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Khao Lak is a popular destination in southern Thailand, and with good reason. It has an abundance of golden sandy beaches with un-obstructed views across the Andaman Sea. Located just north of Phuket in the province of Phang Nga, it is surrounded by lush jungle forests and national parks.Â
There is a range of activities and attractions available in Khao Lak, so whether you are visiting Khao Lak as a family, splashing out on a romantic adults-only getaway or travelling around Thailand, there is something for you!
Table of Contents
Unmissable things to do in Khao Kak, Thailand - A complete guide
Visit the beaches
Khao Lak has an abundance of golden sandy beaches for you to choose from, so if you enjoy long, lazy days at the beach, you’re in luck!
Pak Weep Beach
This beach is lined with Pine trees, so it is the perfect beach to visit if you are searching for a shady spot. You can get a beachfront massage, or enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants here.
Coconut Beach
The calm waters here are perfect for swimming, however the tide can get quite low, so time your visit to the tide if you want to actually swim. There are a handful of small cafes and restaurants here if you get hungry.
Pakarang Beach
Also known as Coral Beach, sadly due to the damaged coral that washed up on the shore. This long, sandy beach boasts Several restaurants along Pakarang Beach road.
Bang Niang/ Khao Lak / Nang Thong Beach
In the centre of Khao Lak these three beaches all join together to create one long beach running the length of the coast of central Khao Lak. Because of this, it is a popular spot for walking as it is easily accessible and links several of the larger resorts along the beachfront from bang Niang, all the way to the lighthouse in Nang Thong.
Khuk Khuk Beach
Stretching out for 5 km between Bang Niang Beach in the south and Pakarang Beach in the north, Khuk Khuk beach is a bit tricker to get to compared to other beaches nearby, however this means that it is more secluded and quieter.
Small Sandy Beach
Located in the Lam Ru National park, this is a lovely, natural beach and the perfect place to cool off after walking through the park. There is a small beach shack serving snacks and drinks and several shady areas to cool off.
Go Shopping at Bang Niang market
I absolutely love a street market, and the markets in Thailand are a great place to grab some bargains or local crafts. After visiting my fair share of markets all over Thailand (see this blog for some of my favourite street markets in Thailand), I can honestly say that Bang Niang market in Khao Lak is one of the best for shopping (in my opinion).Â
There is quite a wide variety of shops here, including clothes for men, women and children, bags and good quality shoes and trainers. Plus, there is a good amount of local crafts and homeware. I got some gorgeous wooden vases and a fruit bowl from here.Â
Bang Niang market is open every other day: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 10am – 11pm. The market is quieter in the day, but comes to life in the evening, when most of the street food stalls and small bars open.
Visit Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is located at the southern end of Khao Lak, spreading across Phang Nga province. The small national park comprises thick evergreen forests, waterfalls and about 2km of coastline.
The most visited and accessible area of the national park is around the coastline, as the main entrance is only a 12 minute drive from Bang Niang beach, entry is 100 thb for adults and 50thb for children. Keep hold of your ticket as it will also get you entry to the waterfalls that are within the national park – though you will have to drive to them.Â
At the visitor centre at the main entrance there are toilets, a small cafe and a small parking lot here for scooters. The most popular thing to do is to take the 1km long nature trail through the forest from the main entrance to ‘small sandy beach’. The trail is mostly on decent paths, but trainers are advised and watch out for the monitor lizards – we came across a huge lizard blocking our path and had to wait until they moved to continue along the trail!Â
When you get to small sandy beach, stay here and enjoy a swim in the sea, or relax on the beach. There is a small wooden hut serving a selection of Thai dishes and smoothies. To get back to the main entrance, you can either re-trace your steps though the forest, or walk along the pavement on the highway.
Visit the Waterfalls
Due to the hilly and forested landscape in and around Khao Lak, there are numerous waterfalls which you can visit. Several of the waterfalls are within the boundary of the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, so if you buy a ticket to the national park, keep hold of it as you can get entry into all attractions as long as you visit on the same day.Â
The most popular waterfall to visit from Khao Lak is Ton Chong Fa waterfall. It is only a 12 minute drive from the National park visitor centre and 20 minutes from Bang Niang. The biggest waterfall in the park is Lam Ru waterfall, which is located at the opposite side of the park, some 45km from the visitor centre.Â
If you have your own vehicle, you can spend the day driving around the national park and visiting the various waterfalls. Just note that the water flow may be very small in the peak dry season. It is best to visit just after the rainy season in October/November.
