Phuket is an amazing island with beautiful beaches, stunning palm trees, powdery white sand and emerald green water. There’s a reason so many tourists flock to this island paradise year after year (covid aside of course, that was one quiet time for our gorgeous little isle. The beaches aren’t the only things to do and see, though.
This island is full of unbelievable landscapes, delicious food to discover, beautiful historic architecture, unique discoveries and cultural landmarks. It would be more than a shame to limit your visit and your life to just the beach (although that’s definitely a great thing to do). That’s where we come in! For those of you who are living in or travelling to the south of the island, let share with you our favourite beaches, activities and tourist attractions in Naiharn and its nearby areas. With so much to do and see here that will take your breath away, how could you resist?
We’ll take you through our dream itinerary for a day (or three) in Naiharn. Ready? Come on, let’s go!
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Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai
Kick off your day of checking out the tourist attractions in Naiharn right here at Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai. Just minutes away from Naiharn, this amazing cafe is located directly on the Rawai beachfront, complete with idyllic Thai long tail boats, iconic tuk-tuks slowly making their way by, tall coconut palm trees and these green islands dotted around the horizon on the perfect glassy sea. There isn’t a better way to spend your morning than gazing at the ocean, feeling the sea breeze (aided by a few big fans, or some air conditioning if you opt for an indoor seat), and sipping on the best coffee this side of the mainland.
You can’t help but wake up in a good mood when you let yourself wake up with a coffee at Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai. We’ve got cosy decor, comfortable seating, refreshing air conditioning, cold drinks and coffee that might actually change your life. We don’t mean to be dramatic but, well…it’s dang good coffee.
We take extra care to source only the very best beans that have been scientifically roasted to ensure the most wonderful flavour in every cup. Our baristas, who are experts, (and low-key a little caffeine obsessed) make sure they store and grind the beans with absolute precision, brewing them into the perfect cup every time. They quality check daily, and are always looking for ways to make your coffee taste the very best. If you love smooth coffee with a rich, wonderful flavour, you’ll fall in love with our coffees.
We’re more than just coffee though, it’s worth saying. What else makes us a real delight when it comes to tourist attractions in Naiharn is the FOOD. It’s really that good. We’ve got this unbelievable Melbourne-inspired menu that is packed full of fresh ingredients, flavour and quality. We’ve got everything you could feel like, from your Aussie cafe favourites like moist, flavourful and warm banana bread drizzled with melty butter, to eggs benedict, all the way to fresh salads. Whatever you’re in the mood for, be it a big breakfast or a healthy treat, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re a breakfast traditionalist, why not try our big al’s breakfast. Akin to a British fry up, it’s your favourite bacon, eggs your way, roasted tomatoes, delicious mushrooms, fresh sourdough and a perfect Aussie bush relish. Unbelievably good. Get your chops around our cafe fave, smashed avo on toast with the best roasted tomatoes and creamy poached eggs or check out our vegetarian fave, the zucchini fritters topped with poached eggs. Booyah.
Of course, our most famous dish (and my personal favourite), is our pulled pork eggs benedict. Melt in your mouth, slow cooked pork shoulder that just falls apart, on our fresh sourdough baked in our bakery in nearby Chalong. This is topped with creamy apple cider hollandaise, tart green apple slices and creamy poached eggs. This is one unbelievable dish. We think about it a little too much in life if we’re honest.
While we’re on this breakfast train, you might be wondering if there are some other options to suit you. Ah yeah! We can’t list them all here because then it’s just a menu, so be sure to check that out. But we’ve got quinoa power bowls, porridges with cinnamon and apple slices, homemade granola with fresh fruit, chia pudding, breakfast panna cotta with seasonal fruit and so much more. Don’t forget to try our brand new overnight oats topped with chocolate and fruit pieces. Refreshing, tasty, AND healthy? Now there’s a combo I’m craving.
We serve breakfast all day but if you’re more of a lunch food person, we do that all day too! How great? Maybe try our pulled pork wrap or our spicy sausage wrap with zingy sauce.
