Khao Lak Guide
Top
Stay first. Then what to do.
Most first-timers do best in Khao Lak town (Nang Thong) or Bang Niang, with restaurants close by. Families love the big resorts of Khuk Khak and Bang Sak. Want sunsets and romance? Try Sunset Beach or Pakarang. Want peace? Head to Lam Kaen or Bang Sak. Tap an area, or if you're not sure, use the quick picker below.
Two quick taps and we’ll match you to the right part of Khao Lak.
A simple solo plan for Khao Lak: stay in Khao Lak town or Bang Niang for restaurants and a friendly feel, head to Lam Kaen or Bang Sak for quiet, and join a Similan Islands trip to meet people.
The easiest landing spot, with the most restaurants, bars, ATMs and massage shops on the main road, and Nang Thong Beach just behind.
Bang Niang Market, small friendly bars and lots of easy restaurants make it the most sociable part of Khao Lak.
Long, quiet beaches with very few people. Great for reading, swimming and switching off.
Group speedboat and big-boat trips to the Similan Islands run every day in season. A fun, easy way to meet other travellers.
The main road runs behind every beach. Local taxis wait at stands along the road, and scooters are easy to rent if you are an experienced rider.
Khao Lak town and Bang Niang have the best choice of small guesthouses and good-value resorts with pools.
Khao Lak is about an hour north of Phuket Airport, so it fits well before or after Phuket. Khao Sok National Park and Krabi are easy to reach by road.
Which beach suits you? Khao Lak is a string of long, sandy beaches on the mainland of Phang Nga province, facing west over the Andaman Sea, about an hour north of Phuket. Here is how they compare, from south to north.
A long, peaceful beach with casuarina trees and only a few resorts.
A small, sheltered bay at the foot of the headland, just south of town.
A long sandy beach right behind Khao Lak town, with everything close.
A wide, sandy beach with good resorts, restaurants and Bang Niang Market behind.
A very long, wide beach with a calm lagoon behind and some of the best resorts.
A cape with coral flats at low tide, quiet beaches and famous sunsets.
A long, quiet beach with smart resorts and simple seafood restaurants on the sand.
Phuket has big, busy beaches and nightlife about an hour south, and Krabi has limestone cliffs and island-hopping about three hours away.
Lam Kaen is the quiet southern end of Khao Lak, below the green headland of Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park. It has a long, gently curving beach backed by casuarina trees, a handful of good resorts and a small strip of restaurants along the main road. It is the closest part of Khao Lak to Phuket Airport, and Thap Lamu pier, where most Similan Islands speedboats leave from, is only about 10 minutes away. Khao Lak town is a short taxi ride north.
A long, peaceful beach with soft sand, shady casuarina trees and very few people, even in high season.
A friendly, family-run Thai restaurant on the Lam Kaen strip, loved for its curries, fresh fish and fair prices.
A relaxed beach restaurant right on the sand at Lam Kaen, with Thai dishes, seafood and sunset views.
The main pier for Similan Islands speedboats and dive boats, about 10 minutes south of Lam Kaen.
A small turtle nursery run by the Royal Thai Navy near Thap Lamu, where young sea turtles are raised before being released.
Sunset Beach is a small, sheltered bay at the foot of the Khao Lak headland, just south of Khao Lak town. As the name says, it is one of the best places on the coast to watch the sun go down. A few mid-size resorts sit right behind the sand, the national park visitor centre and the trail to Small Sandy Beach are a short walk away, and the restaurants of Khao Lak town are about 10–20 minutes on foot.
A small, sheltered bay with soft sand and a few big boulders at the south end — one of the best sunset spots in Khao Lak.
The visitor centre sits on the headland between Sunset Beach and Lam Kaen, with forest trails, sea views and a small café. The fee is about 100 baht for foreign adults.
A tiny, hidden cove reached by an easy forest trail of about 1 km from the park visitor centre.
A small Italian restaurant and wine bar near Sunset Beach, with home-made pasta and a good wine list.
A long-running, busy Thai restaurant on the main road at the south end of Khao Lak town, with a big menu and fair prices.
Khao Lak town, also called Bang La On, is the busiest part of Khao Lak, and Nang Thong is the beach right behind it. The main road is lined with restaurants, bars, massage shops, 7-Elevens, tailors and tour desks, so everything is within walking distance. The beach itself is long and sandy, with resorts set back in gardens behind it. It is the easiest base for a first visit, and it is still calm compared with Phuket.
