Khao Lak Beach

Khao Lak Beach

Khao Lak Beach is the collective name for a series of sandy bays stretching roughly 40 km along the Phang Nga coast north of Phuket. Unlike the developed resort strips of Phuket, Khao Lak retains a lower-key, family-oriented atmosphere: fishing boats share the bay with kayaks, the main road is a two-lane highway rather than a tourist promenade, and the hills behind the shoreline are covered by the protected forests of Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park. The beach is also the primary departure base for liveaboard dive boats and day-trip vessels to the Similan and Surin Islands.

Which Beach Is Which?

The beaches run north to south, each with its own character: Nang Thong (the most central, busiest resort area), Bang Niang (quieter, with a popular walking street market), Khuk Khak (residential and guesthouse-focused), Bang La On (very quiet), Bang Sak (luxury resort zone, 15 km north), and Nam Khem (northern pier area, Similan boat departures). Most hotels and restaurants cluster around Nang Thong and Bang Niang.

Getting to Khao Lak

The nearest airport is Phuket International (80 km south), with private transfers taking 75–90 minutes. Khao Lak Land Discovery runs airport transfers from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak from ฿1,800 one-way — one of the most-booked routes on the Andaman coast. Surat Thani Airport (180 km north-east) connects to Bangkok on domestic routes and is useful for travellers continuing to the Gulf islands.

Things to Do from Khao Lak

The Similan Islands (day trip, October–May), the Surin Islands, Phang Nga Bay kayaking, and multiple Khao Sok jungle treks are the most popular excursions. See the full tour programme on the Khao Lak tours page.