Rawai Beach Attractions

Laem Ka Beach

Laem Ka is unique for various reasons. First of all it's the only eastern-facing beach in the south of Phuket that offers good swimming and secondly, it's a total full-on Thai experience. This sheltered, 150 metre long, boulder-framed beach is the ideal picnic spot as from midday on it is shady and cool. For many locals it offers the opportunity to chat away Sunday afternoon while their children splash around in Laem Ka's safe and blue waters just metres away. Foreign visitors have a warm welcome here and often locals will ask to take a photo of you posing with them as a keepsake! The views of nearby Koh Bon, Koh Lone, Coral Island and other surrounding islands are stunning, and the afternoon light playing on the water produces a deep marine blue in perfect counterpoint to the tropical green of nearby islands. Read More...

Location: To get to Laem Ka head to Rawai in the south of the island. Opposite the temple gates on the main road you'll see a 7-Eleven next to a small road heading east. Drive one kilometre through a coconut plantation. Follow the road to the right and into Laem Ka's car park.

Phuket Orchid Farm

A family business which has been operating for decades, Phuket Orchid Farm is probably the largest orchid nursery on the island. It is a unique opportunity to admire some of Thailand’s famous and colourful orchids. Customers may also buy freshly cut orchids which are packed at the farm for air-travel.

Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 – 17:30
Location: Soi Suksan 1, off Viset Road. About 300 metres from the Chalong Circle toward Rawai Beach, look for the sign after the local school on the right-hand side. You can’t miss it.
Tel: +66 (0) 76-280226
Price Range: 200 baht per person

Sea Gypsies (Chao Ley) Village

It is hard to separate the Sea Gypsies and Rawai from each other. They have been settled in Rawai since way back – on the seafront, left side of new pier. Most are fishing for a living but a few work as island tour guides or run small stands selling seashell souvenirs. Everyday in the early afternoon, they bring the fresh catch of the day to the Rawai fish market, just to the left of the pier. This market is very popular among locals. Check with your hotel desk for the schedule of the Sea Gypsies’ Loy Reu Festival (meaning boat floating festival) when they pay respect to the sea spirit before starting and ending the fishing period. It is quite a unique ceremony to witness.

Opening Hours: Daily, but the fish market is alive in the early afternoon around 13:00 onward
Location: At the sea front to the left of the Rawai pier

Wat Sawang Arom

This is a good sample of a real community temple. It is small but serves as the centre of Buddhist life in Rawai and nearby villages. The interior is very basic compared to bigger and more famous temples and here you will see the traditional Buddha images, big and small and some paintings telling the story of the Lord Buddha. Like a typical Thai temple, there is a school adjacent to it and if visiting in the morning, you will enjoy the cheerful sound of students at play. Dress with respect as it is a holy place for Buddhist Thais.

Opening Hours: Daily from early morning until late evening
Location: About 500 metres from Rawai Beach on Viset Road

Ya Nui Beach

Ya Nui lies in the shadow of two of Phuket's loveliest viewpoints; Phrom Thep and the white windmill viewpoint. It's a charming little cove featuring good snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. During high season there’s a line of sun loungers for hire (200 baht a set) as well as a stand that rents out masks, fins, kayaks and body boards. At this time of year there are also a couple of ad hoc restaurants. The sand is beautifully soft and children love to collect shells on this beach.

An island called Koh Keyao Noi (‘Small Green Island’) stands 700 metres out to sea and in calm weather yachts moor just off the coast and it is possible to kayak out to explore the coral or to pay a visit to neighbouring Nai Harn Beach. In rougher weather local fishermen climb the rocky promontory to cast off or simply brave the waves with casting nets. Read More...

Location: From inland, a road leads from Rawai – simply keep going straight when the main Rawai-Phrom Thep road swings left and carry on through to the beach. The other way is to descend the north side of Phrom Thep and you'll soon be in Ya Nui