Here’s a travelers summary of the best things to do in Khao Lak, Thailand.
Khao Lak is perhaps not as well known as some of Thailand’s more popular tourist spots, but this is a wonderful place to visit if you get the opportunity.
Khao Lak is a stunning area with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, national parks, and many safaris, tours, and adventure activities to keep you busy and active.
If you’re looking to stay in an area suited to the more laidback tourist experience or want a family trip away from the frantic tourist traps, Khao Lak is a great pick.
Although still a bit of a well-kept secret, there are a wide variety of attractions, activities, and beauty spots you should be sure to check out when you visit.
Below is our pick of the Top 20 Best Things to do in Khao Lak, Thailand.
20 Best Things To Do In Khao Lak, Thailand (2022):
1. Soak Up The Sun On White Sand Beach
You can’t visit any part of Thailand without taking advantage of its stunning beaches and White Sand Beach is probably the most famous stretch in Khao Lak.
As the name indicates the exceptionally fine sand here is almost white and supplies a stunning contrast to the deep blue sea.
And when you need a break from the sun there are many fine nearby restaurants where you can sample the local delicacies in the shade.
So, make sure to stop by to soak up the sun, swim in the sea, and experience the stunning scenery all around you.
2. Take a Boat Tip on Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island)
Visible from Samet Nangshe is the beautiful Phang Nga bay which is one of the most popular boat trip destinations in Thailand.
The iconic limestone islands of the bay are a remarkable sight, although you may have to battle the many fellow tourists to get a look at the magnificent view.
The boat trips available in the bay vary and you will be able to pick between trips that take you to hidden lagoons, caves, forests, and islands.
Whichever boat company you plump for, they will be almost certain to show you “James Bond Island” where they shot a part of “The Man with the Golden Gun.”
3. Visit & Sleep Over at The Nearby Khao Sok National Park
Book out some time to make the trip to the nearby Khao Sok National Park, one of the most stunning areas in the whole of the country and definitely one of the best things to do in Khao Lak.
Just one hour’s drive from Khao Lak, you can spend an adventurous day trekking through the jungle, waterfall spotting, and watching all the different wildlife sharing the space with you.
You can also choose to make this an overnight stay by staying in one of the wonderful floating bungalows on the National Park’s Lake.
Whether you choose to go for a day or spend the night, we can guarantee that the hour’s drive will be worth your time.
4. Go Snorkeling Along the Coast
The coral reefs of Thailand are renowned for their beauty and the wide variety of vibrant sea creatures you can swing amongst.
Whilst you are in Khao Lak you should make sure to take the opportunity to see this splendor in person.
This will be an experience you hold in your memory for a lifetime, whether you are a seasoned snorkeler or an absolute beginner.
You can book in advance with By Discovery Travel – Khao Lak.
This snorkeling experience includes hotel pick-up, use of snorkeling gear, and lunch in a beautiful, hidden beach location.
5. Walk to the Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
This beautiful natural wonder is part of Lam Ru National Park and is found about 7km from Khao Lak.
You can easily book a taxi or rent a scooter to take you to this stunning beauty spot.
Or if you are particularly athletic, you can always choose to walk it!
As you make your way through the exotic national park on the way to the waterfall you will pass by a wealth of banana and coconut trees and experience the local wildlife up close.
And when you finally arrive at Tong Hong Fa waterfall you can rest your feet and enjoy the cooling water before you begin your journey back.
The Ton Chong Fa Waterfall is easily one of the best things to do in Khao Lak.
6. Take A Dip In The Hot Springs
If you need a relaxing, rejuvenating dip for your sore leg muscles after all the hiking and activities, you can take a trip to one of the many hot springs available.
If you get up early enough, you can beat the crowds and have a relaxing spring all to yourself!
There is a wide variety of hot springs available, from the more rustic concrete pools in the Rommanee Hot Springs to the natural Plai-Poo Hot Spring which many of the locals frequent.
7. Venture Up To The Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
About an hour away from Khao Lak by car is one of the most awe-inspiring beauty spots in the whole of Thailand and easily one of the best things to do in Khao Lak.
Hike up to the hillside and reach Samet Nangshe, which will give you a stunning vantage point over the islands in North Phang Nga Bay.
This is a beautiful place to spend a day or perhaps plan an overnight trip.
If you are going to Thailand to see the spectacular natural beauty, taking this trip is one of the best things to do in Khao Lak.
8. Take An Off-Road Safari
To get another view of the wildlife Thailand has to offer, you can take a guided Off-Road Safari.
Off-road safaris will take you to places difficult to get to on foot, in a much quicker and more exciting manner!
You can make your way to areas of the Khao Lak National Park usually unavailable to other tourists and experience the most stunning jungle plant life and beautiful exotic creatures from your vehicle.
An 8-hour trip by Khao Lak Land Discovery will include hotel pick up, a canoe session, an off-road safari, a temple trip, and lunch and dinner.
A wonderful and adventurous way to experience Thailand’s wildlife and a day you’ll never forget.
9. Enjoy Watersports Like Tubing & Bamboo Rafting
This is a great package for the active and adventurous tourist with an exciting mixture of exploration and exhilaration.
This tour, available from Kapong Tubing Nature Tour Company, will guide you through a trek of the jungle leading up to the beautiful inland Waterfall.
Once you arrive, you’ll be able to take in the splendor around you with a complimentary coffee break before you ride a tube your way down the river!
The whole experience takes approximately 7 hours, with the tubing section lasting about 45 minutes.
If you’re looking for a slightly more relaxed watersports activity, why not take a bamboo raft downstream and enjoy the beautiful scenery?
These are without doubt the best things to do in Khao Lak.
Don’t forget to bring a towel!
