Hat Karon

Phuket


This 4km-long west-coast stretch of squeaky-fine sand is popular with families and, while it does get busy, there's always plenty of space to spread out.

During the April-to-October low season, you can take surf lessons (one hour 1200B) and rent surfboards/bodyboards (per hour 250/100B) at its south end.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Phuket attractions

1. Karon Dragon Statue

0.07 MILES

Perched by the central section of the beach, Karon's golden statue is often thought to embody the fabled sleeping dragon that, according to local Chinese…

2. Wat Suwan Khiri Ket

0.43 MILES

Set back from the road at the northern end of Hat Karon is this relatively new, impeccably maintained temple complex with a small shrine occupied by a…

3. Ko Pu

1.76 MILES

The small, uninhabited, jungle-clad islet of Ko Pu glistens across the waves just off Hat Kata Yai, making for gorgeous sunsets.

4. Big Buddha

1.81 MILES

High atop the Nakkerd Hills, northwest of Chalong Circle, and visible from half the island, the 45m-high, Burmese-alabaster Big Buddha sits grandly on…

5. Hat Kata Yai

1.82 MILES

Hat Kata is carved in two by a jutting headland. Blonde Hat Kata Yai (known as the main Kata beach) lies on the north side, while Hat Kata Noi unravels to…

6. Hat Freedom

2.4 MILES

If Patong is getting to you, escape to this more peaceful slice of golden sand and clear aqua water. It's just 15 minutes or a 1500B (return) long-tail…

7. Hat Kata Noi

2.55 MILES

With just a couple of high-end hotels overlooking its secluded sugar-white sands, Hat Kata Noi unfurls to the south of Hat Kata Yai. It's a popular…

8. Wat Chalong

3 MILES

Dating back 150 years, Wat Chalong is Phuket's busiest Buddhist temple. Its three-tiered, salmon-pink, 61m-high chedi (a later addition) has 36 golden…