Rawai holidays

Holidays to Rawai are a best-of-both-worlds affair – it’s authentic Thailand within easy reach of Phuket’s must-sees.

A taste of Thai life

The village of Rawai spans all the way across Phuket’s southernmost tip. And as far as Thai beach resorts go, this one’s less of a tourist hotspot and has more of a local vibe. In the south section of the village, things are on the quiet side. Here, the must-sees include hidden-gem cove beaches complete with white sand and calm water, and panoramic viewpoints looking out over the coast. Further north, private beachfront residences and luxury hotels bring a more upmarket atmosphere. And in the middle, you’ll find the main tourist stretch – a narrow beach lined with international restaurants, and a row of wooden longtail boats waiting to take you on trips to the nearby islands.

Beaches big and small

A Thai holiday wouldn’t be complete without a beach day or two, and if you’re coming to Rawai, you’ll have plenty to pick from. Rawai Beach is the main sweep. It’s the busiest of the bunch, thanks to the café-and-restaurant-lined strip that runs parallel to it. You probably won’t want to swim here, though, because of the large number of boats coming and going all day. Instead, you could make a beeline for one of the tiny crescents of sand hidden on the coastline – like Shangchai Beach, which has a wild feel to it, or Yanui Beach, where you can stroll across a sandbank to a teeny island at low tide.

Islands upon islands

If you thought the beaches surrounding the main town were beautiful, just wait ‘til you see what’s in store on the nearby islands. The closest – Ko Bon – is like something out of Cast Away, complete with coconut trees, glass-like waters and sands that are virtually footprint free. A little further out, but still only a 20-minute speedboat ride away, is Ko He – nicknamed Coral Island thanks to its underwater reefs which you can check out on a snorkelling session. And if you’d rather tick off a big-ticket spot, there’s always the option to take a full-day trip to the Phi Phi Islands, whose tree-clad rocks have become some of Thailand’s most recognisable sights.

From massages to Muay Thai

When you’re not sunning yourself on a beach or out on the water, there’s plenty of Thai traditions to dip your toes into. Muay Thai’s big around here – Rawai’s home to a well-known gym where you can get a taste of the sport by joining a one-off group class or booking a private session. Or, check out the area’s Buddhist and Hindu temples, some of which are shrouded in classic gold decor. If your idea of fun sounds more like kicking back and relaxing, you’re in luck – there are massage parlours galore.