Where is Khao Lak on the map of Thailand and how to get there. Khao Lak is one of the best and most beautiful tourist areas in Thailand. Where is Khao Lak located?
However, there is also another natural park nearby, called Khao Lak - Lampu.
Khao Lak is still little known among Russian tourists. For some reason, this place is not given much attention, thereby leaving it to independent travelers. And this is very cool, since there are not many people. In general, there is not much of anything, with the exception of beaches and untouched nature. Nevertheless, Khao Lak is not inaccessible, rather the opposite - getting here is as easy as shelling pears, even easier and faster than to.
Khao Lak on the map of Thailand
Who should go to Khao Lak
Khao Lak will help you go back 20 years ago to what was the most popular island then. The resort is famous for its small number of tourists and its secluded beaches. As a result, the infrastructure here is poorly developed - there are few cafes, restaurants and shops, but, in principle, it is enough for a comfortable stay.
This place will be of interest primarily to lovers of nature and relaxation. The deserted multi-kilometer coastline and forests are simply a paradise for such people. In the morning you can watch the sunrise, during the day you can lie on the beach, swimming and enjoying life, in the evening you can watch the setting sun, and then enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants.
There are almost no attractions at the resort, and, in general, there is little. Khao Lak should be chosen if you just want to relax in the lap of nature or lie down with a book under a palm tree.
How to get there
Khao Lak is not a very popular Thai resort, so transport links with it are poorly developed. The nearest one is 60 km to the south, where a huge number of flights arrive from all over the world. Many well-known airlines fly here: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Etihad Airways, Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, as well as charter companies.
Cheap flights to Bangkok
You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
Transport
You can move around Khao Lak from beach to beach by taxi or songthaew. Songthaews are blue in color and usually do not have any inscriptions in English, only in Thai. These are small trucks, like the ones from Phuket. There are also taxis, which are covered pickup trucks, similar to those in Pattaya. They usually have Taxi written on the windshield.
There are also offices that rent out motorbikes. Cost - 200 baht per day. Most of them are located at travel agencies and may not even have a Motorbike For Rent sign. There are several gas stations on the main highway, costing 35-37 baht per liter.
Beaches
There is no clear boundary where the resort begins and ends. The string of many kilometers stretches for 25 km, almost to the city of Takuapa. Of course, there is officially a town named Khao Lak, but all the main beaches, hotels and other infrastructure are concentrated to the north. And usually Khao Lak means the area north of it, in the area of the beaches and - these are the main tourist places.
If you want at least some action with bars, restaurants, massage parlors, motorbike rentals, etc., then this is the place for you. There is even a drag queen show and a nightclub in Bang Niang. If you want a purely beach holiday without all this, then the other 5 beaches are at your service. There are only a few fairly expensive hotels on the coast and nothing else. Those. nothing at all - as soon as you leave the hotel territory, you find yourself in a forest or an open field.
When we talked about the action in Nang Thong and Bang Niang, this should not be understood as a vibrant nightlife, like in Pattaya or on Patong Beach in Phuket. Here everything is much more moderate and quieter. In fact, the crowd is concentrated on one street in Bang Niang and consists of a dozen drinking bars and restaurants. In bars you can catch a “night butterfly”, so lonely men will definitely not be bored.
On the coast itself there is almost no one after sunset, no discos or loud music, even on the busiest beaches.
Well, those who want complete privacy can go to, which is located near Bang Sak beach and the journey there from the mainland takes only 5 minutes by boat. There are a dozen hotels on this island, despite the fact that its length is approximately 20 km. So you can imagine how crowded it is, especially in low season. That's right - no one!
Rent a motorbike on the mainland, take it to Koh Kho Khao (20 baht per moped and 20 baht per person on it) and enjoy unlimited freedom. A paved road has recently been laid across the entire island, along which you can drive with the breeze and not meet anyone on your way. For lovers of beautiful views and wild beaches, this place is just a godsend, be sure to go!
