Phuket's southern tip: lighthouse, elephant shrine and the classic sunset
Photo: Anton Gerasimov · Unsplash License · source
Why go
Promthep Cape sits at the far south of the island, about two kilometres beyond Rawai Beach, where the land ends in a headland of rock and grass. Thai families and visitors gather here in the evening, and the viewpoint is widely regarded as Phuket's best-known place for sunset. In front of you lies open sea, with small islands such as Koh Kaeo off the cape, and to one side the curve of Nai Harn Beach.
The cape is also a place of local worship. Beside the Kanchanaphisek Lighthouse, built in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of King Rama IX's accession, stands a shrine to Phra Phrom, the four-faced Brahma, surrounded by hundreds of small elephant statues left by people whose wishes came true. Entry to the viewpoint is free, so the only cost is your time: arrive early and stay for the colours.
Gallery
Photo: Anton Gerasimov · Unsplash License · source
Photo: Ahoerstemeier · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Photo: Jeanvenotella · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Photo: edwin.11 · CC BY 2.0 · source
Highlights
The main viewpoint at the end of the car park looks straight out over the Andaman Sea, with Koh Kaeo in front of the cape and the long sweep of Nai Harn Beach to the right. Local guides advise arriving 30 to 60 minutes before sunset to find parking and a good place at the railing.
The lighthouse was built in 1996 by the Royal Thai Navy with local residents to mark the 50th anniversary of King Rama IX's accession. Its white light flashes every nine seconds. Inside there is a small exhibition on navigation and on how sunrise and sunset times are calculated, and a board shows each day's times.
Next to the lighthouse stands a shrine to Phra Phrom, the four-faced Brahma, ringed by hundreds of elephant statues. People leave garlands, incense and candles, and some come back with an elephant if a wish was granted. It is a living place of worship, so keep your voice low and give worshippers room.
A short natural path leads down towards the rocky end of the cape. It is uneven and slopes, easy on the way down and tiring on the way back, and it is best avoided in darkness or after rain. Wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops, and keep well back from the edge.
Practical information
An open-air viewpoint, busiest in the hour before sunset.
Free, with a car park beside the viewpoint.
Checked in November 2026. Hours and fees can change: check on the day before you go.
Getting there
About 18 km from Phuket Town by car or taxi, roughly 35 to 40 minutes: via Chalong Circle, then Route 4024 towards Rawai and Route 4233 for the last stretch.
About 20 km, roughly 45 minutes by car or taxi, depending on traffic on the hill roads.
About 46 km, roughly 1 hour by car or taxi.
There is a car park next to the viewpoint, described as free. It fills up in the hour before sunset, so come early or expect to park along the access road.
Insider tips
Sunset falls roughly between 6:00 and 6:30 pm depending on the season. The lighthouse board shows the exact time each day. Arriving early gives you parking, a place at the railing and time to see the shrine in daylight.
The path down to the tip is natural, uneven and slippery after rain. Shoes with grip matter more than anything else you bring. Skip the lower path in the dark or in wet weather.
A few small restaurants and cafés stand near the car park, with prices above the rest of the island. Rawai Beach, a few minutes away, is known for its seafood restaurants, and Nai Harn Beach is close if you want a swim earlier in the day.
Windmill Viewpoint, Ya Nui Beach and Nai Harn Beach are all within a few minutes' drive. A good half-day loop is Karon Viewpoint in the afternoon, then Promthep Cape for sunset.
Nearby
From the Phuket City Guide, each with its own Holiplanet page. Straight-line distances.
Hotel · 0.9 km
Serviced apartments in two-storey bungalows around a salt-water pool near Ya Nui Beach
View hotel →Hotel · 1.9 km
Hillside resort above Nai Harn Beach looking towards Promthep Cape
View hotel →Hotel · 5.1 km
Beachfront resort along an 850-metre stretch of Kata Noi Bay
View hotel →All hotels on the Phuket map → All things to do on the map →
Questions
Yes. Entry to the viewpoint is free, and so is the car park. Small cafes and souvenir stalls nearby charge for food and drink, so bring a little cash.
Sunset falls roughly between 6:00 and 6:30 pm, varying with the season. A board at the lighthouse shows the day's sunrise and sunset times. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes earlier to find parking and a good position.
It is the southernmost point of Phuket Island, in Rawai, about two kilometres beyond Rawai Beach. It is roughly 18 km from Phuket Town, 20 km from Patong and 46 km from Phuket International Airport.
It is a shrine to Phra Phrom, the four-faced Brahma, next to the lighthouse. Hundreds of elephant statues surround it, left by people whose wishes were granted. Visitors leave garlands, incense and candles, so please behave respectfully.
Not at the cape itself. A small beach below is reached by a steep, rope-assisted path and swimming there is not possible. The nearby Nai Harn Beach and Ya Nui Beach are a few minutes away and are the usual places to swim.
