In a nutshell
- Wondering what to do in Khao Lak? In this article, we share the most beautiful day trips and best activities around Khao Lak — all personally experienced.
- Our absolute favorite day trip is the tour to Khao Sok National Park — a true nature paradise! And for activities, the cooking class with chef Wandee is seriously unmissable.
- Some Khao Lak excursions are easy to do independently, but a guided tour means you’ll discover the top sights in Khao Lak with way more context and zero hassle.
The Most Beautiful Day Trips from Khao Lak
Khao Lak is the perfect vacation destination in Thailand for a longer stay. Beyond the stunning beaches in Khao Lak, the surrounding area is packed with breathtaking nature and cultural highlights.
That’s why we strongly recommend doing at least one day trip from Khao Lak — honestly, the more the better!
Some of the best things to do in Khao Lak you can tackle on your own, but they’re way more relaxed with a guide. Here are the 7 most beautiful Khao Lak day trips we’d recommend.
Day Trip to Khao Sok National Park
What to expect: You’ll experience the crown jewel of Khao Sok National Park: Cheow Lan Lake. Here you’ll glide along in a longtail boat past dramatic limestone cliffs, go kayaking, and explore a cool cave. A standout moment is also a stop at a gorgeous emerald pool.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! Khao Sok National Park is one of the most breathtaking attractions in Thailand. We really loved this tour — it’s extremely well organized. You get drinks throughout, a genuinely delicious Thai lunch, and our guide was fantastic and explained everything in great detail.
Day trip to the lake in Khao Sok National Park with lunch
Read our tips for your visit to Khao Sok National Park:
Snorkeling at the Similan Islands
What to expect: On a boat tour to the Similan Islands, you’ll snorkel among colorful coral reefs. In ideal conditions, visibility can reach up to 30 meters. You might encounter whale sharks, squid, or sea turtles — and in between, you can relax on stunning white-sand beaches.
Is it worth it? The incredible underwater world here is an absolute must-see — and the Similan Islands rank among the most beautiful islands in Thailand. So it’s doubly worth it! Between November and April, the best time to visit Thailand, don’t skip this tour. And don’t forget your underwater camera!
Early Bird Day Trip to the Similan Islands
Note: From May to October, the Similan Islands are closed due to strong currents and to allow for regeneration.
Boat Trip to the Surin Islands
What to expect: North of Khao Lak lie the Surin Islands — a little paradise with beautiful sandy beaches and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and diving. You’ll spot anemonefish, firefish, and parrotfish, and with a bit of luck, even baby sharks.
Is it worth it? Totally! On this day trip from Khao Lak, you’ll snorkel in Ao Mae Yai Bay and visit the Moken community, an indigenous people of the Andaman Sea. Your guide shares fascinating stories, and there’s a Thai buffet in between to keep you fueled — delicious!
Snorkeling Day Trip to the Surin Islands with Lunch
Note: Visiting the Surin Islands is only possible between November and April — currents during the rainy season are too dangerous.
James Bond Rock & Phang Nga Bay
What to expect: On a tour through Phang Nga Bay, you’ll ride in a traditional longtail boat, visit the famous James Bond Rock and the floating Muslim village of Koh Panyi, then wrap things up with the cave temple Suwan Khuha.
Is it worth it? Calling Phang Nga a “bay” is almost an understatement — it’s a 400-square-kilometer bay within a Marine National Park, filled with dense mangrove forests and gorgeous beaches. Definitely worth it! One tip though: go early. During peak season, it gets crowded fast.
Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island by Longtail Boat
Day Trip from Khao Lak to Koh Phi Phi
What to expect: On a day trip from Khao Lak, you’ll discover the top highlights of Koh Phi Phi. The most iconic stop is Maya Bay from the film The Beach, but Phi Leh Bay, Bamboo Island, and the main island of Koh Phi Phi Don are all well worth seeing too.
Is it worth it? If you’re not staying overnight on Koh Phi Phi, this tour is a great choice. We absolutely love Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay is breathtakingly beautiful. That said, coming from Khao Lak you’ll arrive relatively late — and during peak season, the popular spots can get pretty packed.
