Район
The subdistrict at the south end of the island: Nai Harn, Ya Nui and Rawai's fishing waterfront, nine offshore islands, and Phuket's longest-settled expat community.
Rawai is the southernmost subdistrict of Phuket, in Mueang district, about 11 km from the district office in Phuket Town. Its land on the island covers about 23 square kilometres between Chalong to the north and Karon to the west; nine islands offshore, among them Ko Lon, Ko He and the two Racha islands, add about 15 more.
The coast road, Wiset Road, runs along the shore to Rawai's waterfront, then climbs over Promthep Cape and turns north past Ya Nui and Nai Harn towards Kata. Rawai Beach itself is a working harbour of longtail boats and seafood restaurants; the swimming beaches are Nai Harn and Ya Nui, about 2 km away.
The subdistrict has seven villages, from Ban Nai Harn and Ban Sai Yuan to Ban Ko Lon on its island. Rawai village was settled in the late 19th century, and a community of Chao Le, the Urak Lawoi sea people, still lives near the pier.
Over the decades Rawai has become the island's most established home for long-stay foreigners: many have lived here ten or twenty years. It feels like a lived-in coastal town rather than a resort strip, with gyms, Muay Thai camps, cafés, clinics and schools spread along Sai Yuan Road and the roads around Nai Harn lake.
At the seafood market on the waterfront you pick fish, prawns or crab by weight and a restaurant across the road cooks them for a set charge per kilo. Salaloy and Mook Manee nearby are listed by the Michelin Guide.
Promthep Cape is the island's classic sunset point; the Windmill viewpoint above Ya Nui and the Black Rock viewpoint above Nai Harn are quieter.
Longtails and speedboats leave Rawai's pier for Coral Island, about 15 minutes by speedboat or 20 to 30 by longtail, and for Ko Bon and the Racha islands.
A paved 2.1 km path circles Nai Harn lake, behind the beach: a favourite for early runs, walks and birdwatching.
Nai Harn, a wide bay with the lake just behind it, and the small cove of Ya Nui are both about 2 km from Rawai's waterfront.
Several international schools stand inside the subdistrict, and HeadStart has a campus on Sai Yuan Road, 5 to 10 minutes from most homes.
Еда и напитки
Buy fish, prawns or crab by the kilo at the waterfront stalls, then have a restaurant across the road cook them for a set charge per kilo; ask the price first.
Морские прогулки · высокий сезон
From Rawai's pier, speedboats reach Coral Island in about 15 minutes and longtails in 20 to 30; Ko Bon and the Racha islands are further out.
Природа
The southern tip of Phuket, where the sun sets behind a scatter of islands. Free and open at all hours; it fills with tour buses around sunset.
Природа
A hilltop by a giant wind turbine between Nai Harn and Promthep, looking down on Ya Nui and the islet of Ko Man: a quieter place for the sunset.
Спорт · высокий сезон
A hiking path from the Nai Harn lake area climbs to the Black Rock viewpoint; go early, before the heat.
Снорклинг и дайвинг · высокий сезон
Kayaks and snorkels are hired on the sand at Ya Nui, a small cove facing Ko Man.
Культура
A temple near Nai Harn Beach whose present building, in traditional Thai style, dates from 2017. Entry is free.
Культура
A neighbourhood temple in Rawai founded in 1942, with a large seated Buddha and no crowds.
Спорт
Gyms and Muay Thai camps line the roads around Rawai; drop-in classes cost about 200 to 300 THB and gym months 4,500 to 8,000 THB (2025).
Покупки
On Sundays there are markets in the Nai Harn beach car park and in Rawai, with local produce and cooked Thai food.
Природа
The paved loop round Nai Harn lake is 2.1 km, flat and shaded in parts; busiest at dawn and dusk.
Walk or run the 2.1 km path round Nai Harn lake before the heat. Nai Harn Lake
From November to April Nai Harn's bay is usually calm enough for a long swim; Ya Nui is the smaller alternative.
