One lifeguard post
A lifeguard post with a rescue board stands on the main stretch. Elsewhere there is no lifeguard, so swim near the post or where other people are in the water.
Natai Beach
Natai · west coast
A quiet beach on the Phang Nga coast just north of Phuket: fine, pale golden sand, calm water from November to April and a few resorts set back from the shore.
Also written Na Tai Beach, Hat Natai, Hat Na Tai, Natai Beach Phang Nga, North Natai Beach, South Natai Beach
Natai Beach in photographs
Natai Beach. Natai Beach.
- Sand
- Fine, pale golden sand
- Quiet
- No vendors, sunbeds or jet skis
- Water entry
- Gently shelving, sandy entry
- Sunset
- Faces west over the open sea
- Entry
- Free public beach
About Natai Beach
Natai Beach lies on the mainland in Phang Nga province, a short drive north of the Sarasin Bridge, in the Khok Kloi area of Takua Thung district. It faces the open Andaman Sea to the west and runs almost straight for several kilometres, with a long concrete pier reaching out into the sea near the middle.
The sand is fine, pale gold and very wide, and at low tide a broad, firm flat opens in front of it. Casuarina and pandanus trees line the back of the beach and give the only shade. There are no rows of sunbeds, no vendors and no jet skis; the boats you see are local longtails moored offshore.
A few resorts stand back from the shore, from Santhiya, Baba and Aleenta in the south to Iniala Beach House and Natai Beach Resort further north, with long open stretches between them. From November to April the sea is usually calm and clear; from May to October the south-west monsoon brings surf and strong currents, and the beach turns into a place for walks and surf lessons.
Village life goes on around the visitors: fishing boats work from the pier, and in November the community holds Loy Pae, a traditional raft-floating ceremony.
Natai Beach, north to south
North Natai: Natai Beach Resort and Iniala
From the pier north past Natai Beach Resort, Iniala Beach House and Le Coral towards the hot spring resort: open sand between small hotels, public toilets and a local seafood restaurant.
Good
- Public toilets by Natai Beach Resort.
- Simple seafood with tables near the water at Rabiang Lay.
- Two restaurants in Iniala's gardens for a special dinner.
Less good
- Little shade or shopping between the hotels.
Walkers, day-trippers who want a simple seafood lunch, and anyone booked for dinner at Iniala.
South Natai: Aleenta, Baba and Santhiya
South of the pier, where Aleenta, Baba Beach Club and Santhiya stand close together behind the sand. Most of the beach's day passes and beachfront restaurants are here.
Good
- Day passes with a pool and sunbeds at Baba and Santhiya.
- Beachfront restaurants at Aleenta and Santhiya that take outside guests.
- A kids' club at Santhiya for families staying there.
Less good
- Resort prices for food and drink.
- Livelier on Baba's DJ days.
Families and couples who want a resort day, and anyone after a beach club afternoon.
Things to do at Natai Beach
Natai Beach. Natai Beach. Natai Beach.
On the sand
A long walk on wide sand
Start at the pier and walk north or south: long open stretches separate the resorts, and at low tide a broad, firm flat opens up.
Swimming · high season
Swim in the high season
From November to April the sea is usually calm and the sand shelves gently. Swim near the lifeguard post on the main stretch.
Surfing · low season
A beginner's surf lesson
When the monsoon swell arrives, the surf school at The Talay, teaching here since 2010, takes beginners out on the beach's waves.
Food and drink
A day at Baba Beach Club
Pool, beach bar and resident DJs on the south stretch. A day pass was 1,500 THB and a day villa 5,000 THB (2026); the day club opens daily from 11:00 to 22:00.
Family
A pool day at Santhiya
Santhiya sells a four-hour day pass between 09:00 and 19:00: 500 THB plus tax and service for adults and 250 THB for children (2026).
Food and drink
Local seafood at Rabiang Lay
A plain seafood restaurant with tables near the water on the north stretch, at local prices.
Food and drink
Dinner in Iniala's gardens
Anaala cooks Thai dishes for dinner daily from 17:00, and Aulis serves a single tasting menu at a 15-seat chef's table; book both ahead.
Food and drink
Lunch on the sand at Aleenta
The Edge, Aleenta's beachfront restaurant, takes outside diners for lunch from 11:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 17:00.
