Beaches
Nang Thong Beach
Khao Lak
Central beach with restaurants.
Thailand · Phang Nga · Andaman Coast
Khao Lak
Long quiet beaches, rainforest and the gateway to Similan Islands diving.
Quiet beachesSimilan IslandsRainforest parks
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Explore Khao Lak
Best of Khao Lak:
10 placesKhao Lak & nearby
Beaches
White Sand Beach (Khuk Khak)
Khao Lak
Wide beach north of the centre.
Attractions
Similan Islands
Offshore
Island park for diving and snorkelling.
Attractions
Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park
Khao Lak
Coastal forest park.
Attractions
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
Khao Lak
Inland forest waterfall.
Culture
Police Boat 813
Bang Niang
Tsunami memorial boat.
Culture
Takua Pa Old Town
Takua Pa
Historic shophouses.
Shopping
Bang Niang Market
Bang Niang
Local market.
City life
Bang Niang bars
Bang Niang
Relaxed bars and restaurants.
Transport
Takua Pa Bus Terminal
Takua Pa
Terminal for VIP coaches to Bangkok and Phuket.
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Map locations are approximate. Nearby excursions are labelled; check venue access, opening days and sea conditions before visiting.
Don’t miss
Top 10 attractions in Khao Lak
Famous diving and snorkelling; open about mid-October to mid-May.
Remote island park with coral reefs.
Coastal forest trails and beach.
The central beach with restaurants nearby.
A wide beach north of the centre.
Rainforest and Cheow Lan Lake, about 1.5 hours away.
A forest waterfall inland.
A small waterfall near the coast.
Historic shophouses and a Sunday market.
Evening food and souvenirs.
Heritage & traditions
Top 10 culture in Khao Lak
A memorial to the 2004 tsunami victims.
A boat carried inland by the tsunami, now a memorial.
Old tin-mining town with Sino-Portuguese houses.
Weekly market with local food.
Sea-nomad communities on the Surin Islands.
A local temple in Takua Pa.
Spicy, aromatic local dishes.
Farming that shaped the local economy.
Local market with food stalls.
Fresh crab, prawns and fish.
Geography
Coast & forest
Khao Lak stretches along about 20 km of coast north of Phuket, backed by forested hills.
Weather
Best from November to April; island parks close in the monsoon (about mid-May to mid-October).
Culture & heritage
Coastal community
Khao Lak rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami; memorials honour those lost.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where requested and speak quietly. Ask before photographing people or ceremonies.
Protect the reef
Do not touch or stand on coral, use reef-safe sunscreen and take rubbish back with you.
City life: bars & restaurants
Evenings
Relaxed bars and restaurants in Bang Niang and Nang Thong. Nightlife is calm compared with Phuket.
Restaurants
Seafood and Thai restaurants along the main road.
To, from & around Khao Lak
To & from Khao Lak
Phuket Airport is about 1–1.5 hours by car. Buses on the Phuket–Ranong road stop in Khao Lak.
Getting around
Taxis, songthaews and rented scooters; tours for islands include hotel pick-up.