The Best Things to Do in Khao Lak in Thailand: An Underrated Beach Destination

You’ve heard of Phuket, you’ve heard of Krabi, but have you heard of Khao Lak?

Khao Lak is in Phang Nga province, just a short 90 minute drive from Phuket International Airport. The stunning golden sand beach paradise is sandwiched between the shoreline and the mountains, receiving just a fraction of the number of visitors that Phuket does – which consequently translates into far fewer crowds. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that there’s nothing to do!

I have loved this area so much that I’ve been back three separate times! Read on for my Khao Lak travel guide – here is everything you need to know about planning a getaway to Khao Lak in Thailand!

Quick logistics tips for visiting Khao Lak in Thailand

✈️ To get into Khao Lak you can fly into Phuket International Airport (airport code: HKT). The best way to get from the airport to the hotel is by pre-booking your private pick-up here or by renting a car via Klook. Depending on where you are staying in Khao Lak, the drive will take you anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Everything is fairly spread out in Khao Lak, so renting a car offers you more flexibility to get around, otherwise your movement will be somewhat limited by hotel shuttles and booking taxis. While Grab is readily available in places like Phuket, Koh Samui and Bangkok, you will find that Grab is not used in Khao Lak.

🛂 Thailand visa requirements: Thailand currently offers visa-free travel to nationals of nearly 100 countries. Visitors from ASEAN or Western countries, including most European, Commonwealth, and North American citizens, are not required to have a Thai visa for visits less than 60 days in Thailand. Starting 1 May 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. This can be completed within 3 days before arrival.

💱 The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht. The exchange rate is approximately US$1/Euro to approximately 32-35 Baht or 1 AUD: 22 Baht. There are some ATMs available in Khao Lak town and cash is king if you are booking local tours (such as if you are going on a day trip to Khao Sok National Park or the Similan Islands), so I do recommend withdrawing some Thai Baht when you arrive.

📱 Stay connected and buy a local SIM card at the airport. We purchased a True SIM card which was extremely easy to pick up in the international arrivals halls, just after you exit the baggage claim and customs area. You can purchase your True SIM card ahead of time and pick it up at Phuket International airport. Get your True SIM card here!

🌤️ The best time to visit Khao Lak is typically considered to be during the dry season between November to April. That being said, we visited in July and with the exception of a few rainstorms here and there (as well as one full day which was rained out by a typhoon), we experienced plenty of blissful sunshine. However, if you want to surf, then the Khao Lak surf conditions are typically best from about May to October. During this time it can also be windy and the beach isn’t necessarily the nicest for swimming as the waves can be pretty rough.

🇹🇭 The main language spoken in Thailand is Thai: You may experience a slight language barrier in Thailand, but most people working in the hospitality sector will speak English.

🗓️ Wondering how many days to spend in Khao Lak? For a first time visitor I would recommend spending no fewer than 3-4 days in Khao Lak, more if you plan on spending a night staying on the lake in Khao Sok National Park or doing a day trip to the Similan Islands.

Where to stay in Khao Lak in Thailand

Nestled between a serene lagoon and golden shores of Khao Lak, Devasom Khao Lak blends timeless Thai architecture with modern luxury in a way that feels straight out of a dream. Think heritage-inspired architecture, lagooon-side lounging and curated spaces throughout the property.

It didn’t take long for us to forget that the outside world even exists. With only 69 boutique suites and villas, this is the place to go if you need a little peace and tranquility.

We loved the airy and spacious rooms – book a Seaside Junior Suite with jacuzzi so you can soak on the balcony overlooking the lagoon. Devasom Khao Lak is also home to two award-winning restaurants – head to TAKOLA for exquisite Southern Thai cuisine and Devasom Beach Grill for modern Mediterranean-inspired fare. Read my full Devasom Khao Lak review here.

Our 4-year-old had lots of fun frolicking in the pool as well as playing at the perfectly wholesome Devasom Explorer kids club. There are plenty of shallow sections where kids can stand unassisted in the main pool, there is also a smaller kids pool beside the main one if you prefer. Ready to book your family or couple’s beach getaway at Devasom Khao Lak? Booking direct will get you the best deal and perks – however, if you prefer booking via Booking.com you can check rates and availability here.

