Phuket • Park
Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park protects 90 square kilometres of Phuket's northwest coastline, encompassing mangrove forests, coral reefs, and three beaches — Nai Thon, Nai Yang, and Mai Khao. Mai Khao, at 11 km, is the longest beach on the island and a nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles.
Overview
Sirinat National Park protects 90 square kilometres of Phuket's northwest coastline, encompassing mangrove forests, coral reefs, and three beaches — Nai Thon, Nai Yang, and Mai Khao. Mai Khao, at 11 km, is the longest beach on the island and a nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles.
Highlights
- Mai Khao Beach: An 11-km uninterrupted stretch of sand, often deserted — one of the few places in Phuket where you can walk for kilometres without seeing a soul.
- Turtle Season: Between November and February, Olive Ridley turtles come ashore to nest. The park runs guided night-watching programs.
- Mangrove Boardwalk: A 700-metre elevated walkway through dense mangrove forest teeming with mudskippers, fiddler crabs, and wading birds.
History
The park was established in 1981 as Nai Yang National Park, later expanded and renamed in 1992 in honour of Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday.
Visitor Tips
- Plane spotting: Mai Khao Beach runs alongside the airport runway — watch aircraft pass just 30 metres overhead.
- Entry fee: 200 THB for foreigners, paid at the park headquarters on Nai Yang Beach.
- Duration: 2–3 hours to explore Mai Khao and the boardwalk.