What to Do in Karon Beach?
Karon is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, ranking 3rd on our beach popularity page. It enjoys a 3-kilometre stretch of white sand, a decent choice of dining and nightlife, and never seems to draw crowds of tourists, which is a good thing. Karon is known for its big beach with big hotels lined across the frontage road and the small town of Karon.
While the beach is vast and long, there are only two hotels with direct beach access: Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket and Beyond Karon. All other hotels are across the road.
Pros and Cons of Karon Beach
Pros:
- Long, spacious beach: 3 km of soft, white sand with plenty of space to relax.
- Quiet and less crowded: Even during the high season, it feels open and uncrowded.
- Family-friendly: Offers various restaurants, bars, and affordable accommodations.
- Dining and nightlife: Decent range of dining options and nightlife without being overwhelming.
- Easy access to other areas: Close to Kata Beach and Patong Beach for more activities and attractions.
Cons:
- Scattered nightlife: Modest nightlife compared to Patong, with only small beer bars and pubs.
- Limited landmarks and activities: Few attractions besides Karon Temple and nearby beaches.
- Seasonal swimming risks: Strong waves and rip currents during the monsoon season.
Karon Beach Video
Subscribe to our YouTube for more videos!
WHAT TO DO IN KARON?
Apart from a fantastic beach, many restaurants and bars, there is not much to do around in terms of landmarks and activities, but Kata or Patong are not far.
The Beach
The beach of Karon forms an immense crescent with a wide sandy area. The sand is very soft and white and is known to make an unusual sound when you walk on it.
Dinner in the Sky in Phuket
Sponsored post
Dinner in the Sky takes eating to new heights—literally. Suspended by a crane, guests sit at a table high above Karon Beach, taking in the beautiful views while enjoying a delicious dinner. The experience blends thrill and luxury, with guests safely secured into their seats. Chefs cook excellent dishes directly in front of your eyes, delivering an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Whether it's a romantic date or an adventurous adventure, Dinner in the Sky promises an unforgettable dining experience above the clouds. Click here to book and to check availability.
Karon Temple
Karon temple, locally called Wat Suwan Khirikhet, is beautifully crafted and open to visitors any day of the week. You can walk around freely, take photos and admire the carvings and paintings, but try to make a small donation; it is always a nice gesture. The temple hosts a famous market twice a week with lots of food and little things to buy. Remember to dress politely, just like in any temple in Phuket and Thailand, which means no short skirts, no sleeveless shirts and no topless. Remove caps and shoes if you wish to walk into the temple. (usually, a small signboard will inform you).
Dino Park Mini Golf
Dino Park is a Jurassic Park-inspired mini-golf with dinosaurs and even a volcano. It is technically in Kata beach, but it’s not very far from Karon and is always good family fun.
The Naga of Karon Beach
This mystical golden snake or dragon is curled on the beach, not far south of the circle. Thai people come here to make offerings and pay respect.
Quick Jump to Karon Beach Pages
Parasailing
Parasailing offers a unique birdview of the bay and a bit of adrenaline rush, but safety issues are somewhat controversial.
Spa Treatments
Thailand is well-known for massages and aromatherapy, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of the quality and array of treatments available at this price. Spend the end of your beach day with a spa treatment at Centara Grand Beach Phuket or Paradox Resort, especially on those occasional rainy days!
WHERE TO STAY IN KARON BEACH?
You can consider two hotels on the beach if the price is right for you. Then you have many smaller hotels all around the place, and you shouldn’t have a problem finding accommodation according to your budget.
Avista Grande Phuket Karon – MGallery
Avista Grande Phuket Karon – MGallery is a luxurious 5-star hotel located in Karon Beach, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Phuket. The hotel, which is at a very short walking distance from the immense beach of Karon, is known for its soft white sand and incredibly clear waters during the high season (December to May). Read more
Swimming pool: 3
Restaurants and bars: 4, including a rooftop
Facilities: Fitness and spa
Distance from the beach: 100 m
Distance from Karon city centre: 2.3 km
Distance from Kata centre: 1 km
Other popular hotels in Karon Beach
WHERE TO EAT IN KARON BEACH?
