Ao Sane Beach (near Nai Harn)

Ao Sane, a rocky beach on Phuket's southwest coast, is one of the island's loveliest secrets. The diving and snorkeling at this beach is exemplary and the beach's character is encapsulated best by the word, 'tranquil'. Ao Sane has enough trees lining its perimeters to provide shelter from the sun at all times of day and also has ample sand space for sun lovers, too.

This 200-metre long beach enjoys regular return visitors in high season and, as it has a series of rudimentary bungalows and a restaurant, it resembles a small community at times.

How to get there

To get to Ao Sane, head to Nai Harn Beach and follow the road under Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club, a five-star hotel at the northern tip of the beach.

After driving through the hotel grounds, head up over the hill and you will come to a small parking lot with a road leading down to the beach.

It is possible to take a vehicle down this hill but many visitors choose to park at the top and to amble down.

Facilities on the Ao Sane beach

For many, the charm of Ao Sane is its ruggedness; its uncomplicated natural attractiveness. There are no sun beds or body boards for hire; no jet-skis or kayaks and no ambulant hawkers to disturb you. Make sure to take your own towels/deck chairs to sit on.

There is a shower and toilet halfway along the beach, adjoining the restaurant. Ao Sane is never crowded but there are some prime shady spots that get snapped up by early risers.

Beach eats

The restaurant at Ao Sane is a cheerful place with good, cheap cuisine and an international bohemian atmosphere. It serves food from breakfast to late in the evening. Five minutes away in nearby Nai Harn, the scope of meals ranges through eating snacks bought from the convenience store to dining at the beach restaurants to fine dining at Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club.

Beach activities

Because of the rocks on the beach, the rough texture of its sand, and a marked slope down to the sea, not a lot of sports such as volleyball and football are played at Ao Sane but it is undeniably a magnificent snorkeling and diving spot. Again, you will have to take your own mask and fins as there are none for hire.

The sub-aquatic life here is outstanding and abundant. At low tide go out at the easternmost, nearest to Nai Harn end of the beach as there is a channel out through the rocks there.

Party on the beach

At Christmas and New Year's Eve, as well as on other occasions during high season, large parties are held at Ao Sane. Local reggae band, Job 2 Do, provide the entertainment and the party goes on till very late.

Where to stay

For accommodation, Nai Harn has Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and the nearby Sabana Resort.

A little further inland is the Mangosteen Resort & Spa but the closest hotel to Ao Sane is the three-star Baan Krating Resort which lies some 500 metres to the west of the beach, along a track through the 'jungle'.