Whether you want to soak up the sun on the beach or venture into the jungle, Rawai is a laid-back haven in Phuket. It's home to plenty of breezy seafood grills, cocktail bars and alluring Thai restaurants.
Things to do in Rawai
Rawai boasts some of Thailand's best beaches. A postcard-perfect cove on the west side of Laem Phromthep Cape, Hat Nai Han is fringed by sugar-white sand and swaying palms. Hat Ya Nui is another favourite, boasting crystal-clear water and a colourful reef that offers plenty of snorkelling opportunities.
For the best sunset views in town, head up to Secret Viewpoint. The lookout is perched on a grassy hillside that offers sweeping views of the Andaman Sea.
Launched by a pair of French expats, Chalong Bay Rum is one of Thailand's top distilleries. Take a 30-minute tour of the distillery to go behind the scenes and find out more about the distillation process. Afterwards, you can sip on perfectly blended mojitos and dine on homemade tapas.
Rawai is a hotspot for artists, writers and creatives. There's no better place to discover local talent than the Phuket Art Village. Set just off the main strip, the enclave is shaded by coconut palms and banyan trees. Inside you'll find a treasure trove of quirky studios, galleries and workshops.
Getting around Rawai
Rawai is compact and easy to get around on foot, as the main strip is only minutes from the beach. Taxis and tuk-tuks are also a fast way to get around. Rawai is around 20 kilometres south-west of Phuket Town.