Karon Beach offers a wide range of restaurants where everyone can find something to enjoy, from Thai food to Middle Eastern and Western Cuisine. On the budget side, you will find good local food in the small restaurants along the roadside, near the lake, and even more at Karon Plaza, which is not far from the circle.
Saneha Steak-Thai @Karoncafe
Sponsored
Saneha is the Thai word for passion, which here signifies “passion for cooking fantastic food.” Saneha Steak-Thai @Karoncafe was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. After 35 years of experience in the restaurant business, their best chefs locked down for 2 years to test new ideas at Pacific Club Resort, their sister property. The result is a completely new menu that brings together the best of Royal Thai Food, Steakhouse, and Mediterranean fusion cuisine into one restaurant offering both indoor Air Conditioned and Al Fresco Dining. Address: 526, 17 Soi Saneha, Tambon Karon, Phuket, 83100 (Click here for a map)Hours: 6.30 am - 11.30 pm
Phone: 076 396 217
See the menu here: https://saneha-karoncafe.ps.me/
EAT Bar & Grill Restaurant
EAT Bar & Grill Restaurant, on the back road of Karon, is a casual place serving delicious steaks and grilled meats. The restaurant is not very big and is often full, so you should book in advance to save a table.
Address: 250 1 Patak Rd, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Open: 11 am – 10:30 pm (Closed on Sunday)
Tel: 085 292 5652
Price: Affordable
Dinner in the Sky in Phuket
Sponsored post
Dinner in the Sky takes eating to new heights—literally. Suspended by a crane, guests sit at a table high above Karon Beach, taking in the beautiful views while enjoying a delicious dinner. The experience blends thrill and luxury, with guests safely secured into their seats. Chefs cook excellent dishes directly in front of your eyes, delivering an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Whether it's a romantic date or an adventurous adventure, Dinner in the Sky promises an unforgettable dining experience above the clouds. Click here to book and to check availability.
KARON BEACH NIGHTLIFE
There is a bit of nightlife in Karon Beach, but it’s nothing like what you will experience on Bangla Walking Street in Patong Beach. Karon nightlife rotates around three areas: the best known is near the Karon Circle, with few bars and live music, a little further is a small alley once called ‘Little Bangla’, and an L-shaped street near Kata Beach, where you can enjoy some beer bars.
COAST Beach Club
COAST Beach Club is an excellent place to enjoy a couple of drinks at the end of the day. The bar is not exactly on the beach but quite near and is part of the Centara Grand Beach Phuket.
Location: North end of Karon Beach, Centara Grande Beach Resort Phuket,
Address: 683 Patak Rd, Karon beach, Phuket 83100
Phone:076 201 234
Open: 12 am – 11 pm
Tann Terrace
Tann Terrace is a new restaurant with an immense beachfront wooden terrace at the very south of Karon Beach, just next to Beyond Resort Karon and opposite the old football stadium. The restaurant mostly serves Italian and Thai food and has an excellent bakery, perfect for enjoying breakfast on the beach.
Location: south end of Karon Beach
Address: Patak Rd, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Hours: 10 am – 9 pm
Patak Road
Patak Road is the main nightlife area, and while it’s relatively modest, it’s always fun. Angus O’Tool’s is a long-time Irish pub, and the neighbourhood is full of tiny beer bars such as Clapton Bar and a great live band bar called The Garage.
Mini Bangla on Luam Por Chuan Rd
Further down the beach, just before the hill leading to Kata Beach, is an L-shaped street with a dozen old-fashioned beer bars where ladies always loudly invite you for a drink, it somehow reminds you of what the famous Bangla Road in Pationg used to look like in the past. Walking around is easy-going and safe, so stopping for a beer is okay.
SHOPPING AT KARON BEACH
Karon Beach has enough shopping options to keep everyone happy, even those who don’t like shopping but need convenience stores or forgot something important at home. There are also some markets, bazaars and, of course, night markets.
