Scenic, quiet, and fairly long, Nopparat Thara Beach is located next to the much more popular Ao Nang Beach. The further you go from Ao Nang, the less developed the beach becomes, with civilization fading away entirely at the far end. At this end, the beach concludes with a beautiful casuarina grove and a boat pier where a river meets the sea.
The beach is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara National Park, but it’s open to everyone free of charge. Despite this, the beach is not very crowded and is far less popular than neighboring Ao Nang, making it a great spot for those seeking some solitude—though not on weekends, when locals come for picnics and leave a lot of litter behind.
Beach Overview
The part of the beach closest to Ao Nang is more developed in terms of infrastructure. Here, you’ll find a few large, upscale hotels, tourist cafes, and entertainment options. A road runs along the beach, and between it and the sand is a narrow strip of trees, a path, and a concrete barrier—this is a favorite spot for locals, especially on weekends.
As you move towards the end of the beach (further from Ao Nang), the area between the road and the sea widens into a full-fledged casuarina forest (part of the national park). The beach itself is not very clean but is still picturesque, though it doesn’t have the classic “bounty” beach appeal. Most people still prefer to go to Ao Nang, which is considered more beautiful.
Swimming Conditions
In the section of the beach closest to Ao Nang, the water is very shallow, only reaching knee-deep. On the one hand, this is great for children, but on the other, the beach experiences strong low tides, during which the water recedes so far that swimming becomes impossible. The seabed during low tide is a bit muddy, with many crabs and small stones. The sand on the beach is light gray with a yellowish tint.
At the far end of the beach, where the river flows into the sea, the water is deeper. It’s best to visit this area by checking the tide tables in advance. We did this to avoid the frustration of arriving when the sea had receded, leaving us with no choice but to head back home. We found the middle section of the beach to be the best spot: there’s parking, it’s relatively clean, there aren’t many people, and it’s far from the river.
Sunbeds and Shade
There is plenty of natural shade from trees along the entire length of the beach, but it only lasts until noon. There are also benches scattered along the beach. Near the pier, tall casuarina trees grow along the shore, marking the beginning of the national park. There are no sunbeds on the beach.
Beach Photos
Right Side
Left Side
High Tide
Low Tide
Amenities
At the far end of the beach (the right side), where the boat pier is located, a picturesque sandbar extends into the sea, perfect for a stroll—especially during low tide. There are also a few small cliffs covered in shrubbery. There are hardly any cafes or shops directly on the beach, except for one or two.
However, if you cross the road that runs along the beach, you’ll find a row of cafes, shops, salons, and stalls selling various items—everything a tourist might need. If you venture further into the area, you’ll find a 7-Eleven and a market near the mosque, which operates on certain days.
Accommodation
One of the few major beach resorts here is located where Ao Nang Beach transitions into Nopparat Thara Beach, just across the road from the sea. Other hotels are available, but they are not directly on the beach; instead, they are simple, bungalow-style accommodations set back a bit from the water. Most of the hotels are located slightly inland.
The area around this beach is currently being developed, with many new constructions underway, so more resorts are likely to appear in the future.
Most rental homes are located in Ao Nang, but there are also some available in the Nopparat Thara area. However, they are not within easy walking distance of the sea, with the closest being about a 15-minute walk away, and there aren’t many of them.
How to Find the Beach
The road that runs along Ao Nang Beach curves around the mountain and continues along Nopparat Thara Beach, so finding this beach is straightforward.
