The Sarojin
Hotel in Khao Lak
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All you need to know to visit Khao Lak
เขาหลัก
Southern Thailand
830 km from Bangkok
Province of Phang Na
Southern Thailand
830 km from Bangkok
Province of Phang Na
- Budget
- 4/5
- Recommended stay
- At least 2 days
- Sightseeing
- 3/5
Travel guide to visit Khao Lak
80 km in the North of Phuket, Khao Lak offers beautiful landscapes and beaches. Popular destination for divers, the city is located on a beautiful coast (which was affected by the tsunami of 2004) and is stays in a natural mix of forest, cliffs and waterfalls. Quieter and less crowded than its neighbor Phuket, Khao Lak is near the national parks of Similian islands and Surin. Lovers of the sea, cliffs and postcard's scenery will be delighted to make a stop there for a few days. And tourists come every year more numerous. Khao Lak is a nice alternative to Phuket.For all the options for getting around Khao Lak, see our section on getting around in Khao Lak.
Accommodations in Khao Lak
Finding a room to sleep in Khao Lak with no advance booking can be a little tricky. Especially in the budget addresses where rooms are less than 600 bahts par night. If there are many quite luxurious hotels in the area, there are still small guesthouses and even some dorm beds too. Monkey Dive Hostel is THE backpackers place. It is often full during high season so it is adviced to book in advance via internet but there are neighboring accommodations with a little less pretty rooms at similar prices. In the same area you will find several accommodation at low prices (low for the region)Find accommodation in Khao Lak
My recommendations
People often ask me which accommodation I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations in Khao Lak.
Manathai Khao Lak
Hotel in Khao Lak
La Flora Resort & Spa Khao Lak
Hotel in Khao Lak
Hotel Rukcozy
Hotel in Khao Lak
The Mouth Resort
Hotel in Khao Lak
Practical information about Khao Lak
Note that there are very few budget accommodation by the sea. Most of them are in the city.Transport in Thailand
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How to go to Khao Lak ?
Khao Lak is located approximatly 75 km in the North of Phuket. The easiest way togo there is to go to Phuket and take a taxi or catch a bus on Highway 4 ( 5 minutes from the airport ). Buses to Takua Pa , Ranong or Surat Thani stop at Khao Lak ( Phuket - Khao Lak, approximatly 2h ). You can also go to Surat Thani and take a bus to Khao Lak ( near the train sation ). From Bangkok, there buses from Southern Bus Terminal ( Saï Taï Mai ) to Surat Thani.There also daily minivans from Krabi to Khao Lak, ask local travel agencies.
My selection of tours & activities in Khao Lak
Surin Islands Tour: Discover Thailand's Snorkeling Paradise
Offered in English
Go on a day trip to the Koh Surin Islands. A little less touristy than the Similan Islands, they have nothing to envy them in terms of heavenly beaches and snorkeling spots which are even more beautiful according to some. Enjoy a beautiful day on the beach and snorkeling.
Details & Booking
Snorkeling excursion to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak
Offered in EnglishDiscover the beautiful beaches of the Similan Islands with their turquoise waters and white sand, real postcard sceneries and dive with masks and snorkels in the most famous snorkeling spots in Thailand. Pick-up at your hotel and lunch included.
Details & Booking
Phang Nga Bay 1-Day Boat Tour from Khao Lak
Offered in EnglishLet's go for a day sailing in the superb Phang Nga Bay and its famous James Bond Island. You will also go canoeing (with rowing boat provided) in this exceptional place which is one of the most beautiful seascapes in Thailand and will go discover a small floating village and a temple in a cave inhabited by a colony of monkeys.
Details & Booking
How to get around in Khao Lak ?
The city of Khao Lak basically is just a part of a big road with some perpendicular streets, so there are not many transports. However, songthaews can be found at the bus station on both sides of the road. They will offer you to be your taxi. There are also motorcycle taxis, concentrated at the market (opposite 813 Tsunami Memorial).
Must-visits in
Phang Nga Bay
อ่าวพังงาMy opinion : 5/5
One of the most beautiful natural scenery in Thailand with its limestone cliffs and mountains in a turquoise sea. The main attractions in the bay are the famous James Bond Island and Koh Panyee with its floating village.