If high-energy kids facilities like water slides, arcade rooms, outdoor playgrounds and so on are a non-negotiable for you, then consider checking into Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort just up the road.

We enjoyed our stay in the modern rooms at Avani and insane number of facilities – as you can imagine, trying to get my kid to leave the waterpark was almost impossible! The service and staff were extremely attentive and kind, and we enjoyed the Italian food at the stunning Beach House restaurant as well as sunset cocktails and snacks from the food truck on the beach.

Teens and adults will love the arcade, basketball court, climbing wall, skate park and fitness center which hosts training sessions and authentic muay Thai classes throughout the day (bookings essential). Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort is an excellent option if you want your holiday with the works, however note that this is a large resort and can feel very busy – even during the off-peak travel season. Click here to book your stay at Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort, or explore more Khao Lak hotel options here.

For a smaller and more low-key resort, you can also consider the very relaxed Outrigger Khao Lak next door. We really enjoyed our most recent stay at this beachfront hotel in Khao Lak. The rooms are spacious (though they might be due for a refresh soon) and very clean and comfortable. Tip: If you are averse to mosquitos you might want to consider booking an upstairs room rather than a garden room as we found quite a few when we checked in.

The main pool is lovely with plenty of sun loungers as well as massage cabanas (bookings highly recommended), and the main beachfront restaurant was fantastic – the quality of food at Outrigger Khao Lak is top-notch, and we enjoyed the Thai and Western food options on the menu.

We found this to be a much more quiet option compared to Avani, and the lo-fi kids club kept our 4-year-old endlessly entertained – you might find that Outrigger Khao Lak is best suited to adults or families traveling with younger children under 6-7 years old.

As we stayed over the Halloween period the kids club team transformed the space and did a magical job transforming it into a Harry Potter-themed room, and hosted a resort-wide Trick-or-Treat parade! The staff at Outrigger Khao Lak as a whole are so incredibly polite, friendly and kind. Click here to check rates and availability at Outrigger Khao Lak.

What to do in Khao Lak in Thailand

Planning your Khao Lak trip? There are tons of places to visit including cruising through the towering karsts of the nearby Khao Sok National Park, swimming in waterfalls, observing rescued elephants and surfing when the season is right. Here are some other ideas for where to go and places to visit in Khao Lak.

1. Swim in a waterfall

A quick drive away from Devasom Khao Lak is the easily accessible Sai Rung waterfall – it is best to visit this during the green season between May and October when there’s more water flowing, but we loved this quiet waterfall in Khao Lak!

It is just a quick 5-minute walk into the jungle from the car park, and you have to pay a small fee to the property owners to enter – 10 Baht per person to enter and 20 Baht to park a car.

It was super easy to get to and once we were there, there was only a handful of other people swimming at the base of the roaring waterfall. If you’re looking for an uncrowded waterfall experience add this to your Khao Lak list!

Other waterfalls in Khao Lak to visit include Lampi Waterfall, Ton Chong Fa and Ton Phrai.

Where to stay in Khao Lak: We loved our stay at the dreamy Devasom Khao Lak, a tranquil 69-room boutique property perfect for design or architecture lovers. Those looking for a property with a waterpark, skate park and extensive fitness center look into Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort. For a quieter resort experience consider the beachfront Outrigger Khao Lak. You can explore other unique accommodation and luxury hotel options in Khao Lak here.

2. Visit the herd at Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary

Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary is just a 5-minute drive from Sai Rung Waterdall and is currently home to 6 gentle female elephants rescued from the logging and tourism industries.

This ethical elephant sanctuary in Khao Lak gives visitors the opportunity to watch them enjoy the cool water and bathe in the river as well as walk alongside them.

Beginning August 2025, the venue has discontinued elephant feeding activities as part of their effort to align with the ethical guidelines of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). The focus will shift fully to educational, observation-only experiences, allowing elephants to live freely without human interference.