A long, sandy beach right behind Khao Lak town, with calm water in the dry season and resorts tucked into the gardens behind.
One of the best-rated restaurants in Khao Lak, serving generous Turkish grills, mezze and fresh bread just off the main road.
A well-loved Thai and seafood restaurant in the heart of town, with friendly service and fair prices.
A long-running bar on the main road with live rock bands most nights and an easy-going crowd.
A friendly, highly rated Thai boxing gym on the edge of town, with beginner classes most days.
Bang Niang is a lively little village just north of Khao Lak town, and many visitors think it has the best balance in Khao Lak. Behind the long, sandy beach there are good resorts, and on the main road there are dozens of easy restaurants, bars and massage shops. Bang Niang Market sets up four times a week, and the Police Boat T.813 Tsunami Memorial and the Thailand Tsunami Museum are here, both worth a quiet visit.
A long, wide beach with soft sand and calm water in the dry season, backed by resorts and shady trees.
Khao Lak’s best-known market, with street food, fruit shakes, clothes and souvenirs. It runs on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from about 2 pm to 10 pm.
A police patrol boat carried about 2 km inland by the 2004 tsunami, now a quiet memorial park opposite Bang Niang Market.
A popular Thai restaurant in Bang Niang village, known for tasty curries, fresh seafood and friendly service.
A small, friendly bar near the market, with a relaxed crowd and good mojitos.
Khuk Khak is a long, wide and quiet beach north of Bang Niang, and home to some of Khao Lak’s best big resorts, including the JW Marriott and Devasom. Behind much of the beach is a calm lagoon, so the resorts feel peaceful and spread out. There are a few relaxed beach restaurants on the sand, but not much else, so it suits people who want a proper resort holiday with easy trips into Bang Niang.
A very long, wide beach with soft sand and plenty of space, even in high season.
A much-loved family restaurant that also runs friendly Thai cooking classes. You cook, then eat what you made.
A relaxed beach restaurant on the sand at the JW Marriott, with grills, cocktails and sunset views. Open to non-guests.
A smart Thai restaurant and wine bar near the beach, great for a special dinner.
A simple, friendly Thai restaurant close to the beach, popular for good food at fair prices.
Pakarang Cape pokes out into the sea north of Khuk Khak, and the beaches around it — Coconut Beach to the south and Pak Weep to the north — are some of the most peaceful in Khao Lak. At low tide the cape turns into a field of old coral, and in the evening it is one of the best sunset spots on the coast, with Memories Beach Bar right on the sand. The area has a mix of luxury and boutique resorts, including The Sarojin.
A long cape where the sea pulls back at low tide to show old coral and rock pools. One of the best sunset spots in Khao Lak.
A laid-back beach bar on the sand near the cape, famous for its sunset views, bean bags and cold drinks.
A quiet, palm-lined beach just south of the cape, with a couple of small beach restaurants.
A small, friendly seafood restaurant near the cape, with fresh fish, prawns and Thai classics.
A popular, family-friendly Thai restaurant on the road to Coconut Beach, with a big menu and fair prices.
Bang Sak is the northern end of Khao Lak, with a very long, quiet beach backed by casuarina trees. The southern part has smart resorts such as Avani+ and Outrigger, and further north, simple Thai seafood restaurants sit right on the sand, popular with local families at weekends. It feels relaxed and much more local than the rest of Khao Lak, and the Baan Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park is a short drive north.
A very long, quiet beach lined with casuarina trees, with space to spread out and gentle sunsets.
A busy, friendly Thai restaurant near the Bang Sak resorts, with fresh seafood and big portions.
A simple restaurant on the sand at the north end of Bang Sak, with fresh seafood and sunset views.
A relaxed beachside restaurant with Thai and Western dishes, popular for long lunches.
A peaceful memorial park by the sea in Ban Nam Khem, about 15 minutes north of Bang Sak, remembering the victims of the 2004 tsunami.
Khao Lak is one of the best places in Thailand for a family beach holiday. The beaches are long and uncrowded, many resorts have huge pools and kids’ clubs, and it is much calmer than Phuket. Bang Niang has easy restaurants and the market, Khuk Khak has big beachfront resorts, and Bang Sak is quiet and spacious. Days out include the Similan Islands, waterfalls and the turtle nursery.
Getting there with kids: a private transfer from Phuket Airport takes about 1–1½ hours, depending on your beach. Most resorts can arrange one, with child seats on request.
