Karon Beach Phuket: what to do & where to stay

By Paula Parker

Karon Beach Phuket is one of the best beaches in Phuket, and personally one of our favorites.

Although the beach can still be busy throughout the high season, it has a more relaxed feel then Patong.

The far northern end of Karon beach is the quieter area and there are not as many tourists, making it a a perfect spot if you want the beach to yourself.

If your planning a family beach vacation in Phuket, Karon Beach is an ideal choice offering a central location which makes exploring the Island easy.

Karon Beach is the second major beach destination in Phuket after Patong, but due to the length of the beachfront you will never feel as though it's overcrowded.

Towards the southern headland of Karon beach there is a fine coral reef stretching towards Kata Beach and Pu Island.

The far northern headland at Karon beach is usually much quieter then the southern end.

Just like Patong, there is a wide variety of water activities available throughout the high season at Karon beach including 

• jet-skis
• para sailing
• banana boat rides

The southern end of Karon Beach is the best area for snorkeling.

From November through to April the water is crystal clear, calm and great for swimming.

However if your planning a holiday from May to October, Karon Beach Phuket can be very dangerous and unsuitable for swimming.

Sadly there has been a number of tourists drown at Karon Beach, along with other popular beaches in Phuket.

So if your planning to travel to Phuket during the monsoon season always check to see if there is a red flag and if there is don't go in the water.

If the red flag is flying, find a masseuse, they are set up in the shaded areas at the back of the beach and enjoy a Thai massage or foot massage, or swim in your resorts swimming pool.

Sunbeds and umbrellas can be found toward the back of the beach.

You can check the latest beach conditions at Karon Beach Phuket from the live webcam that is located at the Rocks Restaurant at the Marine Phuket Resort.

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If you choose Karon Beach Phuket as your next holiday destination, you won't be disappointed with the choice of resorts available as there is a fantastic selection of places to stay around Karon Beach, ranging from budget hotels to family friendly hotels and resorts including an adults only resort and a couple of luxury five star hotels.

Most resorts and hotels at Karon Beach are located across the road from the beach with only a couple of resorts situated directly on the beach.

Five Star Resorts at Karon Beach Phuket

If you are still unsure where to stay then feel free to have a look at the detailed list of all resorts and hotels near Karon Beach Phuket in the search box below.

Night life around Karon is similar to that of Patong, although a lot quieter.

Karon has its own version of Patong's Soi Bangla with a range of bars, but on a much smaller scale.

Most of the nightlife in Karon can be found around the bars that are located off Patak Road near the Karon Circle and south off Luang Poh Chuan Road. It is here that you will find the majority of beer bars.

For a great family fun, and a night out with the kids, visit Dino Park at the southern end of Karon, where you can play mini golf, enjoy a nice cold drink or enjoy a scrumptious dino burger.

The side soi's are worth exploring, in particular the one leading to a small art community, where Thai painters have built a complex of huts, pubs and art galleries.

Karon Beach Phuket has two new Beach Clubs, Coast Beach Club can be found at the northern end of the beach and Tann Terrace can be found at the southern end of the beach. Both offering nightly entertainment.

We have found some fantastic restaurants, the majority are located around Karon Circle and towards the southern end of the beach. 

If your staying at the southern end of Karon Beach, you must try a delicious meal at Kata Villa - Merit Hills Bungalows, the food is delicious and well priced and the ocean views are fantastic. You can find this gem of a restaurant up the hill in Soi Karon 2. 

Located just down the road from Beyond Karon Resort is a row of Thai style seafood restaurants. These restaurants are all reasonably priced with some of the best Thai food in Phuket, they may not look much but the food is great. They also have some western dishes.

If your looking for somewhere to go on the beachfront head to Coast Beach Club & Bistro located at the Centara Grand Beach Resort at the northern end of Karon Beach, the beach club is open daily from Midday till 11.00pm.

If you would prefer somewhere at the southern end of Karon Beach, head to On the Rocks Restaurant which is located at the Marina Phuket Resort or try out Tann Terrace Beach Club, they are open daily from Midday to Midnight.

Shopping at Karon is by far more relaxed than shopping in Patong.

If you are looking for a supermarket you will find one at the Karon Circle, along with a range of other shops including pharmacies and lots of tailors.

There is also a large selection of souvenirs like wooden handicrafts, Thai silk cushion covers as well as shoes, sunglasses, suitcases and bags.

Karon has many opticians that have a great selection of genuine sunglasses and reading glasses much cheaper than you will find in Western countries.

Karon Temple Markets are extremely popular, they are open every Tuesday and Friday from 12.00 to 10.00pm.

Along the beach road you will find Karon Bazaar, a shoppers dream. The bazaar is actually a market, where you will find everything that you will need all under the one roof.

We recommend that you shop here at night as it gets extremely hot inside the bazaar during daylight hours. Within the bazaar you will find an assortment of DVD's, CD's, sunglasses, hats as well as fake billabong shorts and shirts.

Don't forget to haggle.

Karon Beach is located only 6kms south of Patong.

Just follow the beach road through Patong and turn to the left into Prachanukhro Road.

Then turn to the right into Sirirat Road which will turn into Patak road, follow it around past the Nong Han lake and onto Karon road that runs parallel to the beach.