Wellness
Soak in a hot spring
North of the beach, the Ban Bo Dan hot mineral spring fills a garden of soaking pools; day passes are sold daily from 08:00 to 19:00.
Culture · high season
Loy Pae in November
Each November the village holds Loy Pae, a traditional raft-floating ceremony on the shore.
Culture
A teak temple by the sea
A short drive north, Wat Tha Sai stands on Tha Sai beach with an ordination hall built entirely of teak.
Shopping
Khok Kloi's morning market
The fresh market in Khok Kloi town, about 3 km inland, is the place for local produce in the morning. Usually open 05:00–12:00, Monday to Friday (approximate).
Food and drink
Tom yam noodles in Khok Kloi
A small stall on Phet Kasem Road in Khok Kloi cooks tom yam noodles with a soft-boiled egg, from 07:30 to 16:00; closed on Tuesday.
Food and drink
Seafood by the Sarasin Bridge
Thanoon Seafood sits on a small bay beside the Sarasin Bridge, about 20 minutes south, with two large salas by the beach.
A day at Natai Beach
Walk the firm sand while it is still cool. In the high season the north stretch is usually empty at this hour.
From November to April, swim near the lifeguard post on the main stretch, where the sand shelves gently into clear water.
Lunch at Rabiang Lay, a plain local seafood restaurant with tables near the water, away from the resorts and their prices. Rabiang Lay
Spend the hot hours by the pool at Baba Beach Club, with a beach bar and resident DJs; a day pass was 1,500 THB in 2026. Baba Beach Club Natai
Watch the sun go down over the Andaman from By the Sea, Santhiya's beachfront restaurant and bar, which welcomes outside guests. By The Sea
Book a table at Anaala, the Thai restaurant in the gardens of Iniala Beach House; dinner is served daily from 17:00. Anaalā
Our Natai Beach score
4.5out of 5
Quiet days on wide sand and a calm resort stay, a short drive across the bridge from Phuket.
Fine, pale golden sand that stays wide for kilometres, calm and clear water from November to April, very few people and a lifeguard post on the main stretch. Facilities are thin away from the resorts, and the sea turns rough from May to October.
The character of the beach
A profile, not a mark: where Natai Beach sits on four scales, and what it is known for.
- Lively
- For children
- Surf
- Snorkelling
Lifeguards in places · Fine pale golden sand
What is good about Natai Beach
Room to spread out
The beach is very wide, and long open stretches separate the resorts. Even in the high season you can walk a long way and pass only a few people.
An easy way into the sea
The sand shelves gently, so on a calm day in the high season you can wade out slowly over a sandy bottom.
No beach trade
There are no sunbed rows, no vendors and no jet skis; the only boats are local longtails moored offshore.
Trees along the back
Casuarina and pandanus trees line the top of the beach and give natural shade for a picnic.
Beach restaurants open to everyone
Several resorts run restaurants on or beside the sand that welcome outside guests, and a simple local seafood restaurant sits on the north stretch.
Surf lessons in the low season
When the low-season waves arrive, the surf school at The Talay gives lessons to beginners; it has taught here since 2010.
Sunsets over open water
Natai faces west with nothing offshore, so the sun sets straight into the Andaman Sea.
Before you swim at Natai Beach
Rough sea from May to October
The south-west monsoon sends big waves onto this open coast; in strong spells the Andaman Sea runs 2 to 3 metres. Stay out of the water when the waves are up.
Rip currents when the surf is up
Strong rip currents form in the low-season surf. If one pulls you out, swim parallel to the shore until it lets go, then come back in with the waves.
Waves breaking at the edge
On rough days the waves break hard right at the waterline. Keep children well back from the edge.
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are monitored along this beach. Ask the lifeguards or your resort before swimming, and rinse a sting with vinegar, not fresh water.
Little to buy away from the hotels
Away from the resorts there is nowhere to buy water. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and use the shade of the trees.
Beach clubs, bars and restaurants on Natai Beach
4 places open on the sand in October 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.
North Natai: Natai Beach Resort and Iniala
Anaalā
Restaurant · the road behind · dinner daily from 17:00, last seating 21:00
A Thai beach restaurant in the gardens of Iniala Beach House on Natai Beach, led by the chef Ian Kittichai.
