Things to Do in Khao Lak
Khao Lak is on the Andaman coast, about 80 km north of Phuket in Phang Nga province. It’s quieter than Phuket with long, wide beaches and easy access to the Similan Islands, Phang Nga Bay, and Samet Nangshe Viewpoint. Beyond the beaches, there are waterfalls, jungle trails, a night market, and the old tin mining town of Takua Pa nearby.
The Beaches of Khao Lak
Khao Lak’s beaches stretch from Ban Nam Khem in the north to Khao Lak National Park-Lam Ru in the south. Wide sandy shores, good sunsets, and fewer crowds than Phuket. Bang Niang and Khuk Khak are the busiest, with shops, markets, and restaurants. White Sand Beach and Ban Thap Tawan have the nicest sand.
White Sand Beach has a few beachfront hotels and is a good spot for lunch. The northern beaches like Bang Sak are quieter with clear water, good for swimming and walking. Khuk Khak has the most accommodation options.
Bang Niang Night Market
Bang Niang Market has souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, and street food. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm, with about 300 stalls.
T-shirts, jewellery, handbags, cosmetics, home décor. Food includes ice cream, mango sticky rice, fried insects, grilled meats. A few simple restaurants sell Thai food and beer. Best to go after 6:30 pm when it’s cooler.
Takua Pa Town
Takua Pa was a tin mining centre, and several Sino-Portuguese buildings from that era still stand. Similar to Phuket Old Town but smaller and less touristy. On Sundays there’s a walking street market in the evening with food, handicrafts, and sometimes traditional music performances.
Worth a visit if you want to see something beyond the beaches.
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are an archipelago in the Andaman Sea, popular for snorkelling and diving. Clear water, coral reefs, colourful fish, and occasionally whale sharks. On land, white sand beaches and granite rock formations like Sail Rock on Koh Similan.
Day trips leave from Thap Lamu Pier, about 20 minutes from Khao Lak. **The islands are open mid-October through mid-May only**.
A conservation project at the Thai Navy base near Thap Lamu Pier. They care for injured and young sea turtles before releasing them back into the wild. You can see the turtles up close and learn about their life cycle.
Staff are friendly and happy to explain the centre’s work. Good for families and anyone interested in marine conservation.
Bamboo Rafting (Komol’s Corner Bamboo Rafting)
Float down a river on a traditional bamboo raft with a local guide. The journey goes through forest, good for photos and a break from the beach. Slow pace, relaxing. Komol’s Corner offers trips along a 3 km section of the stream from Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, with transport from Khao Lak available.
The Little Amazon Takuapa (Khlong Sang-Ne)
A canoe tour through a mangrove forest. You paddle along Khlong Sang-Ne, a narrow waterway surrounded by banyan trees. Birds, monkeys, and reptiles in the area. Shaded and cooler than the beach, which is nice on a hot day.
Bun Sung Iron Bridge
A historical bridge built in the mid-1960s from an old tin dredger, originally used by mine workers. Now it’s a local crossing and photo spot. Views of the river, fields, and water buffalo. Afterwards, head up to the Dredger Café on Bangmara Hill for a view of the bridge from above.
Wat Kom Nai Khet (Wat Khuek Khak)
A quiet Buddhist temple about 5 km north of Bang Niang Beach. Not many tourists come here. Nice gardens, traditional Thai architecture, golden Buddhas.
You can observe local religious practices. Dress respectfully, no bikinis or beach clothes.
Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park
A memorial for the 2004 tsunami, which hit Ban Nam Khem especially hard. The park has a remembrance wall, gardens, and a small museum with photos and artefacts about the disaster and recovery.
Some of the displays are looking a bit faded now, but it remains a place for reflection.
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
A multi-tiered waterfall in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park. The trail goes through jungle, past smaller streams and cascades. At the top, pools for swimming. Entry fee 100 Baht for foreigners. Be aware that during February to April, there might only be a trickle of water.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
One of the best viewpoints in the region. A short drive from Khao Lak, with views over Phang Nga Bay and limestone karsts rising from the water. Best at sunrise when there’s often mist.
You can hike up or take a shuttle (a bumpy ride in the back of a pickup truck). There’s now a Skywalk that can be booked in advance for a fee. Good for photos.
James Bond Island and Koh Panyee
James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) was featured in the 1974 film “The Man with the Golden Gun.” Limestone cliffs and a distinctive rock formation. Very popular and crowded, but photogenic.
Nearby Koh Panyee is a Muslim fishing village built on stilts over the water, with a mosque, school, narrow walkways, and a floating football pitch. Both are usually visited together on a day trip around Phang Nga Bay.
Khao Lak Map
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