Rawai

Rawai occupies the southern tip of Phuket, facing east across the Chalong Bay approaches towards the Coral and Racha islands. The shoreline is shallow and rocky…Rawai occupies the southern tip of Phuket, facing east across the Chalong Bay approaches towards the Coral and Racha islands. The shoreline is shallow and rocky rather than a swimming beach, which shaped the village into something different from the west-coast resorts.

The seafront road carries the Rawai seafood strip, where visitors buy fish, prawns, crab and shellfish from the market stalls and pay a neighbouring restaurant to cook them. The longtail pier at the eastern end is the departure point for day trips to Coral Island, Racha Yai and Bon Island. Behind the front, Sai Yuan and Viset roads hold a spread of gyms, Muay Thai camps, cafes, bakeries and small supermarkets serving a large long-stay community.

Rawai is also the base for much of the island's fitness and wellness trade, with several well-known training camps operating year round. Nearby are Promthep Cape at the island's southern point, the Windmill viewpoint and the beaches at Ya Nui and Nai Harn, all within a few minutes by road. It runs busier in the November to April season but stays active through the green season.