10. Take a trip to the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery
Witness the beauty of Turtles close-up and learn about the conservation efforts on behalf of these fascinating creatures at the Royal Thai Turtle Nursery.
You will be able to look at literally 100s of turtles here and learn from the guides all about these amazing animals.
A wonderful trip and a terrific way to support the organization’s amazing conservation work.
You should allow about 3 hours for your visit and the attraction is open between the hours of 7-5 each day.
11. Dive Down To Richelieu Rock
Richelieu Rock is renowned for being one of the best diving sites in the world, so you should consider this once-in-a-lifetime experience during your trip.
A stunning array of coral, flora, and fauna will dazzle you as you swim amongst them and you will be surrounded by an absolute wealth of different fish species including mackerel, snappers, sea horses, shrimp, and frogfishes.
There is even the chance you may spot a ray or whale shark!
A day trip diving at Richelieu rock costs 6,300 THB from Wet Zone Divers and includes all your equipment and lunch.
12. Stretch out in the quiet and laid-back Coconut Beach
Although White Beach is perhaps the most famous beautiful beach in the area, right next door you will find the lesser-known Coconut Beach.
This is the place to head for a slightly more laid-back beach day experience.
The beach has beautiful large trees to provide you with much-needed shade and the sand beneath you is soft to the touch.
White Beach is slightly more geared towards tourism and it’s there that you’ll find all the resort facilities.
Coconut Beach is the place to head for a quiet, undisturbed time laying out in the sun.
Take a walk of a hundred meters or so and you might be able to find a stretch of the beach that is deserted and can be entirely your own for a few hours!
13. Meet The locals In The Tongdee Elephant Camp
Spend one or two hours with the majestic creatures at the Elephant Camp.
This is an excellent attraction for all ages. Who doesn’t love elephants?
The Elephant Camp is a small, family-owned business and you’ll be able to take part in the camp activities of scrubbing the elephants, bathing them, and feeding them bananas!
This is a magical experience for animal lovers and will give you a memory you can treasure for years.
14. Trek In The Little Amazon
30 minutes north of Khao Lak you will find the fabled “Little Amazon”, a small mangrove forest that will give you the experience of walking through the deepest part of the deepest jungle.
In this jungle forest, you will see a wide array of beautiful plants and exotic wildlife such as monkeys, snakes, lizards, kingfishers, and hornbills.
So, if you are looking for somewhere to get some great wildlife shots and a chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat, this is a lovely place to head to.
There are two competing tour companies situated at the car park who will guide you along the river in kayaks for about 500BT.
15. Stroll through the Night Market
To experience the local culture, delicacies, and people you should head to the Bang Niang Night Market, situated about 5 minutes north of Khao Lak main town.
Spend an evening strolling around the stalls, sample the local food, pick up a souvenir to take home, and sit down and have a beer or two while you listen to live music.
For an authentic sample of local life, this is one of the best things to do in Khao Lak.
The Night Market is open on Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and you can visit from evening time up until it closes around 9 or 10 pm.
16. Experience the Tsunami Memorial Museum
This small museum, about 5 minutes from Khao Lak Town serves as a memorial to those lost and the devastation caused by the Boxing Day Tsunami.
The museum is constructed around the spot where a police patrol boat landed during the storm, more than one kilometer from the coast.
Walk amongst the memorials and learn about the destruction caused to the local area whilst appreciating everything the locals have done to get back on their feet after facing catastrophe.
This quiet area is a good place to reflect upon Thailand, the Thai people, and your position in the world.
17. Visit the Black Sand Beach
You can’t visit Khao Lak without making a trip to witness the spectacular Black Sand Beach where black sand grains sit as a dark sheen above the yellow sand below.
Although the stretch is nowhere near as expansive as the white sand beaches elsewhere, it is still a cool natural phenomenon worth a visit and a beautiful place to get some holiday snaps.
When you do visit, make sure not to head out too early. If the beach is still in the shade, you won’t get to experience the full effect of the black sand grains.
18. Surf The Waves
Khao Lak is a wonderful place for beginner surfers to learn the ropes.
There are some perfectly safe spots with gentle waves where you can learn to get balanced and the basics of staying on your board.
For the experienced surfers, there are also some great waves near Khuk Khuk beach.
If you plan to incorporate some surfing into your trip, you should check out Memories Beach Bar which offers board rental and beginner lessons.
Whether you are an absolute beginner or surf regularly, this is a great place to catch some waves.
19. Have A Rafting Adventure
If you’re the adventurous type, then you should be sure to take advantage of the many rafting and tubing activities available.
Best Rafting 4U offers a thrilling rafting adventure including ATV and zip-lining!
This is a fantastic way to let off some steam and experience the ultimate adrenaline rush as you speed down a 5km river surrounded by crashing waves and then travel through the dense jungle by biplane!
Your trip will also include a magical stop at the monkey caves and Wat Suwannakuha temple.
An amazing adventure which you can recover from the next day in the hot springs or on the beach!
20. Visit The Local Temples And The Traditional Market
For a gentler time and a cultural experience, you should allow a day to explore the local temples and traditional market of Takuapa.
Takuapa is in the north of Khao Lak and is a fantastic place to visit to learn about the Buddhist side of Thai culture.
You can visit the local temples, learn about the history of the area, and become familiar with the lives of the locals who have inhabited this area for generations.
You should also take the opportunity to visit the street market, admire the local crafts and sample the local delicacies.
Summary: 20 Best Things To Do In Khao Lak, Thailand.
So, there you have it, our Top 20 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak. We hope that we have made planning your trip a little easier!
With such a wide array of attractions, activities, and wildlife on offer, we’re sure that you’ll have a wonderful time in Khao Lak.
If you’re looking for more of the amazing places to visit in Thailand during your trip, read on for inspiration!
Map of Khao Lak, Thailand
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