Far from the crowds, this beach is a well-cared for jewel of the south. Its lagoon empties lazily into the sea, where the bay keeps both bathers and surfers happy.
Nai Harn is the last stop in the long line of sandy bays that stretches southwards down Phuket's west coast. You could say that the best has been saved until last. But that would be a lie – Phuket's beaches are as individual as the tourists that fall in love with them. What you can say is that Nai Harn is a pretty, quiet, and well-looked after coral-sanded strand. There is no overpowering resort here, just two classy hotels. And with the boisterous night-life of the bigger towns lost over the horizon, you won't be bothered by the excesses of night-life.
The beach sits on a lagoon about a kilometre north of where Phuket stops and the sea begins. A stream runs pleasantly into the bay from the lagoon, over a silky-soft white-sand beach. Most of the shoreline is calm and safe during the dry season, although there are points on its south side where the surf builds. And best of all, the Nai Harn Beach scene is just as calm – it is generally crowd-free.
What it lacks in crowds, it makes up for in facilities. With the needs of the residents’ two decently-sized hotels to cater for, you'll find everything from sun-loungers to food-stalls, foot-masseurs to snorkel-rentals along Nai Harn's short strip. In the shade of trees on the edge of the beach, you can eat at a number of quality open-air restaurants – these serve Thai favourites and international classics.
But as well as the expected opportunities to sun, dine and then sun some more, Nai Harn has a couple of surprises up its sleeve. One is the good surfing opportunities. The northern section has a submerged reef which allows for good breaks, especially when the wind picks up: 3.5-metre waves aren't unusual. And to the south, a sand bank provides some nice 'trainer' waves, whatever the wind. Just be careful in the monsoon season, May to October, when there may be undertows. The other is the lagoon – you can rent paddle boats to trundle around its sculpted shores. Paddle-boat or surf – a choice that sums up Nai Harn beautifully.
