Stretching across the southernmost tip of Phuket, Rawai Beach is a tree-shaded paradise known for being a go-to hub of local fishermen. In fact, Rawai Beach has also been called Sea Gypsy Village, as it is home to a group of villagers who have spent generations honing their expertise at dive fishing. Because so many boats are anchored in the shallow waters along the shoreline, Rawai Beach isn’t ideal for swimming, but this fishermen’s paradise is brimming with excitement. From natural attractions and incredible seafood delicacies to an immersive cultural experience with local villagers, Rawai Beach promises a memorable holiday in Phuket.
Shop at the Rawai Seafood Market
As mentioned, Rawai Beach is a hub in which fishermen keep their boats between trips out to sea. As such, there is a lively marketplace along the shoreline where you’ll find incredibly fresh seafood. The 100-meter long Rawai Seafood Market is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day and is brimming with local vendors selling their fresh-caught fare.
Choose your own fish for lunch or dinner
As you peruse the marketplace, you’ll encounter everything from multiple different species of fish, to prawns, squid, crab and lobster. If you happen to find something that catches your eye, don’t be shy about haggling for a better price, as this is customary throughout Thailand and is not considered impolite. To get the best possible price on goods at the market, we recommend you visit in the late afternoon, not too long before closing. It’s likely that, by this time, the vendors will be looking to maximize their sales for the day and offload any fare that isn’t going to keep nearly as fresh overnight. This gives you the opportunity to bargain for a better price or a bulk purchase, as you’ll be taking some goods off of the vendor’s plate.
Watch locals turn your fish into a delectable Thai dish
Once you pick your perfect, fresh fare, head across the street to the strip of local restaurants. A number of these establishments will happily prepare your finds however you’d like it. The fee for preparing your meal is usually about 100 THB. Being able to choose your very own fresh seafood and have it prepared for you on the spot is an enticing experience, which is why, during high season, you’ll likely encounter foreign visitors from far and wide walking the aisles of Rawai Seafood Market. This is a popular locale for tourists, so don’t be surprised if there’s a bit of hustle and bustle during your visit.
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Take the Kids on an Adventure to Rawai Park
For those traveling as a family, it’s a priority to hunt down things the children of the group will enjoy. Don’t be worried by the fact that the coast of Rawai Beach isn’t great for swimming or playing. There’s still plenty of wet-and-wild fun to be had for the youngsters. Rawai Park is a great place for adults and kids alike to spend the day splashing around and soaking up the sun. A sizable pool is the most-loved attraction at the club. Its shallow water, brightly colored slides, fountains and waterfalls are sure to delight the little ones.
For the little ones
Rawai Park also features a giant sandbox, much of which is shaded over with umbrellas to help protect kiddos from the sun’s harsh rays. An ideal play area for toddlers, this long stretch of white sand comes equipped with vibrant shovels, pails and more — all the tools your little architect needs to build the sandcastle of their dreams.
For older kiddos
For the slightly older kiddos, there are multiple pavilion-covered playgrounds at Rawai Park, featuring toys, towers, slides and more to excite children of any age. For youngsters, one playground is decked out with a merry-go-round, seesaws, swings and multiple slides. Another area, more suited to older kids, features a playground with a handful of climbing courses that end in a tall sliding pole. In case of inclement weather, Rawai Park has you covered. Their indoor playground features everything from slides to ball pits to climbing courses, so the rain can’t stop the fun.
This park welcomes kids from ages 1 to 14. The admission price for kids is 200 THB on weekdays and 350 THB on weekends, while parents get in for 100 THB every day. Children under 1 year old get in for free. The kids club is open from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. each day, the pool and water area is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the outdoor playgrounds are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you’re visiting Rawai Park on a weekend, be sure to check out the event schedule, as the park is known to host exciting shows on its main stage and tends to offer face painting, free popcorn, games with prizes each weekend.
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Get an Authentic Thai Massage
After spending a day running around with the kiddos at the park, you’ll definitely have earned a luxurious massage. Multiple top-rated spas are located right along Rawai Beach. Many of these nearby parlors offer Thai massage, the practice of combining multiple techniques to promote healing in the muscles, which is believed to promote holistic healing throughout the mind and body.
Ton Mai Spa Rawai
Conveniently located just a six-minute walk from Rawai Beach, Ton Mai Spa Rawai is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Flaunting lush, green grounds, a sparkling blue pool with lounge area, and a wealth of other amenities, this spa’s ambiance makes it virtually impossible to be stressed. Next to the pool and Jacuzzi, you’ll find an herbal steam sauna to refresh and rejuvenate you. There’s also an onsite restaurant, which offers both Thai and Western cuisines, along with delightfully fresh fruit smoothies. Additionally, the onsite nail salon offers flawless manicures and pedicures to get your digits beach-ready.