A wide, sandy beach with calm water in the dry season and plenty of easy restaurants just behind it.
Children love seeing the young sea turtles being raised at this small Royal Thai Navy nursery near Thap Lamu.
Big, stable catamarans and boats visit the Similan Islands in season, with easy snorkelling, white sand and lunch on board.
A pretty, five-tier jungle waterfall with pools for a cool dip, inland from Khao Lak town. Park fee about 100 baht for foreign adults.
Street food, fresh fruit shakes and stalls of toys and clothes. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons.
Pam’s Restaurant & Cooking Class at Khuk Khak runs friendly Thai cooking classes. Older children enjoy making their own lunch.
A very long, wide beach with space for sandcastles and beach walks, in front of some of the best family resorts.
Bean bags on the sand, juices for the kids and one of the best sunsets in Khao Lak at Pakarang.
Genuinely well-rated hotels that suit families.
Pool villas, quiet beaches, the Similan Islands and sunsets over the Andaman Sea — how to plan a romantic trip to Khao Lak.
Walk out over the coral flats as the tide drops, then watch the sun go down from the sand at Memories Beach Bar.
Simple seafood restaurants put tables under the casuarina trees on Bang Sak Beach. Calm, local and lovely at sunset.
Most bigger resorts have couples’ spa rooms, and Bhandari Wellness & Spa in Khao Lak town is one of the best-rated in the area.
Hire a private speedboat for the Similan Islands, so you can leave early and reach the beaches before the group boats.
An easy forest trail from the national park visitor centre leads to a tiny, hidden cove — often almost empty.
Many couples add a few days in cool, green Chiang Mai, with temples, night markets and mountain resorts.
Khao Lak is made for slow days — long beaches, quiet resorts and plenty of spas and massage shops. Here are the best ways to unwind.
One of the best-rated spas in Khao Lak, at Khaolak Bhandari Resort in the middle of town, with Thai massage and herbal treatments.
A peaceful resort spa set in gardens near the beach at Pak Weep, part of The Sarojin.
A small, very well-reviewed massage shop in Bang Niang village, for traditional Thai, oil and foot massages.
From May to October Khao Lak gets heavy showers, and even in the dry season a storm can roll in. Here are a few good indoor ideas for a wet day.
Rain is perfect for a long Thai massage. This friendly shop in Bang Niang is one of the best-rated in the village.
A friendly Thai cooking class in a covered kitchen at Khuk Khak. You shop, chop and cook, then eat what you made.
A small indoor museum in Bang Niang that tells the story of the 2004 tsunami and how to stay safe. Moving and informative.
Out to the Similan and Surin islands, into the rainforest at Khao Sok — or carry on around Thailand. Use 12Go to book your own bus, van or ferry.
The famous national park islands, with giant granite boulders, white sand and some of the clearest water in Thailand. Speedboats leave from Thap Lamu pier, about 1–1¼ hours away.
Remote islands further north, with shallow coral reefs, clear water and a Moken sea-gypsy village. A long but special day.
A simple Phuket, Khao Lak and Khao Sok plan (10 nights):
1. Phuket, 3 nights — beaches, Old Phuket Town and viewpoints.
2. Khao Lak, 5 nights — about 1–1½ hours north by road. Long quiet beaches and a day trip to the Similan Islands.
3. Khao Sok, 2 nights — about 1½–2 hours inland. Rainforest, caves and a night on Cheow Lan Lake.
Then travel back to Phuket Airport (about 2½–3 hours from Khao Sok), or carry on to Krabi or Surat Thani for the Gulf islands.
Ancient rainforest and the emerald Cheow Lan Lake, with limestone cliffs, caves and floating raft houses. About 1½–2 hours by road.
Limestone towers rising out of a calm green bay, sea caves by canoe and the Koh Panyee stilt village. About 1½ hours by road to the pier.
Big beaches, Old Phuket Town, viewpoints and nightlife, about an hour south — easy for a day out or a few nights before you fly.
Limestone cliffs, Railay and island-hopping, about three hours by road. Minivans run every day.
From Phuket Airport you can fly to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and more, often in about an hour or two.
Where to actually eat — fresh seafood, home-style Thai cooking, a busy street-food market and a surprising choice of restaurants in Khao Lak town and Bang Niang.
A well-loved Thai restaurant in Bang Niang village, known for its curries, fresh seafood and friendly service.
