Lifeguards by day
Lifeguards work on the beach by day and mark swimming zones with red-and-yellow flags at set points; swim inside them.
Nai Thon Beach
Sakhu · west coast
A quiet bay on Phuket's north-west coast, 7 km south of the airport: soft sand under tall trees, clear dry-season water and a handful of village restaurants.
Also written Naithon Beach, Nai Thon Bay, Hat Nai Thon, Naiton Beach · หาดในทอน · Най Тон
Nai Thon Beach in photographs
The beach road and its restaurants. The stairway down through the jungle. Restaurant tables on the sand.
- Sand
- Fine, soft golden sand
- Shade
- Tall trees shade the shore
- Quiet
- No jet skis or parasailing
- Sunset
- Faces west, open-sea sunsets
- Parking
- Easy roadside parking in the shade
About Nai Thon Beach
Nai Thon is a bay of fine sand on Phuket's north-west coast, the southernmost beach of Sirinat National Park, about 7 km south of the airport. Tall trees shade almost the whole shore, and rocky points close the bay at both ends. A small rocky outcrop splits the sand into the main beach and a quieter cove to the south.
A single road runs behind the beach with small restaurants, a mini-mart, a tailor, a dive shop and a few modest hotels. There are no jet skis or parasailing, only a few longtail boats, and the beach vendors keep their distance. Sunbeds and umbrellas are for hire, but many people simply string a hammock between the trees.
From December to April the sea is calm and clear, and the sunsets over the open Andaman are the evening's event. In the monsoon the waves pick up, the sea becomes too rough for swimming, some places close and the tide leaves debris on the sand. Lifeguards mark swimming zones with flags by day. Local Thai families from Thalang have long made it their beach.
Nai Thon Beach, north to south
The main beach
The long northern part of the bay, with the village road behind it, most of the restaurants, the wooden staircase at its northern tip and local fishing boats at the far end.
Good
- Restaurants, shops and parking along the road.
- Shade under the trees all the way along.
- Snorkelling off the northern rocks.
Less good
- Longtail boats at the far northern end.
Most visitors: families, couples and anyone who wants food and shade close by.
The south cove
Past the boulders, a smaller and quieter stretch of sand below the Pullman resort on the hillside, with one small restaurant at its southern end.
Good
- Fewer people.
- Snorkelling off the southern point.
- Sunset views from the hillside restaurants above.
Less good
- Fewer facilities than the main beach.
Couples and anyone looking for a quieter corner.
Things to do at Nai Thon Beach
The bay's clear water and the headland. Wide empty sand and the water. An umbrella and a lounger under the trees.
Swimming · dry season
Swim in a calm bay
From December to April the water is calm and clear with a gentle slope, good for easy swimming.
Snorkelling and diving · dry season
Snorkel off the points
Both rocky points have fish around the boulders close to shore. A dive shop on the beach road arranges dives in season.
Boat trips · dry season
Longtail to hidden coves
Some rocky coves along this coast can only be reached by longtail boat, and the longtails on the beach can take you.
On the sand
Photos on the wooden staircase
The weathered wooden stairs from the road down to the sand at the north end are a well-known photo spot.
Nature · dry season
Walk to Banana Beach
About a kilometre south along the road, a path leads down to Banana Beach, a small cove with coconut palms and clear water.
Food and drink
Sunset at Drift
A white-themed beachfront bar and restaurant with sea views, music and a happy hour at sunset; the food is on the pricier side.
Food and drink
Thai lunch at Inthanin
A tiny restaurant on the sand serving southern Thai curries and stir-fries; dishes were about 120 to 150 THB (2022).
Food and drink
Michelin-starred dinner at PRU
PRU at Trisara, a short drive south, holds a Michelin star and a Green Star for cooking with local produce. Book well ahead.
Food and drink
Home cooking at Shameena
A small family-run place across the road: about 30 Thai classics cooked by the owner, with vegetarian and vegan options.
