While not fit for professional surfing spots, Karon Beach in Phuket offers good conditions for leisure surfers. On the smaller, lighter wind days, Karon Beach is predominantly populated by surfers. However, the sandbanks here are continuously shifting, making the waves inconsistent. It is best to do this on calm, light winds with little seas. Karon Beach may offer some excellent surfing waves when the winds go down and the sand banks line up. At the northern end, there is a place close to a big underwater pipe that provides great left and right waves to surf and is surrounded by sand.
Parasailing is an exciting experience anywhere, and Karon Beach in Phuket is no exception. Harnessed to a parachute, parasailers quite literally ‘sail’ through the skies while being buoyed by a boat below. There are some parasailing operators on the beach offering tours to beginners and those experienced alike. However, prior mishaps have raised safety concerns regarding parasailing on the beach; the tall trees by the coast have often led the parachute harnesses to be tangled or ruptured. Hence, if one does opt for a parasailing tour here, it is better to try the adventure with the skilled operators at the beach instead of by themself.
Although kayaking as a sport is generally done in lakes, sea kayaking is a unique adventure that sets one free on the oceans. Simply described, sea kayaking is a kind of paddling that entails utilizing a particular kind of boat—the sea kayak—to paddle on the ocean. The wind and weather conditions in the sea are generally more turbulent than in lakes, which means kayaking in the ocean would require more navigating and rowing skills than the usual sport. However, it’s easy to learn, and beginners are sure to gain ground quickly with a few introductory lessons.
Karon Beach in Phuket is one of the most popular spots for beach volleyball in the city. The beach in itself has some nets and courts set along its expansive length, and although the mornings here are crowded by swimmers, evenings at the beach can be great for a quick game. If you’re planning to set up your own net, be prepared to arrive early as finding an empty stretch can be a bit of a hassle when the beach gets crowded. The best time for a game would be during the summer months; try to avoid the monsoon at all costs, as rains by the beach can be harsh.
The Banana Boat is a fun family adventure, and is freely available around Karon Beach in Phuket. A group adventure, banana boating has tourists sitting in groups of 7 to 10 on a bouncy, floating boat. The aim of the adventure is to throw its riders off the boat, so make sure you possess basic floating or swimming skills before you ride on a boat. The ride however, is completely safe, and can be attempted by beginners in lifejackets as well. Banana boat rides are short, and span about 15 minutes in duration.
Jet skiing is a sport designed for the more daring of heart. Jet skiing is frequently regarded as a fantastic activity for improving your balance and coordination. It shares many characteristics with powerboat racing. It entails using a jet ski, which has an engine that draws water in and propels it out the back of the ski. Tourists at Karon Beach in Phuket will have plenty of jet skiing operators to choose from; some even walk along the coast calling for customers. However, do make sure that you’re either previously trained, or offered a training lesson before partaking in a jet skiing adventure.
A distinct water activity that combines aspects of sailing and surfing, windsurfing tests one's mettle in balance and coordination. On a board with a sail attached, the rider paddles across the water. To enjoy the time of your life, you must cooperate with the elements of wind and water in nature. You just need to know the proper technique; you don't need to be particularly strong to try it. For various wind conditions, sailing styles, and skill levels, there are small and big boards and sails available. Windsurfing demands the same conditions as regular surfing, which means Karon beach is best suited for the sport only during the monsoons.
Water skiing, surfing, and snowboarding all had an influence on wakeboarding, a water activity that has been around for 30 years. In wakeboarding, the rider is pulled behind a speedboat at a speed of around 30 mph while being tied to a board. The rider may do wakeboard stunts behind the boat as well as ride the water's surface. Wakeboarding is recognised to be a water activity that can be taken up more quickly than many others, yet learning any new sport can be challenging at first. If you’re new to the sport, it’s best to take the help of an instructor or a training session before embarking on your adventure.
