Like many of the beaches to the north of Phuket, Nai Yang is a picture perfect representation of what a tropical beach should look like and remains relatively undeveloped, which is down to, in part, to parts of the beach falling in the Sirinath National Park.

Despite not attracting a raft of tourists, Nai Yang Beach is popular with the Thai locals and expats who know exactly what they will find at Nai Yang – beach life as it should be; beautiful golden sand, turquoise water, lush green palm trees and all the facilities you need, without it being overly commercial.

The northern end of the beach is part of Sirinath National Park and visitors to Nai Yang Beach won’t find any facilities, but you will find food vendors that congregate by the roadside, serving up all your favourite Thai treats and snacks.

The northern end of the beach is also very close to Phuket International Airport, and although having a plane land in close proximity to where you are lying down might be considered a disturbance, it is a spectacle that few find hard to ignore.

At the southern end, Nai Yang beach is more developed, featuring bars and restaurants, and is home to the award-winning Indigo Pearl resort.

Sun beds and umbrellas are available in the middle of the beach and are in close proximity to the restaurants and watering holes that line the beach.

As you might expect, beach eats at the northern end of the beach differ from those at the south. At the top end, fresh seafood is barbecued from small beach shacks, while at the south, dining is based around sitting down at tables on the beach and enjoying some local or international cuisine.

Visitors to Nai Yang Beach can fill in their day by taking advantage of the raft of water sports available. Swimming is possible all year round at the northern end of the beach, while divers can go sub aqua at a local reef just 10 minutes ride away.

In the off season from June until August, Kite Board Asia is open on Nai Yang Beach offering kitesurfing lessons and equipment rental. Surfing is also possible, with some great surf available, albeit quite at quite a lengthy swim from the beach.

For those not interested in anything remotely physical, massages are available along the beach and are very reasonably priced.