Khao Lak is a calm and relaxed destination with many beautiful beaches, both long wide, and small narrow ones. Many of the beaches found here have round rocks and cliffs placed in the sand and in the water making the scenery extremely beautiful and it is easy to just fall in love right away.
The rocks also make these parts a good place for children and adults to practice snorkeling from the beach. It is easy to find a favorite here without having to share it with too many other people. To drive here from Phuket airport takes just about one hour and the distance is around 70 km (45 miles).
Khao Lak is covering a long section of the coastline with green vegetation alongside the yellow-colored beaches is truly magnificent. Other sections of Khao Lak have a long smooth beach line with almost no people around.
Do not expect any major nightlife here, the areas around Khao Lak are not any party places but the perfect location for families or for anyone who feels the need to spend time in a calm environment and also maybe to go enjoy a waterfall or why not the stunning Similan Islands.
Transports
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In Khao Lak, you will be able to get around mainly on Songtaews which is an easy way to get oneself transport. You will see the Songtaews cruising around the areas and also wait for people along the side of the road.
Remember to always have the price set for your transport before you take off, this is only to prevent you from getting a price you did not expect. Normally it is cheapest to use a taximeter if possible.
You can also rent a car or a motorbike to explore the areas by yourself. Remember that the traffic is probably not what you are used to and accidents are common.
Seasons
Weather Stats
Khao Lak-Best season to visit Khao Lak if you want sunny weather is between December and April. These months are considered as dry season and the temperature is normally just above 30 degrees. In Mars and April, the temperature rises and can go up to about 40 degrees, and with high humidity, this is very hot.
The ocean temperature is also about 30 degrees all year round but with some variations depending on season and winds. During this high season, it is most often a green flag at the beach and you can swim without any danger.
Nowadays many traveling companies offering travels to the south-west coast of Thailand during the summer months but Khao Lak is a place that will somewhat turn into a ghost area in the low season. The weather is sometimes very good but sometimes it will be very rainy during this season.
Since this varies from year to year it is impossible to say when it rains and when it does not. The months with most rain are May and October to November. Even in between it might rain for one week, a day or one hour now and then or it can be almost blue sky every day for a long period.
During the summer months, you have to have in mind that big waves are very common, and rip currents can at times be extremely dangerous. Never go swimming if you see a red flag. If you would be caught in a rip current never swim straight to the beach but angle the current is the safest way to get out of it.
Khao Lak Beaches
Bang Sak – This beach is located almost 15 km (10 miles) north of the central area of Khao Lak and is set in the Bang Muang district. The beach is about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long and very empty. A few resorts are located along the beach and also you will find some local seafood restaurants that are very popular among the locals Thais.
Pak Weep (Laem Pakarang) – This is a beautiful beach that is about 2 km (2.25 miles). Here you find the great hotel Meridien. The surroundings are very natural and the water is shallow. Walking further south you will find Leam Pakarang, meaning “Coral Cape”. As the name already revealed it is a cape with lots of corals being washed up from the ocean. The beach is very nice and behind the beach are big palm tree plantations.
Khuk Khak – This beach is set just south of the flat Coral Cape that reaches far out in the water. The beach is 4 km (2.5 miles) long and you also have a very small village here with the same name as the beach. The distance to central Khao Lak is about 6 km (4 miles)
Bang Niang – This beach is almost 4 km (2.5 miles) long. This beach is set just north of the more central beaches. Even if this beach is popular and you will find a lot of different hotels here parts of the beach are very empty. A few hundred meters (some 1000 feet) away there are some stores and restaurants and even some shopping.
Nang Thong – This is the most central beach in Khao Lak. The beach is 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long and is divided into many smaller beaches by beautiful rocks and cliffs. This makes the beach a snorkeling paradise. A few hundred meters (some 1000 feet) away from the beach you find the main road where you also will find all kinds of shopping and a wide range of restaurants.
Even though this is the central part of Khao Lak it still gives you a feeling of relaxation but in a modern environment. The road here is big and it is the main road, Nr 4, which is the connection between Phuket in the south and the provinces in the north.
Sunset Beach – This beach is set almost 1.5 km (1mile) south of the central Khao Lak. The small beach is only 250 meters (800 feet) long and embedded by cliffs and the mountains and like most parts of Khao Lak, nature grows all the way onto the beach. This beach is part of the Lam Ru National Park.
Khao Lak – This beach is set about 7 km (4.5 miles) drive south from Khao Lak center and is almost 1.5 km (1 mile) long and is set in the Khlong Rian Bay.
Popular Trips and Attractions
Similan Islands – This National Park consists of nine islands with perfect beaches and fantastic water. The islands are closed from 15 May until 1 November every year because of the big waves and strong winds that are common during the periods. There are no resorts available here but on the biggest island, you can rent a small bungalow or a tent at the beach.
Similan Islands are located about 65 km (40 miles) west of Khao Lak and trips are offered at most beaches. The islands housing many rare species of marine animals and this spot is one of the best diving spots in the world. You might very well see big turtles, stingrays, and many other extraordinary animals.
The water surrounding the islands is crystal clear and there are lots of reefs and rocks under the surface which is perfect for many of the marine animals.
Lam Ru National Park – Go swimming in any of the natural pools below a waterfall close by Khao Lak or go deeper into the park and explore the wildlife. This National Park became the 66th Nation Park on 30 August 1991 and covers 125 sq km (48 sq miles) and reaches more than 35 km (22 miles) from the shore.
The highest mountain peak in the park is as tall as 1077 meters (3533 feet) and the location of the peak is about 30 km (18 miles) west of Khao Lak. This park has a great variety of terrain offering cliffs and beaches by the ocean as well as huge forests and tall mountains. The wildlife is as you can imagine enormous and one of the bigger mammals found here is the Malayan Tapir.
Thanks for checking out our Khao Lak Travel Guide! If you’d like to read more about another Thai Island, check out our Koh Chang Guide here.
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