Hua Hin Beach -
What you need to know
Does Hua Hin have good beaches?
Hua Hin has an excellent white powder beach stretching for over 3 miles (5 kilometers). It’s ideal for sunbathing, and swimming in calm and safe water – and you can enjoy long walks. The water is shallow and it’s perfect for families with children.
The beach in Hua Hin is a major attraction and one of the main reasons that so many tourists visit this picturesque town. You will find more beautiful beaches in other parts of Thailand, such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Ko Lipe, and Phi Phi Islands – but Hua Hin Beach also has a lot to offer, to the sun and beach-craving tourists.
It’s easy to access no matter where you are staying in Hua Hin since many roads lead to the long stretch of beach.
It’s not overcrowded as in places such as Phuket, Koh Samui, and Pattaya. Since the beach is stretching for miles there are sections of the beach that will make you feel like you are the only person on the beach.
However few places on the beach are allowed to rent out sun loungers and beach umbrellas on Hua Hin Beach – so if you are looking for that, then read my recommendations further down.
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Hua Hin Beach near Hotel Hilton
The beach is a popular spot for many locals from Hua Hin City and Bangkok. This gives it a unique and authentic atmosphere compared to other beaches in Thailand.
I highly recommend visiting the beach just before sunset. Most tourists tend to leave around this time, but this is when the locals come out to play in the ocean.
Thai people generally prefer to have lighter skin, so they tend to avoid the sun. In their culture, having darker skin is associated with jobs that require working outside, which are often lower-paying. Watching how the locals enjoy the ocean at this time is quite enjoyable.
Locals playing at Hua Hin Beach around sunset
Can you swim at Hua Hin Beach?
Hua Hin Beach is an ideal place for swimming as the water is usually calm and shallow, and the current is mild. Although the water may not be as crystal-clear as on some other beaches in Thailand, it is still a great place for a swim.
Here are some reasons why you should take the plunge:
1. Very few stones in the water
The beach spans over 3 miles (5 kilometers) and has a predominantly sandy seabed with few stones. However, stones can be found near the Hilton Hotel, which happens to be a popular area on the beach. If you head southwards, you’ll find no stones.
2. The water is very shallow
The water is shallow and hence easy to get into, making it a perfect spot for children. Unlike other beaches, there aren’t any significant dips, making it easy for swimmers to enter and exit the water.
3. There is hardly any current
The shallow seabed means that there is hardly any current, so there is no need to worry about strong currents like at other beaches around the world.
Is Hua Hin Beach clean?
The beach in Hua Hin is very clean, thanks to the strict rules about littering. There are several bins placed in different areas on the beach that help maintain cleanliness. It is important to note that littering on the beach can result in a fine.
A few years ago, the beach in Hua Hin was quite dirty and filled with plastic waste, bottles, plastic bags, and cigarette butts. However, in recent years, there have been several campaigns to educate locals about the harmful effects of littering.
Moreover, the local community often comes together on certain days to clean the beach. They walk along the beach to pick up floating trash from the ocean or other debris left on the beach.
You will even see tourists partake in the cleanup process, which is a great gesture since we all should take responsibility for keeping our beaches clean.
Is Hua Hin Beach child-friendly?
Hua Hin Beach is one of the most child-friendly beaches in Thailand, thanks to its gentle waves, shallow water, and wide stretch of soft sand. Families with children looking to spend quality time together by the sea are drawn to this beach, as it is an ideal playground for kids.
One of the main reasons why Hua Hin Beach is suitable for children is its gentle surf. The waves here are generally calm, and the current is not too strong. Moreover he water is really shallow and there are hardly any stones in the water, making it a safe environment for kids to swim and play. Parents can relax while their children splash around without having to supervise them all the time.
I have spent countless hours here with my own two boys and there are certain stretches on the beach that I would especially recommend to families with children.
Recommendations:
1. Hua Hin Beach around Soi 67
It’s highly recommended to visit early in the morning hours. It’s calm and there aren’t that many people here and you might be lucky – and get to view one of the magical sunrises here. During the morning hours, it’s also very quiet and you will almost have it all by yourself.
I can also recommend that you try and time your visit here when it’s low tide. Then you will be able to walk north on the beach and you can walk to the restaurants on the stilts. Here you can get some great photos.
