Khao Lak certainly has more than 10 things to see, but we’ve tried to narrow it down to just the most notable attractions and places to discover in this superb region of southern Thailand. Khao Lak is something of a newcomer on the radars of international tourism, although this destination has seen a strong increase of visitors through the past 10 years.
Khao Lak must-see attractions and places offers a decidedly eclectic choice of items. From the virgin tropical islands such as the Similans or the Surins that lie off its coast to its endless beaches to the pristine rainforests that cover its hinterland, Khao Lak is not short in natural wonders. Discover below the 10 best attractions in Khao Lak, which are sure to be the highpoints of your holiday in the province of Phang Nga.
Similan Islands
The Similan islands lie 90 minutes by speedboat off the coast of Phang-Nga, or eight or more hours by slow boat from Phuket. The area was declared a marine national park in 1982 and consequently remains largely undeveloped. Derived from the Malay term sembilan, meaning 'nine', Similan refers to the nine main islands in the group.
The waters surrounding the Similans are teeming with tropical fish, colourful coral, and offer exceptional underwater visibility. As a result, the diving is generally considered to be the best in the region, and compares favourably with some of the best in the world. (see more about diving here).
Part of the reason for this is the very interesting submarine topography, due in part to the huge granite boulders which not only litter the shorelines, but also lie in jumbled heaps beneath the waves to depths of 35 metres and beyond.
Similan Islands Snorkeling or Diving Day Trips
On surface the boulders, together with the lush rainforest and white sand beaches, provide a peaceful refuge. The islands attract an increasing number of visitors annually, particularly during the high season months between December to March, when the visibility of waters surrounding the islands is at its best.
Day trips to the islands for diving and snorkelling are popular, however serious divers are recommended to come on liveaboard trips to take full advantage of all the islands' have to offer in terms of diving opportunities. Dive companies operating from Phuket and Phang-Nga offer a number of tour itineraries with diving instruction for beginners.
Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is certainly the crown of all the must-visit sites in the province of Phang Nga, to which Khao Lak belongs. Located roughly a one-hour drive south of Khao Lak, Phang Nga Bay is a Marine National Park that covers 400sqkm. Similar to (though smaller than) Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Phang Nga Bay features 42 islands in the form of tall limestone cliffs pierced by caves and tunnels, towering out of the emerald waters of the bay.
The ecological importance of this area is second to none. Sheltering over 80 bird species (including the endangered Malaysian plover and Asiatic dowitcher), over 25 species of mangrove, as well as many other fauna and flora specimens, Phang Nga Bay offers the opportunity to discover a stunning natural environment which is more than 10,000 years old.
The bay counts a few landmarks that should not be missed during a visit, though their global reputation means that they may be slightly overcrowded during high season. Koh Panyee is a fishing village built on stilts at the end of the 18th century by nomadic Malay fishermen. Featuring a good choice of seafood restaurants, it is the main lunch-break stop during most of the day trips on offer.
Another landmark is James Bond Island. Locally known as Koh Phing Kan and featuring Nail Island (Koh Tapu) in the centre of its eastern bay, it became famous in 1974 for being the hideout of Francisco Scaramanga, the villain in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore and Christopher Lee.
The easiest way to discover Phang Nga Bay is to join a day trip. Two main types of trips are on offer: cruising the bay on a motor or sailing boat (junks are also popular) with stops at the main landmarks and beaches or get really up-close and personal experience with a sea kayaking day trip. The latter way of discovering the bay is by far the most popular.
Introduced by John Gray in the 1980s, the exploration of the bay by sea kayak gives the possibility of entering the many caves dug through the limestone cliffs by the sea, as well as reaching hidden lagoons inside the islands. These lagoons are called hongs, which means ‘room’ in Thai. They are the climax of a visit to the bay: going through a pitch-dark tunnel then coming out in a lagoon surrounded by 100m-tall limestone cliffs covered with tropical plants is really a memorable experience.
Surin Islands
Surin Islands are located about 60 km off the west coast of Phang-Nga Province, well known for diving, snorkelling and hiking in the surrounds of what is designated national park area. Of the five islands that make up the group, Koh Surin Neua (north island) and Koh Surin Tai (south island) are the principal islands - lying just across a small bay from each other, and where basic bungalow style accommodation and camping grounds can be found for overnight visits.
Like the Similan Islands, Surin Islands are best visited during the months of December to March when the seas are at their most calm, and for divers and snorkellers, water visibility is good. Local nature enthusiasts particularly favour these islands for the great hiking opportunities afforded here. A number of trails can be found, especially on the north island.
To reach Surin Islands, charter a boat from any of the major piers in any of Phang-Nga, Phuket or Ranong provinces. From Khao Lak, charter a boat from any beachside location or zip up to the village of Ban Hin Lat for the easiest ( and cheapest!) access from the mainland.
Khao Sok
Khao Sok is a 739 km² national park located about 50km northeast of Khao Lak. Belonging to the Province of Surat Thani it is a low mountainous area (the highest point is at 950m) covered by the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. The central area of Khao Sok National Park hosts one of the most impressive sites in southern Thailand: the man-made Cheow Lan Lake contained by Ratchaprapha Dam.
