The name Hua Hin – ‘rock head’ in Thai – is derived from the rocks that can be seen on the beach in front of the Sofitel Central Hotel.  Hua Hin has a 5–kilometer beach lined with a variety of private beach houses and 5–star resorts.  The beach stretches some 7 kilometres from the mountain in the south called Khao Takiap, where the famous Wat Khao Takiap temple is located.  The beach is wide and long with white sand and striking granite boulders strewn across the beach.  Some parts of the beach are tranquil for those wishing to soak up the tropical sun, but activities such as horse riding, kite boarding, and water sports can also be found for those looking for a little more adventure.

Khao Takiab Beach
Khao Takiab ‘chopstick hill’ beach is 7 kilometers south of Hua Hin.  The hill is famous for its hilltop temple and monkeys that live there.  The best spot on this beach is located behind the hill where there are big expanses of beach and calm shallow waters, which are ideal for children.  You can take motorcycles or taxis or the local bus to Khao Takiab from Hua Hin’s town centre.

Suan Son Pradiphat Beach
Protected by the Army Welfare Office, Suan Son Pradiphat is some 10 kilometers south of Hua Hin.  This is a serene and relaxing place to visit with various restaurants and accommodation, with many local guesthouses and self–catering bungalows open to the public every day.

Khao Tao Beach
This small, secluded beach at the foot of Khao Tao Hill lies about 20 kilometers south of Hua Hin.  The beach is fringed with pine trees and is more peaceful than Hua Hin beach.  Perhaps the landmark of this beach is a large Buddha statue that is looking out to sea.  Bungalows and small local restaurants are available by the beach.  

Sai Noi Beach in Khao Tao
Sai Noi is a small, private beach adorned with white sands and situated at the foot of a hill.

Pranburi Beach
Pranburi is some 30 kilometres south of Hua Hin.  The beach itself may not be spectacular but its peaceful environment infuses a sense of privacy and exclusivity.  Previously, it wasn’t  a popular weekend destination among travelers, and in the past, holidaymakers preferred to stay in Hua Hin and drive to Pranburi for a one day trip.  However, this is not the case, today, since it has become a very popular getaway for travelers from Bangkok who seek to relax in style.  This also contributes to the increase in the number of chic and boutique resorts in the area.  The trend started in 2002 when Soneva Hotel Group opened its first boutique resort in Pranburi.  The resort was a huge success, luring local and foreign investors to follow in its footsteps, yet it still maintains its serenity.  Some resorts in Pranburi offer a shuttle service for their customers who want to go to Hua Hin for a night out.  Nowadays, Pranburi is a tourist attraction in its own right.  An interesting attraction near Pranburi is the Pranburi Forest Park, which occupies a large area with a 1–kilometre pine–fringed beach with mangrove nature trails.

Cha–am Beach
Known as a twin city of Hua Hin but more popular among Thai tourists, Cha–am beach is about 28 kilometers north of Hua Hin.  Cha–am is less developed than Hua Hin but it’s picking up its pace to attract more foreign tourists.  It is very quiet and relaxing during the week and gets very busy at weekends.  There are several fun activities on offer such as jet skis, banana boats and bicycle riding, and there are also plenty of seafood restaurants also available here.