What to do and what to visit
Attractions
Almost all natural ones are National Parks, waterfalls, and even the beaches themselves. Of the man-made ones, we can name only a few temples and the tsunami monument, the one with the police ship. in 2004 led to the largest number of victims in all of Thailand (about 4,000 people).
All attractions can be visited on a rented motorbike, and excursions to the most important ones are organized at local travel agencies, of which there are a large number at every step.
Stores and shopping
Shopping in Khao Lak is only possible in Nang Thong and Bang Niang, but don’t expect anything special. There are no shopping centers or large stores either. You can buy local delicacies in the markets. For shopping, you can go to Phuket; fortunately, its best shopping center, Central Festival, is about an hour and a half away.
Entertainment
Entertainment in Khao Lak includes massages (average 300 baht per hour), water sports (only on popular beaches), elephant riding, bars, restaurants and excursions. You can go to the Zantika Pub nightclub, which is on the main road near Bang Niang. There is also a transvestite show called Moo Moo Cabaret nearby. In the evenings you can launch a Chinese balloon into the sky.
) »»» What to choose, Phuket or Khao Lak?
If you are deciding whether to go to Phuket or Khao Lak, the first thing to keep in mind is that the cost of living in Phuket and Khao Lak is approximately the same, and a trip to these tourist centers will cost you approximately one and the same money.
Features of Phuket and Khao Lak
If we leave aside accurate budget calculations, there are, perhaps, only two fundamental differences between Phuket and Khao Lak.
The first of them concerns the lifestyle, and the second concerns the visual range that appears before your eyes in Phuket and Khao Lak.
Khao Sok National Park, one of the largest national parks in Thailand with an area of 739 sq. km., is located on the isthmus separating the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The distance from Khao Sok to the nearest point of the Andaman coast, the city of Takua Pa, is approximately 50 km, to the nearest point of the Gulf of Thailand, the city of Surat Thani - approximately 120 km. The distance from Khao Sok to Khao Lak and Phuket is 80 and 140 km, respectively. The most famous and most extraordinary attraction of Khao Sok National Park is the mountain lake Cheow Lan, a place of amazing and.....
Si Phang-Nga National Park, sometimes referred to as Sri Phang-Nga, is located on Route 4 (Phuket - Bangkok), halfway between the cities of Takua Pa and Khuraburi. The distance from Si Phang-Nga National Park to the nearest major tourist centers, Khao Lak and Phuket, is 50 km. and 110 km., respectively.
Unlike the more widely known Khao Sok, Si Phang-Nga National Park is not one of those places where you should stay for a few days. By and large, to explore all the sights of the national park, the Tam Nang waterfall and the creeks located next to the waterfall, favored by countless schools of fish, .....
Khao Lak National Park (Khao Lak - Lam Ru) is the closest national park to the tourist center of the same name. It is a mountain range that dominates the surrounding area and forms the unique landscapes of Khao Lak.
The national park has a rather complex shape and consists of two parts: the mountains located near the coast, which give the name to the entire surrounding area, and the Lam Ru mountains located inland. Despite the fact that the mountains of the national park are visible from anywhere in Khao Lak, tourists see only a small part of the national park, the size of which is very impressive. Suffice it to say that the eastern border.....
Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Mueang National Park is located next to the main transport artery of southern Thailand, highway No. 4 (Phuket - Bangkok), at a distance of 30 km. south of Khao Lak. The distance between Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Mueang National Park and the northern border of Phuket (Sarasin Bridge) is also 30 km. As its name clearly indicates, this national park consists of two parts, coastal (Hat Thai Mueang beach) and mountainous inland (Khao Lampi hills).
It should be noted that Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Mueang National Park is not one of the most prominent national parks in Thailand, and.....
The small island of Khao Lak was previously just a small village. But over time, several small villages located nearby along the coast of the Andaman Sea merged into one large tourist center. With the development of the tourism industry in Thailand, the level of service developed, and new buildings were built, thus, from an ordinary village, Khao Lak turned into a tourist paradise, where developed infrastructure is combined with unique natural landscapes.