Wellness
Massage in the shade
Massage huts sit along the back of the beach under the trees.
A day at Nai Thon Beach
In the dry season the water is usually calm and clear. Walk in along the gentle slope in front of the village.
Take a mask to the rocks at either end of the bay, where fish gather around the boulders close to shore.
Inthanin Naithon serves simple Thai dishes at tables on the sand near the north end, at local prices. Inthanin Naithon
Look for the old wooden stairs that lead down from the road at the north end, a favourite photo spot. Naithon Beach Staircase
Drift Beach Club has sea views, a happy hour and the only music on the beach.
Dinner at Vero Trattoria & Wine Bar in the Pullman resort, on a terrace looking over the sea. Vero Trattoria & Wine Bar
Our Nai Thon Beach score
4.5out of 5
A quiet beach holiday or long stay with good swimming from December to April.
Soft sand, clear water in the dry season, shade from tall trees along the whole shore and a quiet village feel, with snorkelling off the rocky points. It loses a little for the monsoon months, when the sea is too rough for swimming and the tide leaves debris on the sand.
The character of the beach
A profile, not a mark: where Nai Thon Beach sits on four scales, and what it is known for.
- Lively
- For children
- Surf
- Snorkelling
Lifeguards on duty · Fine soft golden sand
What is good about Nai Thon Beach
Shade all the way along
Tall trees line the back of the beach, so you can find shade anywhere and even sling a hammock for an afternoon nap.
Clear water in season
From December to April the sea is calm and clear, with a gentle slope into the water.
Fish off the rocks
The rocky points at each end of the bay have good snorkelling, with fish around the boulders close to shore.
Red sunsets
Nothing stands between the bay and the horizon, and the evening sky over the Andaman often turns fiery red.
A village, not a resort strip
One road, a few restaurants and shops, and discreet vendors: the bay feels like Phuket before the big developments.
Before you swim at Nai Thon Beach
Swim when the flags allow
Check the flags before you go in, especially outside the dry season.
Best from December to April
The sea is calm and clear from December to April; in the monsoon, sometimes into November, it is too rough to swim.
Rocks at the points
The snorkelling spots are around boulders at both ends of the bay. Wear water shoes and do not stand on coral.
Longtails at the north end
Local fishermen still work from the far northern end. Keep clear of moored and moving longtail boats.
Old wooden stairs
The wooden staircase from the road at the north end is in poor repair. Take it slowly, and use the road access if you are unsure.
Beach clubs, bars and restaurants on Nai Thon Beach
2 places open on the sand in September 2026, walked south to north, then the road behind the beach and a few minutes inland. A price level is what one visit typically costs a person.
The main beach
Inthanin Naithon
Restaurant · on the sand · 10:00–22:00 on Wednesday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
A small Thai restaurant on the sand at the south end of Naithon Beach.
Naithon Beach Club Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant · the road behind · 09:00–21:00 on Wednesday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
A restaurant and bar at Naithon Beach, within walking distance of the Naithonburi Beach Resort.
Shameena Restaurant & Lounge
Restaurant · the road behind · closes 22:00 (Google Maps, 2026-10-07)
A small family-run Thai restaurant just across the street from Naithon Beach.
Naithon Beach Staircase
Viewpoint · on the sand
A staircase by the road above Naithon Beach that many drivers pass without noticing, nicknamed "Stairway to Heaven".
The south cove
Vero Trattoria & Wine Bar
Restaurant · the road behind · opens 17:00 (Google Maps, 2026-10-07)
The Italian restaurant and wine bar of the Pullman Phuket Arcadia, above Naithon Beach near the airport.
A few minutes inland
PRU
Restaurant · a short drive · Tuesday–Thursday 18:00–22:30, Friday–Saturday 12:00–15:00 and 18:00–22:30; closed Monday and Sunday
The fine-dining restaurant of the Trisara resort above Nai Thon Beach, and the only restaurant on Phuket with a MICHELIN star, held every year since 2018, together with a Green Star for sustainable cooking.
