Karon Beach is becoming a favorite destination for frequent visitors to Phuket. The serene beauty of its long, curved beach and its laid-back, small-town atmosphere is a contrast to the noise and bustle of Patong Beach just over the hill.

 

Although visitors may be charmed by its quiet and beautiful vistas, there are plenty of attractions and things to do in Karon Beach as well. We'll tell you what to do in Karon Beach, explore this gorgeous area, and unveil why it's become so popular among seasoned travelers to the island.

 

Favorite Beach Activities

 

The kilometers of pristine sandy beach is one of Karon Beach’s largest selling points. As peaceful and bucolic as it may look, there are still many beach activities happening all along the shore. Simply walk, cycle, or drive along the beach road until you spot the activity you’d like to try, like surfing, water-skiing, parasailing, banana-boat riding, or jet-skiing. The vendor will be more than happy to introduce you to the sport.

 

There are also plenty of beach volleyball games happening along the beach. The best times and places to find them are in the early evenings on the beachfront of the major hotels.

 

At the beach's northern end is a submerged reef that offers great snorkeling and scuba-diving right off the beach. There are a few quality dive shops in Karon Beach that offer dive and snorkeling gear for sale, and the staff can give you tips on places to explore along the reef.

 

Anywhere along the beach, when the wind is calm during the high season, is a good place for swimming, as the water is shallow and perfect for the kids.

 

Dino Park Mini-Golf

One of the most popular attractions for kids and adults alike is a round of mini-golf at Dino Park in Kata Beach. Just over the hill from the southern end of Karon Beach, Dino Park has a mix of Jurassic Park and Flintstones decorations and is a great place to go after dinner for a round of golf.

 

Cultural Attractions

Travelers will enjoy visiting the local cultural sights and attractions of Karon Beach. Three must-see cultural attractions are the Naga of Karon Beach, Karon Temple, and the Karon Temple Market.

 

The gold-colored Naga is a coiled mystical snake and dragon located just south of the traffic circle in Karon Beach. Local Thai people visit the Naga to make merit and pay their respects.

 

The vibrantly colored, beautifully crafted, and decorated Karon temple is officially called Wat Suwan Khirikhet. It's always open to the public, and you're invited to walk around and take photos of the paintings, carvings, and other decorations. Be sure to make a small donation when you visit.

 

Karon Temple Market is located on the grounds of the temple along Patak Road, behind the traffic circle near the temple. It's only open Tuesdays and Friday evenings. It's the place to browse for colorful, inexpensive clothing, local cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, creams and beautiful flowers hand-carved from fragrant soap. Of course, no night market in Thailand is complete without a wide variety of street food, and you can browse and eat your way contentedly through Karon Temple Market.

 

Karon Plaza or Karon Bazaar

Just a bit south of the traffic circle on Beach Road is Karon Plaza, or Karon Bazaar. The plaza is open from 10 AM until 11 PM. Here you’ll find a variety of tasty, casual restaurants and lots of stalls and kiosks offering souvenirs, handcrafts, clothing, electronics, accessories, bags and sports shoes.

 

Karon Park

If you’re visiting Karon Beach in November during your Phuket vacation, you're in luck, as you can witness the beautiful Loy Kratong celebration at Karon Park. The park is located right on Beach Road and features a large lake that’s a popular spot for locals to celebrate the festival by launching their candlelit krathongs on the lake’s waters.

 

Karon Viewpoint

 

The Karon viewpoint isn't technically in Karon Beach—it's on a hill behind Kata Noi Beach—but every photographer has it on their list of must-visit spots in Phuket. The view from the point is spectacular and offers vistas of Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach.

 

Enjoy a Taste of International Cuisine

Karon Beach is also a popular Phuket destination for food lovers because of the stunning number and variety of quality Western restaurants it has. Some of the well-known quality restaurants in town include EAT, On the Rock, Two Chefs, Ciao Bistro, Karon Cafe, Ging Restaurant, and Coast Beach Club. These restaurants offer alfresco dining on or not far from the beach. They’re the perfect way to spend a romantic evening in Karon Beach.

 

Treat the Family to a Day at Andamanda Phuket

Not far inland from Karon Beach is Andamanda Phuket, a stunning water park your kids will never want to leave. When your kids need a break from the beach, surprise them with a day at Andamanda Phuket.

 

Andamanda Phuket is themed with colorful and mythical Thai characters everywhere you look. Our immense park has zoned areas like the Great Andaman Bay that features a beach and cabanas, Coral World that offers a lazy river to explore, and the thrilling water slides and rides of the Naga Jungle, Emerald Forest and much more!

 

Plan a vacation to Karon Beach, Phuket and be sure to enjoy a day-long detour to Andamanda Phuket. Book your tickets today.