Khao Lak resort is located next to the Andaman Sea. It is separated from the ocean by high mountains. It is this favorable location that determines the climate of this Thai town. The weather here is warm throughout the year. The tourist season is officially open here from November to May.
The weather at this time is optimal for relaxation, since the tropical heat is diluted by the northeastern monsoons and sea breezes. At this time, the temperature in the city stays at 25 - 30 degrees. The rainy seasons are characterized by high temperatures and frequent rainfall.
The nature of this town is rich and varied. So that tourists can admire it without risk and take photos against the backdrop of bright flowers and tall trees, the beautiful Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park was created. There, the wild jungle is combined with neat paths, walking along which guests of the kingdom can observe squirrels, exotic birds and other small animals of Thailand. There are also waterfalls that fascinate everyone with their pristine beauty.
Sights and recreation areas
Unlike most resorts in Thailand, tourists come to Khao Lak not for noisy fun, but to relax and retire.
Map of Khao Lak with attractions
There are a lot of spas, yoga clubs and all kinds of health centers built in the city. The whole atmosphere of the city encourages tourists to forget about their problems and, in a few days of rest, relax and improve their health both physically and mentally.
Khao Lak is a quiet and cozy holiday In addition, there are many natural attractions near the city, against which tourists who come to Thailand like to take photos. For example, Lampi waterfall. It is located 30 minutes from Khao Lak, just off Route 4. You can get there by taxi or rented transport. The waterfall itself is just a short walk from the parking lot.
It's best to go there early in the morning to watch the sunrise. The best photos are taken against the backdrop of a morning waterfall. In addition, you can swim there at any time. This is allowed and quite safe.
Lampi Waterfall (Khao Lak, Thailand) Another colorful waterfall near Khao Lak is Chong Fa. It's easy to find because there is a blue sign on Route 4 that shows the way to the waterfall. Entrance to the waterfall territory is paid, a ticket for adults costs 100 baht, for children – 50. Near the waterfall it is great to relax on hot days and take memorable photos.
Chong Fa is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Khao Lak Another noteworthy natural asset of Khao Lak is the local national park. You can go there from 8:30 to 16:30. You can walk in the park all day long, because there is a restaurant on its territory where you can have a snack if necessary.
From the park you can go to the beaches of Nang Thong or Khao Lak, or walk to the famous Buddhist temple. Entrance to the temple is free for children under three years old, adults pay 100 baht for entry, children under 14 years old pay half that amount.
Khao Lak Lamru National Park is one of several popular national parks in Thailand. Also not far from Khao Lak there is such an original attraction as Police Boat 813. At the beginning of the millennium, it was one of two police boats designed to protect the son of a former princess. During the 2004 tsunami, one of the ships sank along with its crew. The second boat washed ashore, and since then it has stood there as a historical monument.
Police boat washed up 2 km from the shore In addition, you can go to the Old Town and Takua Pa. In the old quarter of Takua Pa there are still quaint examples of old Sino-Portuguese architecture, where tourists stop at literally every step to take photos. There are also plenty of quaint shops and a traditional local market.
Hotels, shops and markets
Despite the absence of large shopping centers and shopping malls in the city, in the resort town you can buy everything you need for a comfortable stay. Prices for food in stores are not very high, and in the markets you can try all the exotic fruits without spending much. However, it is better to go to the market early, because after lunch the traders go home.
Tourist town opposite Nang Thong Beach, Khao Lak As for souvenirs, it is better to buy them in the town of Baan La On, which is located next to Khao Laka. In the main square of the city there is a large market where you can buy figurines of Thai gods, paintings, jewelry and even handmade musical instruments.
Souvenirs made of wood and coconut But if you don’t want to travel that far, you can also find souvenirs in the Khao Lak Souvenir shop near Nang Thong Beach.
It is prohibited to export Buddha figurines larger than 15 cm. Thais consider this an insult to religion.
The most popular place among tourists is the Nang Tong supermarket. It presents a wide variety of goods, both household and grocery. And near each beach you can find small shops where, in addition to household items, you can also buy ready-made frozen foods.