One of the highest-rated restaurants in Khao Lak, with big Turkish grills, mezze and warm bread.
A big, busy Thai and seafood restaurant in Bang Niang, popular for its seafood barbecue and hot pans.
A small, friendly seafood restaurant near Pakarang Cape, with fresh fish and Thai classics.
A simple, highly rated restaurant right on the sand at the north end of Bang Sak, with fresh seafood and sunset views.
A friendly, family-run restaurant on the Lam Kaen strip, loved for good Thai food at fair prices.
Grilled pork skewers, khao mok gai (chicken biryani), roti, som tam and mango sticky rice, four afternoons a week.
Simple, well-loved places worth a visit.
A family-run Thai restaurant at Khuk Khak, famous for home-style cooking — and its cooking classes.
A very highly rated Thai restaurant in Khao Lak town, with beautifully cooked dishes and warm service.
A long-running café in Khao Lak town for big breakfasts, German favourites and Thai dishes.
A small Italian restaurant and wine bar near Sunset Beach, with home-made pasta and a good wine list.
A busy, friendly Thai and seafood restaurant near the Bang Sak resorts, with big portions.
Live music, cocktail bars and sunset beach bars — from Khao Lak town and Bang Niang to the sand at Pakarang.
A long-running bar on the main road with live rock bands most nights and cheap drinks.
One of Khao Lak’s best-known bars, with a resident band that plays hits late into the night and takes requests.
A rustic beach bar on the sand at Pakarang, famous for bean bags, cold drinks and big sunsets.
A small, friendly bar in Bang Niang near the market, known for its lemongrass mojito.
A stylish little cocktail bar in Khao Lak town with a big choice of gins and creative drinks.
Khao Lak is relaxed after dark — there are no big clubs like in Phuket. Khao Lak town has live-music bars, Bang Niang has small friendly bars and the market, and Khuk Khak, Pakarang and Bang Sak are very quiet. Pick your base to match.
The Snapper and Monkey Bar have live bands most nights in high season — the closest thing to a big night out in Khao Lak.
Small, friendly bars such as Fat Shark and Mr. Chay sit around Bang Niang Market, with easy-going music and cold drinks.
Street food, music and shopping in the evening, four times a week. A relaxed night out for all ages.
Khao Lak Boxing Stadium in Bang Niang holds Thai boxing nights in high season. Lively, loud and very local.
Start the evening with bean bags and cold drinks on the sand at Pakarang as the sun goes down.
The quietest night of all: fresh seafood under the casuarina trees, with the sound of the waves.
Festivals, busy times and things to plan your Khao Lak trip around.
Khao Lak’s big market sets up every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, with street food, music and stalls.
On the full moon of November, people float little flower baskets with candles on the sea, rivers and lagoons to say thank you to the water. Lovely on the beaches of Khao Lak.
The busiest time of the year in Khao Lak, with festive dinners at the resorts and fireworks along the beaches on New Year’s Eve. Hotels are full and prices are highest.
Each year on 26 December, quiet ceremonies are held at memorials such as Baan Nam Khem and Police Boat T.813 to remember those lost in 2004.
Thailand’s famous water festival. Khao Lak is calmer than Phuket, but there are water fights along the main road in town and Bang Niang.
The Similan and Surin island national parks close from 16 May to mid-October to let nature recover. Plan your trip before then.
The classic trip: two or three of the Similan Islands by speedboat, with snorkelling, white sand and lunch. Hotel pick-up included on most.
A slower, more comfortable big-boat trip to the Similans, with snorkelling stops and a buffet lunch on board.
Shallow coral gardens and very clear water around the remote Surin Islands, with a visit to the Moken village.
Some of Thailand’s best diving, with granite boulders, coral and big fish. Day trips for certified divers, or liveaboards of 2–4 nights.
A beginner experience with an instructor, starting in a pool and then real dives at the islands. No licence needed.
Long-tail boat across the emerald lake between limestone cliffs, with a jungle walk or cave and lunch on a floating raft house.
Limestone towers, sea caves by canoe and the Koh Panyee stilt village, all in one day.
Half-day classes where you learn 3–4 classic dishes, often with a market visit. Pam’s at Khuk Khak is a local favourite.
Beginner pad-work sessions with friendly trainers at gyms such as Khao Lak Muay Thai & Muay Boran. No experience needed.
A gentle walk to a five-tier waterfall in Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park, with pools to swim in.