Prices, practices & spa packages
Purchasing a massage at Ton Mai Spa Rawai automatically gets you access to the pool, lounge, Jacuzzi and herbal steam sauna. A number of different types and variations of massage are offered here for very affordable prices. If your feet are aching from walking the beach and market, a basic foot massage is priced at only 300 THB. A Thai massage, including organic oils, will run you 350 THB. Aloe vera, aromatherapy and body scrub treatments are priced at 400 THB apiece. If your preference is a facial or a sports massage, either of those will be 450 THB.
A unique aspect of visiting this spa is the location in which you receive your massage. Rather than getting a massage indoors on a classic table, Ton Mai Spa Rawai has a handful of massage mats, each placed outside in individual bamboo huts. There is also a bamboo hut featuring two massage mats for those interested in a couple’s massage. With such reasonable prices, and so many extra amenities, it’s an easy choice to treat yourself to a day packed with treatments and relaxation at Ton Mai Spa Rawai.
Phagamast Massage Rawai Beach
A quick, four-minute walk from Rawai Beach, to the west of the market, you’ll find Phagamast Massage Rawai Beach. Open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, this industrial-chic indoor spa is luxuriously decorated with a jungle of lush greenery all around and cool, calming hues painted on the walls. Its prices are also quite reasonable, though there are no pools or Jacuzzis on the grounds.
Phagamast Massage Rawai Beach offers an extensive list of spa services that go above and beyond massage. In addition to the manicures and pedicures offered in their nail salon, this spa has bikini waxing services and a cellulite firming service. There are even very affordable packages in which you can purchase a mani-pedi along with body part-specified massages.
Additional services offered at Phagamast Massage Rawai Beach
- Thai Massage: 60 min, 300 THB
- Foot Massage: 60 min, 300 THB
- Natural Oil Massage: 60 min, 400 THB
- Sport Massage: 60 min, 600 THB
- Aloe Vera Gel Massage: 60 min, 600 THB
- Back & Shoulders Massage: 60 min, 450 THB
- Facial Scrub Massage: 40 min, 600 THB
- Milk Massage: 60 min 550 THB
- Body Scrub & Oil Massage: 90 min, 800 THB
- Hot Oil Massage: 60 min, 600 THB
- Thai Massage with Oil: 60 min, 550 THB
- Four Hand Massage: 60 min, 1000 THB
- Therapy Massage: 60 min, 800 THB
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5 Places to Stay Near Rawai Beach
The Rawai Beach area is perfect for visitors who enjoy seaside views, fresh Thai seafood and lazy days basking in the sun. The area also is home to some of Phuket‘s most popular attractions, like the Sea Gypsies Fish Market and Phuket Seashell Museum. Scenic Promthep Cape is just a few minutes south of Rawai Beach. Convinced? Check out these accommodations near Rawai Beach.
Located an 11-minute drive north of Rawai Beach, CasaBay Luxury Pool Villas offers a range of fully-equipped villas for your stay in Phuket, some of which even include a private pool. This is the ideal locale for those traveling in a group, as their accommodations range from six-bedroom to three-bedroom villas. All villas come with free Wi-Fi and access to the onsite fitness center, plus they include a number of amenities, from a full kitchen to sizable bathrooms and luxurious outdoor living spaces. There is also a security staff on site from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to put your mind at ease.
Only four minutes from Rawai Beach by car, The Vijitt Resort Phuket offers incredible seaside views — you can even see the island of Ko Lon from your lounge chair along their outdoor pool. This resort offers a number of different accommodations to suit your traveling needs, including villas and standard apartments to fit a range of budgets and travel group sizes. Their onsite kids club, pool and playground make this spot ideal for those traveling with children. Other amenities include grounds-wide Wi-Fi, multiple bars and restaurants, a spa and a fitness center. Multiple villas have private pools and jacuzzis, and all have TVs with complimentary channels.
Saturdays Residence by Brown Starling sits a six-minute car ride along the main road to the north of Rawai Beach. This spot offers gorgeous views of the lush, green jungle from many rooms’ balconies. It has a palm tree-lined outdoor pool, onsite massage spa, sauna and fitness center. All accommodations have free Wi-Fi, TVs with complimentary channels, and a few suites include an equipped kitchenette and in-room laundry facilities. There is also a kids’ club available here for traveling families.
Located a very quick drive, or an 11-minute walk, from Rawai Beach, Tea Tree Boutique Resort boasts a gorgeous secluded infinity pool with poolside bar. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, TVs and a separate tub and shower, though it’s worth noting that the showers here are in the Asian style, having no curtain or door enclosing them from the rest of the bathroom. There is no kids club at this location, so it may not be suitable for traveling families.
Of all the hotels we’ve listed, OYO 510 Thai Palace Resort is the closest to Rawai Beach, being a four-minute walk from the beachfront. This resort flaunts a lagoon-style outdoor pool lined with palm trees and greenery for a secluded, jungle vibe — there is even a rock waterfall built into this pool. In addition to free Wi-Fi and TVs in all rooms, this locale has an onsite laundromat, a kids pool and offers a taxi service to help you reach all your dream destinations throughout Phuket.
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