Magical Natai Beach

People native to this part of Thailand are quite friendly. Theirs is a simple life that relies on natural resources, and most of the local village people encountered are farmers or fishermen. You can expect loads of friendly smiles, waves and nods of the head when making the trek to the beach and there’s no need to worry if you find yourself lost as the locals are very kind and quick to point you in the right direction.

Natai Beach hosts a public pier that's the heart of the action in this peaceful area. The pier is busy early in the morning and just before sunset, as fishermen prepare to go out in boats in the early hours and bring their fresh catches back towards the end of the day. A lot of people also fish off of the pier while others take a stroll to stretch their legs. Although the pier is not very big or long there’s a strong sense of community here watching the local people meet and greet each other throughout the day.

Natai Beach holds another special treat in the form of Natai Bridge. An old wooden bridge that is no longer functional, Natai Bridge is a photographer's dream. It's an ideal spot and considerably photogenic once the sun begins to set. If you're looking to snap that picture-perfect postcard moment with a camera or a Smartphone this is the quintessential landmark to frame your background. The bridge is located near a luxurious resort, but the beach is open to the public. Any local will enthusiastically give directions to Natai Bridge if asked.

There's not much in the way of food available at Natai Beach although there's a beachfront restaurant that offers a wide variety of Thai dishes and fresh seafood at affordable prices. There are also a variety of small local restaurants on the main road before turning off to Natai Beach. We recommend you stop at any number of these local haunts for steaming noodles, spicy curries, grilled meats and heaping plates of fried rice. All of the local restaurants are accustomed to takeaway orders and the few small convenience-type stores sell all other necessities including bottled water, beach mats and snacks.

Accommodation in and around the Natai Beach area tends to be high end. There's a scattering of deluxe villas and private, four- and five-star resort accommodation choices around this area and access to these places is strictly off limits unless you’re a paying guest. A few budget bungalow accommodations can be found just near the beach and prices vary depending upon the season but it’s best to keep in mind that none of this accommodation is fancy. In fact, most budget bungalows offer almost nothing in the way of amenities, only a bed to sleep on and washing facilities.

Located just a short drive over Phuket's Sarasin Bridge, Natai Beach is a long, lovely stretch of undeveloped beach featuring white sands, towering trees, gently rolling waves and stunning scenery. It's an idyllic location and offers a tremendous amount of solitude as well as a chance to appreciate nature. Natai Beach makes for a relaxing day trip from Phuket as it has a deserted island feel along Phang Nga's gorgeous coast.

Getting there
Natai Beach is easily accessible from Phuket International Airport and Sarasin Bridge. It's located just 25km from the airport. Follow Route 402 north from Maikhao Dream Resort & Spa Natai Phang Nga until you reach Khok Kloi. Here, the road signs are well marked and will lead you directly to Natai Beach.