Natai Beach holidays

Unwinding and relaxing are what Natai Beach holidays were made for, thanks to a hidden-away beach and boutique hotels.

Phuket’s peaceful neighbour

Natai Beach couldn’t be more different from up-tempo Phuket if it tried. You won’t be brushing elbows with backpackers or sunbathing to the sound of beach vendors here. Instead, this place gives you sea, sand and sun in its simplest – and most relaxing – form. A few steps away from the beach, you’ll find narrow streets filled with cosy bars, lodges and boutiques, as well as a couple of fine-dining restaurants which dish out Thai classics. Plus, if you do want a taste of that buzzing Thailand lifestyle, you can drive to Phuket in under an hour.

One long, deserted beach

The sand stretches out for 10 kilometres here, and it’ll often feel like you have the whole shoreline to yourself – bar a few fishermen. You’ve not got the frills most beaches have, like waterfront bars and watersports, but it all just adds to the peaceful feel. Plus, it’s a snorkeller’s dream – there are coral reefs just offshore, so if you dip your head under the water, you’ll have the chance to see exotic fish mingling in vibrant corals.

Wildlife spotting and sea kayaking

Natai Beach is also within easy reach of some of Thailand’s national parks. Ao Phang Nga National Park’s famous for its cliffs that jut out of the sea – you can get an up-close view by weaving in and out of them on a kayak. Nature lovers, meanwhile, will want to head to Khao Sok National Park. Here, a guide will take you around the jungle to spot gibbons hanging from the trees, tapirs snuffling around in the vegetation, and if you’re lucky, a Malayan sun bear or an elephant in the distance.

Cross the bridge to Phuket

If you’re after something a bit livelier, cross the Sarasin Bridge and you’ll reach Phuket town in under an hour. Set off early to bag a bargain at the early-morning markets, or, if you’re more of a night owl, you can party ‘til dawn in the buzzing clubs. Even though you’ve got a deserted beach back at base, if you’re seeking sand and sea, Phuket has a 40-kilometre-long coastline.