Hat Nai Thon, Hat Nai Yang & Hat Mai Khao

Introducing Hat Nai Thon, Hat Nai Yang & Hat Mai Khao

If you’re looking for isolation, then the remote beaches of Phuket’s northwestern coast might be your tonic.

Near the northwestern tip of Phuket, Hat Mai Khao is Phuket’s longest beach. Sea turtles lay their eggs here between November and February each year. Please respect the turtles and do not touch them or their eggs. A visitors centre with toilets, showers and picnic tables is found at Mai Khao. Here you’ll also find some short trails through the casuarinas to a steep beach. Take care when swimming here, as there’s a strong year-round undertow. Except for weekends and holidays you’ll have this place almost entirely to yourself; even during peak periods, peace and solitude are usually only a few steps away, as there’s so much space here.

About 5km to the south, improved roads to Hat Nai Thon have brought only a small amount of development to this broad expanse of pristine sand backed by casuarinas and pandanus trees. Down on the beach, umbrellas and sling chairs are available from vendors. Swimming is quite good here except at the height of the monsoon, and there is some coral near the headlands at either end of the bay. The submerged remains of a wrecked 50m-long tin dredger lie further off the coast near tiny Ko Waew at a depth of 16m. Naithon Beach Resort at Hat Naithon can arrange dive trips in the vicinity.

Hat Nai Yang is renowned for snorkelling and it is very popular with Thai tourists. About 1km off Nai Yang is a large reef at a depth of 10m to 20m. Snorkelling and scuba equipment can be hired at many resorts so check for best prices and quality.

Last updated: Sep 24, 2008