Mai Khao Beach

Hat Mai Khao is Phuket’s longest beach and is conveniently situated next to the Phuket International Airport. Despite the sound of roaring jets overhead, this area of the island’s northeast is a surprisingly tranquil spot where sea turtles lay their eggs during the peak tourist season from November to February each year.

Also known as Airport Beach or Hat Sanambin, it is a plane-spotting paradise for those who have a passion for aviation. At Mai Khao, you can see the planes taking off and landing right over your head!

Location of the Mai Khao Beach and How to Get Here

While tourists packed Patong Beach like sardines, it was possible to walk most of the length of Mai Khao and meet no one apart from the occasional fisherman or beachcomber. its remoteness, part of the reason for this is not as idyllic as the main beaches of Phuket, and the shoreline drops off quickly – in one step you can go from knee-deep to over-your-head, for example!

The beach is nestled right next to the Phuket airport, and being here is like your own personal Air Show! 

The beach itself is located at the northwest corner of Phuket island and is about a 45-minute drive from Phuket Town. 

We should mention that you won’t be able to take your car down to the beach, but there is a big parking area available. All you need to do then is take a three-wheeled motorbike (called Rod-Sa-Leng) down to the beach. It costs 70 baht per person. And voila, you’ll find yourself relaxing in the sun and watching planes in no time.

Attractions and Activities at the Mai Khao Beach

Plane Spotting

Mai Khao Beach has more to offer than just your typical sun, sand, and sea experience. It is the ultimate destination for all aviation enthusiasts and photographers who are fascinated by the roar of the engines, the thrill of take-offs and landings, and the sight of airplanes flying magnificently in the sky. This amazing beach in Thailand is known for its proximity to the busy Phuket International Airport with daily flights from Bangkok, where planes land and take off every day, providing an incredible view of the airport operations like nowhere else.

Before heading out to the beach, plan and check the flight timing to see when the planes will come in. There are plenty of online resources available such as Flightradar24, FlightStats, and Airportia that offer real-time flight updates. AirAsia flights are particularly appealing to watch, as the red planes stand out wonderfully against the blue water and sky. It’s good to plan your visit accordingly to make sure you don’t miss out on the show.

Take Wind Direction into Consideration

The wind direction plays a pivotal role in determining the type of planes that fly over the beach. If the wind blows from the West, you are lucky to witness take-offs. If it’s from the East, you’ll have a front-row seat to the landing shows. So, keep this in mind and check the weather forecast beforehand.

Bring the Gear

The planes are extremely close and loud, so if you plan on visiting with very young children, it may not be the best idea. Hearing protection is not necessary, but it’s wise to carry a pair of earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. Also, carrying a good camera. There are no umbrellas or any other shade on the beach, so remember to carry sunscreen, water, and a hat to keep yourself hydrated and protected from the sun.

Observe Safety and Regulations

Flying drones or other remote-controlled devices is prohibited as it may interfere with airport operations. Also, be mindful of the litter you create and dispose of it in the designated bins.

Swimming (Not Recommended)

Swimming at Mai Khao can be hazardous as there’s a strong year-round undertow which, combined with its relative remoteness, drags unsuspecting vacationers out to sea. The large resorts have sought to solve this issue but posting lifeguards and encouraging guests to only swim in their large pools, but this is not much help for those with more modest lodgings.

Turtle Watching

Mai Khao is the last place in Phuket where you can see giant leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs if you’re lucky. They do so between November and April, digging a hole for the eggs and shoveling sand back over. Sadly, numbers have dwindled to almost zero.

Due to dwindling numbers, the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation now carefully collects the eggs, hatches them, and raises the baby turtles until they are old enough to have a chance of surviving at sea.

If you’re in Phuket at New Year, you can join in the annual turtle release, a fascinating and tactile way to learn about these endangered creatures. The foundation is supported by the local resorts and the Royal Thai Navy.

Nearby Attractions

Hat Sai Kaeo

Just around the northern corner from Mai Khao Beach is another pristine stretch of sand, called Hat Sai Kaeo, which looks out between Phuket and Phang Nga with the bridges over to your right. This beach is utterly deserted, but whatever you do don’t attempt to swim here as the tidal currents are extremely fierce going through the straits.

You may find a few locals coming down here on weekends and public holidays, but otherwise, you’ll likely have the entire golden sweep bejeweled with green pines entirely to yourself. Of course, there is not the usual array of food vendors and convenience shops so remember to take water and provisions, or perhaps a picnic, with you before setting out.

Sirinat National Park

Most of Hat Mai Khao falls within Sirinat National Park (admission 200 baht), a pristine area of 90 square kilometers that stretches all the way to the island’s northern extreme. The park headquarters are found in Nai Yang, which offers shady pine trees and superb opportunities for swimming and sunbathing.

Diving & Snorkeling

There is a large coral reef just offshore which serves as a habitat for several species of marine life, particularly sea turtles. Snorkeling here is recommended with equipment available from the park staff – bicycles can also be rented at 200 baht per day.

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is popular at nearby Nai Yang in the summer season, with Kiteschools KBA and Kitezone the two most trusted operators for lessons or equipment. Don’t expect super strong winds here, so only the biggest kites will work. There is a reef break on one side of the lagoon with waves on the other.

Best Time To Visit Mai Khao Beach

If you’re planning to visit Mai Khao Beach for plane spotting, make sure to time it right or you might miss out on some breathtaking views! Trust us when we say that you don’t want to be there during the off-season when planes take off over the sea instead of land. Sure, it might be quieter and less crowded, but it won’t be as impressive.

So when’s the best time to go? We suggest getting up early and heading to the beach in the morning. That’s when the planes come in to land from the beach, flying low and giving you an up-close view that you won’t soon forget.

Conclusion

Hat Mai Khao is perfect for those on an overnight stopover in Phuket who don’t want to shell out on an extortionate and lengthy cab ride to the island’s popular southern resorts. Phuket Town, the island’s capital, lies around 30 minutes from the airport by taxi. It still costs around 500-600 baht or U$18 to get to a hotel in Mai Khao from the airport, an extortionate amount for the ten-minute drive.

Few visitors had even heard of Mai Khao Beach up until recently, owing to its relative remoteness. Stretching 11 km from the airport to the northern tip of Phuket, it’s the longest beach on the island, yet the only accommodation up until its rediscovery of palm-thatched bungalows, tents, and a basic restaurant. Today, however, Mai Khao now sports major resorts and is good for families.

Around the corner from Mai Khao Beach, you come to another beach that looks out across the strait between Phuket and Phang Nga, with the bridges to your right. This beach is truly deserted, but don’t be tempted to swim here as well because the tidal currents going through the strait are pretty fierce.