Aulis Phuket
Restaurant · the road behind · dinner Tuesday–Saturday from 18:30; lunch on request
Simon Rogan's chef's table in the gardens of Iniala Beach House on Natai Beach: 15 seats, one tasting menu, one MICHELIN star.
Rabiang Lay
Restaurant · on the sand · Usually open 10:30–21:30, Monday to Friday (approximate).
A plain local seafood restaurant on Natai Beach, away from the resorts, with tables near the water.
South Natai: Aleenta, Baba and Santhiya
Baba Beach Club Natai
Beach club · on the sand · day club daily 11:00–22:00; the pool closes at 20:00, the restaurant and Baba IKI at 23:00
Sri Panwa's music-led pool villa hotel on Natai Beach, which runs the only real day club on this coast: resident DJs, a beach bar and 200 metres of private sand.
By The Sea
Restaurant · on the sand · daily 11:00–23:00 (lunch to 17:00, dinner from 17:00, last order 22:30)
Santhiya Phuket Natai Resort's beachfront restaurant and bar: lunch and dinner by the sea and cocktails at sunset; open to outside diners.
Chantara
Restaurant · the road behind · breakfast daily 07:00–10:30; later hours not published
Santhiya Phuket Natai Resort's all-day restaurant, in teak pavilions in the garden near the beach; open to outside diners.
The Edge
Restaurant · on the sand · daily 06:30–22:00 (breakfast to 10:30, lunch 11:00–14:00, dinner 17:00–22:00)
Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga Resort's beachfront restaurant, on the sand of Natai Beach; it takes outside diners.
SEASONS
Restaurant · the road behind · Usually open 18:00–22:30, Monday to Friday (approximate).
Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga Resort's second kitchen, cooking seasonal local produce that it cures and pickles itself.
A few minutes inland
Ban Bo Dan Hot Spring
Attraction · a short drive · day pass daily 08:00–19:00
A privately run hot mineral spring in Ban Bo Dan, landscaped as a garden of soaking pools inside The Hotspring Beach Resort & Spa.
Baan Rearn Mai
Restaurant · a short drive · daily 10:00–18:00
A small seafood eatery in Khok Kloi that has cooked the same à la carte seafood menu for 25 years; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Khok Kloi Tom Yam Noodles with Eggs
Restaurant · a short drive · 07:30–16:00, closed on Tuesday
A small street stall on Phet Kasem Road in Khok Kloi known for its tom yam noodles with a soft-boiled egg; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Khok Kloi Fresh Market
Market · a short drive · Usually open 05:00–12:00, Monday to Friday (approximate).
The fresh market of Khok Kloi town, on the Phetkasem Road; Google Maps shows it open in the morning.
Nern Khao View Talay
Restaurant · a short drive · daily 09:00–21:00
A southern Thai restaurant on a hill above Khok Kloi with wide views of the mountains and the sea; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Takua Thung Hospital
Health · a short drive · outpatients Monday–Friday 08:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:30; emergencies and births 24 hours
The community hospital of Takua Thung district, in Khok Kloi town: a public hospital with inpatient wards, outpatient clinics and a 24-hour emergency service.
Thanoon Seafood
Restaurant · a short drive · Usually open 11:00–21:00, Monday to Friday (approximate).
A seafood restaurant on a small bay beside the Sarasin Bridge, on the Phang Nga side of the strait, with two large salas by the beach.
Thian Leng Bak Kut Teh
Restaurant · a short drive · daily 07:00–16:00 (Sunday to 15:00)
A Khok Kloi shop on Phet Kasem Road serving Malaysian bak kut teh, pork ribs in Chinese herb soup, from Kedah recipes; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Wat Tha Sai (Wat Tes Tammanawa)
Temple · a short drive · daily 08:00–17:00
A working temple on Tha Sai beach, built around an ordination hall made entirely of teak, said to be the only all-teak seafront ubosot in southern Thailand; a monks' residence from 2003, recognised as a temple on 27 October 2010.
Sarasin Bridge
Viewpoint · a short drive
The bridges joining Phuket to the mainland at its northern tip: the original 600-metre bridge of 1967, and a higher two-lane bridge built beside it in 2010.