Go Bamboo Rafting
There are several operators that offer bamboo rafting in Khao Lak, all of which are located in roughly the same area, about 20-30 minutes drive out of the centre of Khao Lak. If you have your own vehicle, or are happy to take a taxi, you can visit places like Komol‘s Corner Bamboo Rafting or Andaman Discovery and book your own bamboo rafting experience on arrival. Following your bamboo raft experience, head to Khaolake Waterside, where you can chill by the water, or take part in more activities such as tubing, ATV or zip lining.
There are also tours that you can take that combine rafting with a visit to the Sea Turtle conservation centre, like this 3 hour Sea turtle and rafting tour.
Have an ATV Adventure!
The jungles around Khao Lak make the perfect terrain for a thrilling off-road ATV adventure! There are a few different options available, which combine the ATV experience with another activity such as this half day ATV ride and Lampi Waterfall tour. Or, if you want to relax after your ATV adventure, this tour combines ATV with an afternoon relaxing at Khao Lak Waterside: ATV + Waterside combo.
Visit the Little Amazon Takuapa
The Little Amazon is a short stretch of canal that flows into the Takua Pa River. The small forest area around the canal is home to a bio-diverse range of plants and wildlife, hence the name ‘Little Amazon’. The best way to experience this area is by a guided canoe tour. This full day tour includes canoeing at Little Amazon with a stroll through the local Takua Pa market and ending with a short jungle walk to Sai Roong Waterfall, where you can cool off in the water. Book this Little Amazon full day tour, here.
Watch a Muay Thai match
If you have been to Thailand before, you’ll know that Muay Thai is a big deal. In Khao Lak, there are two stadiums, off the main road: Khao Lak Boxing stadium and Beyond Boxing stadium, which is located in a new development, next to the Land Mark night market. Fights are held regularly throughout the week and you can buy tickets via their websites, or from promoters around Khao Lak.
Visit Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary (KES)
The elephants at Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary (KES) have all been rescued from the logging industry or tourism related activities. KES offers observation only experiences, which means that there is no feeding, bathing and definitely no riding the elephants. They offer a range of programs, from short observation-only experiences, to combined adventure experiences, where you can combine observing elephants with another activity such as river tubing or ATV. They even offer an overnight program where you will stay with a local hill tribe.Â
To ensure the experience is genuine, I would recommend booking directly with the KES website.
Watch a show at Moo Moo Cabaret
If you are looking for something different to do at night in Khao Lak, head to Moo Moo Cabaret. The drag cabaret show runs 4 nights each week in the high season, on ​Monday​, Wednesday,​ Thursday​ and​ Saturday​, with the show starting at 8.45pm. Tickets can be brought on the door and includes a drink.
Take the family to Sky Rock Jungle Adventure
If you are visiting Khao Lak as a family, then Sky Rock jungle adventure is a great place to entertain the kids (also suitable for us ‘big kids’, too!). Located in the south of Khao lak, near Lam-Ru National Park, the jungle adventure centre has a series of high ropes and zip lining courses.
Day trips from Khao Lak
If you are using Khao Lak as a base for your trip to Thailand, you can easily explore the surrounding areas on a day trip. There are several great options to choose from, so much that I have written a separate blog post just on day trips from Khao Lak! You can read my full post here covering some truly amazing day trips from Khao Lak.Â
But in summary, here are some great day trip options from Khao Lak:
Similan Islands – A full day boat trip to the Similan islands includes a hike up to Sail Rock Viewpoint, snorkel stops and time enjoying the beautiful beaches – Book your trip to the Similan Islands, here
Surin islands – another popular boat trip from Khao Lak. Enjoy a full day swimming, snorkelling and enjoying the beaches, as well as visiting the Sea Gypsy village. Book a full day snorkelling trip to the Surin Islands, here.Â
Phang Nga National Park – A trip to the Phang Nga National Marine Park involves a day sailing around the beautiful Phang Nga Bay, marvelling at the turquoise-blue water, striking limestone karsts and kayaking through mangroves. This was definitely one of my favourite places for a daytrip in Thailand. Book a day trip to Phang nga Bay here.Â
Khao Sok National Park – Absolutely one of my favourite places I visited during my trip to Thailand. From Khao Lak you can take a trip to Cheow Lan Lake, or explore the rest of the National Park, with a Bamboo raft tour.
Read my full blog on how to spend 3 days in Khao Sok National park.Â
Phi Phi Islands – Located a little further away from Khao Lak than some of the other options above, a day trip around the Phi Phi Islands includes a visit to the famous Maya Bay, snorkelling in Phi Phi Le and relaxing on the beach at Bamboo island. Book your Phi Phi Island trip here.
If you are considering visiting the Phi Phi Islands for longer, check out my full Phi Phi Island travel guide
Where to stay in Khao Lak
Khao Lak is bigger than most people think, as it stretches up the coastline. There are several areas within Khao Lak to choose from, depending on your budget and the kind of experience you are after. Below is an overview of the main areas in Khao Lak, however I have written a separate blog about the best areas to stay in Khao Lak, which has much more detail, so make sure you check that out, here.
