Day trips in Khao Lak
- 01
Hat Thai Mueang and Khao Lampi
A national park about 40 km south of Khao Lak that combines a long, quiet beach with the Lampi waterfalls. Quieter than Khao Lak and good for a slow half-day.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March; mornings
- Tickets
- A national park fee applies for foreigners. Check the current fee and opening hours. Rules on the beach protect turtle nesting areas, so follow ranger advice.
- 02
Khao Sok National Park
A large rainforest park in neighbouring Surat Thani province, home to Cheow Lan Lake and its limestone cliffs. A long day trip from Khao Lak, or better as an overnight stay.
- Time needed
- Full day; or one night
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Dry months; January and February are driest
- Tickets
- National park fees apply, and lake boat trips are sold by operators. Confirm what is included and the latest entry fee. Night walks require a guide, according to Wikipedia.
- 03
Similan Islands (Mu Ko Similan)
A marine national park about 70 km off Phang Nga, reached by boat from the Thap Lamu pier south of Khao Lak. Clear water, white sand and coral, open only in the dry season.
- Time needed
- Full day by speedboat; longer by standard boat
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to April; the park closes in the rainy season
- Tickets
- The park is closed in the rainy season (Wikipedia gives mid-May to mid-October; dates can change). Tours are sold by licensed operators and park fees are usually added. Confirm what is included before you book.
- 04
Takua Pa Town
The district town north of Khao Lak, once the ancient port of Takola. A working town rather than a resort: useful for history, local markets and everyday Thai life.
- Time needed
- One to two hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning
- Tickets
- No entry fees for the town itself. Shop and market hours vary; check locally.
Neighbourhoods in Khao Lak
- 05
Bang Niang Beach
The middle stretch of Khao Lak's beach strip, with a long, open beach, a market lane behind it and the tsunami boat memorial a short drive inland. A practical base with more shops and cafes than its neighbours.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours, or a base for several days
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March for calm water; early morning or late afternoon for the cooler hours
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the public beach. Swimming conditions depend on the season and local flag warnings; do not swim when red flags are up or the surf is heavy.
- 06
Nang Thong Beach (Bang La On)
The southern, more polished end of Khao Lak's strip, known locally as Bang La On, with resorts, cafes and a long sandy frontage. Choose it for comfort and convenience rather than for wild scenery.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours, or a base stay
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March; mornings and late afternoons
- Tickets
- Public beach with no entry fee. Resort sun beds and facilities are for guests, so ask before using a hotel's pool or loungers if you are staying elsewhere.
Landmarks in Khao Lak
- 07
Laem Pakarang (Pakarang Cape)
A low headland on the Khao Lak coast, named in Wikipedia's list of local beaches and sights. Visit for sunrise or sunset and a quiet stretch of sea, not for a major attraction.
- Time needed
- One hour
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; November to March
- Tickets
- No entry fee that we could verify. Tide, weather and local access arrangements change, so ask your hotel before you set out and treat any posted warnings as binding.
- 08
Police Boat 813 Memorial
A police patrol boat carried far inland by the 26 December 2004 tsunami and now kept as a memorial near Bang Niang. A sobering, free and short stop that explains why Khao Lak looks the way it does.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat and tour groups
- Tickets
- Entry arrangements and any donation or exhibit fee are not fixed here; check current information at the site. Treat it as a memorial: quiet voices, modest dress and no staged or smiling photographs.
Culture in Khao Lak
- 09
Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial
A memorial and learning centre in a fishing village just north of Khao Lak, built after the 2004 tsunami killed about a quarter of the village's residents. Quiet, serious and best visited briefly.
- Time needed
- One hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, outside the hottest hours
- Tickets
- Opening hours and any fee are not verified here. The memorial grounds and the museum may differ, so check locally. Dress modestly and avoid photography of mourners or ceremonies.
Experiences in Khao Lak
- 10
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
A coastal and forest national park covering parts of four districts, with waterfalls, rainforest and quiet beaches. The easiest way to add green hills to a beach stay.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Dry season, November to March; go early
- Tickets
- National parks charge a separate foreigner entry fee. Wikivoyage lists 200 baht for non-Thai adults on a past visit, but check the current fee and opening hours with the park or your hotel.
