12 of the best things to see and do in Khao Lak

Khao Lak is one of those laid-back Thai destinations where you can just kick off your shoes and relax. This stretch of the Andaman Coast enjoys a quiet charm but also has enough going on to keep you entertained if you fancy a day of sightseeing or culture. Shown here in no particular order, we’ve selected our pick of a dozen of the best things to see and do in Khao Lak.

1) Beach life

With its long stretch of coastline, the area that makes up Khao Lak is home to several attractive beaches. Even during the high season months, these long, inviting stretches of sand never feel busy and are ideal for a leisurely walk. Breathing in the fresh sea air and feeling the sand beneath your feet is a wonderful way to forget about the stresses of your usual daily life.

2) Little Amazon

Make the short journey north from Khao Lak to Takua Pa, This small town is the location of what is known as the ‘Little Amazon’. Take a slow kayak ride through the mangroves and along the Khlong Sang Ne waterway and you’ll have the opportunity to spot an array of wildlife including birds, snakes and monkeys.

Takua Pa
Just as they did in nearby Phuket, Chinese and European merchants migrated to Phang Nga and the town of Takua Pa to make money from the area’s tin mining industry and elegant Sino-Portuguese mansions can still be seen in the Old Town area. This same area is home to a low-key but enjoyable Walking Street Market in the high-season months from November to April.

3) Health and wellness

Treat your mind and body to a health and wellness retreat. Many of the best resorts in Khao Lak offer a variety of programmes that allow you to participate in a range of activities including yoga, pilates, Muay Thai training, digital detox, and rejuvenating spa treatments.

4) Khao Sok

Khao Lak is a great location to explore some of the outstanding beauty in the nearby area. Take a leisurely day trip and explore the gorgeous Khao Sok National Park. A typical day trip from Khao Lak to Khao Sok will include a longtail boat ride along Cheow Larn Lake and a visit to Ratchaprapa Dam.

If you have enough time on your itinerary you could spend a night or two in Khao Sok and stay in comfort at somewhere like the award-winning Elephant Hills or the 500 Rai Floating Resort.

5) Surfing

Thailand might not be an obvious location for surfers, but there is a growing community here centred around Phuket and Khao Lak. If you fancy trying your hand at surfing in the beginner-friendly waves of Khao Lak, head to Pakarang Beach and Memories Beach Bar. The peak surfing season on Thailand’s Andaman Coast coincides with the monsoon winds from May to October.

6) Similan Islands

Khao Lak is a convenient base to enjoy some of the best diving and snorkelling spots in Thailand. Part of the protected Mu Ko Surin National Park, the Similan Islands are serenely beautiful above and below the waves with a host of marine life populating the colourful corals.

7) Surin Islands

Another sublime location for snorkelling and diving, the Surin Islands also benefit from their protected National Park status. However, unlike the Similan Islands, one of the islands here is inhabited.

Ko Surin Tai is home to the Moken community. Also known in Thai as ‘Chao Leh’ (People of the Sea), the Moken enjoy a close affinity with the ocean and were living here long before the area was granted National Park status.

8) Phang Nga Bay

Khao Lak is handily placed for a day trip to Phang Nga Bay. Dotted with small islands and limestone karsts, Phang Nga Bay became world-famous in the 1970s after the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun, featured the bay. Visitors can stand in the same spot on Ko Khao Ping Gan (now commonly referred to as ‘James Bond Island’) where Bond and Scaramanga squared up to each other with the needle-shaped limestone karst of Khao Tapu jutting out of the sea in the background. Most day trips to Phang Nga Bay also feature a visit to the floating village of Ko Panyee.

Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
Situated on the mainland, the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint offers stunning views over Phang Nga Bay. It’s possible to visit on a day trip from Khao Lak, but to make the most of the experience, try to stay here overnight at Samet Nangshe Boutique or Beyond Skywalk to enjoy the views after the day-trippers have gone.

9) Phang Nga Elephant Park

Located around 45 minutes from central Khao Lak, Phang Nga Elephant Park is a small, family-owned ethical elephant centre. There are no large tour groups here and consequently has more of an intimate feel for visitors. Transfers to and from Khao Lak are included in the price. Check the Phang Nga Elephant Park website for full details.

10) Night Market at Bang Niang

Visit the compact night market at Bang Niang for good value Thai food and a relaxed ambience. You’ll find some souvenir stalls here too, but the main appeal is the food and drink in the night market. Bang Niang Market is open from 10 am-10 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

11) Michelin-rated restaurants

The Michelin Guide for Thailand now features several restaurants in and around Khao Lak. Try southern Thai favourites like stir-fried shrimp with stink beans (pad sataw kung) at the excellent Nai Mueang and pork belly stew (moo hong) at Juumpo Family Recipes in Bang Niang.

12) Romantic dining

For the ultimate in romantic dining, check out the options at The Sarojin. The luxury resort will take care of all the arrangements for you as you sample some of the most romantic dining settings in the whole of Thailand. Choose from a private dinner on the beach, an island dining experience or an unforgettable candlelit evening under the stars with a waterfall as your backdrop.

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