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The small town of Khanom is located in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, a bit south of the famous islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It is therefore often overlooked, even though it has a lot to offer. The Khanom sights are not that numerous, but they are very beautiful. And the beaches in Khanom also don’t have to hide – some visitors even consider them real dream beaches.
Our Tips for the Beaches in Khanom and Surrounding Areas
In Khanom itself, there are five beaches that you can easily visit during your stay. However, there are even more in the surrounding area. So if you’re a beach fan, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here. Our tips will tell you everything you need to know.
How to Get To Khanom
Getting to Khanom is a bit more challenging, at least if you don’t have your own vehicle. You can fly to the nearest major cities, Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat, from many Thai cities, including Bangkok. Check out the best prices and schedules on Skyscanner.
If you don’t want to fly, you can travel by train or bus to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat, you’ll usually continue with a private transfer. A full minivan costs around €40-50 and takes you directly to your destination. You can book this in advance, for example, via 12go.asia.
With your own vehicle, as mentioned earlier, it’s even easier. The road network is well-developed, and you can reach Khanom in 1.5 to 2 hours from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. Google Maps will show you the way and worked perfectly for us.
Accommodation in Khanom – Our Hotel Tip
In an idyllic location directly on the quiet beach of Khanom lies the Hotel Villa AoKhanom Beachfront. This quiet and cozy hotel offers modernly furnished rooms. Nothing is missing. Guests are provided with air conditioning, a safe, a minibar, a television, and a private balcony. Some rooms also come with stairs or direct pool access.
Additionally, there is a large swimming pool and a garden area. The restaurant and bar offer delicious food and drinks. In the morning, guests can enjoy either an à la carte breakfast or a buffet. The staff on-site is fantastic and assists with any questions. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and the view of the beach and the sea. An absolutely recommended hotel in Khanom.
You can find more great beach hotels in Khanom here. We’ve also written a detailed article about the Khanom beach hotels.
1. Khanom Beach
The name Khanom Beach is a bit misleading. In the large Bay of Khanom, there are actually three beach sections, all located right next to each other. These include Kho Khao Beach, Na Dan Beach, and Nai Phlao Beach – from north to south.
These three are grouped under the collective name Khanom Beach, but splitting up the kilometer-long shoreline this way makes it a bit easier. In the following points, we’ll introduce each of these sections. Of course, at the end, we’ll also list many other beaches in Khanom that don’t belong to the collective term Khanom Beach but are still worth mentioning.
2. Kho Khao Beach
The northernmost section of Khanom Beach is Kho Khao Beach. While there is a deep-sea port in the northern part of the beach for loading and unloading ships, several beach bars, restaurants, and resorts have also been established here. Especially in the evening, the beach is very popular with locals.
It’s not the most beautiful section of Khanom Beach, but you can still do some swimming here. Though we’d actually recommend the next two Khanom beaches more for that, as they’re less prone to washed-up trash. Still, in the evening, you can sit in the beach bars here or enjoy a nice meal with a sea view. Also, whether you come by car or scooter, parking is very easy at Kho Khao Beach because there’s a huge area basically right by the beach.
3. Na Dan Beach
There aren’t any clear signs separating the Khanom beaches, so where Kho Khao Beach ends, Na Dan Beach begins. This is the longest beach in the area, and as a result, more hotels are gradually settling here – though for now, it’s still quite manageable.
You’ll find many access points along the Beach Road for Na Dan Beach and plenty of peace and solitude once you’re on the sand. We were usually the only ones there during our stay. One drawback here, however, is the lack of shady spots, so most visitors come in the morning or late afternoon.
Occasionally, you’ll see resorts along Na Dan Beach, such as Le Petit Saint Tropez or the stunning Yotaka Khanom, often advertised as a Maldives-style hotel. Another recommendation is the CC Beach Bar and Restaurant. They offer a wide variety of dishes, from Thai food to pizza. It’s usually well-attended in the evening, and you can meet some other travelers. In our view, this is the prettiest beach section in Khanom, but due to the limited shade, it can be too hot during the day.
4. Nai Phlao Beach
A little further south from Na Dan Beach – still in the Bay of Khanom but somewhat separate – is Nai Phlao Beach. You’ll also find tranquility, not too many people, but still a few restaurants and accommodations right on the beach, such as Hotel Villa AoKhanom.
There are also a few viewpoints in the interior with a view over the bay. The beach itself is great for families. Usually, there are gentle waves and a shallow shore, perfect for kids. Additionally, the Nai Phlao Beach, particularly near the accommodations, is very well-maintained and clean.