Beach holiday
They are distinguished by their well-groomed and cleanliness. In this quiet resort town you can soak up the white sand and swim in clear sea water, which is not always possible on other beaches in Thailand. There is enough space for vacationers here. The coastline stretches along the sea for ten kilometers. True, the beaches are mostly wild.
Only two of them are developed by tourists: Nang Thong and Bang Niang. The first one is considered the most popular in the whole city. Near it you can find many cozy and inexpensive hotels and restaurants that provide a large selection of food and drinks. From the shore you can see many sea creatures that you previously only saw in photographs:
- Crabs;
- Turtles;
- Exotic fish, etc.
The southern part of Nang Thong Beach is also known among tourists as "Sunset Beach". Many tourists, coming to this resort, bring home photos with sea sunsets in the background.
Nang Thong Beach is also known among tourists as "Sunset Beach" The beach called Bang Niang is more suitable for families. Many water attractions, cozy sun loungers and massage parlors will allow you to find entertainment for both children and parents. In addition, next to the beach there is a snake farm and Chong Fa waterfall, so in addition to a beach holiday, you will have something to do.
Less crowded, but therefore even more attractive beaches that are recommended for visiting are Pakwip and Khao Lak. The latter attracts with its natural beauty, which you just want to save in a photo as a memory of the trip. You won't find any sun loungers or umbrellas there, but the alternative is to relax in the shade of tall trees on the snow-white sand.
Pakwip beach, in turn, is almost deserted, but at the same time attractive. Nearby there are good five-star hotels and the Buddhist monastery of Baan Pakwip.
Pakwip Beach is the quietest and least developed beach of the resort in terms of tourism In general, the boundaries between individual beaches are quite arbitrary and they are all available for recreation throughout the whole year. They are protected from storms by high reefs, so even during the monsoon period you can snorkel, dive, or simply conquer the waves and take photos against the backdrop of the sea.
Transport
The most popular means of transport to get around Khao Lak are:
- Knock Knock;
- Motorbike;
- Automobile;
- Bike.
You can hire a tuk tuk for your own route. At first, the price may seem high, but you can bargain and agree to travel for almost half the price. You need to agree on the cost before departure, so that upon arrival you do not have conflicts with the driver due to misunderstandings.
Check the cost of the trip, since payment can be made both per person and for the cost of the trip as a whole.
To explore the area on your own, it is better to rent a motorbike or scooter. There are two types of rentals: daily and monthly.
A day's rental costs approximately 200 baht; if you rent for a long time, you will receive a significant discount. You can find transport near travel agencies, restaurants and internet cafes. To rent, you will need a passport (or at least a copy of it) - it is advisable to leave a cash deposit, which will greatly increase the likelihood of not becoming a hostage to circumstances.
You can also rent a car on the island. All offices provide a selection of cars of different models at different prices. Remember that to drive a car on the roads of Thailand you must have an international driver's license. The fine for driving without documents is 500 baht.
An international driver's license comes into force if you have a domestic driver's license, be careful and don't forget to take it with you.
How to get there
There are no direct flights to Khao Lak, but there is an international airport on the neighboring island of Phuket. Upon arrival in Phuket, you can already get to the tourist town by taxi. The trip will take just under an hour and cost approximately 1,200 baht.
But if you want to save money, you can take the bus. However, there is no direct flight, so you have to go first to the bus station located in Phuket, and then change to another one, next to Khao Lak.
In addition, Khao Lak can be reached from Bangkok. Traveling on a comfortable bus will cost approximately 500 baht. The journey from the Southern Bus Station to the resort takes approximately 10 hours.
Khao Lak can be reached by plane, bus, taxi and even by bicycle The resort town of Khao Lak is a great place for a family holiday or for visiting with a group of friends. Beautiful scenery, pure nature and a huge selection of entertainment options will make your holiday unforgettable.
