Khao Lak is not a town but a chain of long, sandy beaches on the Andaman coast north of Phuket, backed by jungle hills. It is quieter and more spread out than Phuket, and the further north you stay, the more peaceful and resort-based it becomes.
Nang Thong is the best base for first-timers and budget travellers, with the most restaurants, shops and dive centres. Bang Niang is the best all-round choice for families and couples, with a wide beach and a lively market nearby. Khuk Khak and Pak Weep suit those wanting big resorts and quiet beaches, and Laem Pakarang is ideal for sunsets and peace. Nightlife everywhere is low-key.
Areas compared
The best areas to stay in Khao Lak
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Nang Thong
The main centre, with most shops and dive shops
Balanced฿฿฿
Nang Thong is what most people mean by Khao Lak town: a stretch of the main road lined with restaurants, bars, massage shops, pharmacies, ATMs and dive centres offering Similan Islands trips. The beach behind it is long and sandy, with resorts along the shore and cheaper guesthouses on the land side of the road. It is the most convenient place to stay without a scooter. Evenings are relaxed rather than wild, with a few bars and live music.
Best forFirst-timersBudget travellersDivers
Why stay here
Most restaurants and services
Best choice of budget rooms
Many dive centres for Similan trips
Watch out for
Main road is busy
Beach can have strong waves in the low season
Getting around: Everything is walkable along the main road; songthaews and taxis wait for trips to Bang Niang and further north.
Bang Niang lies a few kilometres north of Nang Thong and has one of Khao Lak's widest and most beautiful beaches, lined with mid-range and upscale resorts. The village has plenty of restaurants and a popular evening market held several times a week. It is also home to the Police Boat T.813 memorial and the tsunami museum, poignant reminders of 2004. It offers a good balance between peace on the beach and things to do in the evening.
Best forFamiliesCouplesFirst-timers
Why stay here
Wide, beautiful beach
Good restaurants and a lively market
Balanced, family-friendly atmosphere
Watch out for
Fewer budget options than Nang Thong
Quieter in the evening
Getting around: Songthaews and taxis link Bang Niang to Nang Thong in a few minutes; many visitors rent a scooter or bicycle.
Khuk Khak, north of Bang Niang, covers several long beaches with large, well-spaced resorts set in gardens. It feels much quieter than the centre, and many guests spend their days between the pool and the sea. The small local village has a few Thai restaurants and shops, but much less choice than Nang Thong or Bang Niang. It suits travellers who want a comfortable resort holiday and do not mind a short ride to eat out.
Best forFamiliesCouplesResort stays
Why stay here
Quiet, spacious beaches
Good choice of family and upscale resorts
Peaceful evenings
Watch out for
Few restaurants outside the resorts
Need transport to reach the centre
Getting around: Resorts often run shuttles to Nang Thong or Bang Niang; otherwise taxis or a rented scooter.
Pak Weep is the long, quiet beach north of Laem Pakarang, also known as Coconut Beach, with a scattering of large resorts and very little else. The sand is wide and often almost empty, and sunsets are superb. There are few independent restaurants or shops, so this is a place to stay put at your resort, read and swim. Nang Thong is around 20 to 25 minutes away by road, so evenings out require a taxi or scooter.
Best forCouplesHoneymoonersQuiet stays
Why stay here
Very quiet, empty beach
Beautiful sunsets
Spacious resorts
Watch out for
Isolated, few places to eat out
Around 20 to 25 minutes from Nang Thong
Getting around: You will depend on resort shuttles, taxis or a rented scooter or car.
Laem Pakarang is a small cape north of Khuk Khak, where the beach is covered with coral fragments rather than soft sand. It is one of the best sunset spots in Khao Lak, with a few beach bars that fill up in the evening. A handful of resorts and bungalows are scattered nearby, and the atmosphere is very peaceful. Swimming is less pleasant than on the sandy beaches because of the coral and currents, so many guests walk to neighbouring beaches to swim.
Best forCouplesPhotographersNature lovers
Why stay here
Spectacular sunsets
Very peaceful
Sunset beach bars
Watch out for
Coral beach, not ideal for swimming
Limited choice of accommodation
Getting around: Taxis or a scooter are needed to reach Bang Niang and Nang Thong, around 15 to 20 minutes away.
Bang Niang is the best all-round choice for families and couples. Nang Thong is ideal for first-timers, divers and budget travellers, and Pak Weep for those wanting total peace.
Is Khao Lak good for families?
Yes, it is calm, safe and has many family resorts with pools. In the high season the sea is usually gentle, but in the monsoon waves can be strong.
Is Khao Lak better than Phuket?
For a quiet beach holiday, many travellers prefer Khao Lak: less traffic, less crowded beaches and little nightlife. Phuket offers more choice, nightlife and activities.
When is the best time to visit Khao Lak?
From November to April, when the weather is dry and the sea calm. The Similan Islands are open to visitors from about mid-October to mid-May.
Does Khao Lak have nightlife?
Only a relaxed kind: a few bars, live music and sunset beach bars, mainly in Nang Thong, Bang Niang and around Laem Pakarang. For big nights out, go to Patong in Phuket.
By Kylian Dev