We loved observing Boon-Song frolic in the river to cool down! You can book these guided tours online via their website, with tours starting at 1-hour long and allowing you to go on a short jungle walk with one of the elephants that now call this sanctuary home.

3. Kayak through the “Little Amazon” rainforest

One of the best things to do in Khao Lak is to kayak through the “Little Amazon” rainforest in Takuapa – you’ll understand why it’s named this way as soon as you see it! The lush mangrove forest features 200 year-old networks of towering banyan trees and native wildlife.

Hop on a small kayak with your local guide – they do all the paddling while you lay back, put your feet up and bask in the unspoiled landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, birds and even snakes!

4. Surf, surf and surf in Khao Lak

Surf culture is alive and well in Khao Lak! Surfers will also enjoy the waves in Khao Lak. The surf season in Khao Lak typically begins in about May/June to late October/November, and is a popular surf spot for long boarding.

You can rent surfboards and sign up for lessons at Memories Beach or Salt Surf – we especially loved the indoor/outdoor Salt Surf beachfront cafe which served up a delicious coffee and acai bowl.

Surfing is one of the best things to do in Khao Lak – we absolutely loved spending the mornings and afternoon surfing in the uncrowded and gentle whitewater waves with my kid! For a delicious lunch eat right on the beach at Memories – we loved the pad see ew and prawn cakes.

Board rentals start from about 300 THB for the first 2 hours and 200 THB for the next hour, or 800 THB for the day. You can also sign up for a beginner surf lesson for 1800 THB which is approximately US$55 or AU$85.

Where to stay in Khao Lak: We loved our stay at the tranquil Devasom Khao Lak, a 69-room boutique hotel perfect for design or architecture lovers. Those looking for a Khao Lak hotel with a waterpark, skate park and extensive fitness center look into Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort. For a quieter resort experience consider the beachfront Outrigger Khao Lak. You can explore other unique accommodation and luxury hotel options in Khao Lak here.

5. Grab a coffee with a view

Some of the best viewpoints in Khao Lak come with an espresso machine. We loved the Valhalla Teahouse in Khao Lak which offers sweeping beach and ocean views as well as some outdoor seating options.

There is very limited roadside parking across the street – these are not official parking spots so park at your own risk!

You can also travel slightly further afield to the Samet Nangshe Boutique viewpoint and cafe which is approximately 1 hour away by car. This is one of the most famous viewpoints in the area and many people will venture north from Phuket to visit.

There’s a lovely restaurant and bar there which makes it the perfect place for a cold beer or smoothie on a sweltering day. Entry costs 150 Baht per person but can be used as credit upon spending of 300 Baht. Bring cash as the restaurant accepts cash only!

6. Explore Khao Sok National Park

You can also go on a day trip from Khao Lak to Khao Sok National Park which is a 90-minute drive away to see the towering karsts at the manmade Cheow Lan Lake.

This emerald-coloured lake is majestic and was a highlight of our Khao Lak trip. Khao Sok National Park day trips typically include a 60 minute lake cruise on a longtail boat where you might spot a wild elephant if you’re lucky, lunch at one of the floating restaurants where you can swim and/or kayak, bamboo rafting and a visit to the Monkey Temple afterwards.

We highly recommend booking with Robert from Khaolak Day Trip at +66 80 246 5916. Robert is a former teacher who relocated to Khao Lak after the tsunami to help coordinate the disaster relief efforts, and has since established his own tour company. He speaks perfect English and was always responsive, punctual and is just a lovely guy all around.

The private Khao Lak to Khao Sok day trip costs around 3500 THB per adult, 2500 THB per child including transfers and requires a minimum of 4 people to run, or you can do what we did and convert it to a private tour with an additional charge of 1500 THB per person for 2 people. You can also check out some other Khao Lak trip options here.

Ready to book your trip to Khao Lak? We highly recommend the peaceful Devasom Khao Lak, a 69-room boutique hotel perfect for design or architecture lovers. Those looking for a Khao Lak hotel with a waterpark, skate park and extensive fitness center look into Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort. For a laid-back and smaller resort experience consider the beachfront Outrigger Khao Lak.You can explore other unique accommodation and luxury hotel options in Khao Lak here.

