There aren’t many places in Phuket that can boast a peaceful atmosphere and the absence of tourist crowds. Naithon Beach in Phuket confidently falls into that category. Clean water, a vast shoreline that doesn’t fill up even during peak season, and stunning landscapes complement the peaceful vacation vibe. But why are there so few tourists here? Let’s figure it out.
General Information
Beach information
Length (m): 1500 
Cover Type: Fine Sand 
Water Temp (°C): 28 
Cleanliness (1-10): 7 
Crowdedness (1-10): 5 
Infrastructure: Basic amenities 
Best Season: Nov–Apr 
Waves Level: Low 
Lifeguards Available? yes 
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Naithon Beach (occasionally spelled as ‘Naiton Beach Phuket’ in some sources) is located in the northwestern part of the island, not far from Phuket Airport. Although it is located quite near Phuket Airport, this proximity does not spoil the tranquility at all—you won’t hear any noise, even along the section closest to the airport. Planes also aren’t visible (they take off and land much farther away), about 10 kilometers away.
Describing Naithon Beach in all its poetic beauty could fill an entire book. Enchanting sunsets, breathtaking sunrises, and stunning natural landscapes transport visitors to a place that seems untouched by modern civilization—although the presence of a nearby road reminds you that nature and human development coexist.
Below is a map showing the beach and its surroundings.
At only about 1 kilometer in length, Naithon is one of Phuket’s smallest beaches; however, its generous width of 50–60 meters ensures ample space for relaxation, contributing to its peaceful, unspoiled feel.
Naithon is situated in a national park area, hence the abundance of greenery that almost overhangs the water at both edges of the beach.
While the water is generally calm—reminiscent of Bang Tao—it can become quite rough during the summer months (May to October, or sometimes even April to November), when strong waves prevail and swimming is not recommended. Always heed local warnings and check the tide conditions before entering the water.
Entering the Water and the Coastal Strip
The sand at Naithon is nearly perfect, a golden hue and very fine. Walking barefoot is a real pleasure (though by the afternoon, it can get very hot).
Note that the center of the beach features some unexpected dips in the seabed—if you misstep, you might suddenly sink a bit deeper. While these depressions aren’t overly dangerous, they can catch you by surprise.
Reading reviews of the beach, many travelers have noted a similarity between Naithon and the “Bounty” beach aesthetic, with one exception: Naithon lacks those iconic leaning palm trees.
The slope into the water is gradual, with the depth increasing slowly. It gets deep about 40–50 meters from the shore, so during low tide you’ll have to walk a fair distance to reach deeper water. The video below shows the beach from a drone’s perspective.
An interesting characteristic is that the center of the beach has some dips in the seabed. If you misstep, you could suddenly sink a bit deeper. They’re not excessively deep, but they can still surprise you. In the photo, you can clearly see rocks in the water.
The water is clear, and during small waves, you can see the sand rolling along the bottom. In general, there are waves here, but they’re more like gentle swells rather than enormous breakers crashing onto the shore.
It’s best to swim in the central part of the beach since both ends are covered in rocks, posing a risk of injuring your feet. Ironically, for snorkeling or diving enthusiasts, these same edges are ideal, as there are plenty of fish and other marine life.
In summer, however, the sea changes drastically—due to high waves, the water becomes murky, and the bottom is almost invisible. You might also come across floating sea debris, which no one bothers to clear away in the off-season.
As for cleanliness, despite its remote location, the beach is clean and regularly maintained. You may find only natural debris (like leaves or small branches) on the sand, as there’s no tourist refuse to speak of.
Shade
Naithon Beach Phuket has an interesting characteristic: In the morning, the abundant shade—thanks to the casuarina grove—creates a cool and comfortable environment, perfect for an early visit. As the day progresses, the shade recedes, leaving the beach exposed to the intense midday sun.
Because of the intense midday sun, the number of tourists drops after lunchtime, and Naithon becomes almost deserted.
Infrastructure
In recent years, Thailand’s beaches have come under strict control by local authorities, so you won’t find random objects spoiling the coastline. In the past, nearby cafés would set up tables right on the beach, but now they’re tucked away in the grove.
Like many remote beaches, Nai Thon never fully recovered after the tsunami that struck the coastline several years ago, and its infrastructure remains in limbo. There are establishments for tourists, but so few that an active traveler might quickly get bored.
Consider: at Nai Thon, you can sample local cuisine (from around 70 THB per dish) or try Western-style meals at a higher price (pizza might be about 300–400 THB—by 2025, potentially 350–500 THB). All the cafés are on the opposite side of the beach (a road runs along the shoreline, effectively separating it from the eateries).
Prices in the cafés:
- Water – 20 THB
- Beer – 100 THB
- Soup – 100–150 THB
- Main dish – 80–120 THB
- Dessert – 50–100 THB
If you don’t like the café scene, there are a few makashnits (food carts) in the northern part selling small portions of ready-made meals.
Shopping here is limited to a few small mini-markets; there are no stores like 7-Eleven. In the evenings, a small Thai street-food market appears on a vacant lot. There’s also a café serving european cuisine (though the prices are steep compared to Thai places).
As for entertainment, there are many massage beds shielded from view by improvised curtains (a single session costs around 400 THB). If you crave more active water sports, there’s a small kite school (not very useful given the mild waves) and a rental stand for snorkeling gear.
Tip: it’s best to snorkel at the edges of the beach. It also helps to purchase a coastal reef map; otherwise, you risk seeing nothing worthwhile underwater.
Beach Facilities
When it comes to beach accessories, Naithon is lacking—there simply aren’t any. Neither on the beach nor in the grove. Apparently, local residents took the authorities’ ban on beach chairs very literally and removed them entirely. (On other beaches, vendors simply moved sun loungers into the treeline or fashioned them from sand covered by a mat.)
The only toilets are in the cafés, but fortunately, there haven’t been any issues reported with using them. As for showers, yes, there is a free freshwater shower here. It might not look like the kind of shower Europenian tourists would envision, but as they say, “something is better than nothing.”
Accommodation
Lodging options here aren’t terrible, but they’re not great either—somewhere in between. There is housing, but it’s limited and not always cheap.
In the northern area sits a luxurious five-star hotel, Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. It’s quite expensive, as you can guess from its lavish interior.
On the opposite side of Naithon Beach, there’s another luxury hotel, Andaman White Beach Resort, which has private beach access. But that doesn’t mean only guests can sunbathe there—Thai beaches are public and state-owned.
In the center stands a more affordable hotel favored by many Russian tourists, Naithonburi Beach Resort. If you don’t go for package tours, you can look into condominium rentals, though these might be a considerable distance from the water.
Additionally, in the immediate vicinity of Naithon you can find:
- Kara Pool Villa.
- The Hill and Nai Thon.
- Naithon Beach Mansion.
How to Get There
Unfortunately, public transport is not well developed here, which might explain the scarcity of visitors. You can only get to the beach by taxi or a rented vehicle.
Naturally, if you’ve booked a hotel in the area, once you arrive at the airport you can use a transfer service or simply order a taxi (about 400 THB, though by 2025, it may be higher).
The cost of traveling by car from Naithon to another region might surprise you, so plan your trip carefully before booking a hotel. If you plan to move around a lot, a one-time visit to Naithon might make more sense than staying here long-term. But if you’re worn out by everything and just want peace and quiet, come here without hesitation.
