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KHAO LAK BEACH

45 miles from Patong Bay

KHAO LAK BEACH. 8° 39.041N, 98° 14.375E

Approach from the west taking care to avoid the rocks around the headland and the isolated rock outcrops just to the north of the anchorage.

Anchor in 3-6 metres on a sand/mud bottom. Well protected in the north east monsoon. A short dinghy ride ashore gives access to bungalow resorts and hotels.

The main road leads to Khao Lak National Park headquarters, a spectacular waterfall and the route south to Phuket.

Koh Bon, where mantas are almost guaranteed here in the high season - Photo by Bill OLeary — Koh Bon, where mantas are almost guaranteed here in the high season – Photo by Bill OLeary

Pandemic impact

The current edition was published just a few months before the Covid-19 pandemic started to bite. We have not attempted to update this online version (or the new ebook version) as some situations change rapidly, while others are subject to unverifiable rumour.

So, if you are cruising now, please verify information before setting out for your destination and please understand that amenities ashore may be less than posted here or in the book. As 'compensation', you'll find many islands and beaches in the kind of pristine condition not seen for many years in the more developed tourist destinations.