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Khao Lak

Khao Lak travel guide

Human settlement in Phang Nga Province, Thailand

Things to do44 experiences
Best time to visitMay to January
Nearest airportHKT · 36 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+7

About Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a small village in the Takua Pa District of Phang Nga Province, Thailand, located south of Lak Mountain. Tour operators like to use the popular name to refer to a series of nearby villages, now primarily tourist-oriented, mainly in Takua Pa District.

Places to visit in Khao Lak

  1. Similan Islands

    Similan Islands

    Nature · 41 mi from centre

    A protected archipelago of granite boulders, white beaches and coral reefs off the coast of Khao Lak. The park is open only part of the year, and daily visitor numbers are limited, so book trips early.

  2. Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park

    Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park

    Park · 5 mi from centre

    A coastal park of forested hills, rocky headlands and quiet beaches right next to Khao Lak's resorts. Walk the short trail to a secluded beach, and keep food away from the monkeys.

  3. Khao Sok National Park

    Khao Sok National Park

    Park · 29 mi from centre

    An ancient rainforest with limestone cliffs and a large lake dotted with floating bungalows. Spend a night on the lake to see wildlife at dawn, and hire a guide for jungle walks.

  4. Phang Nga Bay

    Phang Nga Bay

    Nature · 34 mi from centre

    A bay of emerald water filled with sheer limestone islands, sea caves and hidden lagoons. Kayak tours let you paddle into the caves, and early departures avoid the big boat groups.

  5. James Bond Island

    James Bond Island

    Landmark · 30 mi from centre

    A pair of limestone islets in Phang Nga Bay, made famous by a James Bond film, with a slender rock pillar offshore. Most bay tours stop here; arrive early, since it gets very crowded by midday.

  6. Takua Pa Old Town

    Neighborhood

    A historic tin-mining town north of Khao Lak with Sino-Portuguese shophouses and a weekend walking street. Visit on a Sunday for the market, and try the local noodle dishes sold by street vendors.

  7. Police Boat 813 Memorial

    Historic

    A police patrol boat carried far inland by the 2004 tsunami and now kept as a memorial in Bang Niang. A small museum nearby explains the disaster; it is a quiet, reflective stop, so dress and behave respectfully.

Things to do in Khao Lak by type

44 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Over 6 hours 11
  • 3-6 hours 2
Good for
  • Youth 2
  • Families 2
  • Couples 2
  • Senior 2
Ways to go
  • Small group 8
  • Private 2
Browse all things to do in Khao Lak

Top experiences in Khao Lak

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 44 available.

See all things to do in Khao Lak

Best time to visit Khao Lak

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Khao Lak is May to January, when average daytime highs are around 83–89°F and rain falls on about 24 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 73° – 89° 19
Feb 73° – 91° 14
Mar 75° – 91° 19
Apr 76° – 91° 24
May 78° – 88° 26
Jun 78° – 86° 22
Jul 77° – 85° 27
Aug 76° – 85° 27
Sep 76° – 83° 28
Oct 75° – 85° 28
Nov 74° – 85° 26
Dec 74° – 88° 17

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Khao Lak weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 86° 75° 79%
  • Thu 22 Oct 87° 76° 85%
  • Fri 23 Oct 84° 75° 89%
  • Sat 24 Oct 85° 76° 90%
  • Sun 25 Oct 83° 76° 88%
  • Mon 26 Oct 81° 75° 84%

Know before you go

Currency
Thai baht (THB)1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6
Language
Thai
Calling code
+66
Driving
On the left
Time zone
Asia/BangkokUTC+7
Capital
Bangkok

Getting to Khao Lak

These are the airports closest to central Khao Lak. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • HKT Phuket International Airport36 mi (58 km) from the city centre
  • KBV Krabi Airport63 mi (101 km) from the city centre
  • URT Surat Thani Airport70 mi (113 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Khao Lak

Getting around Khao Lak

Given that the Khao Lak region is about 20 km in length, knowing how to get around is important.

Khao Lak travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Khao Lak?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Khao Lak is May to January, when average daytime highs are around 83–89°F and rain falls on about 24 days a month.

What is the weather like in Khao Lak?

March is usually the warmest month in Khao Lak, with average highs of 91°F (33°C). September is the coolest, with average lows of 76°F (24°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 562 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Khao Lak?

Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the closest airport, about 36 miles (58 km) from the centre of Khao Lak. Other nearby airports include Krabi Airport (KBV, 63 mi) and Surat Thani Airport (URT, 70 mi).

What currency is used in Khao Lak?

Khao Lak uses the Thai baht (THB). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6.

What time zone is Khao Lak in?

Khao Lak uses the Asia/Bangkok time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Khao Lak?

Given that the Khao Lak region is about 20 km in length, knowing how to get around is important.

What are the best places to visit in Khao Lak?

Top sights in Khao Lak include Similan Islands, Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park, Khao Sok National Park and Phang Nga Bay. A protected archipelago of granite boulders, white beaches and coral reefs off the coast of Khao Lak. The park is open only part of the year, and daily visitor numbers are limited, so book trips early.

What are the top things to do in Khao Lak?

Popular experiences you can book in Khao Lak include James Bond and Beyond Tour, Phang Nga Bay Hong Island Explorer and Phuket DIY (Do it yourself). Destina Holidays offers 44 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Khao Lak?

The most popular types of experiences in Khao Lak are day trips & excursions (31), outdoor activities & adventure (7), zoo, aquarium & nature (4) and shows, sports and special events (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.