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All you need to know to visit Khao Lak
เขาหลัก
Southern Thailand
830 km from Bangkok
Province of Phang Na
Southern Thailand
830 km from Bangkok
Province of Phang Na
Budget
Recomm. stay
2 jours minimum
Visits
Travel guide to go and visit Khao Lak
80 km in the North of Phuket, Khao Lak offers beautiful landscapes and beaches. Popular destination for divers, the city is located on a beautiful coast (which was affected by the tsunami of 2004) and is stays in a natural mix of forest, cliffs and waterfalls. Quieter and less crowded than its neighbor Phuket, Khao Lak is near the national parks of Similian islands and Surin. Lovers of the sea, cliffs and postcard's scenery will be delighted to make a stop there for a few days. And tourists come every year more numerous. Khao Lak is a nice alternative to Phuket.To see all optiosn to get around in Khao Lak, read our dedicated paragrpah about getting around in Khao Lak.
Accommodations in Khao Lak
Finding a room to sleep in Khao Lak with no advance booking can be a little tricky. Especially in the budget addresses where rooms are less than 600 bahts par night. If there are many quite luxurious hotels in the area, there are still small guesthouses and even some dorm beds too. Monkey Dive Hostel is THE backpackers place. It is often full during high season so it is adviced to book in advance via internet but there are neighboring accommodations with a little less pretty rooms at similar prices. In the same area you will find several accommodation at low prices (low for the region)Find accommodation in Khao Lak
My recommandations
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Khao Lak.
Practical information about Khao Lak
Note that there are very few budget accommodation by the sea. Most of them are in the city.How to go to Khao Lak ?
Khao Lak is located approximatly 75 km in the North of Phuket. The easiest way togo there is to go to Phuket and take a taxi or catch a bus on Highway 4 ( 5 minutes from the airport ). Buses to Takua Pa , Ranong or Surat Thani stop at Khao Lak ( Phuket - Khao Lak, approximatly 2h ). You can also go to Surat Thani and take a bus to Khao Lak ( near the train sation ). From Bangkok, there buses from Southern Bus Terminal ( Saï Taï Mai ) to Surat Thani.There also daily minivans from Krabi to Khao Lak, ask local travel agencies.
My selection of tours & activities in Khao Lak
Surin Islands Tour: Discover Thailand's Snorkeling Paradise
Offered in English
Go on a day trip to the Koh Surin Islands. A little less touristy than the Similan Islands, they have nothing to envy them in terms of heavenly beaches and snorkeling spots which are even more beautiful according to some. Enjoy a beautiful day on the beach and snorkeling.
Snorkeling excursion to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak
Offered in EnglishDiscover the beautiful beaches of the Similan Islands with their turquoise waters and white sand, real postcard sceneries and dive with masks and snorkels in the most famous snorkeling spots in Thailand. Pick-up at your hotel and lunch included.
Phang Nga Bay 1-Day Boat Tour from Khao Lak
Offered in EnglishLet's go for a day sailing in the superb Phang Nga Bay and its famous James Bond Island. You will also go canoeing (with rowing boat provided) in this exceptional place which is one of the most beautiful seascapes in Thailand and will go discover a small floating village and a temple in a cave inhabited by a colony of monkeys.
How to get around in Khao Lak ?
The city of Khao Lak basically is just a part of a big road with some perpendicular streets, so there are not many transports. However, songthaews can be found at the bus station on both sides of the road. They will offer you to be your taxi. There are also motorcycle taxis, concentrated at the market (opposite 813 Tsunami Memorial).
Must-visits in Khao Lak
Phang Nga Bay
อ่าวพังงา
My opinion :
James Bond Island
เขาตะปู
My opinion :
Similan Isands
เกาะสิมิลัน
My opinion :
Koh Surin islands
เกาะสุรินทร์
My opinion :
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
จุดชมวิวเสม็ดนางชี
My opinion :
Little Amazon Takuapa
คลองสังเน่ห์
My opinion :
Samet Nangshe Skywalk
สกายวอล์คเสม็ดนางชี
My opinion :
Other places to see in Khao Lak
813 Tsunami Memorial Park
Memorial to remember the tsunami in Thailand in December 2004, which hit Khao Lak very hard and brought ashore the police boat 813 centerpiece of the memorial to more than a kilometer inland.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Here you can do interesting tours and especially where is our favorite beach in Khao Lak!
Koh Panyee Island
the island and its mainly floating village is very touristy. It welcomes all tourists visiting the bay and the James Bond Island, but when everyone is gone, it's a amazing place. You can rent a bungalow to enjoy the unique atmosphere before and after the arrival of tourist groups.
Takuapa Old Town
Takuapa is about 30 kilometers from Khao Lak city. The town, which was once one of the most important commercial cities in southern Thailand thanks to tin-dredging, has a pretty little historic center with well-preserved and restored old Sino-Thai style houses. Its Sunday Walking Street is also very nice !
Ao Tho Li Viewpoint
Much less known, and therefore less visited, than the neighboring Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, Ao Tho Li offers a slightly less ideal view of Phang Nga Bay because it is more at the right of the most beautiful part but remains a very good alternative for those who want to less crowds, more tranquility. You can also sleep up there in tents or fairly basic bungalows.
Weather & climate in Khao Lak
Khao Lak has a tropical monsoon climate. Khao Lak has a dry season from December to March and a wet season the rest of the year. However, Khao Lak has precipitation even during its dry season. The most rainy months are September and October.The best months to come to Khao Lak are December and especially January and February. From May to the end of October, there are very regular heavy showers. It is especially not recommended to come to Khao Lak in September and October, the monsoon is strong at that time of the year on the Andaman coast.
How to ask in Thai to go to Khao Lak ?
I want to go to Khao Lak / Yak paï ti Khao Lak.Where is Khao Lak ? / Khao Lak you ti naï ?
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