Another recommendation is to go for a walk on the beach after you have visited the shrine. Walk south from the shrine and you will walk along a small path, with benches where you can enjoy the view. From there you can walk down some stairs and then you have access to one of the most beautiful stretches of the beach in Hua Hin city.
Sunbeds and the beach at Hua Hin Soi 67
Chansawang Restaurant on Hua Hin beach at Soi 67
2. Hua Hin Beach around Hilton Hotel and Soi 61
The most popular stretch of Hua Hin Beach which is visited by most tourists, is the area between Soi 61 and Hotel Hilton. Locals refer to this area as the City Beach since it’s accessible from Hua Hin town.
Here you can rent sun loungers and beach umbrellas and find small outdoor kitchens that serve Thai food. As many tourists visit this area of Hua Hin Beach, it’s a great spot to sit and watch people playing on the beach, and children can always find playmates.
The beach is easily accessible, and the street leading to it, Hua Hin Soi 61, has about 30 small shops where you can purchase beach essentials such as towels, sun hats, sunglasses, and toys like shovels and buckets. Additionally, you can buy drinks and food here, making it convenient if you forget anything.
Hua Hin beach near Hilton Hotel
Hua Hin beach near Hilton Hotel
3. Go to Khao Thakiab Beach
One of the most children-friendly beaches that I often bring my children to is Khao Takiab Beach. The beach is located about 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of Hua Hin city, just south of what is locally called Monkey Mountain. Although it’s actually not a beach in Hua Hin – I would still recommend it because it’s a lovely stretch of beach that children love.
Accessing Khao Thakiab beach is quite easy even though it’s located outside Hua Hin city. If you stay in Hua Hin City, you can hire a tuk-tuk or a private taxi for about 250-350 baht (7-10 USD). I usually tell them to drive us to Anantasila Resort Hua Hin because all the tuk-tuk drivers know where that is. From here, you can walk straight onto the beach where there are so many sun loungers and beach umbrellas for rent – and plenty of small Thai restaurants on the beach.
The reason why I recommend it as a children-friendly beach is that there is a long breakwater on the northern end of this long beach – just in front of the Anantasila Resort Hua Hin.
That means there aren’t any waves, it’s shallow water and there is no rip current here – so it’s perfect for children to run around and play safely in the water.
They also have watersport activities here such as banana boats, jet skis, and water “sofas” they drag after a jetski – which is always good fun for the children.
Khao Thakiab Beach and the breakwater
Khao Thakiab Beach – south of Hua Hin
Can you rent sun loungers at Hua Hin Beach?
It is possible to rent sun loungers at a few locations along Hua Hin Beach. The cost is approximately 100-200 baht (3-6 USD) per day, and includes a sun lounger, a beach umbrella, and a small table.
However, the municipality of Hua Hin has limited the number of locations where sun loungers can be rented out. As a result, there are long stretches of the beach where sun loungers cannot be rented. Some of the larger hotels have designated areas with sun loungers for their guests, while a few other locations along the beach are permitted to rent out sun loungers.
It should be noted that I have made three recommendations for areas on Hua Hin Beach that are suitable for children, all of which have sun lounger rental facilities.
Sun loungers for rent at Hua Hin Beach
Be aware that on Wednesdays sun loungers are not allowed on the beach – even at the hotel areas. “The beach also needs a day off” is what the Thais say. I actually like the idea that the beach also needs a day to relax.
Personally, I prefer to rent a sun lounger when I go to Hua Hin Beach because it provides a comfortable spot to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If you lay on a towel on the beach you usually end up with sand all over the place.
When you rent the sun lounger you will also get a big beach umbrella – which provides a much-needed shade and cover from the sun. You will also get a small table and the places that rent out sunbeds, usually serve water, beer, drinks, and delicious Thai food. What I like the most though – is that you can just leave your belongings on the sun lounger and you don’t have to worry about them if you jump into the ocean, as there are staff and other people.
Can you eat food at Hua Hin Beach?
Its possible to eat at Hua Hin Beach and there isn’t any rules against it. Many tourists dream of enjoying a romantic dinner with fantastic Thai food on a beautiful beach in Thailand. However, in Hua Hin, there are only a few local restaurants available on the beach.