James Bond Island
เขาตะปูMy opinion : 5/5
The island shaped like a nail in the sea is called James Bond Island since its appearance in The Man with the Golden Gun.
Similan Isands
เกาะสิมิลันMy opinion : 5/5
Comprising 11 islands, the Mu Ko Similan National Park offers seascapes and beaches as well as some of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving spots in Thailand. This exceptional environment is threatened by tourism, but measures have been taken to try to preserve it such as the closure to visitors during the low season and more recently the introduction of daily quotas of tourists.
Koh Surin islands
เกาะสุรินทร์My opinion : 5/5
With their beautiful white sand beaches with turquoise water and snorkeling or diving spots among the most beautiful in Thailand, the Surin Islands are clearly a must go place during your stay in the area. But be aware that they are only open to the public 6 months per year.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
จุดชมวิวเสม็ดนางชีMy opinion : 5/5
Discovered by a photographer who was looking for a dominant viewpoint to photograph Phang Nga Bay, the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint has become in just a few years one of the most popular attractions in the region. For a unique reason: the panorama is just amazing ! You can sleep in a tent, a basic bungalow or a comfortable room there too.
Little Amazon Takuapa
คลองสังเน่ห์My opinion : 4/5
Canoeing on this small stretch of river immersed in the middle of the jungle whilespotting snakes, many kinds of birds, sometimes monkeys and monitor lizards is a real adventure! It's really fun to do! Except maybe if you have a snake phobia. Little Amazon is 30 km from Khao Lak and 1 km from Takuapa.
Samet Nangshe Skywalk
สกายวอล์คเสม็ดนางชีMy opinion : 4/5
Raised glass walkway built 80 meters above the ground which offers an amazing view of the most beautiful part of Phang Nga Bay that can be seen from the mainland. The same view, or almost, you can get by climbing the neighboring Samet Nangshe Viewpoint... but with the “frizz” of a skywalk.
Ban Tha Din Daeng Community
บ้านท่าดินแดงMy opinion : 4/5
This fishing community of Khao Lak which lives between sea and mangrove with access to a pretty beach often served will immerse you in the local life of the province of Phang Nga and the richness of its traditions and its environment.Other places to see in Khao Lak
813 Tsunami Memorial Park
Memorial to remember the tsunami in Thailand in December 2004, which hit Khao Lak very hard and brought ashore the police boat 813 centerpiece of the memorial to more than a kilometer inland.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Here you can do interesting tours and especially where is our favorite beach in Khao Lak!
Koh Panyee Island
the island and its mainly floating village is very touristy. It welcomes all tourists visiting the bay and the James Bond Island, but when everyone is gone, it's a amazing place. You can rent a bungalow to enjoy the unique atmosphere before and after the arrival of tourist groups.
Takuapa Old Town
Takuapa is about 30 kilometers from Khao Lak city. The town, which was once one of the most important commercial cities in southern Thailand thanks to tin-dredging, has a pretty little historic center with well-preserved and restored old Sino-Thai style houses. Its Sunday Walking Street is also very nice !
Ao Tho Li Viewpoint
Much less known, and therefore less visited, than the neighboring Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, Ao Tho Li offers a slightly less ideal view of Phang Nga Bay because it is more at the right of the most beautiful part but remains a very good alternative for those who want to less crowds, more tranquility. You can also sleep up there in tents or fairly basic bungalows.
Weather & climate in
Khao Lak has a tropical monsoon climate. Khao Lak has a dry season from December to March and a wet season the rest of the year. However, Khao Lak has precipitation even during its dry season. The most rainy months are September and October.The best months to come to Khao Lak are December and especially January and February. From May to the end of October, there are very regular heavy showers. It is especially not recommended to come to Khao Lak in September and October, the monsoon is strong at that time of the year on the Andaman coast.
How to ask the way in Thai to Khao Lak ?
I want to go to Khao Lak / Yak pai thi Khao Lak.Where is Khao Lak? / Khao Lak yu thi nai?
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