Rawai, located at the southern tip of Phuket, is easy to find and covers a large area including parts of Chalong – making it ideal for those looking at Rawai villas & condos for sale.

Together with Nai Harn and Chalong, it is easily one of the most popular areas of Phuket for foreigners to live. Attracted by the numerous beaches, the nature, and of course the breathtaking scenery, the south of the island became their home. Although Rawai itself does not really have a swimming beach, it is in close proximity (less than 10 minutes’ drive) to some of the nicest beaches on the island.

What Rawai does have is a wonderful atmosphere, with beautiful views across to Coral Island and Bon Island, and excellent amenities for residents and tourists alike.

Why Rawai is a Great Place to Invest in Phuket Property

For a couple of decades now, Rawai has attracted foreign residents and now has a huge community in the area. As the population has increased so has the choice of restaurants, cafes and bars.

So while the Rawai area has its own magical charms for tourists, it has also been improving to make it an ideal place for foreigners to live, work or retire. Having no swimming beach of its own hasn’t made that much difference to its appeal. It is so close to other amazing beaches, and tourists still love the area. In fact, the holiday rental market here is almost the same as it is in Nai Harn, especially throughout the peak season.

It certainly has its own attractions, but with its proximity to Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and Chalong it is easy to see why people  from all over the world keep coming back year after year for their holidays. Like Nai Harn, the large expatriate community also means it is easier to rent your property for the long term, in addition to short-term holiday rentals.

The proximity to the beaches may have attracted foreigners here in the first place, but it is the infrastructure and amenities – which have developed to satisfy the growing population – that make Rawai so popular with residents today. Due to its popularity, there are now a multitude of Rawai villas and condos for sale for buyers to choose from.

The main beach road is always alive with people. There are now numerous shops, convenience stores, massage parlours and restaurants along this road.  And we’re not talking about just a few restaurants – Rawai has one of the largest and best choices of restaurants in this area, including the Rawai Seafood Market.

Rawai Villas and Condos For Sale 

It is easy to understand why there are many new developments in Rawai. There is a good choice of both condo and villa developments appearing all over the Rawai area, some inland, some closer to the beach, while others are perched on the mountain with stunning sea views.

Given the popularity of the area, we expect more development to follow.  And there are still plenty of open tracts of land ideally suited to development.

You can view some of the properties for sale in Rawai and Nai Harn here:

Property For Sale in the Rawai and Nai Harn Area

The Beach(es) Close to Rawai

Although Rawai beach is not renowned for swimming it is located just a few minutes away from some spectacular beaches:  Nai Harn, Yanui, Laem Ka and Friendship.

Nai Harn is a one of Phuket’s nicest beaches, and it is less than 5 minutes’ drive northwest from Rawai.  Here you can go swimming, snorkelling, and in the low season even surfing.

Yanui Beach is actually a modest walk away from Rawai sea front. This is extremely pretty and idyllic beach, and hugely popular in the high season. It’s a great place to rent kayaks and to canoe around the Koh Man, the island that sits just out to sea. Yanui is also great for snorkelling. On both sides of the beach there are plenty of tropical fish and some people even go as far out as Koh Man to snorkel. There are also a couple of decent restaurants next to Yanui so it’s also a great place to go and eat lunch and just relax, especially at the end of the day when the sun is setting.

Laem Ka and Friendship Beaches are on the East Coast as you head north to Chalong. They are both a little off the beaten path, but have completely different scenery to the southern-facing parts of Rawai. Instead they look east towards Koh Lon and Chalong Bay. Like Rawai, they are not great beaches for swimming, but have their own attractions, mainly the spectacular views of these islands out to sea.

Restaurants and Dining in Rawai

Rawai has an absolutely amazing assortment of dining establishments, and for this fact alone, it is very easy to see why this southern part of the island is such a popular place for foreigners to live.

