Khao Lak is a long, quiet stretch of the Andaman coast in Phang Nga province, about an hour and a quarter by road north of Phuket airport. It has none of the high-rise energy of Phuket or the party strip of Patong. What it offers instead is wide beaches backed by forest, a relaxed village atmosphere and a position that makes it the best launch point in Thailand for the Similan and Surin Islands, the rainforest and lakes of Khao Sok, and the limestone seascape of Phang Nga Bay. This guide gives you the shape of the place so you can plan with confidence.
The geography
Khao Lak is not one village but a chain of beach areas along a single coast road. Nang Thong is the center, with restaurants, shops, dive centers and tour desks close together. Bang Niang lies to the north and has a well-known local market and a long, quiet beach. Khuk Khak, farther along, has larger resorts and a more secluded feel. Beyond that, Pakarang and Bang Sak offer open sand and good sunsets. South of Nang Thong, the Lam Ru area has the national park hills. Everything is strung along about twenty kilometers of road, so a taxi, a scooter or a hotel shuttle is part of daily life.
Getting there
Most visitors fly into Phuket and transfer by private car or minivan, which takes roughly an hour and a quarter in normal traffic. Krabi airport is a longer drive but works for travelers combining Khao Lak with Krabi. Book your first and last transfers in advance, and ask your hotel about pickup. Local taxis are not metered in the usual way, so agree the price before you set off. Within Khao Lak, songthaews and motorbike taxis are cheap, but a rental car or a private driver is better for family trips.
Choosing a base
For restaurants, markets and a sense of place, choose Nang Thong or Bang Niang. For a self-contained resort with pools and a spa, look at the larger properties on the Khuk Khak side. For value, small hotels set back from the beach cost less and put you within walking distance of local food. Think about how you will spend your days: if you plan to be out on boats and tours from early morning, you may prefer a simple room and a good pool, and if the beach is the main event, pay for a room close to the sand.
Must-do trips
The islands are the headline. The Similan Islands day trip is the best known, with the clearest water and the most scenery, while the Surin Islands offer shallower coral and a quieter mood. Phang Nga Bay, including the James Bond Island stop and sea canoeing, is a classic. Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake provide a total change of scenery, with jungle, limestone cliffs and a huge lake. If you can, do one island day, one bay or lake day and one gentler cultural or wildlife day, and leave the rest for the beach.
Seasons in brief
The dry season, from about November to April, is the time for calm seas, clear water and open national parks. The Similan and Surin parks typically close for the monsoon, from around mid-May to mid-November, so island trips are only possible in the dry season. The green season, from May to October, brings rain, rough surf and lower prices, and many travelers still enjoy it for jungle trips, temples and spa days. See our best-time guide for more detail.
Respect and sensitivity
Khao Lak was one of the places hit hardest by the 2004 tsunami, and there are memorials in the area. Visitors are welcome, but the sites are for remembrance, so dress modestly and keep a quiet tone. Temples ask for covered shoulders and knees. In the sea, follow flag warnings, especially in the monsoon, when currents can be dangerous. Elephant visits should be at sanctuaries that do not allow riding, and snorkelers should never touch coral.
Money and practicalities
Thailand uses the baht, ATMs are common in Nang Thong and Bang Niang, and cards are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants but not at every market stall. Carry small bills for tips and snacks. Power outlets accept both two-pin plugs and a range of adapters; bring a universal one. Mosquito repellent, high-factor sunscreen and a light rain jacket are worth packing. Travel insurance that covers water sports, motorbikes and activities such as ziplining is wise.
A simple first plan
Spend your first day on the beach and adjusting to the heat. Use day two for a Similan or Surin trip while your energy is high, day three for Phang Nga Bay or Khao Sok, and day four for something gentle, such as bamboo rafting, an elephant sanctuary or a cooking class. Finish with a sunset at Cape Pakarang. With a week, add a second island day, Takua Pa Old Town and a memorial visit. Khao Lak rewards a slower pace, and the best days often include a long lunch and an empty beach.