Early Bird Day Trip to Koh Phi Phi
Three Temple Tour
What to expect: Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, and three particularly beautiful temples sit about 80 kilometers from Khao Lak. The complex of Wat Bang Riang is set in the middle of the jungle, Wat Praya Nakharat is tucked inside a limestone cave, and Wat Suwan Khuha is built entirely within a cave.
Is it worth it? Already seen Wat Pho and other highlights in Bangkok and still craving more culture? Then yes, this tour delivers. You get a great mix: massive Buddhas with sweeping views at Wat Bang Riang, serene simplicity at Wat Praya Nakharat, and a golden Buddha at Wat Suwan Khuha.
Good to know: You can also visit these temples easily on your own by scooter or taxi. But a guided day trip from Khao Lak is more convenient and you’ll learn so much more along the way.
Full-Day Tour to 3 Temple Complexes around Khao Lak
Jeep Tour through Khao Lak National Park
What to expect: On the jeep tour, you’ll explore nature right on Khao Lak’s doorstep. First up is kayaking through the mangrove forest, followed by a really delicious lunch, then it’s off-road through Khao Lak National Park in a jeep.
Is it worth it? Want one of the best things to do in Khao Lak without a long drive? The jeep tour is perfect. You’ll take in many of the area’s most beautiful highlights on an adventurous full-day outing — including a waterfall and a Buddhist temple.
Off-Road Jungle Tour by Jeep with Lunch
The Coolest Activities in Khao Lak
Looking for a fun Khao Lak activity but don’t want to commit to a full day trip? Here are our top picks for things to do in Khao Lak that won’t take up your whole day.
Most of these only take a few hours and you’ll generally stay close to Khao Lak (diving being the exception).
Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak
What to expect: In a cooking class, you’ll learn how to recreate your favorite Thai dishes at home. First you’ll head to the market to pick up fresh ingredients, then it’s back to the cooking school for chopping and cooking. Chef Wandee shares all her tips and tricks along the way.
Is it worth it? Our cooking class in Khao Lak was honestly one of the highlights of our whole trip! Our teacher Wandee was featured in the Amazon Prime series The World Cook Season 2 — how cool is that! She’s an incredibly talented and warm-hearted chef who walked us through every step. We even got to choose what we wanted to cook in advance.
Activity location: Pakinnaka Thai Cooking School — you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Khao Lak
Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour with Chef Wandee
Diving Course in Khao Lak
What to expect: Around the Similan Islands (our day trip #2), you’ll find some of the best dive spots in Thailand — some say in the entire world. Crystal-clear water, impressive rock formations, colorful coral reefs, and an enormous variety of marine life: sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks.
Is it worth it? Yes! The conditions are pretty much perfect even for beginner divers. We haven’t done a diving course here ourselves, but we did one on Koh Tao — and it’s simply unforgettable. If you’re spending a longer time in Khao Lak, a diving course is a seriously awesome way to mix things up!
Dive schools: Based on our research, we’d recommend reaching out to the following dive schools: Khao Lak Explorer Dive Center, Wetzone Divers, Sea Dragon Dive Center, and/or Sea Bees Diving
Kayaking on the Little Amazon
What to expect: The Little Amazon is an untouched mangrove forest. On a kayaking trip, you’ll explore it from the water and experience exotic plants, wildlife, and Thailand’s stunning nature up close. The tour also includes a small detour to Tam Nang Waterfall.
Is it worth it? Really cool — we spotted snakes and a spider sitting in its web right above our heads. Nature at its finest! One thing to know: you won’t be doing the paddling yourself — your guide handles that. They’ll safely navigate you over small rapids and through the mangroves.
Activity location: You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Khao Lak
Canoe Trip on the Little Amazon and Tam Nang Waterfall
Guided ATV Tour through the Jungle
What to expect: On this tour, you’ll ride your own ATV through the dense jungle of Khao Lak National Park — along muddy, sandy trails. The destination is Lampi Waterfall, where you can cool off in the water and soak up the incredible rainforest atmosphere.
