Sirinat National Park

The jewel of Phuket’s northwest coast. Sirinat National Park was established in 1981 and covers about 22 square kilometers of land and 68 square kilometers of water. It is a protected conservation area, and its boundaries are not only on land, but also on the sea, as not only plants and animals, but also coral reefs need protection.

The most convenient way to get to Sirinat National Park is from Nai Yang Beach. The park has white sand beaches, mangrove forests and locations overlooking airplanes landing at Phuket Airport.

One of the main attractions of the park are the trees that are impressive for their gigantic size and bizarre roots. In the park, there is a trail called Thachachai, located in the northern part of the park. It’s a circular wooden path, only 600 meters long, and perfect for a family walk. While strolling along it, you may encounter monitor lizards, mangrove snakes, and crabs.

Notably, the beaches of Sirinat National Park are one of the few places in Thailand where endangered sea turtles still come to lay their eggs. This happens most frequently on the wild Mai Khao Beach, where leatherback turtles come ashore annually from November to April. This species is critically endangered and strictly protected. To preserve the population, turtle nests are fenced off, guarded around the clock, and hatchlings are released into the sea only when conditions are safe.

Watching baby turtles hatch is an incredibly touching experience and a reminder of the importance of treating nature with care. If you find yourself in Sirinat during the season, remember: do not approach the nests, use flash photography, or disturb the turtles.

Sirinat National Park is a true oasis of tranquility and unspoiled nature, where you can spend hours wandering around, studying the rare features of the local flora and fauna. Look for other walking spots in Phuket here.