25 Wiset Rd, Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Contact Number: +66918741184
Pricing: $$$
This restaurant is a bit pricey but the quality and freshness of its food items are top-tier! You can shift from their Western and Thai menu and each line-up won’t disappoint– all of their dishes will certainly treat your taste buds to a culinary delight!
Apps to Download for Your Rawai Beach Trip
Bolt: Ride-hailing app
Line: Call and messaging, file sharing
Klook: Book tours, attractions, tickets, restaurants, hotels, and other activities
Google Translate: Translate various languages
Tuk: food delivery, transportation, and cleaning services
