Discovery Travel - Khao Lak

CLICK HERE to check out our interactive Khao Lak area map.

These days Khao Lak is segmented into the original village sections to make Khao Lak easier to navigate, namely Khao Lak Beach (sometimes referred to as Merlin Beach), Nang Thong Beach, La Own Beach, Bang Niang Beach, Khuk Khak Beach, Pakweep Beach, Leam Pakarang and Bangsak Beach.

It is possible to walk the full length of the town and further along the beach, although some areas are blocked at high tide when the sea reaches the sea walls infront of certain hotels.

The Khao Lak beaches are mostly perfectly safe for swimming. In most areas the water is shallow and the bottom is sandy. The majority of larger hotels also usually have lifeguards on duty, and red/green flags to help people keep safe in the sea.

In the monsoon seasons (May-Oct) however the sea can become very rough and the waves very large. It is not usually recommended to swim in the sea during these stormy times. It is always best to check for green flags before entering the water.

Unfortunately, there is no Khao Lak airport, however both Phuket airport and Krabi airport are relatively close. The easiest way to get to Khao Lak is to fly into Phuket airport and get a taxi from to your hotel. The drive takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Phuket airport to Khao Lak.

Khao Lak town is conveniently located on the main road. So busses from Ranong, Surat Thani and Bangkok drive through the town on their way Phuket. The closest major bus station is in Takuapa, about 30 minutes north of Khao Lak. There is also a small bus office near Khuk Khak morning market.

Most busses will also stop for you if you wave at them as they go past. Most public busses in this area are painted orange, blue or sometimes pink (depending on their route). 

Local bus stations can usually give you an approximate idea of when to expect the bus, but communication can sometimes be tricky. One solution is to ask someone who speaks English and Thai to help call and translate for you. Time tables published online may not always be accurate. 

For longer distance bus trips, such as trips to Bangkok, it is best to book a ticket from the local bus station. 

Taking the bus is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your travels, save costs, meet local people and admire the scenery. However, it is worth noting that the busses don’t run to a strict schedule. So if you need to be somewhere at a certain time (to catch a flight for example), it is best to take a taxi. CLICK HERE to book your taxi now!

Khao Lak has a whole range of hotels and resorts to suit all budgets and tastes. There are luxurious 5-star Khao Lak beach resorts and cheap and cheerful budget rooms and villas. It is easy to find a hotel in Khao Lak to suit everyone.

Click Here to view Khao Lak hotels on KAYAK. Or find great deals on Khao Lak with Agoda.

Khao Lak is generally warm all year round (average 28-30°C) with 2 distinct seasons. The dry season and the monsoon season. The Dry season is usually between November and April. This is usually the best time to visit as the weather is a bit more predictable.

May to October is a bit more difficult to predict. This is the monsoon season so expect rain. At this time of year, the weather can change in without warning. It can go from hot and sunny to howling wind and pouring rain in a matter of seconds. So, it’s best to be prepared. Luckily enough there is still plenty to do in Khao Lak when it rains, you just might get wet!

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Click Here to check out all of our Khao Lak excursions and tours.

Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park – the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park head quarters is located in the mountain road and is usually one of the first sights people see as they arrive in Khao Lak for the first time. The most popular places to visit in the park are the Small Sandy Beach close to the park headquarters and the Ton Chong Fah Waterfall located about 12km inland from the national park visitor center.

Mu Ko Similan National Park – The Similan national park consists of 11 islands all arranged in an almost straight line just over 30 miles west of the Khao Lak coastline. These islands have become a Mecca for snorkelers and divers since the park opened in the late 1980s. One of the most famous views of the park is the amazing granite rock formations overlooking the pure white sandy beach and crystal-clear waters of “Donald Duck Bay” on the largest island (Isl.8, Koh Similan).

Mu Ko Surin National Park – The Surin national park is located to the north of the Similan islands and has become world famous for having some of the best snorkel and dive sites in Thailand. The Surin islands are also home to a tribe of Moken sea gypsies who are believed to have lived and survived in the Andaman Sea for over 4,000 years.

Khao Sok National Park – Khao Sok national park is the most popular national park in Thailand. Khao Sok is home to a rich and healthy natural rain forest which is claimed to be one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world. One of the major attractions of the Khao Sok national park is the Cheow Lan Lake where it is possible to stay overnight in floating resorts.

Khao Lak is nowhere near as lively as places like Patong or Patttaya, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good night out. Most of the bars in Khao Lak are friendly and easy-going beer bars where you can sit and enjoy a drink with family and friends while you watch the world go by. There are however a few more lively places for those who want a bit more of an energetic atmosphere;

Geko Bar – located in the street just behind Bang Niang night market, it is easy to walk straight past Geko Bar in the early evenings without even seeing it. This bar often gets busier later on and is popular with dive crews and young seasonal workers from Europe. Geko has a very chilled vibe with bar games such as pool and table football available for customers.

Thai Bar – This is one of the original bars in Khao Lak. Thai Bar has now moved from it’s original beachfront location to directly opposite Bang Niang Market. Each night the owner and his friends get out their guitars and enjoy the evening with a few drinks and a selection of Thai and Western hits through the ages. 

Moo Moo Cabaret – A great fun start to the night. Located almost next door to Degree opposite the Khao Lak Tsunami Memorial Park, Moo Moo’s is the first and only cabaret show in Khao Lak. Thailand has become well known for it’s ladyboy population and the Moo Moo show is a hugely fun and spectacular show with outrageous costumes, and dance routines that would put Las Vegas to shame.

Monkey Bar – Monkey is another great bar for live music. The house band plays a range of western music, usually classic rock with a few modern hits thrown in for good measure. Monkey Bar is located just down the road from the Happy Snapper on the Nang Thong main road.

Build Factory – This is Khao Lak’s only large night club. Outside there are tables and chairs for those who wish to drink and in relative quiet or strike up a chat with the brewery’s PR girls who float around ensuring peoples glasses don’t stay empty.  Don’t go thinking this is a typical sleazy girly bar however, their job is to keep people drinking. Once inside the resident band and DJ alternate throughout the night to keep the patrons up and dancing.

Khao Lak is a great centeral location for all kinds of excursions and onward destinations. Some of the best Khao Lak tours are just a short drive from most hotels in Khao Lak. 

Surfing in Khao Lak is also becoming very popular now, and is fast becoming known as Khao Lak Surf Town. The Memories Beach Bar is becoming one of the coolest places in Thailand, and is the best place for surf lessons in Khao Lak.

In the town there is a wide selection of restaurants in Khao Lak. There is something for everyone. A few of the Khao Lak restaurants will even offer a hands on Thai cooking class.

There are also many fully licenced and professional spa and massage shops in the main town, offering a range of health and beauty treatments. Including Aloe Vera massage for those who send to long in the sun!