A sip of seclusion
Small and secluded places like Ya Nui beach are becoming a rarity on Phuket. Located between Nai Harn and Rawai beaches, this cove has a lovely strip of sand with waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Phuket is so big, we’ve split it up into areas, select one of the below for detailed accommodation and food listings in that area. Sights and general overviews for Phuket as a whole can be found via the icons above. Don’t know where to start? Read an overview of Phuket’s different areas.
Browse hotels in Ya Nui Beach on Agoda
Provided by Travelfish partner Agoda. Prefer Booking? Click here.
A quiet road runs past the beach and, on its other side, you’ll find a few modest bungalow operations aimed at flashpackers and families travelling Phuket on a budget. More bungalows and midrange resorts have been built along the road leading back from the beach towards Rawai.
In mid 2014, Ya Nui was among several beaches on Phuket cleared of commercial activity in a post-coup army operation. The restaurant that had long been a fixture on the beach was torn down and all sunbeds were banned.
The rules on what can and can’t be done on the beaches have been very much in flux in the months following the beach clearouts, but as of February 2015 Ya Nui was host to a few vendors selling drinks and snacks, as well as limited umbrella and mattress rental services. Umbrella rental is 100 baht a day, or 200 baht for an umbrella with two mattresses.
Though the beach is nowhere near deserted, it is one of the better options in the area for some mellow relaxation. Some notable snorkelling can be enjoyed at the southern end of Ya Nui. Masks can be rented from one of the beach vendors for 100 baht a day, fins are an additional 100 baht. If you need some exercise, kayaks are 100 baht for one person and 200 baht for two. Don’t get too excited — that’s per hour.
You could feasibly walk here from Nai Harn beach, which is 2.5 kilometres away, but it’s a lot easier if you have your own transport. A motorcycle will do, but be sure it has plenty of pick-up to make it over the steep, winding hills. Be careful if coming from either Laem Phromthep or Nai Harn as the road is extremely steep and dangerous when wet.
Orientation
Ya Nui beach is found right between two of Phuket’s best viewpoints. Cape Promthep is the better known of the two, and a spectacular sunset is assured here if you can stand to share it with the crowds. Down the road towards Nai Harn is a lookout point at the base of a giant wind turbine – fantastic bird’s eye views over Ya Nui here. It’s also a popular launching point for paragliders.
If you’re in need of cash, the nearest ATM is about a kilometre away at the Family Mart at the entrance to Soi Ya Nui from Rawai. Several banks and ATMs are found in nearby Nai Harn and Rawai beaches. Nearly every restaurant and place to stay around Ya Nui offer free WiFi, including Ya Nui Bungalows & Restaurant just across the road from the beach.
63 other destinations in Southern Thailand
More to it than Full Moon Parties
Wise old wilderness
The other Ko Chang
Leave the crowds behind
A bay all to yourself.
Let’s keep this one a secret
Ready to relax?
Breathtaking above and below the water
Unspoilt island wilderness
Golden Buddha island
Fancy pants beach time
Pristine beaches and jungle
Land of 300 peaks
The tranquility runs deep
Caves, beaches and a palace
Dozens of beaches to choose from
A popular spot to learn to dive
Lively gateway to the islands
Rock climbing paradise
Popular party island
Where the beaches stretch for miles
More to it than the Emerald Cave
Great choice for the quiet life
Relax by the sea
One laid-back island
Thailand‘s largest national park
Settle into a slower pace
Great beaches, pricey food
Mountains to the west, ocean to the east
Set your internal clock to Thai time
A family favourite
No need to leave that beach chair
Just kick back
Say hi to the sea turtles
Crossroad between islands and mountains
Unspoilt twin islands
Mainstream tourist hotspot
Before you hit the islands... Eat!
Welcome to paradise
Awesome
Ko Lipe’s wild neighbour
Wave to Burma
A comfortable island getaway
Unadulterated Southern Thailand
Thailand’s biggest and busiest island
Muslim fishing life
Low-key beach town
Mountains, lakes and no tourists
Take a break from it all
Your base for Phang Nga Bay
Largest city in Southern Thailand
Don’t miss the local iced tea
Like Hua Hin lite
Gateway to Ko Tao
Beach holiday hotspot
Almost Malaysia
Gulf coast island gateway
Gateway to Malaysia
Once a proud kingdom
Gateway to little-known islands
Gateway to the Satun islands
Well off the beaten trail
Historic for more than one reason