Known locally as Haad Rawai and located 17 kilometers to the south of the town, this palm-fringed beach is best known for Phuket’s “Chao Le,” or Sea Gypsies: a nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent. As picturesque as the beach itself is the breathtaking drive down to it. The entire coastline is strung with short, sandy stretches of curved beach, some untouched by human feet. Several nearby islands also have gleaming white beaches and dazzling underwater scenery, which attract fishing enthusiasts and scuba divers.
Phuket’s first tourist destination, Rawai, unlike the beaches on the island’s west side, is not very suitable for swimming, as the water is occupied by a wealth of fishing boats and tour boats. For visitors looking to explore the many beautiful islands surrounding Phuket, Rawai is an excellent starting point; the tour boat business at the beach here is quite competitive. The boats, rocks and mud flats make swimming here more difficult than at many of Phuket’s other beaches. The beach at Rawai is still an interesting place to visit, as visitors can observe local fishermen unloading their daily catches, mending their fishing nets, and working on their boats.
There is a daily seafood market in the Sea Gypsy village at the east end of the beach that is a colourful, if somewhat odorous affair. There is no car park as such; park on the side of the road in the direction you are heading, otherwise you risk a ticket. For visitors who are searching for colorful local flavor over a traditional beach vacation, Rawai is an excellent choice of locations.
Thai boxing is a popular attraction in Rawai; you can watch live matches and if you are interested to learn more, you can always contact: Kickinit Muaythai (Facebook page), kickinitmuaythai.com, or kickinitmuaythai@gmail.com.
Attractions in Rawai
Sea Shell Shops
The boat landing in Rawai is home to some of the island’s best sea shell shops. There is a beautiful array of every thing one could imagine made from sea shells. Ask to see the selection of woman’s purses and clutches made out of sea shells! You will be amazed by the variety and size of some of nature’s calcium creations!
Sea Shell Museum
The Sea Shell Museum with more than 2,000 species of shells including the only left-handed Noble Volute ever discovered, the world’s largest golden pearl at 140 karats, a shell that weighs 250 kilograms and giant clams and fossils dating back to earth’s preflood age. Hold the world’s earliest under water life forms in your hands. The Sea Shell Museum is a treasure trove of aquatic life and history.
Boating in Rawai
Aside from Ko Bon, there’s a bunch of other islands close to Rawai Beach, including Ko Kaew, Ko Lon, Ko Aeo and Ko Hae – also known as Coral Island. These islands can be visited privately by chartered boat or just ask around in Rawai or Ao Chalong to find out about island tours that will take you (and a bunch of like-minded souls) out to a few of them in one hit – this will almost certainly be cheaper than doing it privately.
If you’d rather do your own thing, the longtail boats that clog Rawai beach are your best bet. You can charter a longtail just to go lay on the beach or snorkeling. Fishing trips are also available, and don’t forget there’s a few hidden away beaches on this part of Phuket’s coast that are just as good as the strips of sand on the offshore islands, so see what the boatman suggests.
Horse Riding in Rawai
Phuket is better known for its elephant treks than horse riding. However, horse riding along the beautiful sandy beaches of Rawai can be one of the best experiences that you will have in Phuket. Galloping through the beaches and along jungle trails can be an exhilarating experience. Rawai also offers guided horse riding for people who are not very familiar with horses.
