Khao Lak is a small seaside town and is considered to be one of the most popular tourist hubs in Phang Nga due to its close proximity to beautiful snorkeling and diving spots like Similan and Surin, as well as some of the prettiest islands in Thailand, like Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay.
For those of you who are looking for an alternative place in Southern Thailand to visit that isn't Phuket or Krabi, Khao Lak is the best place to be. Within this guide, you will find a complete list of great things to do in Khao Lak and all the information you need to have a great time here.
Without further ado, here are the 8 best things to do in Khao Lak for solo travelers. Let's first take a look at all the tourist attractions in Khao Lak on the map below.
Khao Lak Things to Do Map
8 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak
1. Relax at Nang Thong Beach
Nang Thong Beach is a beautiful orange-colored sandy beach located right by Khao Lak town, and it is a great place to stroll around, sunbathe, or go for a quick swim.
There is a nice lighthouse on a rock just off the coast here, which makes for a great photo spot, especially at sunset when the colors of the sky and the beach turn golden. It is a beautiful strip of beach that is easily accessible and a great place to start your journey in Khao Lak.
Where to Stay in Khao Lak?
2. Hike Around Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is a small but incredibly peaceful beachside national park located not too far from the town, and it offers several nice walking paths along the coastline that will allow you to see some of the best features of the beaches in Khao Lak without dealing with many tourists, unlike Nang Thong Beach.
- Theppahrak Hostel Khaolak (Budget)
- The Retreat Khaolak Resort - SHA Extra Plus (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Apsara Beachfront Resort & Villa - SHA Extra Plus (High-End)
- Best Seller - Surin Islands Snorkeling Trip from Khao Lak (9 to 10 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Khao Lak: Bamboo Rafting & Sea Turtle Conservation Center (3 hours)
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary (2 hours)
There are 2 hikes you can do in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park. One is a simple hike along a wooden walking path that will take you north to a campsite right by the beach.
It may have a few rocks and boulders here, but it is quiet and has some decent sandy areas that are great for swimming as well. The fact that you can camp here right by the beach makes it an awesome place to spend a night in.
Another hike, which can also be accessed from the other side (a much easier trail than from the entrance of the national park), will take you to a really nice small sandy beach that is perfect for those who are looking for a quiet place to swim and relax in.
The water at Small Sandy Beach is clear and refreshing to swim in. The sand is fine to the touch, and the beach has plenty of wide-open space to sunbathe in. There is also a national park-run shop that sells drinks inside, so you can stay hydrated.
And since these two beaches are located in a national park that requires an entrance fee, they won't be as crowded as other public beaches. So, if you are looking for a nice, quiet beach with not a lot of people in Khao Lak, this is the place to be.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park opens from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 200 THB per person, with 20 THB and 30 THB for motorbike and car parking, respectively.
3. Check Out the View from Khao Lak Phu View Restaurant
Khao Lak Phu View is a nice hilltop restaurant located right on a bald mountain with an incredible 180° view overlooking the entire town of Khao Lak and its beautiful coastline.
The restaurant serves all kinds of fusion-style foods with a mix of Thai and Western menus, and each item costs around 100+ THB. It is not cheap, but also not as outrageously expensive as the other restaurants in town. At least here, you get an incredible view. The food was really good, and you definitely get the portion you paid for.
Since the restaurant is located at the top of the hill, you can either hike up the steep road, which should take about 10 minutes, or you can take a free songtaew at the street corner near the main road to get you up there. You can also drive up with a car, but there is limited parking space at the top, and the street can be extremely steep and narrow, so I wouldn't recommend it.
