Welcome to Rawai traveller, tourist or Phuket old-timer! Whether you’ve lived here for so long that you’re practically a local or you’re here on holidays with family or friends, you’ll be wanting to know all the secrets that Rawai holds.
From the delicious seafood at the local fishing village to the stunning day trips you can take on long tail boats, Rawai is the most amazing place to be, stay and start your adventures from. We’ve chatted to Rawai locals, expats who have been here for years and done some serious digging and exploring to find the best things to do in Rawai. Of course, you’ll want to kick your day off at Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai – scroll to the end to see why!
We’ve stepped off the beaten track and hunted down secret gems and hidden wonders for you to explore. Whether you’re new to Rawai or not, this list will take you everywhere you could want to go. So, start your engines, get your helmets on and come with us as we take you on an all-time adventure around Rawai. Without any further ado, here are the top 5 things to do in Rawai!
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5. Ao Sane
Ao Sane is one of the best things to do in Rawai. It’s a stunning little hidden beach that you can find by walking just north of The Nai Harn hotel and down a secret pathway that leads to the beach. You’ll find it almost untouched, in comparison to the busyness of Nai Harn beach. Here, it’s great for sunbathing and relaxing. You’ll find lots of coral really close to shore so don’t forget to bring your snorkelling kit and your flippers so you can get a good look at some of the beautiful local sea life.
You can find a small restaurant on the beach to grab a bite to eat which thankfully has toilets and showers if you need them!
4. Koh Bon
Another one of the great things to do in Rawai. If a day trip is in order, then why not visit Koh Bon (Bon Island) which is about a 10 minute long tail trip right from Rawai’s beachfront. Remember it should cost between 1000-1300 baht per person for a return trip so feel free to haggle with a smile!
Before you head off to your island adventure, don’t forget to drop by Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai which is right on the beach front. You can grab a fantastic cuppa or brekky, then hop on a long tail boat and be on your way to paradise!
There are only 2 proper beaches on this island and they are stunning! Lush jungle, powdery white sand, crystal clear water and overhanging palm trees. It literally feels like something out of a movie.
There’s a restaurant on one of the island’s beaches that has big ‘Castaway’ vibes – “Wilson? Are you there?” Once you’ve eaten, you can relax with a fresh coconut or a cold beer and kayak, snorkel or sunbathe to your hearts content. Don’t forget to try the delicious tamarind prawns at this fun little restaurant before you head on home.
3. Laem Krating
Marked by a pointed rock that juts out of the cape makes for some pretty unbelievable sunset photos, Laem Krating (or Cape Krating) is a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean that will take your breath away. Take a sunset picnic here and watch the sun go down in style. You’ll be blown away by the amazing view and the sight of all the twinkling stars overhead as you listen to the waves hitting the rocks.
If hiking is your thing, you can do a moderately difficult hike around the cape and then stop off there for a rest and some photos. Unlike Cape Promthep, which is lovely but very busy in high season, you won’t find too many tourists joining you at sunset here. Definitely a solid contender for one of the best things to do in Rawai.
2. Seafood Market
Rawai Seafood Market and Sea Gypsy Village is place of cultural heritage located right here in Rawai. The Sea Gypsies are a semi nomadic people group who make a living from the sea. You can walk around their village and explore an older, more untouched way of life. Remember to be respectful to the people you see and to keep a little more covered as you walk about the village. If you’re a culture nerd like us, this is one of the better things to do in Rawai.
When you’re hungry, head back to the seafood market and choose your pick of fresh seafood that ranges from the pretty standard catches, to the weird and the wonderful. Once you’ve chosen what you’re hungry for, the local restaurant will cook it up for you. A seriously fresh and delicious way to tuck into a seafood meal.
1. Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai
Of course, we will end our list of the best things to do in Rawai here. Right in the heart of all these activities is Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai – the perfect place to start your day or stop off for lunch when you’ve got the munchies. Cool off from the heat with one of our delicious fresh fruit shakes and juices while you wait for your meal.
If you’re hungry for some Western-style fare, we’ve got you covered. With a fantastic Melbourne-inspired menu that serves up all your cafe favourites in a cosy spot. Sit with a stunning beach view and cool off in the air conditioning with some of your fave Aussie cafe classics!
We’ve got banana bread which we are famous for island-wide. Warm banana bread that is soft, moist and flavourful, with a touch of melted butter over the top. Delish.
If you’re here for breakfast, you’ll want to try our customer favourites like our smashed avocado on fresh sourdough, topped with roasted tomatoes and runny poached eggs. Or how about tucking into our yummy Mexican-style breakfast burrito with zingy salsa, spicy sausage, smokey scrambled eggs and more. We’ve even got the pulled pork eggs benedict of your dreams if you’re looking for something a little more decadent and rich. This is our personal favourite!
For you healthy breakfast lovers, we’ve got no shortage of dishes that will make you smile. Chia pudding with fresh fruit, quinoa power bowl, lots of different porridge options, and our brand new chocolate topped overnight oats.
We’ve also got a huge range of fresh, delicious salads with inventive toppings, homemade dressings and lots of different options. Don’t forget to try one of our amazing sandwiches such as our pesto and brie, Italian sausage and sundried tomatoes with cheese or our classic bacon and egg sarnie. All our bread is freshly made in our bakery in Chalong so it’s absolutely delicious and chewy. We’ve also got some killer bagels like our New York chicken bagel, and my personal fave, our halloumi and onion jam bagel. Talk about yummy!!
Last, but by no means least, let’s have a quick chat about coffee. We pride ourselves on serving the smoothest, most flavourful and rich roasts in southern Phuket and we pretty much deliver every single time. We take care of the coffee beans like we’d take care of our mothers, we love and care for them …and then the analogy stops working because we brew them up in to the finest cuppa you’ll taste in the Rawai area.
So, come on down and have a taste of the best Western food and drink that Rawai has to offer. We are open super early in the morning until 5pm, perfect for you to grab a bite before a big day out or snag a cuppa on the go. Whatever your trip looks like, Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai will always be one of the top things to do in Rawai.
So, where to first out of the best things to do in Rawai?
Well, the best spot to head to first is, of course, Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai. With our cosy decor, delicious food, amazing coffees and stunning sea views, you will want to kick your day off here time after time. We’ve got air conditioning, super fast wifi and all the food you could dream of. Once you’re done here, get to exploring the hidden gems that Rawai has to offer. It’s a beautiful and a quieter town than many other places in Phuket. So, what are you waiting for? Get on out there and see some of the best things to do in Rawai.
If you liked this article, why not try one of our other recommendations such as Where to eat in Rawai? We share the top 7 places you can grab a bite to eat!
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