Alternatively, you can choose to eat at a hotel restaurant near the beach or buy food from a nearby food vendor and bring it with you as the locals do. Though the options are limited, you can still enjoy delicious Thai food on the beach in Hua Hin.
Recommendations:
1. Restaurants located on Hua Hin Beach
As mentioned earlier, there are only a few restaurants located directly on Hua Hin Beach and they usually operate during the daytime. However, I can recommend two places for you to eat. The first is a cluster of restaurants located near the Hilton Hotel and the other is Chansawang Restaurant located near Soi 67.
A) The cluster of beach “restaurants” near the Hilton Hotel
To reach the City Beach in Hua Hin, head towards Soi Hua Hin 61 from the town. This is where most tourists enter the City Beach area. If you walk to the left on the beach, you will see a cluster of 6-8 “restaurants” located on the beach. Locals rent out sun loungers, beach umbrellas, and a small table. They also have a small outdoor kitchen where they serve tasty Thai food.
The food served here is simple and good, perfect for a quick and easy lunch. You can expect dishes such as Fried Rice, Phad Thai, soups, sandwiches, fries, and more. The prices are very reasonable, with a main course typically costing around 100-130 baht (3-4 USD). Although the food is not Michelin-star quality, it is still very nice and convenient to have while you relax under the sun umbrella and enjoy the view of the ocean.
Restaurant menu on Hua Hin Beach – with sun umbrellas and tables in the background.
B) The Chansawang restaurant.
This restaurant is located near Soi 67, is a great alternative for those looking for good Thai food in a beach restaurant. Personally, I prefer this restaurant, as it has a small kitchen and serves delicious food. The stretch of beach is beautiful, with less crowd and it has reasonable prices. You can either rent sun loungers and a beach umbrella to enjoy your food on the beach or sit at the tables in the restaurant, which provides good shade.
Moreover, the prices are quite reasonable, with main courses available for around 120-150 baht (3-5 USD).
Chansawang Restaurant on Hua Hin beach at Soi 67
Chansawang Restaurant on Hua Hin beach at Soi 67
2. Hotel restaurants at Hua Hin Beach
However, keep in mind that most of these restaurants aren’t directly on the beach and some don’t even have an ocean view.
If you’re looking for hotel restaurants at Hua Hin Beach that offer an ocean view, here are some options:
The Hilton Hotel restaurant – Chay Had Seaside Restaurant & Lounge
The Hilton Hotel has a superb restaurant with an ocean view called Chay Had Seaside Restaurant and Lounge. This restaurant serves delicious Thai and international food, but it’s a bit pricey – but you will be rewarded with excellent food.
Plus, the Hilton Hotel is probably the best-located hotel in Hua Hin and after you finish eat lunch, you can walk straight onto the beach.
See more on this link:
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hhqhihi-hilton-hua-hin-resort-and-spa/dining/
The Marriott Resort and Spa – Big Fish and Bar
The Marriott Hotel is located 300 yards (500 meters) south of the Hilton Hotel. It’s easily accessible by walking along the beautiful beach, and you can enter the restaurant – Big Fish and Bar, directly from the beach.
The restaurant specializes in excellent Thai seafood dishes, which are all fresh and delicious. With its open and beautiful look at the beach, the restaurant provides a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy your meal. The prices start from 300 baht (8 USD) and up, but it’s worth every penny.
See more on this link:
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hhqmr-hua-hin-marriott-resort-and-spa/dining/
3. Buy food and bring to the Hua Hin Beach
Local Thais often bring their own food to the beach, whether it’s something they’ve cooked at home or purchased on the way.
My wife and I usually opt to buy something on the way to City Beach, located near the Hilton Hotel. As you enter the beach from Hua Hin Soi 61, you’ll walk past 25-30 small shops, as well as 4-5 food vendors selling tasty grilled chicken with sticky rice on the side. This makes for a nice and easy lunch that’s also very affordable, with 4-5 chicken pieces going for about 60-80 baht (1-1½ USD).
Of course, you can also bring your own food from elsewhere. Just make sure to clean up after yourself to avoid a hefty fine. There are bins located on the beach in the area around Hua Hin Soi 61 for your convenience.