The sunset in Khao Lak is an attraction in and of itself, and there is no better place to be at the golden hour with a cocktail in hand than at Khao Lak Phu View Restaurant. So, if you want to have an incredible sunset experience here, be sure to drop by the restaurant at the right time.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Best Seller - Surin Islands Snorkeling Trip from Khao Lak (9 to 10 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Khao Lak: Bamboo Rafting & Sea Turtle Conservation Center (3 hours)
- 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary (2 hours)
4. Explore Phang Nga Bay
Another popular day trip to do in Khao Lak is to go on a boat trip, sail around Phang Nga Bay, and explore all the beautiful islands there. There are many daily organized trips you can join that will take you to tourist attractions in the bay such as the famous James Bond Island, Lod Cave, and Panyee Island.
James Bond Island, or Tapu Island as it is known locally, is a tall and narrow limestone island in the shape of a nail ("tapu" means nail in Thai) - like construction nails. This shape was formed by millions of years of erosion by the ocean at its base, resulting in the nail-shaped island we see today.
The island was also featured in the 1974 James Bond movie, hence why it is also known as James Bond Island. It is a beautiful and unique place to see, and it is predicted that the island might soon collapse due to the ongoing erosion at its base, so check it out while you can.
At James Bond Island, you will also find the leaning mountains, or Khao Pingkun, which are two massive rocks leaning and supporting each other, creating a small cave you can walk between.
Next up, you will be visiting Lod Cave, which is a collection of small caves that barely surface above the water under a large limestone mountain in Phang Nga Bay. It is a popular place to go canoeing around and slide under these caves, full of pretty stalactites.
If you are there during low tides, you will be able to access most of the shallow caves here, some of which are extremely low and require you and your canoe guy to lie flat in order to pass through.
Some of the caves here will take you through an extremely small opening in pitch darkness before you emerge into a small, quiet cavern illuminated by sunlight streaming through the ceiling.
Last but not least, you will be visiting Panyee Island, which is another attraction you shouldn't miss, as it is unlike anything you've seen before in Thailand. Panyee Island is an old Muslim community of around 1,685 people descended from 2 seafaring families that came all the way from Java way back in the 18th Century.
With over 365 families, an entire community complete with a mosque and a school, all built on stilts, and a floating soccer field, it is a place that you have to see with your own eyes to believe.
There are restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and all kinds of snacks you can buy to your heart's content. You will also be able to witness the way of life of the people here. It is quite an eye-opening experience that completes our day trip exploring Phang Nga Bay. If you are visiting Khao Lak, be sure to go on a day trip to Phang Nga Bay.
5. Take a Snorkeling Trip Around Similan Islands
Snorkeling at Similan Islands is one of the best things to do in Khao Lak, as the archipelago is known for its rich marine life with a complex ecosystem across the 11 islands inside the national park.
To visit the Similan Islands, you are going to have to go with an organized tour that will take you from Khao Lak to the national park and sail across the archipelago, snorkeling at every stop along the way, with a few stops to relax on the beach.
It is truly the ultimate snorkeling location in Thailand, and you will have plenty of opportunities to do so with a boat trip around the Similan Islands.
If you have never done snorkeling before, Similan is probably one of the best places to do so. Just be careful, you might get hooked, and sooner or later, you will be going diving and liveaboard and won't want to do anything else. 😉
6. Visit the famous Phi Phi Islands
Another popular day trip to make from Khao Lak is to visit the Phi Phi Islands, which may seem a little far away from Khao Lak if you look on the map. However, there are many organized tours that will take you there on a long but exciting day trip.
These tours often run this route with a speedboat and they will often include hotel transfers, all the safety and snorkeling equipment, as well as the national park fees (400 THB per person). They will take you to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, and more.
The trip should take an entire day, starting from 7 AM and lasting until 4:00 PM, with approximately 4 hours dedicated to travel time between Khao Lak and Ko Phi Phi. Additionally, there will be another 5 hours allocated for snorkeling, island-hopping, and relaxation.
If you have a day to spare in Khao Lak and you don't mind spending an entire day traveling and paying a little more to get to faraway places like the Phi Phi Islands, then a day trip like this is perfect for you.
