Rawai

Rawai is different from other areas of Phuket because of its unique character. There are bakeries, restaurants and bars run by French owners. In addition, Rawai is home to some great beachside restaurants. Rawai is also one of the three places in Phuket where the “Chao Lay”, or sea gypsies, make their home.

Things to do in Rawai

On the waterfront, Rawai Beach is home to numerous small and welcoming restaurants, perfect for a delightful lunch experience.

If you start from Chalong city and continue to the southern end of Rawai beach, you will find a wide variety of Thai restaurants offering delicious lunch and dinner dishes (including grilled fish and shellfish) with stunning views of the sea.

For breathtaking panoramic views of the cape, Ya Nui Beach, and Nai Harn Beach, one should definitely visit the Windmill Viewpoint.

Today, Phuket Windmill Viewpoint has become one of the most popular wedding photo locations due to its picturesque landscape. It is easily accessible by motorbike or bicycle, as it is located close to the main road, and only requires blue skies and a few white clouds for a perfect setting.

Additionally, Ya Nui and Ao Sane beaches offer ideal spots for relaxation and swimming.

Nai Harn is a beautiful beach with silky white sand, nestled between green hills and a few small islands, located in the south of Phuket Island and in our opinion the most beautiful. Compared to the touristy spots on the west coast, Nai Harn is more relaxed and offers enough restaurants, hotels and shops close to the beach to make for a pleasant day out. The beach has remained relatively unspoiled, which adds to its charm. The sheltered bay is also an excellent location for pleasure craft, such as sailing boats and luxury yachts, and has always been popular with expatriates and locals alike.

Rawai is home to many temples, but the one that best symbolises the area is undoubtedly the Nai Harn temple, located between the beach and the lake. This temple is easily recognizable from the beach because of its shimmering colors and gold plating. Although most visitors come to Phuket to enjoy the beach, it is worth taking a short diversion to see this symbolic building and learn more about the local culture.