If we were to rank the Nai Phlao Beach among the Khanom beaches, it would be our number two, right behind Na Dan Beach, though the difference is really not huge. Both beaches look paradisiacal with their palm trees, fine white sand, and turquoise water, and they’re especially deserted most of the time. There’s definitely no mass tourism in Khanom yet.
5. Ao Tong Yee
Nestled in a cove, you’ll find the beach of Ao Tong Yee. Lined with palm trees and hills that create a spectacular backdrop and also provide shade, the beach is perfect for a few peaceful hours. Clear water, fine sand, few accommodations and restaurants. Relaxation and tranquility are all that’s on offer here.
On the coastal road from Khanom toward Sichon, just before the Khanom Sichon Viewpoint, a small road leads to Ao Tong Yee. It’s actually quite obvious, but still easy to miss because you can’t see the beach from there. Drive down it, and you’ll find yourself in a peaceful oasis. As with all beaches in Khanom, there are very few visitors, and you can claim a lonely, paradisiacal spot for yourself.
6. Phlai Dam Beach
The last of our listed beaches is located in the south; after that, you’ll reach the Sichon beaches (see next point). Phlai Dam Beach is a bit off the beaten path and is therefore often an even quieter alternative than Khanom’s already peaceful beaches. Here, you’ll mainly find serenity, untouched nature, but also a restaurant on the beach. There’s also a parking area where you can park your own vehicle for free.
For some, Phlai Dam Beach is still a hidden gem in the region, and when we visited, we were literally the only ones on the beach. The sand itself is a bit coarser, and the water isn’t as clear as at the previous beaches. If it rains, some trash might wash ashore here as well. There are only a few shaded spots. It’s a lovely beach, but in our opinion, it doesn’t quite compare to Na Dan or Nai Phlao Beach.
Other Beaches Around Khanom
If you’d like to explore more beaches in and around Khanom, that’s also possible. If you head south toward Sichon, following the coastline, you’ll find the Sichon beaches. They no longer belong to Khanom, as Sichon is already the next district.
North of the small town of Khanom, there are also a few beaches, though generally a bit harder to reach. The first one we’d like to mention is the Khanom Power Plant Beach. It lies behind the Khanom power plant, and to get there, you have to drive through the power plant. That might seem daunting, but it’s certainly possible. You just have to tell the guards at the gate that you’re heading to the beach. It’s mostly very clean and not too crowded, but the water is clearer at other Khanom beaches.
Further north is Thong Ching Beach, with the Baan Thong Ching Resort on site. However, you can only get there via a sand road from the nearby Khwaeng Phao Beach to the north. The best way to get there is with a 4×4 jeep or pickup. It’s a bit difficult with a normal car due to the potholes. It’s doable for a confident scooter rider, but you should be very cautious.
The mentioned Khwaeng Phao Beach is the next northern beach. You’ll find a few accommodations, restaurants, and above all, tranquility. The last northern beach still in the Khanom district is Thong Not Bay. Since there isn’t much there, the shore can sometimes be a bit littered with trash that washes in from the sea. It’s said that this might be where the proposed bridge to Koh Samui will be built. However, it’s still unclear whether this massive construction project will ever actually happen.
If you continue up the coast here, you’ll enter the district of Donsak, where ferries to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan depart. If you’d like to explore more beaches, you can do so here as well – a tip would be Nangkham Beach. It’s not the best for swimming, but it’s great in the evening or at sunset. There are some tasty and relatively affordable beachside restaurants with a view of the Raja Ferry Pier and the ocean.
Bonus Tip: Pink Dolphin Boat Tour
One of Khanom’s most popular attractions are the pink dolphins. Of course, they aren’t a true “sight,” but definitely a must-do. On a boat tour from Khanom, you can spot the rare pink dolphins that live in the Gulf of Thailand. Naturally, you’ll need some luck on the tour to actually see the animals, but the local tour guides have experience knowing where they tend to be.
It’s best to start such a pink dolphin tour early in the morning. They often travel in small groups, and you can see them in their natural environment. A truly unique experience. On the tour, you’ll also learn a lot about local marine and conservation efforts for the dolphins. We can absolutely recommend such a boat tour because you rarely get to see pink dolphins anywhere else.
Have you ever visited the Khanom beaches? Which one is your favorite, or do you have another tip? We look forward to your opinion in the comments.
