Khao Lak is a tranquil beach town around ninety minutes north of Phuket. With plenty of beachside resorts and restaurants, visitors often ask if you can swim at the beach in Khao Lak. Generally speaking, yes–swimming at the beach in Khao Lak is completely safe. However, watch out for stormy seas and high waves during the rainy season.
Tourists visiting this quiet side of Thailand would be wise to rent a car in Khao Lak from Drive Car Rental. Getting around to see all the national parks, beaches, and more can be costly, as few taxis exist and only private drivers may be available. A full-day vehicle rental can often be had for the same price as a one-way fare to the larger national parks.
Best Beaches for Swimming
Khao Lak has several beaches that are suitable for swimming. From busy areas to quiet, hidden beaches, you can find it all. Is Khao Lak expensive? There’s no need to worry about beach fees, except for chair or umbrella rentals, and this area is generally far cheaper than most other areas in Southern Thailand.
Here are a few of the oft-mentioned beaches that are highly recommended:
Khao Lak Beach
This beach is one of the longest (approximately nine kilometres) in southern Thailand. In reality, it is actually several beaches that form one long strip.
The best area for amenities is the southern end of the beach. Several resorts and seaside restaurants dot this sector and offer restrooms, showers, meals, and beachside service. Lifeguards may be present in some of the busier areas.
This is one of the better places to swim if you want the convenience of nearby amenities.
Coconut Beach
Khao Lak Beach’s northern section ends at Pakarang Cape. On the other side of the cape is Coconut Beach, which faces north. This beach is fantastic for swimming, as the cape blocks many larger waves coming from the west.
It is also generally quieter than Khao Lak Beach, but still offers a few beachside cafes nestled among the coconut palms. Here, it’s easy to spend some time in the water, and then come back to shore for dinner with a view.
Local fishermen often tie up their beautiful long-tail boats in this area to keep them safe from the waves. Some also offer day tours around the area for nature lovers and snorkelers. Ask a nearby hotel or restaurant if they can make a phone call and arrange a tour on one of these stunning handcrafted boats.
Poseidon Beach
This beach is known for its quiet atmosphere. It’s located south of Khao Lak, just on the other side of Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park.
Depending on the day, this beach may be entirely free of tourists, as it is quite out of the way for most travelers. Still, it does offer a couple of beachside restaurants and resorts on the northern end for meals and cold drinks.
When and Where Is It Safe to Swim?
Most of Khao Lak’s beaches are completely safe to swim in, featuring gentle slopes that aren’t very deep. Just be careful of hidden rocky outcroppings and coral reefs under the waves. When in doubt, ask nearby hotel or restaurant staff; they can usually guide you to the best areas for a swim.
Swimming in the dry season (November to April) is best, as it’s usually calm waves and sunny days. This also coincides with the tourism high season, so be prepared for extra visitors.
During the rainy season (May to October), visitors can still swim but need to be cautious. There are still many sunny days in the rainy season, but sudden afternoon storms can quickly bring large waves and strong currents. Look for red flags that indicate strong waves or currents, and never enter the water alone or without someone nearby.
Experience It All With Drive Car Rental
With locations all over the country, some renters ask, “Where is the nicest part of Thailand?” Obviously, there are too many places to list here, but Khao Lak is as close to an idyllic small town as Southern Thailand has to offer.
With Drive Car Rental, you can pick up a rental in one location and drop it off in another anywhere in Thailand. We also have monthly and long-term rental rates for expats and business travelers staying for longer periods of time. Book early for the best selection of vehicles at the lowest rates!