Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park

The 125-sq-km Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, just south of town, is a splendid collection of sea cliffs, mountains, beaches, estuaries, forested valleys and mangroves. The park is home to hornbills, drongos, tapirs, gibbons, monkeys and the seldom-seen Asiatic black bears. Guided treks along the coast or inland can be arranged through many tour agencies in town, as can long-tail boat trips up the scenic Khlong Thap Liang estuary. The latter afford opportunities to view mangrove communities of crab-eating macaques. Just north of Khao Lak is a network of sandy beach trails – some of which lead to deserted beaches – which are fun to explore on foot or by hired motorbike. Most of the hotels in town hire motorbikes for 250B per day.