What to Do in Karon Beach?
Karon Beach has a good mix of beach time and activities along its 3-kilometre stretch of sand. You can swim, walk the shoreline, or try parasailing if you want views from above. There are spas everywhere for Thai massages after too much sun. Families usually end up at Dino Park Mini Golf at some point. The Karon Temple Market runs twice a week and is worth checking out for cheap food and souvenirs.
The Beach
Karon Beach runs 3 kilometres along Phuket’s west coast. The sand here makes a squeaking sound when you walk on it, which is a bit odd the first time you notice it. Even during high season, the beach never feels packed because there’s just so much of it. December to May has the calmest water for swimming. Tall trees behind the beach give you shade if you don’t want to rent a lounger. Beach massages and sun loungers with umbrellas are available, but vendors aren’t pushy here like at some other beaches. Good beach for long walks, especially around sunset.
Wat Karon (Karon Temple)
Wat Suwan Khirikhet, or Karon Temple as everyone calls it, is about 500 metres from the beach. The main hall has those emerald-green naga serpents you see at Thai temples, and the carvings are worth a look if you’re into that. But most people come here for the Karon Temple Market on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 4 pm to 10 pm. That’s when the temple grounds fill up with food stalls and souvenir vendors. More on that below.
Dino Park Mini Golf
Dino Park sits between Karon and Kata beaches and has been around since 1997. It’s 18 holes of mini golf through life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, some of which move and roar. There’s a volcano that shoots smoke and flames every 30 minutes, which kids love. The course takes about 40 minutes. Open 10 am to 10 pm daily. Entry is 500 Baht for adults and 400 Baht for children, equipment included. They also have a Flintstones-themed restaurant if you want to eat afterwards.
Parasailing
Parasailing costs 1,000 to 1,400 Baht and you’re up in the air for about 5-10 minutes. A speedboat pulls you up to around 800 metres where you get a good view of Karon’s coastline. One thing they don’t always mention beforehand: a crew member usually clips themselves to your harness to help control the parachute. First-timers are sometimes surprised to find a stranger attached to them up there.
Spa Treatments
Beach massages on the sand start at 200-300 Baht for a Thai massage. Not bad after a day of sunbathing, and they usually have aloe vera gel if you’ve overdone it. The massage shops along Karon’s streets charge 400-600 Baht for oil massages and foot treatments in air-conditioned rooms. If you want something fancier, the hotel spas like The Spa at Paradox Resort and Pearl Spa at Avista Grande do the full treatment with aromatherapy and all that. Expect to pay quite a bit more.
Kata Beach
Kata Beach is just 600 metres south of Karon, easy to walk or a quick drive. Smaller beach, softer sand, hills on both sides that make it feel more enclosed. The bay is calm most of the year, though low season brings decent waves for surfing. Kata has more going on than Karon, with restaurants, massage shops, and a local market all packed in. Lots of people staying in Karon head down here for dinner or shopping.
COAST Beach Club
COAST Beach Club is a decent spot for drinks at the end of the day. It’s not right on the beach but close enough, part of Centara Grand Beach Phuket. Open 11 am to 11 pm daily. Drinks aren’t cheap, but that’s hotel bar pricing for you.
Tann Terrace
Tann Terrace has a big wooden deck right at the south end of Karon Beach, next to Beyond Resort Karon. They do Italian and Thai food, with pizzas starting at 390 Baht and Pad Thai at 550 Baht (pricey compared to street food, but you’re paying for the location). Open noon to midnight. They have fire shows at 7 pm and 9 pm if you’re there for dinner.
Karon Temple Market
The market runs every Tuesday and Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm in the grounds of Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, about 500 metres from Karon Circle. Food is the main draw. Pad Thai costs around 80 Baht, and you’ll find mango sticky rice, banana pancakes, and pork skewers for 10 Baht each. The shopping side has the usual elephant pants, dresses, carved soaps, and souvenirs. It gets busy but the atmosphere is good, and prices are much cheaper than the restaurants along the beach road.
Karon Bazaar
The Karon Bazaar is a vast covered market next to the Paradox Karon Resort. You’ll find T-shirts, bags, trousers, beach toys, accessories and cheap souvenirs. It’s fun and colourful but can be hot during the day. Most vendors speak decent English (they’re not often Thai), so don’t forget to bargain hard!
SOUL Vegan Cafe
SOUL Vegan Cafe is Karon’s first fully plant-based restaurant. Good option if you’re vegetarian or vegan and tired of asking restaurants to leave out the fish sauce.
Your Karon Beach Travel Guide