A private car and driver for your own route: Takua Pa Old Town, waterfalls, the memorials and quiet beaches.
Paddle among limestone islands and through hidden lagoons in the calm waters of the bay.
On calm days there is easy snorkelling over rocks at the south end of Sunset Beach and around Pakarang Cape at high tide.
Tap the one that matches your trip. You’ll get the best areas and what they’re like.
You want a beautiful beach, a lovely room, good dinners and calm nights.
Best areas: Sunset Beach for sunsets close to town, Pakarang for romance and luxury, and Lam Kaen for real peace
What it’s like: West-facing beaches for sunsets, pool villas, spa afternoons and seafood dinners on the sand.
Do together: Sunset at Pakarang Cape · private Similan trip · couples massage · Small Sandy Beach · dinner on the sand in Bang Sak
Usually skip: The main road in Khao Lak town if you want calm nights.
🚕 Safety tip: ask your resort to book a taxi for nights out, and agree the price before you set off.
Sunset Beach →Pakarang →Khao Lak is on the mainland, on the Andaman coast of Phang Nga province — it is not an island, so there is no ferry. Most people fly to Phuket Airport (HKT), then drive north for about 1–1½ hours, depending on the beach.
From Phuket Airport: A private transfer or airport taxi takes about 1 hour to Lam Kaen, 1 hour 10 minutes to Khao Lak town and about 1½ hours to Bang Sak. Many resorts can arrange a pick-up, and you can pre-book one with 12Go.
By bus from Phuket: Buses from Phuket towards Takua Pa and Ranong run along Highway 4 and stop in Khao Lak — tell the driver your beach. Some pick up near the airport junction, so check where yours leaves from.
From Bangkok: Fly to Phuket in about 1½ hours — the easiest option. Overnight buses also run from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Khao Lak in about 11–12 hours.
From Krabi and Khao Sok: Minivans run from Krabi (about 3 hours) and from Khao Sok (about 1½–2 hours).
Park fees: The Similan and Surin islands charge foreign adults 500 baht (children 250 baht), often included in tours. Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park charges foreign adults about 100 baht.
Getting around: The main road (Highway 4) runs behind every beach. Local taxis wait at stands along the road with set prices, and your hotel can call one for you. Scooters cost about 250–350 baht a day — only ride if you are experienced, and always wear a helmet.
Khao Lak has some lovely pool villas and family suites, especially at Lam Kaen, Bang Niang, Khuk Khak and Pakarang.
Best areas: Bang Niang (pool villas close to restaurants), Khuk Khak and Pakarang (luxury villas on quiet beaches) and Lam Kaen (small, peaceful villa resorts).
What it’s like: More space and privacy, but in the quieter areas you rely on the resort for food and drinks.
Good if: You’re on honeymoon, travelling as a family or group, or want a special treat.
Tap a plan to see it day by day. Khao Lak is made for slow holidays, so give yourself at least three nights — most people stay a week.
Planning when to visit Khao Lak? The dry season, from November to April, is the best time, with calm seas and the Similan Islands open. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas, and some places close. Here’s a simple guide.
Quick pick: Want the best weather → aim for December–March. Want the Similan Islands → go between 15 October and 15 May. Want lower prices → try November or April. Want to avoid the crowds and peak prices → skip Christmas–New Year.
Best: November to April · Rainy season: roughly May to October
November to February is dry and sunny, with calm seas. March and April are hot. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings heavy showers and big waves, with September and October often the wettest months.
Effect on travel: In the rainy season the sea is often rough, with red flags and strong currents, so swimming in the sea can be dangerous. Some restaurants and smaller resorts close, but big resorts stay open with low prices.
Best areas in the rainy season: Khao Lak town and Bang Niang, where more restaurants stay open, plus any resort with a good pool.
💡 Always obey red flags on the beach — the Andaman Sea can have strong rip currents from May to October.
Open 15 October to 15 May · Closed 16 May to 14 October
The Similan and Surin island national parks close every year for the monsoon and to let the reefs recover. When they are open, there is a daily limit on visitors, so trips can sell out from December to March.
Effect on travel: If the Similans are a must, plan your trip between mid-October and mid-May and book a few days ahead. Trips can be cancelled on rough days, so leave a spare day.
Best areas for Similan trips: Lam Kaen is closest to Thap Lamu pier, but most tours pick up from every part of Khao Lak.