7. Go island hopping in Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is a national marine park with wondrous karst islands similar to the ones you find in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam. Phang Nga Bay is one of the more popular day trips from Phuket but you can actually also embark on the boat trip from Khao Lak.

Two of the more famous spots in Phang Nga Bay include James Bond Island (or Koh Tapu) which was featured in the James Bond movie, “The Man With the Golden Gun”, and Koh Hong.

Large tour groups descend upon James Bond Island at approximately 9:30 AM, so head there early in the morning to get it all to yourself. Once you’ve had a chance to check out the vertical islet, cruise over to Koh Hong to kayak through caves and hidden lagoons – there’s even a Scooby Doo-shaped rock that juts off the cliff face of one of the towering limestone structures! Check out highly rated Khao Lak trips and tour options here.

8. Venture to the Similan Islands

Khao Lak is also the gateway to the picturesque Similan Islands which opens each year between mid-October to about mid-May. Its white-sand beaches feature massive rocks reminiscent of those found in the Seychelles, and the translucent water is some of the clearest you’ll find anywhere in the world.

As the marine national park is only open during certain months of the year, you’ll need to plan ahead and book your Khao Lak to Similan Islands day trip.

9. Go bamboo rafting

Bamboo rafting is one of the best things to do in Khao Lak – go on a leisurely (and, at times, thrilling) journey down the rapids and through the jungle on a floating platform made entirely of bamboo.

We enjoyed this 45-minute experience more than we had expected! Our ferryman expertly navigated down the river, pushing off of rocks and the river bank with a long bamboo pole – occasionally looking up and pointing out humongous snakes coiled up on the trees above. There is also an area where you can jump in and swim in the river for a few minutes. You will need to wear swimwear or clothing that you’re comfortable getting wet, as the raft does get immersed in water. Bring a towel and a change of clothes!

Many places, like this one that we visited, only accept cash so bring enough to pay for your ride and a small tip for your ferryman/guide. Expect to pay around 600 Baht per adult, 400 Baht per child.

Is it worth visiting Khao Lak?

Khao Lak is an excellent alternative to Phuket if you’re looking for a more quiet beach holiday destination. It is just as easily accessible from the international airport as some areas in south Phuket like Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and even Phuket Old Town.

For us returning to Khao Lak is a no brainer, however if you enjoy the hustle bustle and access to restaurants and bars outside of the resorts your choice may be limited as Khao Lak town is fairly small and compact.

There are plenty of hotel options in Khao Lak, and most resorts offer beach access. The price point of resorts in Khao Lak also tends to be significantly lower than hotels and resorts in Phuket.

In terms of location, Khao Lak is an excellent base for day trips to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island, the Similan Islands and Khao Sok National Park. To continue on your Thailand itinerary you can also drive 2 hours east to Krabi.

🎥▶️ Let me show you around Khao Lak in Thailand ▶️🎥

I hope this list of top things to add to your Khao Lak travel itinerary helps you with your trip planning!

Where to stay in Khao Lak: We loved our stay at the dreamy Devasom Khao Lak, a tranquil 69-room boutique property perfect for design or architecture lovers. Those looking for a property with a waterpark, skate park and extensive fitness center look into Avani Plus Khao Lak Resort. For a quieter resort experience consider the beachfront Outrigger Khao Lak. You can explore other unique accommodation and luxury hotel options in Khao Lak here.

You might also find these guides helpful:

• Head on over here for my 10 Day Thailand itinerary that will take you beyond the beaches
• Check out my quick guide to some of the best day trips from Phuket
• Heading to Phuket? I highly recommend checking out these excellent luxury hotels for your stay – The Slate Phuket and Centara Karon Resort Phuket
• Not sure what to expect in Southeast Asia? Read these 10 essential Southeast Asia travel tips
• Click here for even more Thailand travel guides and tips

Share this with the next person who tries to tell you “Khao Lak is boring”! or pin this for later!

I was hosted as media on a familiarization stay at Devasom Khao Lak. These media stays allow me to experience the property and give a first-hand, honest review of their rooms, facilities and service.

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book using these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website by using these links.

Share this article!