Khao Lak Holidays

Khao Lak is famous for its chilled-out beaches. There are half a dozen sandy stretches to choose from, and many more coral reefs besides. You can snorkel along the shore or, if you’re a keen diver, head out on a day trip to deeper waters. There are several scuba diving schools in Khao Lak as well – so if you’ve always wanted to give it a go, this is a great place to learn.

But there’s plenty of things to do in Khao Lak beyond the beach. You can spend quality time with elephants on a trek through the forest at the Elephant Hills camp, or go on a bamboo rafting or canoeing trip.

Alternatively, if you want to take things easy, head to one of the hot springs. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the vitamin-filled Ban Do Dan Springs, just a 30-minute drive south of Khao Lak. Kapong Hot Springs is another good option – and, because they’re in Khao Lak Ram Ru National Park, you can unwind after a day of hiking waterfalls.

You could easily spend your entire Khao Lak holiday beach-hopping along the coast. Lapped by the warm Andaman Sea, this place offers plenty of opportunities to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Stretching for a kilometre, spacious Khao Lak Beach is very popular but, thanks to its size, it rarely feels busy. It’s bookended by two good snorkelling spots, and there are a few beach bars and restaurants around for when you fancy a bite to eat and some shade.

If you’re looking for a bit more variety, Bang Niang Beach and Nang Thong Beach are the area’s most developed beaches. You can have scuba lessons at the dive schools, and most day trips depart from here, too. The blonde sands are backed by a hubbub of eateries and shops and, come nightfall, several bars and small clubs open their doors.

For total tranquility, though,head north to Pak Weeb Beach. Simple and unspoiled, this footprint-free beach looks like something off a postcard – expect pure-white sands and turquoise waters.

One major perk of any Khao Lak holiday is the sheer amount of natural beauty. This place has a trio of national parks on its doorstep. First up, there’s Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park. Extending well into the jungle, this lush area is medley of dramatic cliffs, swampy mangroves and amazing waterfalls. Thanks to its diverse landscape, the park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, tapirs, Asian black bears, snakes and butterflies.

Further north, Khao Sok National Park is made up of an enormous lake, limestone islands and dense tropical rainforest. Here, you’ll find elephants, gibbons and lots of exotic birds. Nature-lovers should take a boat trip across the lake, and embark on a guided trek through the jungle.

Meanwhile, the Similan Islands are a must-visit for keen divers. With their pristine sands, grand boulders and impossibly-clear waters, these nine islands seem almost too good to be true.

As is the case with most parts of Thailand, Khao Lak has three distinct climates: dry, hot and wet. The dry season runs from November to March, so this is the best time to go to Khao Lak if you’re planning to spend most of your holiday on the beach. Average temperatures hover around 28°C but a north-easterly breeze helps keep the humidity low, so you’ll have comfortable weather for sunbathing. These perfect conditions do come at a small cost, though – the winter months are the busiest time of year to visit Khao Lak.

If you want to beat the crowds, consider going between April and August. During the hot season, temperatures rarely fall below 30°C and you can expect tropical downpours at night – but the beaches will be much quieter than in high season. September and October see the southwest monsoon season. It’s certainly not beach weather but, if you’re into hiking and don’t mind packing a waterproof, you’ll be able to see Khao Lak’s waterfalls at their best. And you’ll probably bag a bargain.