Khao Lak Beaches – The 11 Most Beautiful

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Khao Lak’s beaches stretch for several kilometers along the west coast of Thailand on the Andaman Sea. The Khao Lak region may not necessarily offer the ultimate postcard-perfect beaches if you’re thinking of white sand and palm trees, but it does have plenty of quiet and secluded spots.

Khao Lak Beach Guide – All Beaches in the Region

In our Khao Lak beach guide, we have included all the beaches along the vacation towns of Bang Niang and Bang La On. But there are also a few villages and beaches further north that are still considered part of the Khao Lak vacation area. These should not be missing from the list. Here you will now find 11 beaches in and around Khao Lak.

Accommodation in Khao Lak – Our Hotel Tip

The X10 Khaolak Resort is a modern beachfront resort. It is suitable for both couples and family vacations. The resort is located in a quiet area, yet it’s still close to shops and additional restaurants. The rooms are spacious and equipped with all amenities such as air conditioning, a kettle, TV, seating area, and free Wi-Fi. The balcony offers pool, garden, or sea views. There are even separate areas in the hotel for families and other guests.

There are several swimming pools, including ones with a kids’ pool and slide, as well as another with a bar right in the water. The property also features a fitness center, spa, and multiple restaurants that will treat you to both local and international cuisine during your vacation. A large breakfast buffet is also offered.

If you are looking for more accommodations, whether more budget-friendly, more luxurious, or in other locations, check out this overview of hotels in Khao Lak.

1. Baan Nam Khem Beach

The beach of Baan Nam Khem is located about 25 kilometers north of Khao Lak. The ThaiLife Homestay is known and loved for its secluded beach. However, you can also access it via the Baan Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial.

If you love peace and seclusion, then Baan Nam Khem Beach is just right for you. We saw exactly two people on the beach when we visited, and otherwise nothing and no one in sight. However, a disadvantage is the lack of shaded spots. You can find more information about the Tsunami Memorial in our guide to Khao Lak’s things to do.

2. Thap Tawan Beach

Thap Tawan Beach is located between Baan Nam Khem and Bang Sak, or at the northern end of Bang Sak Beach. For us, one of the most beautiful beaches that Khao Lak has to offer. You’ll find fine white sand, dreamlike water, and even some palm trees close to the beach.

Right on the beach, you’ll also find the Merlin Resort, which is very popular with Khao Lak vacationers, as well as a few beachfront restaurants next door. Perfect for a lunch with a great view of the beach. Swimming is also excellent at Thap Tawan Beach, but again, there are few shaded spots.

3. Bang Sak Beach

Bang Sak Beach is located in the village of the same name and is actually the northernmost beach that still really counts as Khao Lak. Apart from a few hotels directly on the southern part of the beach and a few beach or seafood restaurants, you will mainly find peace at this natural beach.

Even though there are no palm trees, the trees are an advantage at this beach, as they provide shade during your stay at Bang Sak Beach. On weekends it can get a bit busier, as the beach is popular with Thais from the surrounding area. Otherwise, you can often enjoy the solitude there.

4. Pak Weep Beach

Pak Weep Beach is similar to Bang Sak Beach in terms of its natural beauty and tranquility. The beach is very spacious and borders Coconut or White Sand Beach to the south (see the next section). It is usually quiet at Pak Weep Beach, making it perfect for walking or swimming.

Scattered along the beach, you’ll also find a few top-notch hotels like the Mai Khao Lak Beach Resort or the Robinson Club Khao Lak. In addition, there are a few small restaurants and massage spots on the beach. Most of the time, however, you’ll barely see anyone around, so you can have a whole stretch of sand all to yourself.

5. Coconut Beach and White Sand Beach

Coconut Beach and White Sand Beach are actually part of the same stretch, but they are separated by name. Coconut Beach is located at the Boatyard Restaurant and stretches along the Coconut Garden Bar and the Kantary Beach Hotel. It impresses with white sand, palm trees, and other trees that provide shade.

The White Sand Beach section is located at the White Sand Beach Khao Lak Restaurant, which gives the beach its name. Here you’ll also find beautiful fine white sand, but fewer shaded spots. In addition, it can get very crowded in front of the restaurant during the high season.

You can also enjoy swimming at both beaches. To swim properly, however, you need to go a bit further out because the water is very shallow. On the plus side, there are no rocks in the water to disturb your bathing experience. For us, aside from the occasional crowds, this is the most beautiful beach section in Khao Lak.

