The Hua Hin beach goes on as far as you can see and offers many options for the day. Great place to enjoy a horse back ride along the sandy beaches, massage on the beach, kite boarding, jet skiing, day fishing trips or just fish off the pier. There are some great little restaurants on the beach as well as the five star hotels where you can enjoy a drink or meal. No matter what you can enjoy a stroll on the beach from down town at the “Head Stone” (translated is Hua Hin) located in the front of the Hilton Hotel all the way to the famous temple Wat Khao Takiab (translated is Chop Stick Mountain Temple). Most people refer to the temple as Monkey Mountain because of the monkeys living there which you can buy peanuts & bananas to feed while visiting.
Suan Son Pradiphat Beach is south of Hua Hin town centre beside the Khao Takiab Monkey Mountain. This beach is a better option if you just want to sit and read a book while enjoying a more Thai style afternoon on the beach. You will find more grass hut restaurants and water sports available. There are as a rule less people than the Hua Hin beach. Near by is also the elephant riding or scenic parachute ride from a boat.
Just off of the Suan Son Beach you can see two islands. They are named Koh Tao “Turtle Island & Koh Singto “Lion Island” Khao Tao Beach is a small, secluded beach at the base of Khao Tao Hill. It is located about 15 kilometers from Hua Hin and directly in from Koh Tao “Turtle Island”. There are less people here since you do need to have transportation and makes it more peaceful than the Hua Hin beach. The water gets deep fast at this beach and I wouldn’t suggest it for kids but if you like to swim it might be a better choice. There are small local restaurants available by the beach and a great place to just get away from the Day to Day.
Khao Tao
Khao Tao is a charming village best known for a wonderful secluded beach, which is seperately named Hat Sai Noi. Do not confuse it with the diving island of Koh Tao which is some way south of Hua Hin and off Chumphon.
You will find this idyllic location some 20 km south of Hua Hin, not too far off the main highway to Pranburi. Simply follow the signs to Khao Tao and then Sai Noi beach. The road goes around a reservoir and is easy to find. Although small – probably no more than 1km long – the beach is generally quiet, except on weekends and public holidays. There are a number of beach restaurants that serve up delicious local food, seafood and drinks and they all have sun loungers and umbrellas. As opposed to Hua Hin and Khao Takiab beaches, Had Sai Noi drops-off quickly, making it ideal for swimming. You will have to keep a close watch on any children though. Still heading south, beyond Suan Son is Khao Tao where the Sai Noi and Sai Yai beaches are located. These are smaller beaches but also quiet.
Had Sai Noi development
In 2007, it appeared as though a walled housing development was going to be built right on the beach which would have probably destroyed the natural beauty of this spot and led to environmental damage.However, during 2008, the above development was halted and so this pristine beach remains unspoilt, but for how long remains an open question.
Pranburi
Paknam Pran to Khao Kalok
Pranburi is the district just 26 km south of Hua Hin and has some beautiful unspoilt beaches. The Paknam Pran beach stretches about 8 km from the mouth of the Pranburi River to Khao Kalok, a small hill extending out into the sea with a small temple. This area has slowly been developed over the years and is the home of some very nice resorts and restaurants. For a map of Pranburi
The sight of squid drying in the sun used to be very common in Hua Hin though is now rarely seen. Squid fishing and curing is still a major industry in Pranburi however and the turquoise colored lights of the squid boats can be seen twinkling each night out on the bay.
Compared to Hua Hin or Cha Am, the beaches here are very quiet. There are no banana boats, pony rides, massage ladies or deck chairs; just kilometers of white sand and the occasional fishing boat.
The beach just north of the outcropping at Khao Kalok is quite nice and there are a couple of small caves that provide shade on those extra sunny days. There are also kids who represent some of the restaurants along the road that will take your order for simple Thai seafood dishes and cold drinks.
Khao Kalok to Sam Roi Yot (Dolphin Bay)
The area just south of Khao Kalok has long served as a marina for the squid boats and there is a thriving though small fish market. From here the Sam Roi Yot and Phu Noi beaches stretch for miles south to Ram Island.
Boats can be arranged if you want to try your hand at squid fishing or just for a tour of the islands at dawn or dusk. You can also arrange for a boat to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.
The coast road follows the beach and is shaded by tall sea pines–great for bike riding. Mountain bike tours can be arranged from Hua Hin and less fancy bikes are available for rent locally.
This area is very quiet. While the resorts and spas closer to Paknam Pran may have a small bar, many have private pools for each suite with the emphasis on privacy. There are few resorts south of Khao Kalok, mainly small bungalows. There are few private restaurants and beer bars.
One comes here to relax, spend some quality time with the family or a good book. It’s beautiful here but don’t expect any bright lights or late night entertainment. It’s much like Legian in the mid-1970′s, even down to the haunted resort.
The sea here is very shallow for at least a hundred meters out and normally quite calm. During the day you will see fishermen preparing their boats for the nightly search for squid off shore. There are many shells and hermit crabs on the beach that will keep the children entertained while you work on your tan.
At the southern end of Phu Noi beach are four islands, the largest of which is Ram Island. South of Ram Island is Nom Sao Island with the twin very small Rawang and Rawing islands just south of there. There is a monkey colony on Ram Island.
All of these islands are within easy rowing distance of a sea kayak, many of which are available for use either from resorts or shops along the beach in this area.
