Sirinat National Park

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 16.30

 

Sirinat National Park, also known by many visitors as Sirinat National Park at Nai Yang Beach, is one of Phuket’s most important coastal conservation areas. Located in Sakhu Subdistrict, Thalang District, on the northwestern coast of Phuket, the park is about 30 kilometres from Phuket Town and very close to Phuket International Airport. It was declared a national park on 13 July 1981 and covers approximately 56,250 rai, or about 90 square kilometres, including both coastal land and marine areas. The park protects a continuous shoreline of about 13 kilometres, including Nai Thon Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao Beach, and Sai Kaew Beach.

 

Sirinat National Park reveals a quieter and more natural side of Phuket. Beyond the island’s busy beaches, resorts, and old-town streets, the park preserves coastal pine forest, sandy beaches, shallow coral reefs, mangrove areas, and beach ecosystems that support many forms of marine and coastal life. Its appeal lies not only in beach scenery, but also in the combination of shade, open shoreline, nature study, turtle-conservation history, and easy access from Phuket Airport.

 

Nai Yang Beach is the main visitor area and the location of the national park headquarters. It is known for its broad beach, shaded casuarina trees, picnic atmosphere, visitor facilities, camping area, park accommodation, and easy access to restaurants and hotels in the surrounding community. The sea can be calm in suitable seasons, making the area popular for swimming, beach walks, sunset viewing, and relaxed family visits.

 

Nai Yang is also known as one of Phuket’s famous plane-watching areas because it is close to Phuket International Airport. Visitors should enjoy aircraft views only from safe public areas, avoid restricted zones, respect warning signs, and never enter operational airport areas. The site is a national park, a local beach community, and a nearby aviation safety zone at the same time, so careful behaviour is essential.

 

Nai Thon Beach lies on the southern side of the national park. It is a curved bay protected by surrounding landforms, creating a quieter and more sheltered beach setting. Nai Thon is suitable for relaxing, swimming when sea conditions are safe, and enjoying a less crowded Phuket beach atmosphere. It is about 6 kilometres south of the park headquarters area at Nai Yang Beach.

 

Mai Khao Beach, often called Airport Beach, stretches along the northern part of the park and is one of the longest beaches on Phuket. Its wide open shoreline, long sandy stretch, and sunset views make it a striking coastal landscape. Certain sections are popular for viewing aircraft landing at Phuket Airport, but visitors should prioritise safety and avoid any restricted or dangerous airport-adjacent areas.

 

Sai Kaew Beach is located farther north, near the Sarasin Bridge area. It is one of the northernmost beach areas of Phuket, with white sand, casuarina trees, and a quieter coastal atmosphere. It is a useful stop for visitors travelling between Phuket and Phang Nga or for those who want to see the northern edge of the island’s protected coastline.

 

The natural value of Sirinat National Park comes from its diverse coastal ecosystems. The park includes beach forest, casuarina groves, sandy shorelines, shallow coral reefs, mangrove areas, and habitats for small marine organisms such as sand crabs, shellfish, fish, crabs, and reef species. The mangrove zone in the northern part of the park helps support young marine life and protects the coast, while the coral areas offshore add to the marine biodiversity of the park.

 

In the past, Nai Yang and Mai Khao were important nesting beaches for sea turtles, especially during the November to February period. Today, turtle nesting is rarely seen in the area, which makes careful beach conservation even more important. Visitors should not leave rubbish, disturb wildlife, shine unnecessary lights on the beach at night, collect shells or coral, or damage the coastal environment. Keeping the beach clean helps protect the possibility of future wildlife recovery.

 

Suitable activities at Sirinat National Park include relaxing on the beach, walking under the casuarina trees, sunset photography, swimming when sea conditions are safe, birdwatching, nature study, camping, and staying in national park accommodation. Visitors should always check sea-condition warnings, especially during the monsoon season, because Phuket’s west coast can experience strong waves and dangerous currents.

 

The Nai Yang area is especially suitable for families and travellers who want a calmer alternative to Phuket’s more crowded beaches. It offers shade, space, food options, and airport convenience. Visitors with limited time before or after a flight can use Nai Yang as a short nature break, while those with more time can continue north to Mai Khao and Sai Kaew or south to Nai Thon.

 

Park accommodation and camping are available in the headquarters area around Nai Yang Beach, but visitors should check current availability and booking conditions through the Department of National Parks system or contact the park directly. Room availability, camping conditions, and booking procedures may change by season, so advance checking is strongly recommended.

 

Current national park entrance fees are 40 THB for Thai adults and 20 THB for Thai children. Foreign visitors pay 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children. Vehicle fees are charged separately according to vehicle type. Special fee exemptions may apply only during specific government-announced periods, so visitors should check before travelling during major holidays.

 

Getting There from Phuket Town is straightforward. Follow Thep Krasattri Road toward Thalang and Phuket International Airport. Around the kilometre 21–22 area, there is a road leading toward Nai Yang and the national park. Another approach is through the airport road and then onward to Nai Yang Beach. From Phuket International Airport, the park is very close and can be reached by taxi, rental car, or local transport.

 

Sirinat National Park can be visited as a half-day or full-day route. A short visit can focus on Nai Yang Beach and the park headquarters area. A fuller coastal route can include Nai Thon Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao Beach, and Sai Kaew Beach. Families can combine the park with Wat Mongkhon Wararam, Mai Khao plane-spotting areas, nearby restaurants, and accommodation around Nai Yang.

 

Visitors should treat Sirinat as a protected area, not just a public beach. Do not litter, collect shells or coral, feed wildlife, light fires in unauthorised areas, enter restricted zones, or ignore beach safety flags. If a sea turtle, stranded marine animal, or turtle nesting trace is found, visitors should keep distance and report it to park staff immediately.

 

Overall, Sirinat National Park is one of Phuket’s most important natural coastal destinations. It combines Nai Yang’s shaded park atmosphere, Nai Thon’s quiet bay, Mai Khao’s long open beach, Sai Kaew’s northern shoreline, coral reefs, mangroves, coastal forest, and the conservation story of Phuket’s sea turtles. For travellers who want to experience Phuket beyond busy resort beaches, Sirinat National Park is a meaningful and accessible coastal nature stop.

 

 

A: Sirinat National Park is located in Sakhu Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket, on the northwestern coast of the island near Nai Yang Beach and Phuket International Airport.

 

A: Sirinat National Park is open daily from 08.00 to 16.30.

 

A: Thai visitors pay 40 THB for adults and 20 THB for children. Foreign visitors pay 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children. Vehicle fees are charged separately.

 

A: The main beaches are Nai Thon Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao Beach, and Sai Kaew Beach. Nai Yang Beach is the location of the park headquarters.

 

A: Nai Yang Beach is suitable for relaxing under casuarina trees, swimming when conditions are safe, walking on the beach, watching sunset, staying in the park area, and making a short nature stop before or after a flight.

 

A: Visitors should watch aircraft only from safe public areas, avoid restricted airport zones, follow warning signs, and avoid standing in unsafe areas near aviation operations.

 

A: Nai Yang and Mai Khao were historically turtle nesting beaches, but nesting is now rarely seen. Visitors should keep the beaches clean and avoid disturbing the coastal ecosystem.

 

A: Nearby places include Wat Mongkhon Wararam, Phuket International Airport, the Mai Khao plane-spotting area, Nai Thon Beach, and Mai Khao Beach.