Karon Beach Holidays

Located south of Phuket's lively Patong Beach, Karon Beach is a quieter and more understated resort than its lively neighbour, ideal for families looking for an upmarket tropical base in Thailand. The resort has a good choice of hotels and guesthouses, and offers a taste of the region's famous nightlife when the sun goes down, but in general it is a fairly peaceful town with a number of tourist facilities.

 

Visitors to Karon Beach are attracted by the picture-perfect beach backed by swaying palms, brilliant blue waters that gently lap the shore, and incredibly-white sands that seem to squeak inexplicably when walked on. The long beach stretches for 5km, and remains mostly uncrowded, boasting a distinctly tranquil feel in the more northern regions, with plenty of room for both relaxed sunbathing and exciting water sport activity. Windsurfing is recommended here, thanks to the great conditions, and the beach has facilities for jet-skiing and parasailing, with snorkelling in the coral reef off the southern shoreline. Sea conditions in the low season can be rough, however, with strong tides. There are usually many vendors peddling wares on the waterfront, selling snacks such as ice-creams, fruits and nuts, and trinkets such as jewellery and souvenirs, with the beachfront a popular place to try a traditional Thai massage or henna tattoo. Karon Beach has a good range of varied accommodation choices, from basic guesthouses and mid-range hotels to upmarket resorts and 5-star luxury, and caters well for families.    

 

The town is fairly spread out and well-equipped with a number of shopping streets, from local handicraft centres to bustling bazaars, with visitors able to find plenty of souvenirs, as well as discounted goods such as clothing and electronics, and bespoke suits at very reasonable prices. If you are on going on a holiday to Karon Beach you will have a great choice of quality restaurants, serving everything from regional Thai specialities to western fare, as well as colourful street stalls where the locals often grab lunch and dinner.