Updated: 2019-3-3
Oleg Lazhechnikov
70Khao Lak became the discovery of the year for me, despite the fact that I have already been to Thailand many places. It's a little loud, but I didn't expect to like it so much. I usually don’t go on vacation, but if the question arose about where I could go for a week for a relaxing holiday, then I would go there, although there are no “bounty” beaches or any special architecture there...
But it’s soulful and sparsely populated compared to Phuket and even Koh Samui, which are more like cities than lost tropical resorts. Khao Lak has the balance I need between the tourist infrastructure of the resort and at the same time a small number of people.
I have been planning to visit Khao Lak for a long time, I was wondering why it is not so popular, although it is very close to the international airport. I had to fill the gap on the blog and write my review and mini-guide. And since I also wanted to go on an excursion to and from, I managed to combine business with pleasure.
Now there is already information about Khao Lak on the Internet, including sites in Russian, not like 5 years ago, but bloggers still don’t really like it. This is understandable, Khao Lak is more of a resort where you can have a good vacation, and not a place for wintering. There are no hospitals, no supermarkets, and housing for long-term rentals can be counted on one hand.
On the other hand, not winterers, but ordinary tourists also usually go on vacation to nearby Phuket, and not to Khao Lak, although getting from Phuket airport is not much longer than to Nai Harn. Why? Apparently too quiet and calm, the place is not for those who love entertainment and nightlife.
Alternatively, visit Khao Lak with excursions from Phuket, which is quite inexpensive. True, on excursions the goal is not to see the beaches and the city, but the temples and jungle in the area. Plus traditional elephant riding and rafting. Just keep in mind if you want something like this.
And I’ll list briefly what attracted me to the resort itself.
- Quiet and relaxing holiday
- Minimum of parties, since the contingent is mainly European-retired
- There are few people on the beaches, since the town is small and the beaches are long
- The resort looks pretty nice, many of the cafes are nicely decorated and the buildings have cheerful colors
Transport accessibility: mainland, so no need for ferry and not far from Phuket ()
Quite a nice alley - Bang Niang Road exit to the sea
In general, it is very important for me that there are few people on the beach, so as not to feel like a herring in a jar, but at the same time, I don’t want to relax on a completely deserted island.
I know that not everyone will understand me, and perhaps such a desire for solitude is generally characteristic only of residents of megacities. Although this may be purely my own understanding of relaxation, in which it is impossible to enjoy natural beauties from the crowd.
And I will emphasize again. Perhaps it was just me who thought so, but in some places Khao Lak (mainly Bang Niang) really looks a little different, somehow more civilized and European than many other resorts. And this despite the fact that he is not very popular. For example, the beaches of Kata and Kata Noi in Phuket also look European, but there are many times more people there.
Areas and beaches of Khao Lak
About the beaches of Khao Lak
You must understand that there is no separate city called Khao Lak, this is the name of several villages/beaches united into one resort. Moreover, most of the resort’s territory is fields with palm trees, and the main attraction is Khao Lak National Park, that is, nature, waterfalls and the beaches themselves. Civilization is concentrated in literally several places.
In total, there are 7 districts/beaches in Khao Lak, of which, in my opinion, most will be interested in only 3, just where there is enough infrastructure necessary for vacationers. And another beach (Khuk Khak) is interesting from the point of view of sometimes coming for a swim, since it is not far from the main areas, but not living there. Therefore, we will only talk about 4 beaches and areas:
— Bang Niang Beach
— Khuk Khak Beach
The remaining 3 beaches (Pakarang Beach, Pak Weep Beach, Bang Sak Beach) are completely amateurish, there is little civilization there, and the beaches are worse, the dominance of Thais on weekends (they come for picnics). I also visited, which is located in the national park between Khao Lak beach and Bang Niang beach, but it is not particularly interesting.
My favorite areas were Bang Nian and Nang Thong. And given that they flow into one another without a clear boundary, you can live in both. Looking ahead, I will say that these two beaches themselves are very similar, but I personally would choose Bang Niang. Moreover, many believe that Nang Tong is the first most developed resort, but it seemed to me that Bang Niang is such.