6. Pakarang Cape Beach

The beach is located on the left side of the road, just before you reach Pakarang Cape. It isn’t particularly beautiful because of the coral debris, which you’ll find not only on the beach but also in the water.

It is therefore only suitable for swimming to a limited extent (at most if you wear water shoes). Otherwise, we recommend sticking with Coconut Beach or White Sand Beach, which are nearby. However, if you simply want to relax on a beach and enjoy solitude, Pakarang Cape Beach is not a bad choice.

7. Khuk Khak Beach

At around 3 kilometers along the coast, Khuk Khak Beach is the longest beach in Khao Lak. Due to its length, it is divided into two sections. The beach is often very natural and deserted because there are only a few resorts directly on the sand.

The area known as Khuk Khak Beach 1 starts around the Thai Bar on the Beach, which occasionally hosts small live concerts, for example with Job 2 Do, a famous Thai reggae band.

You will also find The Haven Khao Lak, Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort, and Khao Lak Blue Lagoon Resort here. Between them are long stretches of undeveloped beach where you can often enjoy peace and seclusion without seeing another soul.

The Khuk Khak Beach 2 section is located near the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. Apart from the luxury hotel, there are a few small restaurants and beach massage huts, but otherwise nothing at all. The sand is fine and, when the sun hits it just right, can even appear slightly white. Swimming is also possible here.

8. Bang Niang Beach

Bang Niang Beach is the beach of the small town Bang Niang, one of the main tourist areas in Khao Lak. Thanks to the coral reef offshore, there are no strong currents here, making Bang Niang Beach ideal for swimming.

This approximately 2-kilometer-long beach does not have white sand, but many travelers love it for its convenient infrastructure. You can rent sun loungers with umbrellas or sit in the wooden huts of the restaurants if you order food or drinks.

Close to Bang Niang Beach, you will also find many hotels, shops, and the night market, which is located just a short distance away along the main road.

9. Nang Thong Beach

Nang Thong Beach is the beach of the main town, Bang La On. This is the liveliest area, with restaurants, hotels, and bars directly on the sand. However, since the beach is about 2.5 kilometers long, it never feels crowded.

Roughly in the middle of the beach, there is a public access point where you can also park your scooter. Even during the day, this section remains quiet. Swimming is limited, as the water is very shallow at low tide. The sand is fine but has a golden-yellow rather than white color.

For sunset, the Coconuts Bar next to the Centara Hotel is a great choice. It offers a fantastic atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and a beautiful view of the ocean with the setting sun. The other bars at the southern end of Nang Thong Beach are also perfect for sunset drinks.

10. Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach can be reached from Nang Thong Beach during low tide by simply walking south along the shore. Be aware, though, it’s quite a long walk! Otherwise, you can only access the beach through the Khao Lak Sunset Resort, which keeps this section reserved for its guests.

A great alternative is the Muanlai Restaurant above Sunset Beach. From here, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the beach, Khao Lak’s coastline, and of course, the sunset.

11. Khao Lak South Beach

The last beach still considered part of the Khao Lak region is Khao Lak South Beach, located at the Khao Lak Emerald Beach Resort & Spa. This is where the original village of Khao Lak is found, which gave the holiday region its name. The area is a bit secluded in Lam Ru National Park along a small bay. Because it’s located away from the main towns of Bang La On and Bang Niang, Khao Lak South Beach is often overlooked by visitors.

Khao Lak: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Khao Lak in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Khao Lak.

How to Get to Khao Lak

Most visitors coming to Khao Lak arrive from Phuket, since Khao Lak doesn’t have its own airport. Many airlines from Asia fly to Phuket, and there are even some direct connections from Europe and the Emirates. You can find more information regarding flight connections, schedules, and prices on Skyscanner.

Khao Lak and Bangkok are connected by bus, though the journey takes quite a while. Trains are another option, but you will have to switch to a bus in Surat Thani.

From Phuket you can take a taxi, minivan, bus, or a private transfer to get to Khao Lak. There are plenty of options. You can either arrange transportation directly from the airport or from Phuket Town’s central bus station. Some hotels also offer pick-up services, but you need to organize this with your hotel in advance. Prices, schedules, and departure points can be checked on 12go.asia.

What is the most beautiful beach in Khao Lak for you, and why? Which beach should you definitely visit? Leave us your tips and experiences in the comments!