Southern Thailand · resort area
Khao Lak
Choose a resort area along the coast for beach days and excursions to nearby parks and islands.
The feel of the place
A relaxed Andaman coast base for long beaches and national-park trips.
Khao Lak is a string of resort areas along long Andaman beaches, with forest and national-park outings nearby. It is also a departure base for seasonal trips to the Similan and Surin islands. The coast is spread out, so beach-area choice matters for walking to meals and arranging excursions.
Keep in mind
The resort areas are spread along the coast, so getting between them usually needs a ride. Major island excursions operate seasonally, and they can add substantially to the cost of a stay.
Get to know Khao Lak
What is Khao Lak like?
Our editorial assessments · Select a factor to see how we scored this place.
Why we rate Khao Lak 8/10
Long sandy beaches make easy beach days central to a Khao Lak stay, though individual stretches vary by season and access.
What we assess
Beach appeal, convenient access and variety during a beach-focused stay, within the destination itself.
Why we rate Khao Lak 8/10
Forest-backed coastline, nearby national parks and offshore islands give the area a strong natural setting.
What we assess
The visual impact of natural surroundings and how central those landscapes are to a typical stay.
Why we rate Khao Lak 3/10
Local temples and communities add some context, but most visitor activities focus on beaches and nature trips.
What we assess
The variety, depth and practical access to historic places, temples, architecture, traditions and cultural experiences during a typical stay.
Why we rate Khao Lak 6/10
Thai seafood, resort dining and casual restaurants offer a dependable range, with less urban variety than Phuket.
What we assess
Food quality, variety, distinctive local cooking and how readily visitors can find good places to eat, regardless of price.
Why we rate Khao Lak 3/10
A few bars and resort venues provide relaxed evenings, but late-night options are limited.
What we assess
The choice, variety and liveliness of evening venues, their opening hours and how easily you can enjoy a typical night out.
Why we rate Khao Lak 8/10
The resort area is generally relaxed, with quiet beach bases easy to find outside the busiest centres.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a peaceful stay, considering traffic, nightlife noise, crowds and practical quieter bases.
Why we rate Khao Lak 8/10
Seasonal trips to the Similan and Surin islands offer excellent marine outings, though park schedules limit year-round access.
What we assess
The variety of worthwhile sea-island trips, convenient departures, journey times and flexibility under normal operating conditions.
Why we rate Khao Lak 6/10
Hotel transfers, taxis and organised tours cover common outings, but the resort strip is spread along the highway.
What we assess
Freedom to explore without renting a scooter, using walking, public transport, taxis, tuk-tuks, ride-hailing or boats; transport price is assessed separately.
Why we rate Khao Lak 6/10
Local restaurants and simple rooms help, while resort transport and boat excursions can add substantial costs.
What we assess
How easily you can enjoy a typical stay on a modest budget, including simple accommodation, food, realistic transport and characteristic activities.
Scores out of 10 · Higher means more of that characteristicAbout these scores
How to read the scale
Scores describe how strongly a destination offers each characteristic. They are editorial assessments, not visitor ratings.
Higher does not always mean better
A higher nightlife score means a livelier scene. A higher quietness score means a calmer atmosphere. The right balance depends on your trip.
Plan your trip
When to go
See how temperature, rainfall and travel conditions change through the year. Select a month to focus on your travel dates.
| Factor | Khao Lak |
|---|---|
| Average daytime high | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 62 mm |
| Rainy days | 6.3 |
| Crowds | High |
| Stay prices | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 45 mm |
| Rainy days | 5.6 |
| Crowds | High |
| Stay prices | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 145 mm |
| Rainy days | 10.4 |
| Crowds | High |
| Stay prices | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 34°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 222 mm |
| Rainy days | 15.6 |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Calm |
| Average daytime high | 33°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 431 mm |
| Rainy days | 22.4 |
| Crowds | Low |
| Stay prices | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 457 mm |
| Rainy days | 21.1 |
| Crowds | Low |
| Stay prices | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 466 mm |
| Rainy days | 22.3 |
| Crowds | Low |
| Stay prices | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 570 mm |
| Rainy days | 22.7 |
| Crowds | Low |
| Stay prices | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 636 mm |
| Rainy days | 24.1 |
| Crowds | Low |
| Stay prices | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 31°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 529 mm |
| Rainy days | 24.1 |
| Crowds | Low |
| Stay prices | Low |
| Sea conditions | Rough |
| Average daytime high | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 232 mm |
| Rainy days | 16.8 |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Stay prices | Typical |
| Sea conditions | Variable |
| Average daytime high | 32°C |
| Monthly Rainfall | 78 mm |
| Rainy days | 9 |
| Crowds | High |
| Stay prices | High |
| Sea conditions | Calm |
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daytime high | ||||||||||||
| Khao Lak |
33°C
|
33°C
|
34°C
|
34°C
|
33°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
31°C
|
32°C
|
32°C
|
| Monthly Rainfall | ||||||||||||
| Khao Lak |
62 mm
|
45 mm
|
145 mm
|
222 mm
|
431 mm
|
457 mm
|
466 mm
|
570 mm
|
636 mm
|
529 mm
|
232 mm
|
78 mm
|
| Rainy days | ||||||||||||
| Khao Lak | 6.3 | 5.6 | 10.4 | 15.6 | 22.4 | 21.1 | 22.3 | 22.7 | 24.1 | 24.1 | 16.8 | 9 |
| Crowds | ||||||||||||
| Khao Lak | High | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
| Stay prices | ||||||||||||
| Khao Lak | High | High | High | Typical | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Typical | High |
| Sea conditions | ||||||||||||
| Khao Lak | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough | Variable | Calm |
Temperatures are historical average daytime highs, not the highest temperatures you might experience. Rainfall and rainy days are monthly averages, not a forecast. A rainy day need not mean rain all day.
Stay prices are relative to each destination’s usual rates. Holidays can bring extra crowds and higher prices. Sea conditions vary by beach and day; check local conditions before boat trips.
Khao Lak: Thai Meteorological Department — TAKUA PA, 1991–2020.
The practical side
Getting to and around Khao Lak
Arriving
Khao Lak is on the mainland and is reached by road. Choose your beach or resort area before arranging the final transfer; offshore national-park visits are separate boat excursions.
Without a scooter
Hotel transfers, taxis and organised tours cover common outings, but the resort strip is spread along the highway.
Before you decide
How does Khao Lak compare?
Your trip, your kind of place
Is Khao Lak the right fit for you?
Tell us what you enjoy. See which destinations suit your trip.