- The zone
- The waterline
- Chosen step: The zone
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes for rent near Natai Beach
6 months or more
Resorts and villa hotels stand back from the sand at intervals: Santhiya, Baba, Aleenta and Ranyatavi in the south, Natai Beach Resort, Coastal Escape, Iniala Beach House and Le Coral further north, and The Hotspring Beach Resort beyond. Khok Kloi, the nearest town, is about 3 km inland.
No home near Natai Beach is published yet.
Around Natai 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.
- Baba Beach Club Natai120 m from the sand · 2 min on foot
- By The Sea50 m from the sand · 1 min on foot
- Rabiang Lay60 m from the sand · 1 min on foot
- The Edge70 m from the sand · 1 min on foot
- Chantara110 m from the sand · 1 min on foot
- SEASONS120 m from the sand · 2 min on foot
- Anaalā170 m from the sand · 2 min on foot
- Aulis Phuket170 m from the sand · 2 min on foot
Natai Beach by month
High season · November to April
Calm sea, clear water
High season, November to April: the sea is usually calm and clear, and the gentle slope makes swimming easy. Early November can still bring leftover swell; December to April are the steadiest months, with sunsets over open water most evenings.
Low season · May to October
Waves, walks and red flags
Low season, May to October: the south-west monsoon brings rain, surf and rip currents, and in strong spells waves of 2 to 3 metres. Swimming is often unsafe, but the beach is at its emptiest, surf lessons run, and dry spells are good for long walks.
| 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
Natai Beach with children
In the high season Natai suits young children well: the slope into the water is gentle, the sand is wide and quiet, and a lifeguard post stands on the main stretch. The resorts behind the beach add pools and a kids' club for their guests.
- A gentle, sandy slope into the water on calm days.
- Wide sand for digging and running, and a broad flat at low tide.
- Natural shade under the trees at the back of the beach.
- Santhiya runs a kids' club, and its day pass is 250 THB for children (2026).
- Public toilets by Natai Beach Resort on the north stretch.
Getting to Natai Beach and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 30–40 min
Natai is on the mainland, across the Sarasin Bridge from Phuket's northern tip. From the bridge, drive north towards Khok Kloi and turn west to the coast road; public paths lead to the sand between the resort frontages.
- By car. About 30 to 40 minutes from Phuket airport over the Sarasin Bridge, and about an hour from Bang Tao or Kamala. Khao Lak is about an hour's drive north.
- Grab and taxis. A taxi or a ride-hailing car is the simplest way from the airport or the Phuket beaches; book the ride back before you go.
- By scooter. A rented scooter works well on the quiet coast road once you are on the mainland.
- Songthaew. Songthaews pass through Khok Kloi, but they do not run a reliable service to the beach.
Parking. Free parking near the tree line at the public access points. The resorts have their own car parks for their guests.
Who will love Natai Beach, and who will not
Will love it
- Anyone who wants wide sand with no vendors, sunbeds or jet skis, and often nobody nearby.
- Walkers and runners who want long, open sand and a firm flat at low tide.
- Families with young children in the high season, when the water is calm and the slope gentle.
- Couples who want a quiet resort, a sunset dinner on the sand and long empty walks.
- Anyone staying in the north of Phuket who wants an empty beach for a day, 30 to 40 minutes from the airport.
Will not
- Night owls: apart from Baba's DJ days, the beach is quiet after dark.
- Swimmers in the low season: from May to October the sea is often too rough.
- Anyone after cheap food on the sand: apart from Rabiang Lay, the food here is at resort prices.
Tips for Natai Beach
Walk at low tide
The flat that opens at low tide is the firmest surface for a long walk, and on calm days it is good for children to paddle.
Bring your own supplies
There are no sunbed rentals or vendors. Bring water and snacks if you walk away from the resorts.
Use the public paths
Public paths reach the sand between the resort frontages; you do not need to walk through a hotel.
Buy a day pass for comfort
For sunbeds, a pool and showers, a resort day pass is the easy option: Santhiya's was 500 THB plus tax and service for four hours (2026).
Book Aulis well ahead
Iniala's chef's table seats only 15 and serves one tasting menu.
Stop at the bridge
On the way back, stop at the Sarasin Bridge for the view over the strait and seafood beside it.
Arrange the ride back
Book your return taxi before you arrive: songthaews do not run a reliable service to the beach.