Next to Rawai Pier is the famous Sea Gypsy Village, where you can eat fantastic seafood for a fraction of the cost of the tourist-oriented seafood restaurants on the island.  In fact, you can buy your own fresh seafood from the market stalls, and the nearby restaurants will cook it up for you, just how you like it.

Two of the best steakhouses on the island are both in Rawai. If you’re a steak lovers you must try either Tseti’s or Mando’s (or both).

One of Phuket’s oldest and most beloved Italian restaurants is also in Rawai. Once along Rawai sea front, Maggie and Mario’s (it’s actually called M&M’s) has now moved a little closer to Nai Harn.

Also an institution in Rawai, is Nikita’s which is found along the sea front on the eastern end. Many residents still use this as a local, mainly because the atmosphere is great, the consistency is dependable, staff are friendly and prices are perfectly acceptable.

There is a nice restaurant on Promthep Cape, which is better when the crowds disappear and the sun is going down. The views over Nai Harn are stunning, and there is always a beautiful breeze.

Rawai is great place to hang out and have a good time, but if you are looking for more raucous entertainment, you will probably want to head to Patong.

Rawai for Grocery Shopping

There are a number of supermarkets in the area if you prefer to cook at home. Less than 10 minutes north towards Chalong you will find a Lotus, Makro and Food for Foreigners. Tesco and Makro will take care of all your staples, but if you are looking for those things that most of miss from home (e.g. cheese, sausages, and quality bacon) then Food for Foreigners is the place to go.

But if you carry on north just past Chalong Circle you will come to Villa Market (located within Home Pro Village).  Villa is also well-stocked with foods that most foreigners are looking for.

Schools in Rawai

The Rawai area has a number of kindergarten and nursery schools, including the Mother and Child Kindergarten and Preschool, ABC International Nursery and Pre-School,  and the Palm House School.  Nearby Chalong also offers Chalong International Kindergarten & School, Buds International School,  and Cravens International Nursery Pre School.

Lighthouse is the new international school in Rawai, and just a short drive away in Chalong you have BCIS and International School of Phuket (ISP). There are also Oak Meadow International School located in northern Chalong/southern Phuket Town, and offering the American curriculum), as well as Headstart International School just a little further into Kathu.

Whether you are living here or only on holiday, Rawai has more than enough pubs/bars/sports bars to keep you occupied.  There really are too many to list, but it is almost certain you will find one to your liking.

Other Points of Interest in Rawai

If you head down to the seafront near the pier, you’ll spot the colourful long-tail boats lined up along the beach. Many of these are still used by local fishermen who supply the nearby seafood restaurants, while others are available for tourists to rent.

These boats are perfect for short trips to nearby islands like Coral Island or Bon Island, both just a short ride from the coast. Some boatmen will even take you further out to the Racha Islands — which may look close from shore but are actually a fair distance away. For those longer excursions, a speedboat (often moored right next to the long-tails) is a better choice.

Just a few minutes’ drive from Rawai is Promthep Cape, one of Phuket’s most iconic viewpoints. Once especially popular among Thais — who would travel long distances on weekends to pray at the nearby temple or watch the sunset — it remains a major attraction for visitors today.

From Promthep, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the nearby island Koh Kaew, home to a peaceful Buddhist monastery. The monastery’s chedis are visible from the mainland, adding a sense of mystery and spiritual charm to the landscape. Around the viewpoint’s car park, you’ll also find a variety of souvenir stalls selling handicrafts, shells, sarongs, and more.

Back in Rawai, Rawai Park is a favourite spot for families with young children. It offers a full day of fun, especially for kids who love water activities. On weekends, it’s popular with local families — and there’s plenty to keep children entertained for hours.

If you’re looking for more tourist-style attractions, you’ll find them just a short drive away in neighbouring Nai Harn or Chalong. Snake shows, monkey shows, elephant rides, zip lines, and ATV parks are all within 10 minutes of Rawai.

Ready To Look at All the Rawai Villas & Condos for Sale?

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