Nahai Beach falls slightly short of Pang Ka Beach in terms of its expanse after low tide. It just doesn’t quite reach 650 feet (200 metres) of exposed seabed. But what you’ll see at Nahai after midday will be enough to give you pleasant impressions and a set of Bounty-style photographs. Nahai begins from the ruined pier of Hua Thanon village and ends after just over one and a quarter miles (2+ kilometres) at a cape resembling a hammerhead shark.
Beach Overview
Fine-grained, light, almost white sand covers the entire seabed, which becomes a beach after low tide. The sand is very tightly packed by waves, compressed to such a degree that locals calmly drive their pickups over it, going about their business. Cleanliness leaves much to be desired, especially in places where people gather.
I’m serious – Hua Thanon, a Muslim fishing village known for its morning market with freshly caught fish, isn’t a model of hygiene and environmental protection. Professional peculiarities and centuries-cultivated indifference have led to Hua Thanon being unpleasant to breathe in, look at and be in.
Due to the sea’s shallow depth, Nahai doesn’t enjoy the same mad popularity as neighbouring Lamai or Chaweng. There are never crowds of people with beach mats here, except for kitesurfers.
Hotel guests stay on their own sign-protected territory, combining pool with sea scenery.
Swimming
Usually there are no waves at Nahai. The sea limits itself to small whitecaps, not disturbing beachgoers. In complete calm, the sea becomes one huge mirror measuring half a mile by 650 feet (1 kilometre by 200 metres). During high tide water approaches the very edge of the sand strip, whilst during low tide it retreats 490-560 feet (150-170 metres) towards the horizon.
Sunbeds and Shade
On the beach near Hua Thanon, fishermen have occupied the entire shore with boats, gear, rubbish and bamboo huts where they rest. There are sun loungers opposite hotels, but on their own territory. There are no sun loungers, umbrellas, inflatable mattresses or other beach equipment at Nahai.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The area is quite isolated – shops are rare, closer to the fishing village and Hua Thanon. The nearest hypermarket is at Lamai, five miles (8 km) to the north, about 15 minutes by car.
Local attractions near Nahai:
- Kitesurfing School;
- Samui Aquatic Animal and Tiger Zoo;
- Butterfly Garden;
- Samret Temple (Wat Samret);
- Mosque in the fishing village.
Accommodation
Development around Nahai Beach is very sparse – mainly good hotels and expensive private villas. All behind high fences, with security, with luxurious facades. The degree of property protection here is off the charts, and hotel lawns right on shore are studded with little signs prohibiting various actions.
Private houses are rare and all located inland. Hotel management prohibits: walking, standing, lying, eating, bringing animals, photographing and parachute landing. Apparently tourists and kitesurfers are very bothersome.
- X2 Koh Samui – A SPA Retreat 4
- Baan Buaa Beach Side Villa 3
- Nathon Residence 2
How to Find the Beach
To reach the most beautiful and impressive section of Nahai Beach, before reaching Hua Thanon (if driving from Nathon to Lamai) you need to turn off the ring road onto road number 4170 and follow signs to the zoo. Near the zoo there’s large parking where you’ll have to leave transport and walk the rest of the way. But this is far from the only sea access.
