Ya Nui lies in the shadow of two of Phuket's loveliest viewpoints; Phrom Thep and the viewpoint featuring large white windmill/propeller power generators.

It's a charming little cove featuring good snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. During high season there is a line of sun loungers for hire (200 baht a set) as well as a stand that rents out masks, fins, kayaks and body boards for very reasonable prices.

At this time of year there is also an ad hoc restaurant. The sand is beautifully soft and children love to collect shells on this beach. 

An island called Koh Keyao Noi stands 700 metres out in the sea and in calm weather yachts moor just off the coast and it is possible to paddle out to explore the coral or to pay a visit to neighbouring Nai Harn. In rougher weather local fishermen climb the rocky promontory to cast off or simply brave the waves with casting nets. 

How to Get There

There are three approaches to Ya Nui. One, from Nai Harn, is made by driving south over the hill, passing the propeller viewpoint and down into the beach.

From inland, a road leads from Rawai - simply keep going straight when the main Rawai-Phrom Thep road swings left and carry on through to the beach. The other way is to descend the north side of Phrom Thep and you'll soon be in Ya Nui

Ya Nui Beach Facilities

You can hire snorkeling gear on the beach itself. The northern part of this compact (300 metre) beach is good for swimming and body boarding but is a little rocky towards its southern end.

You can hire a set of sun loungers for 200 baht in high season and beachgoers often lunch or dine at a local bamboo restaurant in the car park. Across the road at the bungalow complex there are toilets available. Ya Nui is fairly busy in high season so ambulant vendors frequent it, selling merchandise such as textiles, toys, freshly cut fruit and souvenirs

In high season there are two restaurants here and vendors pass by with fruit and snacks. There are shops and restaurants 500 metres down the road towards Rawai.

There is good snorkeling a few metres out and many people hire a kayak and paddle to Koh Keyao Noi where the snorkeling is even better. If there is a bit of a swell, body boarding is popular at the beach's northern end. Beach massage is available at reasonable prices.

There are two bungalow set ups on the other side of the road, Yanui Bungalows and Nai Ya Bungalow. Further up the road towards Rawai there is a cheap guesthouse called Last Paradise. If your tastes run towards the luxurious, next-door Nai Harn Beach features Le Royal Phuket Yacht Club, Mangosteen Resort & Spa and Evason Phuket Resort & Spa is also not far away.