If we talk about the main areas of Khao Lak (where there is civilization), then I liked Khao Lak beach the least, despite its name of the same name as the entire resort.
Firstly, it somehow looks less neat due to the asphalt and crushed stone roads. Secondly, visually it is less beautiful there than in Bang Niang. Thirdly, there is not even a 7-11 there and, in fact, there is only one small street and a couple of alleys, the area is very small. That is, the choice of cafes, hotels, shops is minimal, there is nowhere to go.
In fact, there is no choice, only one normal minimarket, and even then it’s not a 7-11 after all. That is, for me it’s neither here nor there, and it’s not really in the wilderness, so to be alone and civilization is not enough, if not just once. But perhaps someone will like this particular combination.
But the beaches here are excellent. That part of the beach opposite civilization is fenced off from it by a line of casuarinas that create shade in the first half of the day. First-line hotels have their pools and sun loungers right on the shore, for example, the chic The Anda Mani Khao Lak By Epikurean Hotels & lifestyle 
with a very high rating.
If you come from Phuket, then after quickly passing Khao Lak beach and passing the pass, you will go down the mountain to the village of Bang La On. To be honest, I don’t know if you need to know this name because the beach is called Nang Thong. And the bus driver or taxi driver, if you tell them that you need to go to Khao Lak, will bring you right here. This place is considered the center of the Khao Lak resort and the most developed, there is even a McDonald's.
The main civilization is located right on the highway, there are plenty of hotels, a 7-11, a bank, and in general, when you drive in the dark in the evening, everything around glows, it seems like the whole city is around. This entire area stretches strongly along the highway, and, accordingly, along the coast. The distance from the highway to the beach is less than, for example, in Bang Niang. There are first-line hotels along the entire coastline; La Flora Resort & Spa Khao Lak is highly praised 
, although this resort is remote from the epicenter of infrastructure and almost borders Bang Niang.
The southernmost part of the area is sometimes called Sunset Beach, either because it’s good for watching sunsets, or because it’s Khaolak Sunset Resort located. But you won’t find such a beach on maps, and there is no border between the beaches at all.
Be sure (and I insist) to check for discounts or special offers on a great service. It will quickly and easily show you discounts in all existing booking systems. In Asia, for example, there are a lot of offers on Agoda.com, which are much more interesting than for exactly the same hotels on Booking.com.
Nang Thong beach is good all the way, I liked it. There are a lot of pensioners walking, two lighthouses, one on the shore, the other in the sea, and quite often there are large stones in the water. .
Bang Niang Beach
Many people believe that the most infrastructurally developed beach is Nang Thong. But it seems to me that this information is outdated, Bang Niang is in no way inferior to it, except that there is no McDonald's. But there is a whole one, even 2.
At the same time, Bang Niang is more compact, since it extends much less along the coast compared to Nang Tong. That is, approximately the same number of cafes and hotels are located in a smaller area, and you don’t need to travel kilometers to get somewhere. And likewise, Bang Niang is not crowded even during peak season. All the photos were taken by me at the end of January, and photos are taken on the beaches.
In general, if I were choosing where to stay in Khao Lak, the hotel would be booked on this beach. Actually, that’s what I did when I came to Khao Lak. In any case, getting to Nang Tong is not a problem, the beach line is not interrupted at all, you can walk and walk, which is what many pensioners do here in the morning and late afternoon.
The entire civilization is concentrated on the highway and near the Bang Niang Road. It overlooks the beach and conditionally divides it into northern and southern parts. Southern part near Ramada Khao Lak Resort beautiful and flows smoothly into Nang Tong. The northern one is partially filled with concrete, but there are strips of beach there where you can swim. Further north it is completely wilderness and desolate. .
»»» Phang Nga Province »»» Khao Lak »»» Beaches, islands and national parks of Khao Lak
Khao Lak
Khao Lak is a section of the coast of the Andaman Sea, located 80 km. north of Phuket. It got its name from the mountains of the national park of the same name, which dominate the surrounding area and create the unique landscapes of Khao Lak.
