Things to do in Khao Lak - Our top 11 highlights

Looking for tips for great sightseeing in Khao Lak? Then you’ve come to the right place in today’s article. Perhaps your vacation to Thailand is just around the corner, and you’re already looking forward to warm temperatures, delicious fruits, picturesque beaches, and plenty of culture. The region around Khao Lak offers all of this and is also a very popular vacation destination. Find out exactly what you can expect around Khao Lak, including which natural highlights and markets await you, in the following article. Have fun browsing!

What else you should know

What else you should know
Sights in Khao Lak
1. Beaches in Khao Lak
2. Takua Pa Sunday market
3. Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
4. Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
5. Tsunami Memorial Khao Lak
6. Bang Niang Market
7. Similan Islands
8. The 3 Temples Tour
9. Phang Nga Bay
10. Excursion to the Surin Islands
11. Khao Sok National Park

Sights in Khao Lak

I’ve marked some important highlights and sights on the map below. There are certainly many more, but I’ll limit myself to a smaller selection here so you’re not bombarded with too much information. If I’ve missed an important spot, please let me know in the comments. Bolle and Marco were in Khao Lak in 2016 and experienced many of these highlights firsthand.

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1. Beaches in Khao Lak

You’re probably dreaming of a relaxing holiday on a white sandy beach with turquoise water under lush green palm trees, right? Then Khao Lak is the right place for you, because truly beautiful beaches await you here. Pak Weep Beach is especially known for its popular Coconut Beach and White Beach. A kilometer-long, white and, above all, fine sandy beach with lush palm trees will really get you in the holiday spirit.

Among surfers and divers, Pakarang Beach is a particularly popular hotspot, thanks to its proximity to a beautiful coral reef and shipwreck. Surfing conditions are ideal here during the summer season. An all-rounder among Khao Lak’s beaches is Mang Niang Beach. It’s one of the least visited beaches and offers a mix of tourism and nature.

Khao Lak Sights Beach

2. Takua Pa Sunday Market

There are countless markets in Thailand, but a little insider tip is the weekly Sunday market in Takua Pa. The old town alone, with its Buddhist temples and Sino-Portuguese architecture, is worth a visit. Afterwards, stroll through the Takua Pa market and indulge in the smells and delicious food. The market is open until the early evening during peak season and offers Thai food as well as some Chinese cuisine.

From Khao Lak: Market, “Little Amazon” and Waterfall*
Traditional Thai cooking lessons in Khao Lak*

3. Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park

In the very south of Khao Lak lies the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, which was named after its two highest peaks. 125 square meters of pristine rainforest and picturesque little beaches offer the perfect escape from Thailand’s bustling city life. Bolle and Marco went on a fantastic hike here, reaching the beautiful “Little White Sandy Beach.” You should wear sturdy shoes, as some of the trail is over hill and dale.

On your way, you’ll pass the “Elephant Fly Zipline Khao Lak,” which will give you a little adrenaline rush. Also recommended is the view over the beaches of Khao Lak from the Thai restaurant Muan Lai, which is perched on stilts and hard to miss. You might also like to check out the Tong Chong Fa Waterfall, which is located about 10 km from the park office and plunges about 10 meters into the depths.

4. Ton Chong Fa Waterfall

The famous Ton Chong Fa Waterfall is located in Lem Ru National Park, about 80 km north of Phuket. From the entrance, it’s a 15-20-minute walk along a rather adventurous, narrow path to reach the lower level of the 5-tiered waterfall. Small signposts show you the path to the upper tiers. It’s definitely worth making the climb up and then cooling off by jumping into one of the pools. Entrance to the national park is 200 baht.

5. Tsunami Memorial Khao Lak

No other region in Thailand was hit and damaged as severely by the 2004 tsunami as Khao Lak. More than 4,000 people lost their lives in this disaster. During this terrible event, a 25-meter-long police boat, called 813, was thrown more than a kilometer inland. Standing in front of this mighty boat in Memorial Park today, you can imagine how powerful the waves must have been back then. Today, police boat 813 stands as a memorial, along with information boards in Memorial Park, and serves as an information and memorial site for visitors.