KIRI Restaurant
Restaurant · daily 11:00–22:00
A beachfront restaurant on Nai Thon Beach, its tables facing the sea; a modern tropical room with space between the tables and fans on hot days.
What it costs to live near Nai Thon Beach
6 months or more
Apartments
฿32,500/ month
median of 5 · from ฿13,500
Villas
฿116,000/ month
median of 1 · from ฿116,000
- The zone
- The waterline
- Chosen step: The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes for rent near Nai Thon Beach
6 months or more
- homes for rent nearby
- 11
- within a 13-minute walk of the sand
- 4
- the nearest home to the sand
- 150 m
Small, affordable hotels and guesthouses line the beach road across from the sand. The Pullman Arcadia sits on the hillside above the south end, Trisara on its own cove to the south, and luxury pool villas dot the hills around the bay.
Homes by type
Rent a month
6 homes in the beach zone
- Sea view
- Rooftop pool
2‑bedroom apartment in Nai Thon, Palm Terrace
฿46,500/ month
150 m to the sand · 2 min on foot
- New building
- Workspace
2‑bedroom villa in Nai Thon, Saiyuan Beach Condo
฿116,000/ month
400 m to the sand · 5 min on foot
- New building
1‑bedroom apartment in Nai Thon, Palm Terrace
฿24,000/ month
470 m to the sand · 6 min on foot
- Sea view
2‑bedroom apartment in Nai Thon, Lotus Gardens
฿34,000/ month
710 m to the sand · 9 min on foot
- New building
- Workspace
2‑bedroom apartment in Nai Thon, Lotus Gardens
฿32,500/ month
1030 m to the sand · 13 min on foot
Studio apartment in Nai Thon, Palm Terrace
฿13,500/ month
1090 m to the sand · 14 min on foot
Around Nai Thon Beach
Every place inside the beach zone, by category: choose one to see its places, nearest the water first, each numbered as its mark on the map.
- KIRI Restaurant100 m from the sand · 1 min on foot
Nai Thon Beach by month
The season · December to April
Calm sea, clear water
December to April: the sea is flat, calm and clear, the hotels fill up and beach restaurants set tables on the sand. This is the time for swimming and snorkelling.
The monsoon · May to November
Waves, walks and red flags
May to November: the sea can be rough, and Phuket 101 advises against swimming from July to November. The village gets very quiet, some places close and the tide leaves debris on the sand, but the beach stays shaded and peaceful.
| Month | The sea |
|---|---|
| Jan | Calm |
| Feb | Calm |
| Mar | Calm |
| Apr | Calm |
| May | Changing |
| Jun | Rough |
| Jul | Rough |
| Aug | Rough |
| Sep | Rough |
| Oct | Changing |
| Nov | Changing |
| Dec | Calm |
Calm: swim any day Changing: check the flags Rough: monsoon swell, red flags on many days
Nai Thon Beach with children
Nai Thon works well for families in the dry season: the slope into the water is gentle, trees give shade everywhere, and parking is right beside the sand. Lifeguards are on duty by day, but facilities are few, so bring what you need and swim only in the flagged zone.
- A gentle, sandy slope into calm dry-season water.
- Shade under the trees along the whole beach.
- Parking a few steps from the sand.
- Rocks at the ends where older children can spot fish.
- Casual restaurants across the road for lunch.
Getting to Nai Thon Beach and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 10–20 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 40–55 min
- From Phuket Town
- 40–50 min
From the airport, turn left at the T-junction just before the terminal, drive a few kilometres and turn right at the signs for the Andaman White Beach Resort and Trisara. The road leads down to the beach, with parking under the trees.
- By car. About 20 minutes from the airport. From the south, the coast road from Layan winds through forest above the sea.
