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Overview
Rawai is unlike any other beach in Phuket — it’s not really a swimming beach at all, but it’s one of the island’s most culturally rich and delicious destinations. The beach is home to a traditional sea gypsy (Chao Lay) community and fronts Phuket’s most celebrated seafood strip: a row of open-air restaurants where you choose your fish, crab, and shellfish live from iced trays and have them cooked to order.
The result is a completely different experience to the resort beaches further north: local, unpretentious, and centred around the best seafood on the island.
Seafood
The Rawai seafood market and restaurant strip is the highlight. Buy fresh catch directly from the pier vendors and take it to an adjacent restaurant to have it cooked (a small preparation fee applies), or order direct from the restaurant’s own selection. Grilled barracuda, steamed crab in lime and chilli, and garlic prawns are among the signature dishes.
Boat Trips
Rawai Pier is a departure point for long-tail boat trips to the offshore islands — Koh Bon, Koh Hae (Coral Island), and Koh Lon. These can be arranged directly with the boat captains at the pier, making Rawai a good base for snorkeling day trips.
Getting There
Rawai is in the south of Phuket, about 40 minutes from Patong and 30 minutes from Phuket Town. Grab taxis serve the area reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Rawai Beach?
The beach itself has poor swimming conditions — it’s shallow at low tide and the sea floor is rocky and muddy. For swimming, head to nearby Nai Harn Beach (10 minutes north) or take a boat to Coral Island.
What is the best thing to eat at Rawai?
Fresh grilled seafood is the must-eat. The seafood restaurants along the beach front are all broadly similar — look for the ones with the busiest local clientele for the freshest produce.
Is Rawai Beach touristy?
Less so than the west-coast beaches. Rawai has a large expat resident community and feels more like a real Thai neighbourhood than a tourist resort.
What is the sea gypsy village in Rawai?
The Chao Lay (sea gypsy) community has lived at Rawai for generations. Their traditional stilted houses and boats are visible at the southern end of the beach. It’s a culturally significant site that deserves respectful visiting.