Or you may prefer one of our 3 juicy burgers, topped with melty cheese, fresh ingredients and, of course, an egg. One of our burgers is even vegetarian, so you don’t have to miss out on all the fun. All our burgers are served with chips and it’s a weird thing to write home about but these chips are UNREAL. Crispy, salty, fully of flavour and just perfect. It’s hard to come by great chips in Phuket, but we do them pretty darn well right here.
If you’re looking for something a little lighter to go with the stunning ocean view, we’ve got loads of different salad choices. Ranging from our creamy Chicken Cobb Salad with tangy blue cheese and ranch dressing, to our roasted pumpkin, feta, quinoa and beetroot salad with our very best balsamic dressing. We’ve got your favourite Caesar salad, curried chicken salad, greek salad and lots more to try. Feel free to jazz them up, get extra sauce or whack some additional protein on there if you’re looking to recover from some Muay Thai sessions.
I’ll stop talking about food in juuuuuust a moment but I can’t love you and leave you without talking about our sandwiches and bagels. These are packed full of delicious and creative fillings that are sure to put a smile on your dial. Try our halloumi bagel with bbq cream cheese and grilled onion or take a bite out of our pesto, ham and brie sanga. Whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. These sandwiches and bagels are full to the brim with ingredients and taste absolutely amazing. You might need a napkin and a gaviscon or two though, some of these can be a little hearty!
We’ve got some wonderful fresh fruit juices and smoothies as well as protein shakes. Choose from our wide range of fruit drinks, Italian sodas, hot and iced coffees and our specialty drinks that will blow your mind.
One of the best tourist attractions in Naiharn has simply got to be our little cafe here on the beachfront. We’ve got the view, the vibes and all the flavour you could ever want. This is the perfect place to start your day of adventuring in Naiharn for as long as you’re visiting for. We also happen to be RIGHT opposite to the longtail boats which take you on island tours.
Island Trips
Speaking of long tail boats, located right opposite Poached Breakfast Cafe, are lots of bobbing long tail boats in the gorgeous Andaman sea. Of course, visiting some amazing islands just has to be one of the great tourist attractions in Naiharn.
You can either book a tour online or, if you’re up for more of a laid back experience, just wander on over and chat to the boat operators. You can bargain a little to get the best price – it should be about 1000-1500 Thai Baht for a round trip to the nearest island.
Koh Bon is the nearest island to get to from Rawai beach. You can enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters and lunch underneath thatched wooden roofs in their one and only restaurant. It’s a really gorgeous experience. Stay after lunch if you want to skip the majority of the crowds!
You’ll want to check out the beautiful beaches on Coral Island aka Koh He. You can experience the stunning banana beach which has crystal clear waters, powdery white sand and the best, you guessed it, coral! Don’t forget your snorkelling gear if you want to say ‘hey’ to some fish.
Thai Cooking Classes
If you’re wanting a tourist attraction in Naiharn that is some hands on fun, why not try a cooking class? Thai cuisine is famous around the world for the incredible way it balances sweet, sour, salty and bitter flavours to produce dishes that are quite literal flavour bombs in the very best way.
Improve your skill, have a laugh and get to enjoy the fruits of your labour all at once with some Thai cooking classes. You can find some at The Nai Harn or at some local cooking schools.
Wat Nai Harn
Located right next to the beach, and the lake in Naiharn, Wat Nai Harn is another favourite of the tourist attractions in Naiharn. It is not as big as the main temple in Chalong but is built with impressive gold architecture and open interiors.
You can walk around the grounds and the nearby lake which is very peaceful during the early morning and evening. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees to avoid offending people and take off your shoes if you enter any buildings.
So, where’s the best place to go out of all the tourist attractions in Naiharn?
That’s kind of hard to say for sure but we love an island trip to be honest. But the best way to start a day of sun, sea, sand and snorkelling is a delicious breakfast and cuppa Joe at Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai. With the best coffee in town and the menu of your dreams, why wouldn’t this be one of the most amazing tourist attractions in Naiharn?!
If you liked this article, why not try one of our other recommendations such as Where Can You Find the Most Amazing Cafe in Rawai? We Share the Top 4!