One of Phuket's most visited tourist attractions is the Big Buddha, which is situated atop Nagakerd Mountain between Kata and Chalong. The statue is recognised for its beautiful size and fine workmanship. The statue's stunning brilliance is a result of the Burmese white marble; sunlight hits the white jade marble, it reflects wonderfully. The official designation of Phuket Big Buddha, Phraphutthamingmongkhol-akenagakhiri, which translates to "Happiness on Top of Nakerd Mountain," was subsequently given because of the positive energy. Around the Big Buddha, there are other Buddha sculptures holding bowls. The devotees are asked to kindly offer some money to these offering bowls. The money is then collected by the monks, who use it to maintain the area.
Beautifully constructed and accessible seven days a week, the Karon temple is known locally as Wat Suwan Khirikhet. You are free to go about, take pictures, and appreciate the carvings and artwork, but try to consider making a modest payment; it is always a kind thing to do. The temple holds a renowned market with lots of food and little items to buy twice a week. Remember to dress formally, exactly like you would in any Phuket or Thailand temple, which means no miniskirts and no sleeveless tops. If you want to enter the temple, take off your shoes and hat.
In recent years, interest in the Karon Temple Market has significantly increased. People begin to schedule their nights around the event because it only happens twice a week each Tuesday and Friday.. You may discover a decent selection of inexpensive clothes at this night market. The majority of them—light, colorful skirts, shorts, and the cotton elephant trousers so beloved by young travelers—are ideal for our tropical climate. You will, as usual, discover tourist trinkets, such as the exquisitely carved soaps from the cosmetics industry that are a lovely and reasonably priced memento to bring home. The abundance of local food options is what is most intriguing. There will be a lot of locally grown fruits on display, along with pancakes, the delectable and traditional mango sticky rice, and fried insects on a stick!
It is a popular viewpoint on many tour itineraries and is situated between Nai Harn and Kata Noi beaches. It is crowded most days of the year. Views of the beaches at Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon are available from this location. One of Phuket's most popular photos is the view to the north from Karon Viewpoint. An exotic neighboring island (Koh Pu) and the rich green hues of Phuket's hillsides are just a few of the island's outstanding features that are highlighted by this classic view. The Karon Viewpoint has lots of parking, but when it becomes too busy, many people just leave their cars parked on the side of the road. There are beverage and food vending machines as well as a sizable gazebo with seating.
Essential Information:
Location: 58/11 Bangla Road, Karon Beach
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Karon Beach in Phuket would be during the summer months, between November and February. The weather during these months remains dry and pleasant, making it ideal for a day out at the beach.
How To Reach:
By Songthaew: The easiest way to reach Karon Beach from Phuket would be by the chartered Songthaew buses. These buses run from 07.30 AM to 06.00 PM each day.
By Tuk-Tuk: Tuks Tuks are available locally, and can be used to travel to the beach to and from the nearby attractions.
What makes Karon Beach so famous?
The lush natural beauty of Karon Beach is the longest beach of Phuket, which makes it so popular among tourists and locals alike. With the pristine white sands bordering a deep blue ocean, the scene appears as something right out of a postcard. Moreover, the beach is fringed by jungles on one side, making it appear twice as magical.
How far is Karon Beach from Phuket?
Karon Beach is located approximately 16.6 kilometers away from Phuket.It would take approximately half an hour to travel between the locations by car.
What is the best time to visit Karon Beach?
The best time to visit Karon Beach would be during the summer months between November and February. The pleasant and dry weather during the summer months makes it the best time to spend a day out by the beach.
Are there places to get Thai massages in Karon Beach?
While there are no beachside stalls offering massages, Karon Beach does feature a number of high end resorts that have spas offering massages and treatments of their own.
Which are the best water sports activities one should not miss in Karon Beach?
Surfing: Although surfing is the most performed water sport here, the beach remains suitable for surfing only during the monsoon months. The swells aren’t massive here, making it ideal for leisurely surfs.
Jet Skiing: An extreme adventure sport, Jet Skiing tests one power of navigation and balance on a powerful water scooter. The activity is designed for those with a daring spirit, jet skiing is a sport that demands extreme courage. Balance and coordination can be improved with jet skiing, an activity often recommended for improving balance and coordination.
Parasailing: Parasailing has one harnessed to a parachute and ferried by a boat below. However, parasailing at Karon Beach should be done with proper equipment and precaution, and it is best to seek the services of one of the operators on the beach.