Khao Lak's lifestyle is very different from nearby Phuket. Unlike the latter, Khao Lak is not crowded, not fussy and much more moderate in prices. The difference with Phuket is especially striking when you see the beaches of Khao Lak, clean, long and practically deserted, and compare them with the beaches of Phuket, the number of tourists on which exceeds all imaginable limits.
In addition to its impressive beaches, Khao Lak's advantages include its convenient location in relation to the islands of the northern Andaman Sea and numerous national parks located within a radius of 100 km. from Khao Lak. It is not surprising that with such an advantageous location, many consider Khao Lak not only as a place for a beach holiday, but also as a base for trips to the islands of Surin, Tachai, the Similan Islands and forested national parks such as Khao Sok National Park.
Beaches of Khao Lak
Of the beaches listed above, the southern ones Nang Thong and Bang Niang are the most heavily developed by the tourism industry and most of the hotels in Khao Lak are located next to them. Unlike the first two, Khuk Khak beach is almost untouched by civilization, is rarely visited and remains in its pristine state.
The second most important group of Khao Lak beaches is located in the bay north of Cape Pakarang and includes beaches and. The length of these beaches is approximately 8 km. and in their vicinity there are, for the most part, very expensive hotels.
In addition to the beaches located north of the national park, there is another group of beaches located in the south, between the mountains of the national park and the Tap Lamu pier (the departure point for ships to the Similan Islands). The length of these beaches is insignificant and is approximately 2 km.
Islands of the northern Andaman Sea
60 km. off the coast of Khao Lak there is a group of islands that includes the Bon Islands, the Richelieu Rock and the islands.
The islands listed above, with some degree of convention, can be divided into two groups: those that are of interest to the widest range of vacationers and islands that are interesting exclusively for divers.
The first group includes the Similan Islands, Tachai Island and the Surin Islands. All three feature crystal white coral beaches, pristine rainforest and shallow coral reefs adjacent to the islands, providing excellent snorkeling opportunities. By all accounts, snorkeling in Similan is one of the best, if not the best, in all of Thailand. However, this statement is no less true for diving than for snorkeling.
The second group of islands, accessible only to divers, includes Bon Island and Richelieu Rock (). These two places are famous, first of all, for the fact that in their vicinity you are likely to encounter large sea inhabitants, such as a whale shark or a giant stingray. The list of attractions in Beaune and Richelieu is not limited to these giants. Suffice it to say that of the 400 species of fish and 200 species of coral in the Andaman Sea, most can be found in these two places.
Read more about the islands of the northern Andaman Sea
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The Similan Islands are one of the most beautiful places in southern Thailand. Monumental granite cliffs, snow-white coral beaches, dense tropical forest and clear blue water - all this leaves an unforgettable and incomparable experience. The underwater world of the archipelago is no less impressive and, by all accounts, the diving and snorkeling in Similan is considered to be some of the best, if not the best, in all of Thailand. |
In general, Tachai and Similans are quite similar to each other. Like the Similan Islands, Tachai has a stunning beach with blue water, white coral sand and lush tropical vegetation. Directly opposite the beach there is a shallow coral reef, an excellent place for snorkeling. Deeper diving spots are also present. In addition, the island has a trail through the jungle that allows you not only to see the local flora and fauna in detail, but also to enjoy the sounds and smells of the rainforest. |
Despite the fact that Surin, Tachai and the Similan Islands belong to the same group of North Andaman Islands, the Surin archipelago is strikingly different from its more southern neighbors. The coastline of Surin is indented by numerous bays; the surface of the islands is almost completely occupied by high hills covered with impassable tropical forest. There are almost no flat areas on the islands, but at the same time, the sea around the archipelago is shallow, which is unexpected given the hilliness of the islands themselves. As a result, the landscapes of Surin are unusual, unique and leave few people indifferent. |
Underwater world of Richelieu Rock
If you try to list the features of the underwater world of Richelieu Rock, there will be at least three of these features. Firstly, this is a place where you can meet large sharks and rays; secondly, a place where huge (up to a thousand individuals) schools of fish gather; and thirdly, this is a place where underwater life is represented in extraordinary diversity.