- By scooter. An easy ride from Nai Yang or Layan; the coast road south of the beach is narrow and hilly.
- Grab and taxis. A taxi or ride-hailing car is the simplest way; we found no bus route to the beach.
Parking. Easy: park by the road in the shade of the trees anywhere along the beach.
Who will love Nai Thon Beach, and who will not
Will love it
- Anyone who wants a real village beach with no jet skis, no parasailing and no party bars.
- Couples who like shaded afternoons and red sunsets over the open sea.
- Long-stay visitors who want a calm base close to the airport, with easy parking and daily essentials.
- Snorkellers happy to swim out to the rocky points for fish around the boulders.
Will not
- Night owls: the only music is at one beach bar, and Patong is a long drive away.
- Swimmers visiting in the monsoon, when the sea turns rough for months.
Tips for Nai Thon Beach
Park under the trees
Roadside parking in the shade is easy along the whole beach, a few steps from the sand.
Bring a hammock
The trees along the back of the beach are made for an afternoon hammock nap.
Snorkel at the ends
The middle of the bay is sandy; the fish are around the rocks at the northern and southern points.
Mind the stairs
The famous wooden staircase is weathered and wobbly. Go slowly, and take photos from the bottom if in doubt.
Low season looks different
Outside the dry season some restaurants close and the tide brings debris; the beach is quieter still.
Book PRU early
The Michelin-starred restaurant at Trisara has few tables; reserve well before your trip.
Combine with Banana Beach
A path from the road south of Nai Thon leads down to Banana Beach, a short detour for a swim in a smaller cove.
Nai Thon Noi is hard to reach
The cove just south is public, but private land blocks the way in; it is easiest for guests of the Andaman White Beach Resort.
Questions about Nai Thon Beach
Is Nai Thon Beach good for swimming?
Yes, from December to April, when the sea is calm and clear with a gentle slope. In the monsoon the waves can be strong; Phuket 101 advises against swimming from July to November. Lifeguards are on duty by day; swim between their red-and-yellow flags.
Are there lifeguards at Nai Thon Beach?
Yes. Lifeguards work on the beach by day and mark swimming zones with red-and-yellow flags at set points along the beach.
How do I get to Nai Thon Beach?
By car or scooter, about 20 minutes from the airport. Turn left at the T-junction just before the airport, drive a few kilometres, then turn right at the signs for the Andaman White Beach Resort and Trisara. From the south, the coast road from Layan also leads there.
Can you snorkel at Nai Thon Beach?
Yes, around the rocky points at both ends of the bay, where fish gather near the boulders. The middle of the beach is sandy. A dive shop on the beach road runs dives in the dry season.
Are there restaurants at Nai Thon Beach?
Yes, a handful. Drift Beach Club and Inthanin Naithon are by the sand; Shameena, Naithon Beach Club and others are across the road. For a special dinner, Vero at the Pullman and the Michelin-starred PRU at Trisara are close by.
Are there sunbeds on Nai Thon Beach?
Yes, sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired, though many people use the free shade of the trees instead.
Is Nai Thon Beach good for kids?
Yes, in the dry season. The sandy slope is gentle, there is shade along the whole beach and you can park beside the sand. Lifeguards are on duty by day; keep children in the flagged zone and close to you in the water.
Where is the Nai Thon wooden staircase?
At the northern end of the beach, leading down from the road to the sand. It is a popular photo spot, but the wood is weathered, so take care.
Is there parking at Nai Thon Beach?
Yes, easy roadside parking in the shade of the trees along the whole beach.
How far is Nai Thon Beach from Banana Beach?
Only a few minutes. Banana Beach is reached by a path from the road about a kilometre south of Nai Thon, roughly 3 km by road from the village.
Can you visit Nai Thon Noi Beach?
It is public in principle, but private land from villas and the Andaman White Beach Resort blocks the way in. In practice it is easiest to enjoy as a guest of that resort.