7. Explore the Old Town of Takua Pa
Takua Pa is a charming little old town with a similar upbringing as Phuket's Old Town, but smaller and much quieter. It is located inland, close to Khaosok and Surat Thani province, so it makes for a great stop if you are coming from there.
The place used to be a thriving mining town and an important tin-dredging area during the first half of the 20th Century. As the resources dwindled, the place turned itself into a small tourist town full of well-preserved, colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture and the culture of Kopitiam, which I wholeheartedly adore.
The Takua Pa main walking street, Khun Intra building, the old ordination hall at Wat Sena Nucharangsan, and Kopi Kuapa cafe are some of my favorite places to visit in Takua Pa.
You can also drive up a little north and get on a kayak at the Little Amazon to explore a network of rivers crisscrossing around a rich mangrove forest, where you might be able to see some monkeys, snakes, and birds like kingfishers along the way.
The ride is about 500 THB per kayak for 2 hours, which is a little too pricey for a solo traveler like me. However, if you are with a group of at least 2, going on a kayak around the mangrove forests in Takua Pa is definitely something you shouldn't miss.
8. Go On an Animal Conservation Tour
If you have a day to spare and are looking for a fun activity full of adventure, animal interactions, and a chance to learn more about the marine life conservation they are doing at Khao Lak, I highly recommend you join the Rafting, Elephant Bathing & Sea Turtle Center Tour.
This tour is perfect for families or individuals who are interested in animal conservation, as it will take you to an ethical-run elephant camp where you can interact, feed, and bathe with these gentle giants.
You will also be able to visit the Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Khao Lak and learn more about the ongoing projects being conducted here to help increase the number of sea turtles in the region, all the while enjoying fun activities like bamboo rafting, waterfall-hopping, and other fun activities along the way.
It's fun for all ages and a great way to see more of Khao Lak than just beaches and islands. If you want to visit to interact with the elephants, visit the sea turtle conservation center, and go bamboo rafting, be sure to book the tours beforehand.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Southern Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Southern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Southern Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a comprehensive travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
- One of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand is Koh Lipe, an island in the far south of Thailand. Here is The Ultimate Snorkeling Guide to Koh Lipe.
- Looking to change things up a little? How about we head down to the south of Thailand and explore one of my favorite places in Thailand? Here is How to Travel to Khao Sok National Park, Backpacking-style.
- The pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket, is an island full of history, cultures, and stunning beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Phuket.
- There are over 30+ beaches in Phuket, and it can get quite overwhelming to find the perfect beach to stay at. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket.
- Visiting Phuket Old Town is the highlight of your Phuket trip. You can easily spend a day exploring the Old Town. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town.
- Phang Nga is probably what Phuket was like before mass tourism ruined it. From quiet, empty beaches to wild, untouched waterfalls, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Phang Nga.
- If you are in Phang Nga, you should also drop by Takua Pa and its charming little old town. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa.
- For a complete Krabi backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 to 5 Days Backpacking Krabi Itinerary.
- Whether you are an adventurer or a beach-goer, Krabi has it all. From island-hopping to rock climbing, here are the 13 Best Things to do in Krabi.
- Krabi is not just beaches and islands. Krabi town offers a great alternative place to stay away from the tourist crowds. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Krabi Town.
- Ko Lanta is a quiet, remote, and less trodden part of Krabi, making it a great place to visit for those who want to go off the beaten path. If you are planning to go there, here are the 8 Best Things to do in Ko Lanta.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of countless waterfalls that no one knows about. It is an off-the-beaten path place to visit in Southern Thailand that may surprise you. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
- You've heard about Hua Hin, but have you heard about Lemon Bay? There's so much more to the Prachuap Khiri Khan province than Hua Hin. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
- There is more to Chumphon than just Koh Tao. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Chumphon.
- Surat Thani is not just Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. There is so much more to do in this province than you might think. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani.
- Have to spend a night in Surat Thani's Old Town and not sure what to do there? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani's Old Town
- For the best things to do in Koh Samui, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui.
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about you continue on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Central Thailand?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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