13 Captivating Khao Lak Attractions in Thailand: Fun Things to Do
When you think of beach holidays in Thailand images of turquoise waters lapping at white sandy shores come to mind. Yes, spending lots of time on those beaches is one of the main things to do in Khao Lak, but what else to do?
Stepping away from those beaches there are so many more Khao Lak attractions and activities; from shopping at markets, and exploring local sites to venturing further out of town and seeing the natural beauty that surrounds this tranquil beachside village.
In this Article on What to See in Khao Lak You Will Learn:
- 13 Things to do in Khao Lak including:
- More travel tips for Khao Lak
- About Khao Lak
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Top 13 Things to Do in Khao Lak
In Khao Lak Thailand, things to do and see are spread up and down the coastline. This interactive Things to Do in Khao Lak Google Map will help you locate the following attractions.
Khao Lak Attractions
1. The Beach
The white sandy beaches are often most tourists’ first port of call. The sand is clean, the waves are calm, the water is clear and for an added bonus the jungle meets the sea providing ample shade.
Little kids will be happy digging sandcastles whilst older ones can play soccer and volleyball. Meanwhile, you can sit back and enjoy a drink or meal at one of the many beachside restaurants and bars.
Many resorts will also provide paddleboards and kayaks. The tranquil waters of Khao Lak are the perfect place to learn these new skills.
2. Mini Golf
You can also hone your golfing skills at the Khao Lak Mini Golf course. It is located within the nearby jungle offering you plenty of shade in the tropical heat.
3. Zip Lining
For the more adventurous there is the Elephant Fly Zipline just south of Khao Lak town.
There are three different adventure levels catering for 8 to 80-year-olds that will have you flying through the jungle and enjoying the coastline views
4. Sea Turtle Conservation Centre
For something a little bit different you can visit the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre. It’s a bit out of town at the Phang Nga Naval Base so you may choose to include it within a tour.
You get to see turtles that are being hand-reared in tanks. It is hoped that they have a better survival rate when re-released back into the wild.
It’s all undercover so perfect if you are looking for things to do in Khao Lak when it rains.
5. Tsunami Memorial
Five minutes north of town is the Tsunami Memorial Museum and it is worth a visit. It is a time to reflect on the horrors that mother nature brought upon this village in 2004. There are also amazing stories of survival and incredible photographs of the event.
Some parts of this museum are free to visit, others require a small donation.
This Thai naval boat was washed two kilometres inland to this point and sits at the entrance of the memorial to showcase the powerful waves of the tsunami.
Across the road from the Tsunami Memorial is the Bang Niang Markets, time yourself right and you can do both of these attractions in one afternoon.
Top Trip Tip: Thai tuk-tuks are a cheap way to get around the area
Markets in Khao Lak
There are no real Khao Lak shopping centres to be found. The main source of shopping is the Khao Lak markets.
6. Bang Niang Night Markets
The Bang Niang Market is an open-aired market, so don’t forget your brolly if it looks like rain. It is located across the road from the Tsunami Museum and is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 4-10pm. This Khao Lak night market makes great evening entertainment.
There are food stalls offering traditional eats such as satays and spring rolls but you can also try delicacies like deep-fried critters and bugs. Once you’re full wonder about finding some clothing, souvenirs and handicrafts.
7. T.T. Plaza Khao Lak
Within Khao Lak town shops and a few restaurants line the main street including the T.T. Plaza open every day from 9am ‘til 8pm.
This Khao Lak shopping bazaar is a large tin shed spanning 2000m2 another good option for things to do in Khao Lak when it rains. There are hundreds of stalls selling knickknacks, souvenirs and clothing. It can also be very warm inside, so pick and choose your merchant by who offers a fan versus those who don’t.
Top Trip Tip: Many places will only accept cash – be prepared
Immerse in the Thai Culture
Wondering about the Khao Lak markets you start to get a sense of Thai culture. But why not delve a little bit deeper?
8. Songkran
We were fortunate enough to arrive at Khao Lak on Songkran. A yearly water festival that celebrates the start of the traditional Thai new year. It is held around mid-April (The 2019 Songkran water festival will be 13 April). Basically, the festival involves soaking as many people as you can with water either by throwing buckets of water or using water pistols. It is all quite fun and has a wonderful lively ambience.
9. Thai Cooking Class
At night I am sure you are eating at many of the local Khao Lak restaurants, and if anything like me wondering why when I try to cook Thai food at home it never tastes this good.
Take advantage of the many Thai cooking classes offered at the resorts and learn the secrets of Thai cooking. Personally, I think part of the beautiful aromatic flavours is due to the many spices that are added to each dish.
10. Muay Thai Boxing
Burn off those calories with a round of exercise. Muay Thai Boxing will get you in a sweat in no time. What I love is that many of the resorts offer classes for kids and adults.
Top Trip Tip: Pre-book classes as they fill fast
Tours and Things to Do Around Khao Lak
After a few days, it’s time to explore a little further afield. There are several local companies offering great Khao Lak day trips or use a booking site like Viator* or GetYourGuide* to book in advance.
