As Thailand’s largest island and one of the country’s best-loved tourist destinations, you can rest assured Phuket has plenty of top resorts to suit all budgets. From romantic retreats to party pads, and from luxurious villas to beachfront family resorts, Phuket has it all in spades. But with so many choices spread out over a few different areas, how do you pick the perfect place to call home for your Phuket vacation?
The island’s west coast, with its stunning beaches and sunset views, is where you will find the majority of the island’s hotels. The northern section of the west coast, near the airport, is relatively quiet and secluded; the middle section, centered around Patong, is busy and bustling; and the south of Phuket is a happy medium between the two.
Phuket South not only has a good range of top resorts to call home, but it’s also the perfect place to stay if you are looking to enjoy some of Phuket’s best day trips and tours. You can easily make the short trip to Patong or Phuket Old Town, and Chalong Pier, the gateway to the nearby islands, is close at hand, under the watchful eye of the Big Buddha Statue.
So, let’s take a quick tour of Phuket South and its best areas, beaches, and resorts, so you can plan your perfect stay in paradise and take in the best of the island’s myriad tourist attractions and tours…
Rawai Beach
Situated at the southern tip of Phuket, Rawai offers a laid-back atmosphere compared to the busier beaches of Patong, Kata, and Karon. The village-like feel in quaint Rawai is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Bangla Road in Patong, but the more built-up areas are under thirty minutes away should you wish to enjoy a big night out or a trip to the bigger shopping malls.
While Rawai Beach itself is not ideal for swimming due to shallow waters and parked long-tail boats, there are a couple of options virtually on your doorstep. Nai Harn Beach and Yanui Beach, two calm little coves, are a couple of minutes away by road and offer good swimming and snorkeling (check out Phuket Scoot and RentaBikePhuket for bike rentals in Rawai). Rawai Beach itself is a great spot for lunch, especially for seafood lovers. The numerous beachfront restaurants serve up freshly caught delights, and you can enjoy them with a lovely view out across the Andaman Sea and a cooling sea breeze.
Things To Do
One big advantage of staying in Phuket South is that it’s the perfect place for those who wish to explore the nearby islands. Coral Island (also known as Koh He), Koh Bon, and Koh Lon are all reachable by long-tail from Rawai Beach and are perfect for half- or full-day island-hopping snorkeling trips. If you’re not so keen on heading out to sea, there are also plenty of snorkeling options at nearby beaches like Nai Harn and Yanui.
For the best snorkeling and diving trips, you can also head a little farther out to the infamous Phi Phi islands and also take in Maya Bay, which was made famous by the movie The Beach. The marine life around Phi Phi is spectacular, and you can see reef sharks, seahorses, turtles, and, if you are in the right place at the right time, behemoth whale sharks cruising harmlessly by. For dive or snorkeling trips to Phi Phi, stop by Aloha Diving in Rawai for a chat…
If you’re looking for a quirky souvenir, the Phuket Art Village is a great place to while away a couple of hours. The village is a creative art space with cool art galleries and a charity shop, and they also offer ice-cold beers and snacks in the cafe. Friday night is a great time to head here, when you can also enjoy some live music with a mojito or two and a very tasty burger!
Towards the day’s end, you can also make the short drive to Promthep Cape. The cape is Phuket’s best-known sunset viewing spot, and it can be busy, but the views are well worth checking out. Once the celestial color show has finished, you can then visit one of Rawai’s many great restaurants for a delicious evening meal. For modern Thai cuisine, check out Samut; for a mix of Thai and European, try Otto’s or Sottovento; and if you’re looking for live sports or a traditional English Sunday roast, head to the Islander Sports Bar and Restaurant.
Places To Stay
There are also plenty of great accommodation options in and around Rawai Beach to suit all budgets and needs. Here are a few of our favorites to check out:
Rawayana Beachfront Village: For modern beachfront living, their luxury villas and sea-view apartments are a great choice and conveniently placed close to the beach.
Namphung Phuket Boutique Resort: Situated a little farther back from the beach, Namphung Phuket Boutique Resort is another good option. The area is nice and quiet, and the hotel has great facilities, including a lovely, refreshing pool.
Babylon Sky Garden Condominium: Located a five-minute walk from Rawai Beach, Babylon Sky Garden is also surrounded by restaurants and has a 7-11 store very close by. There are also great views from the rooftop pool, and the rooms are clean and functional, with a kitchen for those who like to cook for themselves occasionally.
