Khao Lak Beaches: A Guide from North to South
Khao Lak is a long stretch of coastline about 100 km north of Phuket. Unlike Phuket where you can hop between beaches easily, Khao Lak’s beaches blend into one another along a 25 km coast, separated by rivers and rocks. The main road runs inland, so you don’t see the ocean while driving. Most visitors pick one beach area and stay there for the whole trip.
This matters when booking your hotel in Khao Lak. The beaches themselves are similar, all with soft sand and casuarina trees, but the surrounding areas differ in terms of restaurants, nightlife, and how developed they are.
Khao Lak is also the main departure point for Similan Islands trips, and you can reach Samet Nangshe viewpoint and Phang Nga Bay from here. The area has waterfalls, nature trails, bamboo rafting, and elephant sanctuaries if you want a break from the beach.
**Quick guide:**
– **Most developed:** Bang Niang and Khuk Khak (restaurants, bars, night market)
– **Nicest sand:** White Sand Beach and Ban Thap Tawan
– **Quietest:** Pak Weep, Sunset Beach, Bang Sak
– **Best for families:** Le Meridien area (Ban Thap Tawan), JW Marriott area (Khuk Khak)
Khao Lak Beaches, from North to South:
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- Ban Thap Tawan Beach
- Bang Sak Beach
- White Sand Beach
- Pak Weep Beach
- Khuk Khak Beach
- Bang Niang Beach
- Nang Thong Beach
- Sunset Beach
- Lam Kaen Beach
- Khao Lak Beach
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Ban Thap Tawan Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 18 km (20 min)
Ban Thap Tawan is at the northern end of Khao Lak. The sand here is noticeably whiter than other beaches, and the water is shallow and clear. Le Meridien is the main resort, a large property designed so guests don’t need to leave. A few small beach restaurants and bars sit outside the resort with cheaper food and drinks. Quiet area, not much around besides the hotel.
Bang Sak Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 14.5 km (15 min)
Bang Sak is a long, quiet beach with golden sand. A few resorts and restaurants but not much else. Good for swimming during high season when the sea is calm. Not many people, even during peak months. If you want empty beach and don’t mind limited dining options nearby, this works.
White Sand Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 10.3 km (12 min)
One of the nicest beaches in Khao Lak. Soft white sand, plenty of trees for shade. Several small local hotels share the beachfront with simple restaurants and bars. They rent beach loungers here, which is unusual for Khao Lak since most beaches don’t allow it. The hotels are basic, not luxury, but the beach itself is excellent.
Pak Weep Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 11 km (14 min)
Pak Weep is a quieter beach with a few hotels and beachfront restaurants. White sand, clear water, casuarina trees along the shore. Not many tourists compared to Bang Niang or Khuk Khak. Good if you want to be away from the busier areas but still have a restaurant nearby.
Khuk Khak Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 3 km (5 min)
Khuk Khak is the second busiest area after Bang Niang. The road from the main highway to the beach is lined with bars, restaurants, and small shops. JW Marriott is here, one of the bigger resorts in Khao Lak. The beach itself is wide with golden sand. More activity than the northern beaches, but still relaxed compared to Phuket.
Bang Niang Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 0 km (this is the centre)
Bang Niang is the main tourist area of Khao Lak. This is where you’ll find the Bang Niang Night Market, the most restaurants and bars, beach clubs, and the best sunset spots. It’s the busiest beach but “busy” by Khao Lak standards is still quiet compared to Patong. If you want options for dining and nightlife, stay here.
Nang Thong Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 4 km (7 min)
Nang Thong is south of Bang Niang. Long stretch of golden sand with casuarina trees. Quieter than Bang Niang but still has a few resorts and restaurants. Some people prefer it because it’s less developed but close enough to walk or drive to Bang Niang for dinner.
Sunset Beach
Distance from Bang Niang centre: 6 km (10 min)
Sunset Beach is in the southern part of Khao Lak. Quieter than Bang Niang and Khuk Khak. A few casual resorts and restaurants. The name suggests good sunsets, and yes, the views are nice. Good for swimming when the sea is calm. If you want a quiet beach but don’t want to be as isolated as the far northern beaches, this is a middle option.
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