🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Cha-Am Beach is in Cha-Am district, Phetchaburi province, a continuous strip of sand running several kilometres along the Gulf of Thailand. The sand is fairly fine, the water shallow, and the slope into the sea gradual, so kids can swim more safely here than on the wavier Andaman side. Cha-Am's big draw is how easy it is to reach — around 180 km from Bangkok, about two and a half hours by car, and only about 25 km from Hua Hin, so you can comfortably fit both into one trip.
The beach — where and when to swim
Cha-Am Beach runs along Ruamchit Road (the beachfront road), with rental umbrellas and canvas loungers all the way down to sit, catch the breeze, and take in the view. The most popular stretch is the middle of the beach near the Cha-Am intersection, where the restaurants and parking are most convenient. The northern end around Ban Bo Khaem is quieter and is the horse-riding zone. The water here is calm with light waves — better for wading and a relaxed swim than for surf.
- Best time to swim — November to February: cool, comfortable weather, clear skies, and flat sea.
- Umbrella & lounger rental — roughly 100–150 THB per set per day, usually seats and umbrella together; you can order food from the lounger's owner.
- Monsoon season (May–Oct) — occasional rain and the water turns a bit murkier, but the Gulf side never gets as rough as the Andaman coast.
- Avoid long weekends — Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays get crowded with heavy traffic. For an emptier beach, come midweek.
Worth knowing
At low tide in the morning the beach gets very wide and the shallows stretch far out — great for kids to play in the sand and walk along collecting shells. By afternoon the sun is strong, so bring sunscreen and a hat. Cha-Am's sand is fairly fine but there are patches of shell fragments, so water shoes will keep your feet more comfortable.
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Horse riding by the sea — Cha-Am's signature
What sets Cha-Am apart from other beaches is horse riding along the shoreline. Several stables operate all along the beach, especially in the northern Ban Bo Khaem zone and the middle stretch. The handler leads the horse along the water's edge for you, so you don't have to control it yourself — fine for kids and for adults who've never ridden. Prices start at around 100–300 THB per ride depending on distance and number of laps. Agree on the price and number of laps clearly before you get on.
- Rough prices — a short ride along the beach starts at around 100–300 THB; you can take photos along the way.
- Late afternoon is best — softer sun, cooler air, the horses aren't tired, and you get lovely light as the sun heads toward setting.
- Settle the price first — ask clearly how many laps and how far so there's no confusion when it's time to pay.
- Small kids can ride — someone leads the horse the whole time, but parents should walk alongside for peace of mind.
Water and beachfront activities
Beyond swimming and horse riding, the Cha-Am beachfront has plenty more to choose from, from banana boats and jet skis to an evening bike ride along the shore. Most prices are negotiable and often aren't posted, so the tip is the same as at every beach: agree on the price and the time clearly before you start.
Horse riding along the beach
Cha-Am's standout activity. A handler leads the horse along the water for you, so you don't have to control it — great for photos and for letting kids try. The late-afternoon light is the prettiest.
Banana boat
Ride the banana-shaped inflatable as a speedboat tows you fast across the water — wet, fun, and best with a group. The more people, the better the value. Several operators run along the beach.
Jet ski
Drive it yourself within the marked area — fun, but always check the condition and photograph it before you ride, and agree on the price by time block clearly.
Cycling along the beach
Rent a bike and ride the beachfront road in the evening — cool breeze, sea views the whole way, a nice bit of light exercise before dinner.
Horse-cart / trailer beach rides
Along the beach road you'll find horse carts and trailer rides for an easy, scenic loop — good if you don't want to walk far or you're bringing older relatives.
Enjoying the beach worry-free
For every activity where the price is negotiable, always ask the price and the time clearly before you start. For jet skis, film a video all the way around the unit before riding to avoid damage claims, and keep valuables in a waterproof bag or hand them to someone in your group while you're in the water.
Seafood restaurants — where the locals go
One of Cha-Am's charms is fresh seafood that's cheaper than Hua Hin. Restaurants line both the beachfront and the town centre, and most of the catch comes from the fishing boats around Ban Laem and the mouth of Bang Tabun bay nearby. These are the spots both locals and visitors mention most often.
Krua Huai Sai
A favourite Cha-Am seafood spot, known for fresh ingredients and free unlimited plain rice. The sour curries and spicy salads are punchy and hit the spot. It packs out on weekends.
Krua Je Nong Seafood
A relaxed riverside Thai seafood restaurant. The highlights are fresh prawns, crab, and fish, which you can order stir-fried, steamed, or fried — a great spot to come as a family.
Krua Lung Man Seafood
Punchy, properly Thai seafood that locals eat at regularly, with friendly prices. The curry-powder fried crab and grilled prawns get a lot of praise.
Phon Thale Seafood
A homey spot right on the sea view — sit with the breeze and the view over fresh seafood. Good for settling in for the evening; the spicy salads and tom yum have real depth.
Chom View Seafood
A beachside restaurant with standouts like curry-powder fried crab, sour curry with acacia and fresh prawn omelette, and garlic-pepper fried soft-shell crab — a good pick for a special meal by the sea.
Pla Thu Restaurant (Cha-Am)
A well-known seaside spot whose selling point is fresh short mackerel (pla thu) — mackerel liver stir-fried with holy basil, fried mackerel, and squid stir-fried in black sauce. A regular stop for people coming to Cha-Am.
Cha-Am Night Market
A night market in the heart of Cha-Am with grilled seafood, fried oyster omelette, made-to-order dishes, and loads of desserts — perfect for grazing your way through dinner without sitting down at a big restaurant.
Beachside grills
Carts and grill stalls along the beach road with grilled squid, grilled prawns, mussels, and grilled meatballs — grab some and eat it right at your lounger by the sea.
Ordering seafood smartly
Always ask the per-kilo price for prawns, crab, and fish before ordering, especially anything sold by weight. Most places let you pick live ones from the tank. If there are only a few of you, order a moderate amount that fills you up rather than over-ordering and leaving food. And if you want the freshest catch, come at lunchtime after the boats have come in.
Around Cha-Am
Swiss Sheep Farm
A European-themed sheep farm near Cha-Am where you can feed the sheep, ride a horse, take a horse-cart ride, and shoot photos in cute corners — a fun stop for kids.
Puek Tian Beach
A quiet beach north of Cha-Am, with a giant Thotsakan (Ravana) statue out in the sea as its landmark. Fewer people, good for some peace and quiet.
Mrigadayavan Palace
A seaside teak palace from the reign of King Rama VI, with lovely architecture and shady grounds. It sits between Cha-Am and Hua Hin — an easy photo stop.
Hua Hin
The famous seaside resort town about 25 km from Cha-Am, with a night market, cafes, and malls to wander. Easy to visit for the day and be back by evening.
See hand-picked Cha-Am and Phetchaburi hotels with prices compared
See the Top 10 Phetchaburi hotels →A short 2-day, 1-night trip to Cha-Am
Arrive in Cha-Am + swim + evening seafood
Water activities + sights nearby + head home
Getting there and when to go
- From Bangkok — drive via Rama II Road, around 180 km, taking 2.5–3 hrs depending on traffic.
- Minivan / coach — there are Bangkok–Cha-Am minivans; get off in town and take a motorbike taxi to the beach.
- Train — the Southern Line has a Cha-Am station; from there it's about 1–2 km onward to the beach.
- High season — November to February is the coolest and most comfortable; book accommodation ahead for long weekends.
Want to see all of Phetchaburi province? Check the full guide here
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