Take a longtail or speedboat from Rawai's pier for a half day at Coral Island. Rawai Pier
Paddle out towards the islet of Ko Man and snorkel along the rocks. Ya Nui kayak and snorkel rental
Promthep Cape for the classic view, or the Windmill viewpoint for a quieter one. Windmill Viewpoint
Pick dinner at the seafood market and eat it cooked across the road, at low tables by the water. Rawai Seafood Market
Буддийский храм
Буддийский храм
Смотровая площадка
Смотровая площадка
Смотровая площадка
Парк
Бар на крыше
Рыбный ресторан
Рыбный ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Рыбный ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Рыбный ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Ресторан
Кафе
Пекарня
Кафе
Кафе
Кафе
Кафе
Кафе
Продуктовый магазин
Оптовый магазин
Продуктовый магазин
Продуктовый магазин
Оптовый магазин
Оптовый магазин
Небольшой торговый центр
Продуктовый магазин
Супермаркет
Рыбный рынок
Аптека
Клиника
Клиника
Аптека
Аптека
Аптека
Стоматология
Аптека
Стоматология
Прокат автомобилей
Прокат автомобилей
Прокат скутеров
Коворкинг
Коливинг
Парк приключений
Детский клуб
Развлекательный центр
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Лагерь муай-тай
Клуб единоборств
Клуб единоборств
Фитнес-клуб
Фитнес-клуб
Клуб единоборств
Фитнес-клуб
Клуб единоборств
Фитнес-клуб
Фитнес-клуб
Студия йоги
Студия йоги
Студия йоги
Студия йоги
Корты для падела
Корты для падела
Теннисные корты
Корты для падела
Корты для пиклбола
Дайв-центр
Школа кайтсёрфинга
Дайв-центр
Дайв-центр
Массаж
Ретрит
Массаж
Ретрит
Спа-салон
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Спа-салон
Массаж
Спа-салон
Спа при отеле
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Ретрит
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Массаж
Спа-салон
Пирс
Танцевальная студия
Футбольное поле
Танцевальная студия
Low-rise and villa-dominated: pool villas and villa estates around Nai Harn and along Sai Yuan Road, townhouses and low-rise condos in the Rawai Beach corridor. Building is mostly low-rise, and homes are spread over a wide area, so a scooter or car comes with most of them.
November to April: the calmest sea of the year, Nai Harn and Ya Nui at their best, and boats to the islands almost every day. December to March is the busiest stretch, with the most visitors and traffic on the road from Chalong.
May to October: swell reaches the west-facing beaches, red flags go up on many days and island boats depend on the weather. Residents stay, gyms and cafés stay open, and the town is quieter.
Rawai is one of Phuket's most popular areas for families who settle: international schools are inside the subdistrict, the swimming beaches are close, and daily life does not depend on tourism.
Rawai sits at the end of the island's roads, about 46 km from the airport. Most residents use a scooter or a car; the Smart Bus from the airport ends here, and ride apps work everywhere.
Парковка. Free roadside parking along the waterfront and at the Nai Harn beach car park; busy at sunset at Promthep Cape.
Rawai Beach is for boats and seafood; both swimming beaches are about 2 km away.
At the seafood market, agree the per-kilo price of the fish and the restaurant's cooking charge before you buy.
Promthep Cape fills with tour buses at sunset; arrive early or drive on to the Windmill viewpoint.
Villa Market and Makro are in Chalong, 10 to 15 minutes north; Rawai itself has minimarts and fresh markets.
The sea people's village by the pier is a home, not a show; ask before photographing anyone.
A visit to a small clinic costs about 300 to 700 THB and a private hospital consultation 800 to 2,000 THB (2025).
From May to October island trips depend on the wind; book on the morning itself and keep a spare day.
The Sunday markets at the Nai Harn beach car park and in Rawai are the place for fruit and cooked Thai food.