Plan 01
1 day in Khao Lak
- 01
Day 1: Beach, memorial and sunset
Walk Bang Niang Beach at first light, then drive a few minutes inland to Police Boat 813 for a quiet half-hour. Return to your hotel for a long lunch and rest through the heat. In the late afternoon head to Nang Thong or Laem Pakarang for sunset over the sea, and keep dinner simple at a hotel or beach restaurant that can prepare vegetarian dishes.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Bang Niang Beach Two to three hours, or a base for several days Easy November to March for calm water; early morning or late afternoon for the cooler hours Laem Pakarang (Pakarang Cape) One hour Moderate Early morning or late afternoon; November to March Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Laem Pakarang (Pakarang Cape): Access is by flat tracks and beach sand, which is soft in places. At low tide the walk can be longer, and there is little shade. Older travellers are best off with a taxi to the nearest access point and a short, slow stroll.
Plan 02
2 days in Khao Lak
- 01
Day 1: Beaches and memorials
Start with Bang Niang Beach, then visit Police Boat 813 and the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial in the same morning. Rest at midday, then spend the late afternoon on the sand at Nang Thong.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Bang Niang Beach Two to three hours, or a base for several days Easy November to March for calm water; early morning or late afternoon for the cooler hours Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial One hour Easy Morning, outside the hottest hours Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 02
Day 2: A park or an island
In the dry season, take an early licensed boat to the Similan Islands from Thap Lamu pier if everyone is comfortable with boats. Otherwise, spend the morning at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park on short forest paths and the coast, then visit Laem Pakarang for sunset.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan) Full day by speedboat; longer by standard boat Moderate November to April; the park closes in the rainy season Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park Half a day Moderate Dry season, November to March; go early Laem Pakarang (Pakarang Cape) One hour Moderate Early morning or late afternoon; November to March Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan): Boarding involves stepping on and off boats and, at the islands, wading ashore. Speedboat rides can be bumpy. Shade on the beaches is limited. This is a hard outing for anyone with knee, back or heart problems.
With parents at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park: Forest tracks can be uneven, wet and root-covered, with few handrails. Humidity is high. The coastal section is easier, and a hired car with driver helps. If anyone has knee or heart concerns, choose short walks only.
Plan 03
3 days in Khao Lak
- 01
Day 1: Slow beach day
Walk the beach in the morning, eat a late breakfast, and rest at midday. Visit Police Boat 813 and Bang Niang's lane in the late afternoon.
- 02
Day 2: Similan Islands or Khao Lak-Lam Ru
Take a licensed day trip to the Similan Islands in the open season, or spend a gentler day at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park and the quiet coast. Bring vegetarian snacks, as boat lunches are often seafood-based.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan) Full day by speedboat; longer by standard boat Moderate November to April; the park closes in the rainy season Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park Half a day Moderate Dry season, November to March; go early Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan): Boarding involves stepping on and off boats and, at the islands, wading ashore. Speedboat rides can be bumpy. Shade on the beaches is limited. This is a hard outing for anyone with knee, back or heart problems.
With parents at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park: Forest tracks can be uneven, wet and root-covered, with few handrails. Humidity is high. The coastal section is easier, and a hired car with driver helps. If anyone has knee or heart concerns, choose short walks only.
- 03
Day 3: History or nature inland
Visit Ban Nam Khem and Takua Pa town in the morning, or take a long day to Khao Sok's lake and forest. Hat Thai Mueang is an easier alternative for a quiet beach and the Lampi waterfalls.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Takua Pa Town One to two hours Easy Morning Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Khao Lak trip for parents and children
- Choose a hotel on the flat beach strip and use a hired car or hotel taxi; the main road is fast and walking between beaches is unpleasant.
- The Similan Islands involve boat boarding, wading ashore and bumpy speedboat rides. Skip them if anyone has knee, back or heart concerns, or choose the national park coast instead.
- Plan one outing per day, with a rest after lunch. Heat and humidity are high all year and tropical rain can arrive without warning.
- Carry travel insurance with medical cover and keep prescriptions in their original packaging. Wikivoyage mentions a clinic at Bang Niang for minor ailments; for serious care you may need to travel to Phuket, so ask your hotel about the nearest suitable hospital.
- In the wet season, avoid sea swimming when warning flags are up and follow hotel advice on currents.
- Dress modestly at memorials and temples: cover shoulders and knees, and keep your voice low.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Khao Lak compares the areas.
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