💡 Book your Similan trip for early in your stay, so you have spare days if the weather changes.
Late December to early January · Mid-April (usually 13–15 April)
Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks in Khao Lak, with many European families on holiday. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, is lively in town but much calmer than in Phuket.
Effect on travel: Hotels fill up, prices rise and many resorts ask for a minimum stay over the holidays.
Best areas when it’s busy: Bang Sak and Lam Kaen stay calmer than Khao Lak town.
💡 Book Christmas and New Year months ahead.
| When | What happens | Effect on travellers |
|---|---|---|
| November – February | Dry season (best weather) | Sunny, calm seas, Similans open — busiest time, book early |
| March – April | Hot season | Very hot, calm seas, great for diving; Songkran in mid-April |
| May – October | Rainy season | Heavy showers, rough seas and red flags, Similans closed, low prices |
| 15 October – 15 May | Similan & Surin islands open | Daily visitor limit — book trips a few days ahead |
| November (full moon) | Loy Krathong | Candle-lit krathongs floated on the sea and lagoons |
| Late December | Christmas & New Year | Peak prices and crowds, fireworks on the beaches |
| April | Songkran | Water fights in town, busier hotels |
Planning rule: In Khao Lak, the season matters most. Come between November and April for sunshine, calm seas and the Similan Islands, and book early for Christmas and New Year.
It can be, if you want a quiet resort holiday at low prices. May and early November often have sunny spells. From June to October expect rain, rough seas and red flags, and the Similan Islands are closed.
At least three nights, but most people stay a week or more. That gives you time for the Similan Islands, a waterfall or Khao Sok, and plenty of lazy beach days.
Yes — especially over Christmas and New Year, and generally from December to February. Prices are lowest from May to October. Book as early as you can for peak dates.
Tap any tip for the short version. Practical stuff that saves you a bad first day.
The main road (Highway 4) runs behind every beach, from Lam Kaen to Bang Sak — about 25 km. Local taxis wait at stands along the road with set prices, and your hotel can call one for you. In Khao Lak town and Bang Niang you can walk to most places.
Scooters cost about 250–350 baht a day. The main road is fast and busy, so only ride if you are experienced. Wear a helmet, take photos of the bike first, never leave your passport as a deposit, and check that your licence and travel insurance cover you.
Khao Lak town (Nang Thong) is the easiest first base, with the most restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance. Bang Niang is a little calmer, with good restaurants and the market. If you want a big resort and a long, quiet beach, choose Khuk Khak.
Take a private transfer or airport taxi north. It takes about 1 hour to Lam Kaen, 1 hour 10 minutes to Khao Lak town and about 1½ hours to Bang Sak. Many resorts can arrange a pick-up, and buses towards Takua Pa and Ranong also stop in Khao Lak.
The easiest way is to fly from Bangkok to Phuket (about 1½ hours), then drive about an hour north. Overnight buses also run from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Khao Lak in about 11–12 hours.
No. Khao Lak is on the mainland, on the Andaman coast of Phang Nga province, about an hour north of Phuket. You reach it by road, with no ferry needed.
The Similan Islands National Park is open from 15 October to 15 May each year and closed from 16 May to 14 October. There is a daily limit on visitors, so book your trip a few days ahead in high season.
Foreign adults pay 500 baht and children 250 baht. Many tours include the fee in the price, so check when you book. Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park on the mainland charges foreign adults about 100 baht.
November to April is the best time, with dry, sunny days, calm seas and the Similan Islands open. From May to October it is the rainy season, with rough seas, red flags and some places closed.
Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks, and December to February is high season in general. Book hotels and Similan trips early for these dates.
Not if you stay in Khao Lak town or Bang Niang, where you can walk to most places. Elsewhere, local taxis from stands along the main road are easy to use. Scooters are easy to rent, but the main road is fast, so only ride if you are experienced, and never leave your passport as a deposit.
Yes. Khao Lak is one of the best family beach destinations in Thailand, with long, uncrowded beaches, big resort pools and kids’ clubs, and easy days out to the Similan Islands and waterfalls. Khuk Khak, Bang Niang and Bang Sak are the best family areas.
Hotel prices in Khao Lak change a lot by season, between low and high season, and with special offers, so a fixed price would often be wrong. Tap Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia or Trip.com on any hotel to see today’s live price in your own currency. Christmas, New Year and December to February are the most expensive times.
Booking.com
Agoda
Expedia
Trip.com
