Phuket Beach Guide: Haad Pak Phra Beach – Northern Calm by Sarasin Bridge

What is Haad Pak Phra Beach like?

Haad Pak Phra Beach sits quietly at the very northern tip of Phuket, just next to the famous Sarasin Bridge. While most visitors speed past on their way to or from the mainland, this beach remains one of the island’s least-known coastal spots.

Here you’ll find golden sand, calm blue waters, and a handful of longtail boats moored along the shore. Haad Pak Phra isn’t a swimming destination. Instead, it’s a working beach, home to local fishermen and small seafood farming operations — including the distinctive water goby farms that give this place its own character.

It’s peaceful, local, and unmistakably Thai.

Quick Facts:

Location: Northernmost point of Phuket, next to Sarasin Bridge
Access: Direct road access, easy parking along the roadside
Swimming: Not ideal; shallow working bay with boats and fishing gear
Food/Facilities: Local seafood stalls, no formal tourist services
Shade: Natural shade from casuarina trees
Best For: Quiet walks, photography, observing local life
Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for light and activity
Dogs Allowed: Yes, commonly seen

How to Get There

Haad Pak Phra Beach is easily reached by following the coastal road north from Mai Khao Beach. Just before crossing Sarasin Bridge, look for parking areas on the left-hand side. The beach lies directly along the road. No entry fee or managed access.

Google Maps: Haad Pak Phra Beach on Google Maps

What Makes Haad Pak Phra Beach Special

• True working beach atmosphere
• Unique water goby farming setup visible along the treeline
• Longtail boats moored directly on the sand
• Clear view of Sarasin Bridge’s white structure across the bay
• Local seafood culture visible and real

Historical & Cultural Note

Haad Pak Phra Beach has long served as a quiet fishing outpost for local communities on both sides of Sarasin Bridge. Historically, the area was known for shellfish and oyster farming, though today it is more associated with water goby fish farming and casual shoreline fishing. It remains untouched by large-scale development.

Activities & Local Highlights

• Photography: Longtail boats, Sarasin Bridge, local fishing scenes
  • Quiet Walks: Along the sandbanks and pine-fringed shoreline
  • Fishing: Locals fish using rods and nets along the shore
  • Cultural Insight: Observing goby farming ponds and traditional boat maintenance

Nearby Beaches

• Mai Khao Beach: Phuket’s longest and quietest main beach, just south
  • Natai Beach (Phang Nga side): Across the bridge — wide, wild, and almost empty

Closing Reflection

Haad Pak Phra Beach is not a beach for sunbathers or cocktails. It’s for those who want to witness the quieter, more working side of Phuket. Fishing nets, longtail boats, and simple coastal life unfold here every day, unchanged by the tourist rush. Stop for a moment, take in the view, and remember — this is still Phuket too.

Written by Mads D
Photography by Mads D

Phuket Beach Guide series – Window on Phuket

Photo Captions

1. Local fishermen prepare their longtail boat at Haad Pak Phra Beach, with Sarasin Bridge in the background.
2. Wide view of Haad Pak Phra’s calm bay, looking towards Sarasin Bridge connecting Phuket to the mainland.
3. The iconic architecture of Sarasin Bridge seen from the shoreline.
4. Traditional wooden longtail boat resting on the sand, typical of local fishing life.
5. A lone fisherman casting from the beach — part of everyday scenes here.
6. Fishing boats anchored in the sheltered waters of Haad Pak Phra’s working bay.
7. Local workers maintaining water goby fish ponds under shaded nets behind the beach.
8. Looking north along the sandbank — raw natural scenery with no resorts in sight.
9. Untouched coastline lined with pine trees and green beach vines.
10. Sandbanks exposed at low tide, giving Haad Pak Phra its characteristic layered colors.
11. Path through the forest leading to Haad Pak Phra Beach — a quiet, hidden approach.

 

 

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Written by Mads D

Photography by Mads D

 

Learn more about Mads D:KamalaBeachEstate.com/mads-d