Huge schools of fish are one of the most impressive sights Richelieu Rock has to offer. It should be noted that the fish that make up these schools are quite decent in size, up to 60 cm in length. Usually such flocks are formed by a variety of snapper, but there are also flocks consisting of fusiliers and local horse mackerel (herring or trevally scad).
In addition to traditional reef fish, the Richelieu Rock area is home to some rather unexpected creatures. For example, different types of monkfish and scorpion fish that mimic stones and fragments of coral. Other mimetic fish are also present, such as the Ornate Ghost Pipefish, almost invisible against the backdrop of soft coral branches.
The underwater world of Richelieu Rock is not limited to fish. In the area of the rock you can find all sorts of funny mollusks and crustaceans in abundance: colorful harlequin shrimp, colorful sea snails and many other interesting creatures of various shapes and colors.
Forest and coastal national parks in the Khao Lak area
There are several national parks in the Khao Lak area, three of which, (Ao Phang-nga), (Khao Sok) and Khao Lak (Khao Lak - Lam Ru), are worth special mention.
First of all, this is the Ao National Park located in Phang Nga Bay, famous for its unique views, as well as rocky islands with numerous grottoes, caves and inland lakes.
Secondly, there is Khao Sok National Park () - without a doubt, the most impressive forested national park in southern Thailand; a place of rare beauty and very diverse nature.
And finally, this is Khao Lak National Park (Khao Lak - Lam Ru) - a mountain range conveniently located close to the hotels and beaches of Khao Lak; a place visited by even the laziest tourists.
In addition to those mentioned above, in the Khao Lak area there are several more national parks, not as impressive as Phang Nga and Khao Sok, but nevertheless interesting in their own way. If you have enough time and a rental car at hand, driving around Khao Lak and seeing these national parks would be a very good idea.
Read more about the most visited national parks
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Phang Nga Bay Phang Nga Bay (Ao Phang-nga) is one of the main attractions of southern Thailand, a highly unusual and very beautiful place. Famous for its breathtaking views and rocky islands, indented by numerous grottoes, caves and lagoons. In total, there are 42 islands on the territory of Phang Nga, of different sizes and varying degrees of color. The most colorful and recognizable of them is James Bond Island, which before the filming of the famous film bore the modest local name Koh Tapu (literally “Nail Island”)..... |
Khao Sok National Park is home to one of the largest tracts of tropical rain forest in Thailand. There are several long and well-maintained walking trails through the forest, allowing you to get acquainted with the local flora and fauna, as well as enjoy the sounds and smells of the endless virgin forest. Most of these trails go through the hills and slides located along the banks of rivers and streams of the national park. Hiking through this terrain requires some effort, but the reward is the opportunity to see the many waterfalls of the national park. |
Khao Lak (n.p.) Khao Lak is the closest national park to the resort area of the same name. It is a mountain range that dominates the surrounding area and forms the unique landscapes of Khao Lak. The national park has a rather complex shape and consists of two parts: the mountains located near the coast, which give the name to the entire surrounding area, and the Lam Ru mountains located inland. Despite the fact that the mountains of the national park are visible from anywhere in Khao Lak, tourists see only a small part of the national park, the size of which is quite impressive. The nature, landscapes and lifestyle of all three islands are approximately the same. The coastline of the islands, facing the Andaman Sea, is an almost continuous strip of wild beaches. The eastern side of the islands, in contrast to the western side, is indented by numerous bays and covered with thickets of mangrove forests. The fauna of the islands is rich and varied; The islands are home to wild boars and deer, giant tortoises and exotic birds such as hornbills, among others. Of the three islands, the most populated is the southern island, on whose territory there are several large hotels. The remaining two islands are less developed, especially the northern island of Ra, which is practically untouched by civilization.
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