Is it worth it? If you’re after an exciting Khao Lak activity with a bit of an edge, the guided ATV tour delivers. The route is genuinely challenging, which makes it even more fun. Really cool: water is included and your guide will snap some awesome photos of you along the way.
Activity location: You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Khao Lak
ATV Tour through the Jungle with Waterfall
Muay Thai Fight
What to expect: At destinations like Khao Lak, there are regularly exciting Muay Thai fights that visitors can watch. In addition to the fighting techniques, you’ll also experience the traditional pre-fight ceremonies — plus there’s cold Thai beer.
Is it worth it? A fight is probably the most adrenaline-packed evening activity in Khao Lak. We watched one on Koh Phi Phi and found it really entertaining. If you don’t catch one in Khao Lak, a Muay Thai fight is also a popular activity in Bangkok.
Activity location: Khao Lak Boxing Stadium
Additional Info: Elephants in Khao Lak
You’ll probably come across activities involving elephants at some point while researching things to do in Khao Lak.
Honestly, we’d recommend skipping any elephant activity. Every elephant camp we’ve visited in Thailand so far has left us with doubts.
If you still feel strongly about experiencing elephants, here’s what to look out for when researching elephant camps:
- No elephant riding is offered
- No violence is used against the animals
- The animals are not forced to perform
- Ideally, you’re not allowed to touch the animals
- The focus is on observing the animals, not interacting with them
- The animals are free to roam
- Tourist groups are small
- The guides are transparent about the animals’ origins and living conditions
- The camp cooperates with animal welfare organizations
As you can see, that’s a long list — and since most camps don’t meet all of these criteria, it’s genuinely hard to know how well the animals are really being treated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Things to Do in Khao Lak
Where's the best place to book excursions and activities in Khao Lak?
We prefer to book our excursions and activities online in advance — usually through platforms like GetYourGuide.
That way you can take your time reading up on what to expect, choose a time slot, and check reviews from other travelers. You’ll also know exactly what it costs upfront so you can plan it into your itinerary.
Most tours and activities can also be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance, which is a nice safety net.
Of course, you can book virtually all Khao Lak activities and excursions on-site as well. During peak season, though, things can sell out if you wait until the last minute — and you’ll end up spending valuable travel time tracking down a local operator.
What can you do in Khao Lak when it rains?
Even on a rainy day in Khao Lak, there are plenty of great ways to keep busy. Here are our favorites:
Treat yourself to a Thai massage
Massages in Thailand are seriously good, really affordable, and you don’t even need an appointment. There are massage salons all over Khao Lak.
CASI Thai Massage (on Google Maps) on the main road from Bang Niang Beach is our go-to — we always felt super comfortable there.
Thai breakfast: Dim Sum
Dim sum are small bites steamed in bamboo baskets, traditionally eaten for breakfast. They originally come from China but are hugely popular throughout Thailand.
The uncooked dishes are laid out on a large table and you pick whatever appeals to you. The portions are then steamed and served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Dim sum is a sociable and quintessentially Asian experience that you really have to try at least once.
More things to do in Khao Lak when it rains:
- Take a cooking class
- Visit the Tsunami Museum
- Take advantage of the leisure facilities at your resort (ours had a game room with billiards and more)
- Grab a coffee at Garang Café
Is Khao Lak good for shopping?
Compared to tourist hubs like Phuket, Bangkok, or Chiang Mai, the shopping options in Khao Lak are significantly more limited.
In the center, you’ll find a handful of small shops selling typical souvenirs, handicrafts, and summer clothing.
You can find similar things at the Bang Niang Market too.
Large shopping malls, luxury boutiques, and international brand stores, however, are not part of the picture here.
When is the night market in Khao Lak?
The Bang Niang (Night) Market takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2 PM to 10 PM.
You can read more about the market in our Khao Lak Attractions and Tips article.
