About Karon Beach

One of Phuket's longest beaches, Karon Beach is also one of the most well liked beaches in the city. Despite its 3 kilometer long stretch of white sand, superb dining options, and a lively nightlife, it never seems to be swamped with tourists, which can be a great thing.

Karon is well-known for its expansive beach, charming village, and enormous hotels that line the frontage road. The watersport facilities at the beach are limited, but monsoon months welcome suitable surfing conditions. The coastline at the beach, however, is perfect for a picnic or a day of simply sunbathing by the shoreline. Apart from this, the beach also features several volleyball courts along its length.

The Karon Beach Naga and the Karon Temple are two attractions that are located directly on the beach. The Karon Temple night market is another popular crowd puller in the area, and is well regarded for its cheap goods and traditional food. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay by the beach, the high-end resorts at Karon have plenty to offer. The Movenpick Resort's Karon Beach Square is home to a number of eateries, most notably El Gaucho, which specializes in Brazilian Churrasco and top-notch steaks.

Highlights Of Karon Beach

Highlights Of Karon Beach
  • Spend a day exploring the plentiful of watersports offered at Karon Beach, including surfing, parasailing and banana boat
  • Spread a picnic by the waters, or enjoy a game of beach volleyball at any of the sports courts laid out at the beach
  • Try a delectable seafood dish at the eateries and restaurants located on Karon Beach
  • Hike up the hills and trek all the way to the Karon Viewpoint, known for its panoramic views of the three adjacent beaches
  • Spend the evening shopping at the Karon Temple Market, best known for its inexpensive clothes and traditional Thai fares

Activities To Do In Karon Beach

Although much quieter than its sister beaches, Karon Beach in Phuket can be found brimming with plenty to do for those seeking some fun and adventure. The humble adventure opportunities at the beach include surf spots, banana boats and parasailing adventures, while the coastline is well laid out for a game of volleyball as well.

Surfing
Surfing

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
Parasailing

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.

Sea Kayaking
Sea Kayaking

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.

 Playing Beach Volleyball
Playing Beach Volleyball

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.

 Banana Boat Ride
Banana Boat Ride

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
Jet Skiing

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.

Windsurfing
Windsurfing

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.

Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding

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.

Places To Visit In Karon Beach

While lounging at the beach itself can make for a happening day, there are plenty of attractions around Karon Beach in Phuket that are sure to make your visit worthwhile. With plenty of cultural attractions, markets and vantage points to choose from, the attractions by Karon Beach in Phuket demands one’s attention.

Big Buddha
Big Buddha

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.

Wat Suwan Khiri Khet
Wat Suwan Khiri Khet

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.

 Karon Night Market
Karon Night Market

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!

Karon View Point
Karon View Point

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.

Why Visit Karon Beach?

Why Visit Karon Beach?
  • One of the longest beaches in Phuket, Karon Beach can be a great spot to spend one’s day sunbathing or lounging.
  • The beach remains relatively less crowded than the adjacent Patong Beach, making it an ideal visit for those looking to avoid the tourist rush
  • In monsoon, the waters off the Karon Beach become ripe for leisurely surfing sports
  • The coastline also has a number of volleyball nets and courts in place, although one can pitch their own nets as well
  • There’s plenty of attraction around the Beach as well, such as the Karon Viewpoint and the Karon temple
  • Those looking for a meal with a view can head over to any of the beachside restaurants at Karon Beach

Know Before You Visit Karon Beach

Know Before You Visit Karon Beach

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.

FAQs

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?

What is the best time to visit Karon Beach?

Are there places to get Thai massages in Karon Beach?

Which are the best water sports activities one should not miss in Karon Beach?

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