Watersport activities at Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin is a great place to enjoy a variety of water sports activities such as jet skiing, banana boats, sofa rides, kitesurfing, wake surf, windwing, SUP, surfing, and windsurfing. However, these activities can only be done in a few places along Hua Hin Beach, so you need to know where to go.
These exciting water sports activities offer an ideal opportunity to enjoy a range of water-based adventures. So, dive in, feel the rush, and create unforgettable memories at Hua Hin Beach.
Kitesurfing at Hua Hin Beach – Source
1. Jetski, banana boat, and sofa rides.
There are two spots along Hua Hin Beach where you can experience the thrill of riding a jet ski and exploring the coastline. Both places also offer fun activities such as banana boats and sofa rides.
One of the spots is located at Hua Hin Soi 67, where you can rent sunbeds and find the Chansawang restaurant and a small parking area. You can easily rent jet skis from this place, located right next to the Chansawang restaurant.
The other spot, Jetski Hua Hin, is located a bit further south of Hua Hin Soi 77. They have a website where you can learn more about their services and even book a jet ski in advance.
See more on this link: https://jetskihuahin.com/
Prices for renting jet skis, banana boats, and sofa boats are as follows:
Jetski prices:
30 minutes – 1.500 baht (40 USD)
60 minutes – 3.000 baht (80 USD)
You can negotiate with them if you want less time. I have sometimes paid 1.000 baht for 20 minutes.
Banana boat and sofa boat prices:
15 minutes – 300 baht (8 USD) per person
You can negotiate with them if you want less time. If you are a group of people, you may also try to bargain for a group price.
Please be informed that renting of jet skis, banana boats, or sofa boats is not allowed on Wednesdays, just like the renting of sunbeds on the beach.
Jetski for rent on Khao Takiab beach
Bananaboat for rent on Hua Hin beach
Recommendations:
I would highly recommend driving to Khao Takiab Beach which is located around 4 miles (6 kilometers) south of Hua Hin. The beach is relatively calm due to the presence of a breakwater, making it an ideal location for trying these activities with children or if you are trying them for the first time. My two boys enjoyed trying these activities here as they felt safe and didn’t have to worry about waves.
Head to the Anantasila Hotel on Khao Takiab Beach and right in front of the hotel it’s possible to rent jetskis, banana boats, and sofa rides.
You can easily rent sun loungers and beach umbrellas, and there are several small restaurants located on the beach.
2. Kitesurfing, wake surfing, windwing, SUP, surfing, and windsurfing.
Hua Hin Beach is perfect for water sports activities that require more wind, such as kitesurfing, wake surfing, wind wing, SUP, surfing, and windsurfing. The KBA Kitesurfing School and Watersports Center in Hua Hin offer all of these water sports activities.
They have expert trainers; you can sign up for an hour, a day, or even a longer course. Their service level is high, and they speak English fluently.
See more on this link: https://www.facebook.com/kitethailand
It’s seen as one of the best watersports centers in Thailand and the conditions are perfect here. The best time of the year to visit Hua Hin for these watersports activities is from January to May when the wind and water conditions are perfect.
Kiteboarding Asia Hua Hin Watersport Center – Source
SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) on Hua Hin Beach
Can you smoke at Hua Hin Beach?
By law, smoking is strictly prohibited on the beaches in Hua Hin. If you are caught smoking on the beach, you can be fined up to 100,000 baht (3,000 USD) and/or be sentenced to a year in jail.
The law was introduced in February 2018 and you will see signs on many of the beach entrances to remind you of this. The Thai government implemented this law to protect the beauty of their beaches, and it is now enforced on 24 different beaches in Thailand.
A third of all litter found on the beaches before the law came into force – was cigarette buds. It takes from 18 months to 10 years for a cigarette bud to decompose in nature, so, understandably, some laws had to be made to stop this.
If you need to smoke, you will find designated smoking areas near the beach, usually around the major hotels. You can also ask the locals for information on where you can smoke.
No smoking sign on Hua Hin Beach – Source
Are there sharks at Hua Hin Beach?