Good 9 at Home: Just a short walk from Rawai Beach and its many restaurants, Good 9 at Home is a great option for those looking for budget-friendly accommodation. The owner and staff are all very friendly and helpful, and the rooms are spacious and well-kept.
Long-Term Stays in Phuket South
If you are considering a longer-term stay in Phuket than just a couple of weeks, Rawai is one of the best choices. There are co-working options for digital nomads, supermarkets with international food options, and plenty of fitness and well-being options too.
If your accommodation has a kitchen, you can also visit the Sea Gypsies Fish Market for freshly caught produce, and you can learn how to cook it perfectly at Phuket Easy Thai Cooking.
Nai Narn Beach
A short drive to the west of Rawai Beach will bring you to Nai Harn Beach. The soft-sand beach is nice and quiet and is a perfect spot for soaking up the sun, taking a cooling dip in the ocean, or snorkeling alongside schools of colorful reef fish. The half-mile stretch of sand is usually nice and peaceful and is backed by a pleasant lake area that is commonly used for dog-walking and exercise by long-term residents and locals alike.
In addition to good swimming and snorkeling, you can also head out on sea kayaks or SUPs if you’re feeling active. If you still have some energy to burn, you can also take a walk up to either of the viewpoints at either end of the beach: Windmill Viewpoint or Black Rock Viewpoint. From the beach, you are also just a short drive away from Rawai Beach and its surrounding village, while those who fancy exploring Patong and Kata can head north along the coastal road, passing Karon Viewpoint along the way Head to RentaBikePhuket on the way to Rawai for scooter rentals…
Things To Do
While Nai Harn Beach is perfect for a relaxing stay in Phuket, there are still a few things to do in the area. Aside from lazing on the golden sands of Nai Harn Beach, you can also jump on your scooter and explore the other nearby beaches, such as Ao Sane Beach and Yanui Beach. Both of these beaches are also good for snorkeling, and from Yanui, you can also paddle out to Koh Man by kayak to see even more variety in the fish life.
As sunset approaches, you can, if you are feeling energetic, head to one of the viewpoints either side of the beach, or, if energy levels are a little lower, take in the spectacular views from Promthep Cape. Once the sun has set, a rumbling stomach may be signaling it’s time to eat. There are a few small bars and restaurants behind Nai Harn Beach that serve great Thai food. If you have a big appetite after snorkeling or kayaking all afternoon, you could also head to Grills for a great steak and to enjoy their mountain views.
With Rawai Beach just a few minutes away, you can also head out to the neaarby islands. At Rawai Beach you will find a slew of long-tail boats and you can negotiate with the drivers to take you out snorkeling or island-hopping for full- or half-day trips.
Places To Stay
The Nai Harn area is a little smaller than neighboring Rawai, but there are still some great accommodation options. Here are a couple of the best ones to check out:
The Nai Harn Phuket: Perched on the northern end of Nai Harn Beach, the Nai Harn is a luxurious 5-star resort with great beach access and superb sunset views. Guests can enjoy the beach views from the outdoor pool or enjoy relaxing spa treatments, and there is an outdoor restaurant and bar area too.
Nai Harn 4 Resort: For a more budget-friendly option, Nai Harn 4 Resort is a great choice. It’s located between Nai Harn and Rawai, and it has an outdoor swimming pool and a quiet garden area.
Soi Saiyuan
Halfway between Chalong Circle and Promthep Cape, the Soi Saiyuan area is also a popular choice for a relaxed stay in Phuket South. The word ‘soi’ means ‘small street’ or ‘alleyway’ in Thai, and Soi Saiyuan sits behind a section of the main road that links Rawai to Chalong, Vichit Road. Along the main Soi Saiyuan, there are several smaller sois branching off that hide a few resorts and restaurants that are cool to check out.
The quiet half-moon soi is a relatively small area, and it sits just to the north of Rawai village. You can easily get to Nai Harn and Yanui beaches by scooter to soak up some rays or enjoy a cooling dip or snorkeling session, while Rawai Beach and its long-tail boats to the nearby islands are even closer. Being close to Vichit Road also makes exploring the rest of the island easy: head north along the main road to get to Chalong and Phuket Town, or to Kata and Karon via bigger roads than the coastal road.
