The stunning area of Khao Lak feels like a hidden gem in Thailand. Although it has increased in popularity in recent years, visiting Khao Lak allows you to escape the crowds of nearby Phuket and experience a more peaceful side of Thailand.
In this post, I’ve answered the question, ‘Is Khao Lak worth visiting?’ Below, you’ll find reasons to visit. From its stunning beaches to incredible sunsets, Khao Lak is an epic destination in Thailand. However, it certainly has a unique atmosphere that might not suit everyone.
Khao Lak wasn’t on my original route in Thailand, but I was desperate to escape the crowds. I spent a week exploring there and have mixed thoughts on if Khao Lak is worth visiting.
Read my full guide on visiting Khao Lak.
5 Reasons Khao Lak is worth visiting
Its location
Khao Lak is in a great location. It’s about 80km north of Phuket and south of Khao Sok National Park. The Phuket International Airport is only an hour away, making it very convenient.
It’s a great option for those who want to visit Phuket but want to avoid the crowds.
Its convenient location means it’s close to some of the popular attractions which can be visited on a day trip. This includes the famous James Bond Island and even Phi Phi.
Khao Lak is also the gateway to the famous Similan Islands — a beautiful archipelago in the Andaman Sea. The islands are about a 90-minute speedboat ride from Khao Lak and you’ll have the option to snorkel in stunning coral reefs or hike to some magnificent viewpoints.
If you are scuba qualified, Khao Lak is a great base for diving in the Similan Islands, with an option of day trips and live-aboard boats. The nearby Surin Islands are another option for both regular day trips and scuba diving. If you’re a scuba diva or love to snorkel, a trip to Khao Lak is well worth it.
Here are some more day trips from Khao Lak.
The National Park
Khao Lak boasts its own national park, Khao Lak-Lam Ru. Despite its small size (125km2), the park has stunning beaches, waterfalls, and towering mountains.
While a lot of the park is inaccessible to protect the area, you can visit a few hiking trails and gorgeous beaches. Entry is 200 baht per person (Jan 24) and gives you access to the hiking trails and beaches for a day.
You can start the hiking trail from the visitor centre and follow signs to Sandy Beach. This is one of the best beaches in Khao Lak. It is a hidden gem in the area, with few people and crystal-clear water.
The hike is straightforward – from the visitor centre you will need to follow signs to ‘Sandy Beach’. Once you’re on the trail, it will take you around 45 minutes to reach the beach. The trail is well maintained and suitable for anyone with a basic fitness level, although there are some steep parts so wear sensible shoes and be prepared to get very hot (take plenty of water).
If you don’t like hiking, you can park around 700m further south down the road from the visitor centre. Here you will find another entrance. From here, the beach is a short stroll down a dirt path. It’s a lot easier than the hike, but you’ll miss out on some great viewpoints. You’ll also still need to pay the entrance fee. Once you’re on the beach, there is a place to buy cold drinks. There are also showers and toilets.
The water here is great for swimming. It’s very peaceful and the perfect place to relax.
Khao Lak-Lum Ru is also home to many waterfalls, with the main attraction being Ton Chong Fa waterfall. If you’ve already visited Sandy Beach, access to the waterfall is included in your day pass but you’ll need to drive around 25 minutes north to reach it. We visited the area at the height of the dry season meaning the waterfall had almost dried up, so it’s worth checking this before you visit.
The Khao Lak Beaches
Khao Lak is home to gorgeous, golden-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. In all honesty, these were some of the best beaches we came across in Thailand. This might have been due to how quiet and undeveloped they were compared to some of the area’s neighbours, such as Ao Nang. They’re truly stunning and the perfect spot to relax and watch the sunset.
Up next: discover more about the best beaches in Khao Lak
I stayed close to Nang Thong Beach. This was the beach I visited the most while in the area and I really enjoyed my trips here. The 3km long stretch of sand is home to only a few resorts, beach bars and restaurants, so it has a very peaceful and untouched feel to it.
As the beaches are facing the west, there are some incredible sunsets in Khao Lak.
The atmosphere
This could be both a pro and a con for answering the question ‘is Khao Lak worth visiting?’. When I first arrived in Khao Lak, its sleepy daytime streets made me think my friend and I were the only people in the entire town. The main street was lined with restaurants, shops and bars – but not a single person was in sight. After settling in, we took a stroll to the beach where we found a few other tourists catching the last rays of sunshine before we watched a beautiful sunset.
Turns out, most people stay in their resorts during the day. Once the sun had set, the town came to life with restaurants and bars overflowing with tourists. Despite it getting busier, it wasn’t too chaotic like other areas of Thailand.
Ultimately, the town has a laid-back atmosphere and there isn’t much going on during the day. This might be exactly what you want, but if you’re after something a little more lively, it might not be the best place for you.
The delicious food
The local Thai food I had in Khao Lak was some of the best Thai food I experienced. There’s so many delicious restaurants to try which I’ve spoken more about in my Khao Lak guide.
If you’re after some street food, Khao Lak is home to the Bang Niang Night Market. This gives you the chance to try some authentic Thai street food.
Reasons Khao Lak isn’t worth visiting
If you’re a budget backpacker or trying to see as much of Thailand as possible in a short space of time, Khao Lak might not be the right choice.
Yes, it’s beautiful and has some epic day trips available, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily an absolute must-do. I definitely got the feeling the area was aimed more at families or visitors looking to stay in one place for their entire trip.
Here are a few reasons that Khao Lak might not be worth visiting.
The cost
I found Khao Lak to be a little pricier, especially when it came to food and drink. It’s worth noting that the cost of day tours to the nearby attractions also seemed a little more expensive. This might be due to the location being further away and the demographic of tourists here. It was certainly a little higher than in other places.
The atmosphere
I’ve already covered the atmosphere in reasons to visit Khao Lak, but it might also be the reason you don’t want to visit. During the day, the town is very quiet, almost like a ghost town. There is little going on.
While the streets come to life at night, there is a different crowd here than other nearby areas. We saw lots of families and resort-style visitors while in Khao Lak. There’s also not much nightlife with everything closing quite early. This is fine, but I don’t think it’s quite the right fit if you’re a backpacker or solo traveller.
Resort focused
As I’ve already mentioned, Khao Lak seemed very resort-focused. This meant the area lacked a little in experiencing local life and immersing yourself in Thai culture.
Summary: is Khao Lak worth visiting?
If you’re after somewhere with a laid-back atmosphere without compromising on beauty, then Khao Lak is worth visiting. Being so conveniently located, it’s the perfect destination for those looking for a base in Thailand for a longer vacation. You’re close to the attractions of Phuket but with a much more laid-back atmosphere. There are ample luxury resorts in Khao Lak boasting magnificent views and outdoor pools.
On the other hand, it’s not the best place for solo travellers or backpackers. It’s a little on the pricier side and while it has a laid-back atmosphere, it’s more catered to families and resort-style travellers.
If you’re heading to Thailand for a family vacation, honeymoon or short holiday, Khao Lak is an ideal spot. If you’re a backpacker with limited time or want to see an authentic side of Thailand, consider skipping Khao Lak.
For a peaceful and authentic escape near to Phuket, consider the nearby Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. These wonderful islands are the perfect destination for more adventurous travellers and backpackers looking for a more authentic side to Thailand. Other fantastic places to experience local Thai life include Chiang Mai, Koh Mak and Khao Sok National Park.