11. Water Falls
Located in the surrounding foothills there are many Khao Lak waterfalls to explore. The best time of the year to experience them is during the wet season from July to December. However many are still gently flowing even at the end of the dry season.
Many of the Khao Lak day trips include a stop at one of the waterfalls. If you organise a few tours ensure you stay with the same company and you should see different waterfalls for each excursion.
12. James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay
Another tour that includes waterfalls is a long-tail boat tour on Phang Nga Bay. I can’t speak highly enough of our tour through this stunning region.
We experienced some unique places including canoeing through the mangroves and limestone cliff islands, wondering about a floating village, seeing a traditional Thai temple with a gold reclining Buddha and of course a waterfall.
13. More Islands
On the horizon off Khao Lak beach, you can see more islands; Surin and Similan Islands. These islands have been described as beyond beautiful and being able to snorkel about the shores is quite delightful, offering yet another rare encounter.
And that is what really encapsulates Khao Lak. A place that offers so many different, unusual and special things to do and see – there is something for everyone.
Top Trip Tip: Don’t forget to pack a towel in your day bag and wear swimming clothes under your day outfit
14. Elephants
I know many people still want to experience trekking with a Thai elephant, and these options are still readily available.
However, times are changing and tourists are looking for more ethical ways to experience these wonderful creatures. Elephant Hills offers overnight packages or try Eco Adventure Tours that include an experience with the elephants but not riding.
Plan Your Trip to Khao Lak, Thailand
When planning your Khao Lak activities remember to consider the following points
Safety
- Get travel insurance, we use Cover-More*
- Hiring a motorbike
- Insurance
- International driver’s license
- Ensure tours have insurance
Health
- Use ONLY bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
- There are a pharmacy and herbalist on the main street in town
- Take a first aid kit
- Resorts are scattered quite a ways along the coastline, you could be a good 10-minute drive from town
Learn how to put together your own…
Booking Tours
- Size of Tours
- What’s included
- Ethical
- Compare tour and prices with Viator* or GetYourGuide*
Currency
I was quite surprised to find that Khao Lak restaurant and souvenir prices were very comparable to the bigger towns in Thailand.
Thailand uses the currency of Thai Baht. There is a bank in Khao Lak town that offers fair rates. We also found a small exchange booth on Pak Weep Beach near our resort that was honest and fair.
A rough calculation is:
- $1 AUD = 24.42 THB
- £1 GBP = 43.67 THB
- $1 USD = 33.27 THB
For today’s latest exchange rate check Currency Converter.
What to Pack
- DIY medical travel kit
- Pack list for Thailand beach trip
- For the kids:
Start preparing your travel packing with the…
About Khao Lak
Where is Khao Lak
Located on Thailand’s west coast approximately 60km north of Phuket Island, Khao Lak is a small tourist beachside village within the province of Phang Nga – one of the 77 provinces of Thailand.
How to Get to Khao Lak
To reach Khao Lak by air you can either fly to Phuket International Airport or Krabi Airport. Phuket is the closest airport; however, it is then another one-and-a-half-hour drive north to Khao Lak by private car or taxi. From Krabi Airport it will take two and a half hours to drive.
Alternatively, Khao Lak is serviced by bus. Khao Lak is not an endpoint for busses, but rather a stop en route from point A to B. Buses pass through from Bangkok, Chumphon, Phuket, Ranong, and Surat Thani (which has the nearest train station).
History of Khao Lak
Prior to 1986, Khao Lak was just a local Thai fishing village.
The touristic history of Khao Lak begins in 1986 when two nationals Khun Daeng and Pi Nut build the Paradise Bungalows on Pak Weep Beach (the same beach our resort Mai Khao Lak Beach Resort is located). Back then though it was much cheaper to stay along this stretch of the beach – only 100 Baht a night.
Within a year more bungalows were situated along the beaches. The idyllic town was also starting to be mentioned in guidebooks and became very popular with German backpackers.
The tourist town continued to flourish with more resorts. Then in 2004, it was dealt a horrific blow. The devastating Boxing Day Tsunami. Thousands were killed including a Thai prince.
Whilst today you can still see evidence of this momentous event, Khao Lak town has rebuilt itself into a beautiful setting with luxurious resorts and delightful attractions.
How to Get Around Khao Lak Town
Khao Lak town is quiet and small and does not offer any public transport.
To get around and see the sites you will need to either make use of hotel shuttles (like the one offered at our accommodation the Mai Khao Lak Beach Resort and Spa), hire a taxi, hire a tuk-tuk, hire a motorbike (please check your travel insurance) or join a day tour to explore the Khao Lak attractions further out from town.
More Information
Learn more about Thailand and the entry requirements on these official Thailand tourism websites:
Discover more in these Thailand Travel Guides*
You may also like to read our Thailand articles on:
- Tours and Attractions
- Accommodation and Airline Reviews
- What to Pack for a Thailand Beach or Island Holiday
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