Is Khao Lak worth visiting?
Yes, Khao Lak offers many reasons for a visit. It's a area everyone should explore, and our experience here was wonderful. We didn't want to leave.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this area has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the terrific beaches and great resorts.
This series of villages runs along the coast of Thailand and offers a laid back beach setting that is perfect for couples or families. It's filled with natural beauty, less developed beaches, and turquoise blue waters. It's also an excellent dive and snorkel destination.
The beach at Khao Lak, Thailand
7 Reasons to Visit Khao Lak
1. Beaches
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The beaches are a highlight of any trip to Thailand. They offer a laid back and peaceful setting with white sand, turquoise water, and tropical marine life. Some of the best beaches include Bang Niang Beach - which is one of the most popular, Nang Thong Beach - which is one of the most beautiful, and Coconut Beach - which is one of the most idyllic.
The Beach is known for its soft golden sands and tranquil waters. (Free)
2. Resorts
The resorts cater to couples and families and offer a laid back and relaxed setting.
3. Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
There are many great dive and snorkel spots in the area and you'll find no shortage of excursions and day trips, whether you're interested in scuba diving or snorkeling.
4. Food
There's a range of southern Thai classics that include seafood, curries, grilled meats, and even vegetarian options. You'll also find an abundance of western food restaurants that serve everything from pizza to burgers.
5. Nightlife
While it's a tranquil place, there are still some bars and clubs that have a laid back atmosphere and are fun places to hang out in the evening.
6. Shopping
You'll find night markets, souvenir shops, local tailors, and other places where you can grab essentials or pick up souvenirs from your holiday.
7. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Khao Lak might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Khao Lak here or see if Khao Lak is expensive here.
Is Khao Lak worth visiting in the Summer?
This is the low season for travel in Khao Lak. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Khao Lak looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the resorts, and the nightlife scene. Also, you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in Khao Lak
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 272 mm (10.7 in) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 417 mm (16.4 in) |
Is Khao Lak worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Khao Lak, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Khao Lak looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, relax at the beach, and enjoy the amenities of a resort.
Autumn Weather in Khao Lak
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) |
| November | 27°C (80°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| December | 27°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Khao Lak worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in Khao Lak, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (80°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Khao Lak looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to dine out at amazing restaurants, enjoy an evening out, and lounge on the beach. Also, you can relax at a luxurious resort and take in the beautiful scenery.
Winter Weather in Khao Lak
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 27°C (80°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| March | 28°C (83°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Khao Lak worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Khao Lak. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 29°C (83°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. Beach resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Khao Lak looking for a relaxing vacation, so these resorts have plenty of nice amenities. During this season it's fun to experience the shops and boutiques, the beautiful scenery, and the nightlife. Also, you can check out the beaches and the resorts.
Spring Weather in Khao Lak
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 29°C (83°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 345 mm (13.6 in) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 286 mm (11.3 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Khao Lak
Museums and Attractions
Khao Lak isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. You'll find plenty or natural beauty, but not much in the form of temples or museums.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
Related
What is Khao Lak most famous for?
Khao Lak is most famous for its undersea marine life, white sand beaches, and mellow coastal vibe. The area is very popular for its beaches. It is also known for its great resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. And many visitors also come to this area for its food, nightlife, and shopping. It is often described as idyllic, serene, laid back, relaxed, and friendly.
What is the most famous sight in Khao Lak?
The most popular sight in Khao Lak is Khao Sok National Park. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Khao Lak on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Khao Sok National Park and other attractions here.
How touristy is Khao Lak? Is it a popular area to visit?
Khao Lak is a popular area for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- The Lost Zone & Takuapa Old Town – Private Guided Tour: $194
- Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Conservation Experience: $32
- Khao Lak Eco Exploration Raft Ride & Discover Tour: $79
- 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $79
- Day Tour with Sea Canoeing at Hong Island from Khao Lak: $92
- Full-Day Similan island Snorking Tour By Speed Boat from Khao Lak: $116
- ATV Adventure: Khao Lak’s Best Off-Road Experience: $123
- Surin Islands Overnight Beach Camping and Snorkeling Adventure: $208
How long should I spend in Khao Lak?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Khao Lak is at least five or as many as seven days. Since Khao Lak has a variety of activities such as beaches, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Khao Lak?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Khao Lak?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Khao Lak?.
More Things to Do in Khao Lak
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Khao Lak.
Why would you recommend Khao Lak to budget travelers? Or, why not?
It's such a beautiful place and everything is pretty cheap. We found so many great restaurants that were affordable, and our hotel was nice but not expensive either.
How can you save money during your time in Khao Lak?
It was pretty easy for us to find a budget hotel for our stay. There were plenty of options when you get away from the larger resorts. Even the resorts weren't too expensive. And there were plenty of cheap restaurants, too.
What was your favorite thing about Khao Lak?
Our favorite was the nearby national park, it was so beautiful. The lush jungle and the waterfalls were amazing. We saw so many monkeys and other animals, too!