There are sharks in all the oceans surrounding Thailand, including Hua Hin. However, you need not worry about encountering sharks on the beach in Hua Hin, as they do not come close to the shore.
This is because the water near the beach in Hua Hin is shallow and has few corals and fish, so the sharks do not come here for food. In other islands around Thailand, such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Koh Lipe, etc., you might be lucky to spot sharks while snorkeling or scuba diving. But in Hua Hin, you can confidently enjoy swimming without any fear of encountering sharks.
Most of the sharks found in Thailand are reef sharks, which are not very big, usually smaller than humans. If you get too close to them, they will swim away. You will not come across great white or bull sharks, which are the ones frequently portrayed in shark horror movies. Therefore, there is no need to worry or be afraid of sharks while swimming in Thailand. The sharks are more afraid of humans than we are of them!
Are there jellyfish at Hua Hin Beach?
Unfortunately, jellyfish are sometimes seen at Hua Hin Beach – but it’s mostly seasonal, ranging from June to October. During the five years I’ve lived in Hua Hin with my two boys, we’ve never been stung by a jellyfish, and neither have any of my friends. We go to the beach all the time, but I have heard stories about people getting stung by jellyfish.
So, there’s no need to be overly scared or afraid to go in the water. Typically, jellyfish are more commonly sighted during the rainy season, which occurs between May and October. During this time, increased rainfall and changing water conditions can attract jellyfish to the area, and their presence becomes noticeable along the shoreline.
The period between June to October is considered the low season and it’s not the time of the year that I would recommend you visit Hua Hin, to begin with. This period is also the end of the rainy season and also the time of year when the ocean isn’t as inviting as during the high season – due to bigger waves. So you probably won’t be visiting Hua Hin or Thailand during this time, to begin with.
In recent years jellyfish have started to show up from January to Marts – which is the high season in Hua Hin. It’s not in large numbers and the local Thais are aware of the problem and you will usually see signs and warnings if there is jellyfish in the water. In the last couple of years, the Hua Hin municipally has set up long nets to catch them and make sure they won’t hurt the tourists.
When you walk on Hua Hin beach, which stretches for miles, you might encounter washed-up jellyfish on the shore. These are usually the normal big and white jellyfish that are harmless.
White and harmless jellyfish on Hua Hin Beach
Jellyfish nets as a protection on Hua Hin beach
Jellyfish are capable of stinging you, but some types are more dangerous than others. There is a small white jellyfish that can cause a significant sting, but the worst one is a small brown jellyfish that can leave permanent scars and cause a very serious sting.
Jellyfish tentacles are the part that can sting, and it is not uncommon to be stung without even noticing the jellyfish. While most jellyfish stings are not life-threatening, they can be painful and cause allergic reactions in some people.
In 2023, a young Israeli boy was stung and died on Koh Phangang Island in Thailand. Although it is rare in Thailand, jellyfish stings can be fatal.
What to do if you get stung
1. Get out of the water to avoid further contact.
2. Carefully and gently remove any tentacles that may still be attached to your skin. Avoid using your bare hands.
3. Rinse the affected area with seawater to help remove any remaining stinging cells. Don’t rinse with fresh water, as it can activate the venomous cells further.
4. Apply vinegar – or a paste made from baking soda and seawater to help neutralize the venom and alleviate the pain. Do not use urine or alcohol, as they can worsen the symptoms.
5. Seek medical help if you develop any allergic reactions.
Regarding the advice to apply vinegar. It’s normally not something you would bring to the beach by yourself – and you don’t have to bring it. In the few months a year when Hua Hin Beach is affected by the jellyfish there are planted first aid poles in the sand – where you can find bottles with vinegar (as seen in the picture below).
You will also be able to go and ask restaurants or hotels on the beach if they have some vinegar and can provide it to you.
Personally, I have several times gotten stung when I was scuba diving in places such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao, and Similan Islands. When I asked the Divemaster about it, they told me that it’s usually small pieces of tentacles that a propeller has cut off from the fishing boats. That will leave small pieces of the jellyfish tentacles floating around.
Although it’s annoying and painful, the pain will slowly go away and I haven’t gotten permanent scars from these stings. But again – I have never tried this in Hua Hin and I am not worried about it when I go swimming here.