Karon Temple Market
If live music and bars are not your things after dinner, check out the Karon Temple Market, which opens only twice a week: Tuesdays and Fridays, from 4 pm to 10 pm. Wat Suwan Khirikhet, the temple at the end of Soi Patak in Karon, is an excellent photo opportunity and is famous for the popular night market held every Tuesday and Friday.
Never miss a chance to visit it; it’s full of fun things to try, games to play and fun local food. You might even try fried insects and giant water bugs or take a photo to share back home.
Location map: https://goo.gl/maps/VdyEiJ3j8zDzBze29
Address: Patak Rd, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Open: 4 pm – 10 pm, Tuesday and Friday
Price: Free
Karon Bazaar
The Karon Bazaar is a vast covered market situated just next to the Paradox Karon Resort. You will mostly find tee shirts, bags, trousers, beach toys and accessories and cheap souvenirs. It’s fun and colourful but can be hot during the day. Most vendors can speak decent English (they are not often Thai), so don’t forget to bargain hard!
Creative Karon Tailors
Creative Tailors is a third-generation family-owned business located in a beautiful shop on the beach road of Karon beach in Phuket.
Location: Karon Beach – click for a map
Address: 192/36 Unit B1-B2, Soi Withet, Karon Road, Karon, Beach, Phuket 83100
Open: Mon-Sat: 10 am – 10 pm, Sunday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Phone: 081 891 5784, 081 899 0939
Website: www.creativephuket.com
The geography of Karon
Did you know? Karon consists of 3 areas: Karon Center (a small town), the Lake area and the beachfront road that ends at the hill reaching Kata Beach.
1. Karon Center and Patak Rd
Patak Road is mostly a street going perpendicularly inland from the very fancy and convoluted ‘Karon Circle’ to the temple. It’s small, messy and feels rather old; additionally, parking there is impossible. Around here, you will find a few long-established restaurants, convenience stores, ‘ Hellooooo you want massage‘ parlours, and lots of bars of all sizes and shapes. Just like everyone else, walk up and down Patak Road and pick one bar; ultimately, they are all the same same but different.
2. The Lake
The Lake near the circle has also been the subject of many attempts to make the area an upmarket zone or a convention centre. Once in a while, especially during the Songkran Festival, the lake hosts one of those popular local funfairs where you can play some typical funfair games, try local food and even shop.
3. Beach Front Road
The beachfront road goes from the lake to Kata Beach, which is mostly occupied by large resorts with a few small hotels. At the beginning of the beach road, you’ll find Karon Beach Square, the Night Bazaar, a temporary roofed market selling mostly tee shirts and beach toys, including all the usual fake brands.
More interesting is Soi Aroonson, a small street in the middle of the beach road. Some good restaurants, lots of massages, and a few convenience shops have opened here. It’s still quiet but doesn’t feel as messy as Karon Center.
Then, you’ll reach the end of Beach Road when a small hill leads to Kata Beach (boundaries have never been visible). Noticeable around here is the restaurant built on the beach, a football stadium (also used for cricket competitions) and one of the two nightlife areas around.
This very narrow and hard-to-spot alley is called ‘Bangla Plaza’ and has always been here, but nothing to compare with Soi Bangla in Patong Beach nightlife. You won’t find more than a few beer bars with colourful spotlights, even more colourful staff, and plenty of tiny shops and foot massages.
KARON BEACH PHOTOS
Karon Beach Fast Facts
⛱️ Beach condition: | Great |
⛱️ Beach length | 3.3 km |
⛱️ Other beach nearby: | Kata Beach |
🛍️ Best shopping: | Karon Plaza |
🍴 Best restaurant: | EAT Bar & Grill |
🍹 Best beach club | Tann Terrace |
🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Avista Grande Phuket Karon |
🧳 Best mid range hotel: | Beyond Resort Karon |
🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 17 km |
🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 17 km |
✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 43 km |
KARON BEACH MAP
Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/FA3raog3WUFJVWjd6