Like an inland sea covering 165 km², Cheow Lan Lake has exactly the same characteristics as the world-wide famous Phang Nga Bay located some 100km south: tall limestone karst formations jutting out from the emerald waters of the lake surrounded by sandstone and mudstone hills covered by a vegetation even more diverse than the Amazon forest, makes it a must-visit place.
Talking about flora and fauna, Khao Sok National Park houses over 5% of the world’s animal species including tigers, tapirs, elephants, wild boars, white handed gibbons, and much more, as well as extremely rare plants such as the very large stinky flower named Rafflesia (bua phut in Thai).
The topography of Khao Sok makes it one of the wettest areas in Thailand due to the fact it is hit by the monsoon coming from the Bay of Thailand in high season (Nov-Apr) as well as the monsoon coming from the Bay of Bengal in low season (May-Oct). This should not stop you to getting there as the sun always shines between two downpours. Khao Sok National is open all-year round.
White Sand Beach in Khao Lak (Ao Thong)
White Sand Beach (aka White Sandy Beach and Ao Thong – Golden Bay – in Thai) is a 2,600m-long strip of sand located between Pakarang Cape and Pak Weep Beach, some 15 minute-drive from La On Village, the main urban centre in Khao Lak.
To say that White Sand Beach is beautiful would not do it justice as the place is stunning: the colours of the sea blend turquoise and emerald green, the sand is soft and powdery with light yellow tones, and the lush tropical vegetation that fringes the beach covers wide shades of green. The only slightly down side of White Sand Beach is a row of dead coral lying at short distance from the shore.
At first only occupied by a few high-end resorts such as The Sarojin and the Kantary Beach Hotel, a small number of satellite businesses came lately to offer excellent and reasonably priced alternatives for dining or enjoying a sundowner at White Sand Beach. Venues like Boatyard Restaurant or Goon and Gib to name just a few, permit people who do not stay at one of the luxury resorts of this area to enjoy Ao Thong comfortably.
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall is a five-level waterfall located some 7km from Bang Niang. A 20-minute walk through the rainforest is necessary to reach the first level of the waterfall, which features a large pond where you can refresh yourself. Getting to the other four levels requires you to be fit as the trail is narrow and steep. As there’s no infrastructure on site (after all, it’s in the middle of the jungle), so it is best to bring drinks and snacks with you, as well as mosquito spray if you go there at the end of afternoon.
International Tsunami Museum in Khao Lak
The International Tsunami Museum is a well thought-out informative place to learn all about tsunamis in general – how these natural phenomena are created – and about the tragedy that occurred in Khao Lak on 26 December 2004. Settled in a two-storey house located along Phetkasem Road (the large main coastal road that links Phuket to Ranong) in Bang Niang, the International Tsunami Museum was created by the Department of Psychology in Western Washington University in association with the local authority.
Khao Lak’s International Tsunami Museum not only shows the devastating effects of the waves formed following the 9.1 earthquake off the coasts of Indonesia, it clearly explains the warning signs that, if known at that time, would have spared the life of many people in the province of Phang Nga. Right next to the museum, the remains of the Thai navy boat 813, shows how powerful was the wave that hit the coast in Khao Lak: this large steel vessel was carried almost two kilometres inland!
A visit to the the International Tsunami Museum helps to put things in perspective and contribute to help the local community as most of the benefits– entrance fee (100 baht) and merchandising – are donated to the victims of this catastrophe.
Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery
Located a mere 15 minutes’ drive south of Bang La On (Nang Thong Beach), the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery offers a very educational attraction for the whole family. As its name implies, the turtle nursery is located on a military base, so you’ll need to have your passport with you to be allowed to enter, as well as the 30 baht entrance fee. The nursery features turtles ranging from one week to many years old. The lack of written information in English is a bit of a pity, but the people who take care of the nursery are friendly enough and enjoy sharing their knowledge with visitors. You also have the opportunity to feed the turtles, but mind your fingers!
Samed Nang She Viewpoint
Completely unknown until January 2016, Samed Nang She Viewpoint became a very popular place in just a matter of weeks. Located in the deep countryside of Phang Nga Province (80km south of Khao Lak), this natural terrace offering an outstanding view east to the limestone karst islands of Phang Nga Bay was discovered by a Thai photographer. The best time to visit it is for sunrise, but don’t expect to be alone on the site. You can even sleep there to be sure that you’re there on time for the first rays of sun enlightening this stunning vista. The remote location of Samed Nang She Viewpoint also allows you to see and photograph the Milky Way on some nights.
Wat Tham
Wat Tham (aka Wat Suwan Khuha – ‘Temple Cave’ in Thai) is one of the many landmarks in Phang Nga Province. Located off the highway that links Phuket and Phang Nga Town, only 6km before to reach the capital city of Phang Nga Province. It features a large reclining Buddha statue inside a pretty big limestone cave. At the entrance, dozens of macaques wait for tourists to feed them of bananas and peanuts sold by vendors on the parking lot. A second cave can be visited by climbing a staircase at the back of the first grotto. It takes about one hour to get there from Khao Lak.