At the International Tsunami Museum, you can get an even better impression of the natural forces that destroyed this paradise in 2004. In the small village of Ban Nam Khem (20 km north of Khao Lak), there is another memorial with a large wall shaped like a wave. On the other side of the wall, you can discover small tiles and nameplates of people who unfortunately did not survive this disaster. Marco and Bolle were there and visited both memorials. Very informative and depressing at the same time.

6. Bang Niang Market

The Bang Niang weekly market opens its doors three times a week. You can visit the market on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Almost everything a local or tourist could want is sold here, from fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables to souvenirs and clothing. For me personally, markets in Thailand are always an exciting experience, and I love wandering through all the stalls and discovering new smells and dishes.

7. Similan Islands

About 100 km north of Phuket lies a fabulous archipelago consisting of 9 islands. The Similan Islands are indescribably beautiful islands, just like you would dream of. Crystal-clear turquoise water, dazzling white sandy beaches, and lush greenery. From mid-October to mid-May, you can explore the islands on a boat tour and snorkel among the amazing coral reefs all around. On the main island of Similan, you’ll enjoy a fabulous view from Shilling Rock (a group of rocks you can climb). It’s an absolute paradise. You can book your day tour from Khao Lak here*.

8. The 3-Temple Tour

The 3-Temple Tour, which includes the “Dragon Cave Temple,” the “Bang Ring Pagoda Temple,” and the “Suwanakuha Temple,” is certainly a cultural experience. The Dragon Cave Temple is an impressive limestone cave inhabited by monks who make medicine from herbs. The Bang Ring Pagoda is a huge temple complex that combines three different temple styles and was built on the ridge of a mountain. The Suwanakuha Temple houses a reclining Buddha statue in a huge cave. Be careful: When you visit, you will be greeted by many wild monkeys at the entrance.

Popular Tours & Excursions:

Khao Lak: Half-Day Tour to Temples and the Old Town*
Day Tour to the Temples and Dragon Cave*

9. Phang Nga Bay

Just about 45 minutes from Phuket lies one of Thailand’s most famous bays. Phang Nga Bay is located in a 400 km² marine national park. The bay became famous almost overnight thanks to the world-famous James Bond film. The striking rock needle, which you’ve probably seen on countless postcards, stands close to the coast and is covered in lush greenery. The bay is overlooked by mangroves growing over the cliffs and rocky outcrops. An absolute natural beauty. You can book your tour from Khao Lak here*.

10. Excursion to the Surin Islands

60 km west of the mainland of Phang Nga Province in the Thai Andaman Sea lie 3 large and 3 small islands – the Koh Surin Islands. Mu Koh Surin National Park is a unique paradise, especially for divers and snorkelers, and is known for its unusual and exciting underwater world. The best way to explore the islands is with a day trip starting from the mainland.

This gives you the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful natural experience and explore the different corners. You can easily rent snorkeling equipment from most providers so you won’t miss the amazing underwater world. Book your full-day trip from Khao Lak to the Surin Islands* here.

11. Khao Sok National Park

Another natural highlight is the rainforest-covered Khao Sok National Park. Its natural beauty is characterized by enormous rock formations, tropical waterfalls, hidden caves, and unique photo opportunities. A real draw for many travelers is the beautiful, picturesque Chiao Lan Reservoir, nestled in the rainforest. A natural gem and definitely a must-see on your journey of discovery around Khao Lak. Whether on foot, by kayak or by boat, there are so many ways to discover Khao Sok National Park.

From Khao Lak: Khao Sok Jungle Trek and Canoe Tour*
From Khao Lak: Khao Sok & Cheow Lan Lake Tour with Kayaking*
Khao Sok: Lake, Cave and Emerald Pool*
Cheow Lan Lake: 3-Day Luxury Floating Resort Experience*

Beach in Khao Lak by Mike Towers | shutterstock.com
Lam Ru National Park in Khao Lak by RiSchmid | shutterstock.com
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall by Richard Whitcombe | shutterstock.com
Tsunami memorial in Khao Lak by Stephan Langhans | shutterstock.com
Various Buddha figures by Nataliia Sokolovska | shutterstock.com
Beach Similan Islands by aiaikawa | shutterstock.com
The Khuk Khak Temple by fokke baarssen | shutterstock.com
Phang Nga Bay by Kwiatek7 | shutterstock.com
Surin Islands by Loveseen | shutterstock.com
Boat in Khao Sok National Park by martinho Smart | shutterstock.com