🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Sai Ree Beach sits in Hat Sai Ree subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon district, about 20 kilometres east of town — roughly a 25–30 minute drive. Locals count it as the town's main beach because it's the nearest and easiest to reach. The sand curves in a long arc, fairly fine underfoot, and the water turns clear on calm days. It's quieter than the famous beaches further south, so it suits people who want to sit, eat, and watch the sea rather than swim seriously.
What sets Sai Ree apart from the other beaches near town is the Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak shrine, perched on a rise at the headland and looking down over the whole sweep of sand. Locals and visitors who follow folk beliefs come here often to ask for blessings on work and safe travel by sea. So most people who visit Sai Ree get the beach and the shrine in a single trip.
Walking the shoreline at Sai Ree Beach
Sai Ree isn't a party beach — its appeal is the quiet and the wide-open view. Mornings tend to be still with clear skies, good for a walk along the water or for photos. In the late afternoon the sun softens and the breeze cools, and locals like to settle in along the beach and wait for sunset. The beach faces the Gulf of Thailand, and the surf is usually gentle on ordinary days — but always check the flags and the sea conditions before going in.
- Walk the shoreline in the morning — firm sand, easy going, clear skies, and good for photos before the sun gets harsh.
- Relax at a beachfront restaurant in the late afternoon — order some snacks and wait for the evening light as the sea breeze cools things down.
- Head up to the viewpoint by the shrine at the headland — you can see the whole stretch of beach from above, a photo spot many people love.
- There's parking right by the beach — handy if you drive yourself, no long walk needed.
Best time to go
The sea off Chumphon looks its best in the dry season, roughly February through May, when the water is clear and the surf is calm. During the late-year monsoon (October–December) the water can turn murky and the surf picks up — you can still visit the beach, but swimming isn't much fun. Check the weather before you set out to be safe.
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Beachfront restaurants at Sai Ree
One of Sai Ree's charms is the row of seafood restaurants lined up along the beach. Many set their tables right where you look straight out at the sea, and the ingredients are fresh because they come from local fishing boats. Prices go by weight and season — blue crab, prawns, squid, and sea bass are the usual orders. Below are places that are actually open and regularly reviewed, roughly ordered by popularity and atmosphere. Prices are approximate ranges, so double-check at the restaurant.
Nong Mai Restaurant (Sai Ree Beach Resort)
One of the best-known beachfront seafood spots right on Sai Ree, with tables set by the water for a full sea view. The standouts are the fresh seafood, grilled prawns, sea bass sour curry with egg, and fishcakes. Open every day with no closing days, and there are seafront rooms here too.
Phairoj Seafood
A long-running seafood restaurant on the Sai Ree shoreline, breezy and cool. The draw is fresh seafood at friendly prices — locals like to bring the family here for lunch and dinner. Steamed blue crab, fried fish with fish sauce, and stir-fried morning glory are regular orders.
Chai Hat Seafood
A seafront restaurant with a good atmosphere where people like to sit and catch the breeze. The tables are right by the beach, ideal for a long evening. The full range of seafood is here — prawns, squid, fish, shellfish — and you can order family-style dishes to share in a group.
Papa Seafood
A seafood spot that comes up often in Chumphon restaurant lists. The fresh seafood is plated with bold southern flavours, great if you like things punchy. Order the squid stir-fried with salted egg or the sea bass fried with fish sauce alongside a plate of hot rice and it all comes together.
Phuean Jai Resort & Restaurant
A resort restaurant in the Sai Ree Beach area, easygoing to eat at and handy if you're staying nearby and want somewhere close to walk to. There's a good variety of seafood and made-to-order dishes, and it's good value.
Pad Thai Tha Baan Mor Taew
A well-known spot near the Krom Luang Chumphon shrine, just a few minutes' drive away. The highlight is hot pad thai served on a tray with fresh prawns — a good light bite after paying respects at the shrine or before heading back. It gets reviewed a lot.
Jiap Made-to-Order
A homely made-to-order shop on the way into Sai Ree Beach, on the right before you reach the Novotel. More locals go than tourists. The cooking is good and the prices are low — better for someone who wants single made-to-order plates than a big seafood spread.
Pu Khai Sai Ree Beach Restaurant
A seafront seafood restaurant known for its crab. If you like steamed egg crab or crab stir-fried with curry powder, give this one a try. You eat right by the water with an open, breezy feel — great to come with family or a group of friends.
Ordering seafood without overpaying
Most beachfront restaurants charge by weight at that day's market price, so ask the price per kilo before you order to avoid surprises at the bill. Blue crab and prawns swing with the season — if you want to save, local fish or squid works out cheaper. And coming around midday means fresher catch, since it's just in from the boats.
The Krom Luang Chumphon shrine at the headland
The northern headland of Sai Ree Beach is home to the Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak shrine, a memorial to Admiral His Royal Highness Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon, honoured as the Father of the Royal Thai Navy. Locals refer to him with respect as Sadet Tia. The shrine sits on a rise overlooking the long sweep of Sai Ree Beach, so it's both a sacred site and a viewpoint in one.
In the same grounds there's also the HTMS Chumphon memorial — a real, decommissioned torpedo boat set up for visitors, about 68 metres long — plus a model-ship photo spot facing out to sea. History buffs and anyone interested in naval stories tend to spend a fair while walking around here.
Pay respects at San Sadet Tia
Ask for blessings on work, advancement, and safe travels. Following custom, people commonly offer betel nut, cigarettes, and red cloth.
See HTMS Chumphon
A real decommissioned torpedo boat set up as a memorial that you can walk around — a spot to learn a bit of Royal Thai Navy history.
Viewpoint on the rise
Look down over the whole stretch of Sai Ree Beach — a photo angle many people love, especially in soft light.
What to know when visiting the shrine
The shrine is open daily, roughly 07:00–17:00. Dress modestly and take off your shoes where indicated. This is a sacred place that locals hold in deep respect, so keep composed and don't be noisy. There are stalls selling offerings near the entrance up, so you don't need to bring your own.
Getting to Sai Ree Beach
Sai Ree Beach is about 20 kilometres from Chumphon town. The main route runs from town out along Highway 4119, then onto 4098, heading toward Pak Nam subdistrict and Sai Ree Beach. The signs are clear and it's an easy drive to follow. The most convenient way is your own car or a rental, since public transport doesn't run out here often.
- Car/rental — the most convenient option, around 25–30 minutes from town, with parking by the beach and at the shrine.
- Rented motorbike — good for solo travellers or couples; the road into the beach is easy to ride.
- Taxi/private hire — agree on a round-trip price in advance, as it's hard to find a ride back in the evening.
- From Chumphon train station — take onward transport another 20–30 minutes to the beach; plan your ride back carefully before you go.
For a half-day trip, the route that works well is to reach the beach mid-morning, walk around and take photos, stop for a seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant, then finish by heading up to the Krom Luang Chumphon shrine for the view in the late afternoon — just before the evening light turns its prettiest.
Want to do Chumphon in full — beaches, islands, and food? See the complete Chumphon travel guide.
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