Things To Do
While Soi Saiyuan puts you a little farther from the beaches than the other areas in Phuket South, it’s still a great place to stay, especially for those who are comfortable getting around by scooter. The area has some great food options, including Wilson’s Cafe and Pure Vegan Heaven, and it’s also a good choice for those looking to enjoy one of Phuket’s South’s many fitness and wellness locations.
Yoga by Niti and Phagamast Massage are both located close at hand, and if you fancy getting a little more physical, Sinbi Muay Thai and Rawai Boxing Camp are great places to get a sweat on and learn about Muay Thai. Soi Saiyuan’s location also makes it easy to get to the north of Chalong, where you will find Soi Taied, the epicenter of Phuket’s myriad fitness camps. Along Soi Taied, there are several Muay Thai camps and CrossFit centers, along with a plethora of healthy-eating restaurants.
If you’d rather get a sweat on lying on the beach than pounding the punchbags, Nai Harn, Ao Sane, and Yanui beaches are all reachable in ten minutes or less by scooter.
Places To Stay
You can find a number of cool places to stay dotted along the soi and in its immediate vicinity. If you’re looking to stay around Soi Saiyuan, we highly recommend checking out these two gems:
The Pace Phuket Boutique Resort: Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, and a terrace, the 4-star hotel Pace Phuket Boutique Resort also has a bar and barbecue facilities. In the mornings, you can choose between à la carte, continental, or American breakfasts, and the rooms are exceptionally clean and comfortable.
Saturdays Residence by Sure: Saturdays Residence offers modern and spacious one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchens and a full set of tableware. There is also an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center.
Vitchit Road
If the ability to move freely around the island is a priority, the Vichit Road area may be a good Phuket South option for you. Vichit Road, which is also sometimes anglicized as Wiset Road or Viset Road, is the main drag that links Rawai to Chalong Circle. Being close to Vichit Road makes it easy to head out to explore Phuket Old Town and the Central Festival shopping mall, or to cut across the island towards Kata, Karon, or Patong.
People on long-term stays or with kitchen access can also get to Makro Rawai and Villa Market to stock up on groceries and maybe some international food treats from home. Also useful for longer stays, digital nomads can also get to Grind Time Coworking Space, at the bottom of Vichit Road, within a few minutes.
Things To Do
While Vichit Road allows easy access to all the activities in Rawai, Nai Harn, and Soi Saiyuan, heading north rather than south also gives you access to a few different activities in and around Chalong Circle.
The Big Buddha Statue sits on the mountainside above Chalong, and it is one of Phuket’s most-visited and most-photographed attractions. Also known as The Great Buddha of Phuket, the statue is a 45-meter-tall seated Maravija Buddha statue finished in Burmese white marble with stunning views across Chalong Bay.
If you prefer catching fish to rays, instead of hitting the beach, you can head to Chalong Fishing Park for freshwater catch-and-release fishing. The lake is well-stocked, and you can land a huge catfish, or if you are lucky, there are a few arapaima, which can weigh up to 120 kilograms. If you prefer ocean fishing, The Big Blues offer fishing trips from nearby Chalong Pier too.
For something a little more physical, Paintball Park Adventure is also close to Chalong Circle and is great for families, or if you have a head for heights, the Phuket Grappling Academy is just up the road from the paintball, but you have to pass the Green Man Pub without popping in for a pint or two…
Places To Stay
While Vichit Road is a main road, there are many side streets and small sois lined with cool resorts and luxurious villas in quiet areas. There are several superb options, and here are our top picks to check out:
The Vijitt Resort: The luxurious Vijitt Resort features several stand-alone Thai villas beside the sea with lush teak wood furnishings. Located at the southern end of Friendship Beach, just before Rawai village, the resort is set on 18 acres and presents superb views of Chalong Bay, Cape Panwa, and the bay’s slands. Guests can relax at the spa, work out at the gym, or laze by the stunning pool.
Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort: Located off the main road, it boasts three swimming pools, a beautiful spa, and a well-equipped fitness center. There is also a delicious restaurant serving French, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options also available.
Serenity Uno: Serenity Uno is a duplex-style one-bedroom villa designed by the esteemed architect Alexander Beaumont. Its hillside setting affords breathtaking sea views, and the villa is a beautiful fusion of luxury and nature.
Nga Chang by Intira Villas: This resort is set back from the main road, along a quiet soi, and offers great value for money. There is a superb outdoor pool, and the two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas are great for group bookings and family vacations.