Bang Niang / Khao Lak Beach
This area is considered the main tourist hub of Khao Lak, with lots of restaurants, bars, cafes, massage salons and shops, plus the lively and popular Bang Niang market. If you like to be close to facilities and have lots to do throughout the day and into the evening, this is the best area for you. There is a wide range of accommodation here from the budget options like Thai Life Guesthouse, through to mid-range options like the quiet, beachfront Sudala Beach Resort as well as some high end luxury resorts like La Vela Khao Lak.
Nang Thong Beach
The second busiest area of Khao Lak, with a range of tourist facilities. This area is much quieter than Bang Niang, especially closer to the beachfront. This is a good option if you want to be a short taxi ride away from the hustle and bustle of Bang Niang market but a quieter area overall.
Budget accommodation is closer to the main road here, like Chu’s Boutique Hotel. Mid range options include family friendly options, like The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani. There are many high end resorts in this area, perfect for couples, such as Khaolak Paradise Resort or Khaolak Bhandari Resort & Spa.
Phet Kasem Road
This is the main road that runs through Khao Lak, and whilst not a dedicated ‘area’ as such, I have included it as a separately as the accommodation along all stretches of this road are further away from the beach. This is where you will find most of the more budget-friendly options, such as DKaYa Hostel and Hotel Gahn. However, you can find some secluded hidden gems in the hillside, here, such as Khaolak Blue Sky Villa and The1 Mangosteen Harmony Retreat.
Khao Lak Village / Khuk Khak Beach
Khao Lak Village is a small area, just north of Bang Niang. There are a couple of local restaurants and cafes and local shops but overall, the vibe here is more relaxed and tranquil. There are fewer budget accommodation options, however you can find some, like the RELAX ECO Life Center and The Oasis Khaolak Resort. But this area is mostly home to larger, more luxury self contained resorts like Khaolak Blue Lagoon Resort, The Haven Khao Lak and JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort.
Pak Weep / Bang Sak Beach
Travelling even further north, the accommodation around Pak Weep and Bang Sak beaches is even quieter and more secluded. Here you will mostly find higher end accommodation, and larger resorts, like the Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak, ananea Beyond Khaolak and Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort. Come to this area if you want total peace, a bit of luxury, and don’t mind being away from the action.
How to get to Khao Lak?
Khao lak is about 1 hour 20 minutes by car from Phuket international airport. You can also travel by bus or shared minivan from Phuket airport.Â
If you have been travelling elsewhere in Thailand, you’ll be pleased to know that Khao Lak is quite well connected with other popular surrounding towns and cities, such as Phuket, Krabi, Khao Sok and Surat Thani.Â
The best way to travel from or to any of these destinations is to hire a private taxi transfer, or travel by shared minivan. Many of the shared minivans will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation, as long as it is within a certain radius. You can book your shared minivan in advance, here.Â
If you are travelling on a budget, or coming from Phuket Town, you can travel by coach. The cost of this is about â…“ the price of the shared minivan, but you do need to depart from one of the main bus terminals. You can book your coach travel here.
Getting around Khao Lak
There are so many great things to see in Khao Lak. If you are planning to stay in Khao Lak for a while, you might want to have your own transport to give you the freedom of travelling around by yourself. If you are comfortable riding a scooter, there are many places to hire one – just be mindful that the roads are pretty busy in Khao Lak. So, if you are not experienced or confident riding a scooter, I would avoid it on these roads, it just is not worth the risk.
Many people choose to hire a car to get around Khao Lak, which might be more comfortable, especially if you are travelling with children. Note that if you decide to hire your own scooter or car, you will need an International Drivers Permit.Â
There are also plenty of taxis available. For short distances, the taxis use a flat rate, the prices of these are on large boards near the beach and also in the centre of town, and unlike in Phuket, these seem to be up to date and regularly used by all taxi drivers and tour desks. If you want to hire a private taxi for the day, you can do so at one of the tour companies.
What is the best time of year to visit Khao Lak?
The best time of year to visit Khao lak is the same as most areas of Southern Thailand. Between the end of November and March has the best weather – it is warm and dry and you can enjoy days at the beach. December and January are the peak months, so prices of accommodation can be higher during this time.
How many days do you need in Khao Lak?
We stayed for 5 nights in Khao Lak and felt that was a good amount of time. However, we did not do all the activities and day trips that are on offer in Khao Lak. There is so much to do here, that you could easily stay here for a two week holiday and not be bored if you booked onto lots of day trips and explored beyond the town.Â
I would say no fewer than 4 nights, so that you have a good 3 days to explore and enjoy.
