Why Honeymoon in Khao Lak
Space and sunsets. The beaches are long and wide, the resorts are spaced far apart and there are no high-rises or party strips. Walk a few minutes from your sun lounger and you may have the sand to yourselves.
The Similan Islands are the other big draw. Speedboats leave Khao Lak in the morning and reach the islands in about an hour or two, giving you hours of snorkeling over coral and boulders before the return in the afternoon.
Khao Lak is also well placed for combining styles. Khao Sok National Park, with its limestone peaks and lake, is just over an hour north. Phang Nga Bay and Koh Yao Noi are within reach to the south.
When to Go
Khao Lak follows the Andaman Sea pattern. The dry season runs from about November to April, with December to March bringing the calmest sea and most reliable sunshine. March is often the hottest month.
The Similan Islands National Park opens only in the dry season, roughly from fall until mid-May. It closes for the monsoon. If snorkeling or diving there is a priority, check the park's exact dates before booking.
From May to October the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and big waves. Many resorts stay open with lower rates, but the sea is often too rough for swimming. Rain usually arrives in short bursts in the afternoon or evening, so a green-season trip can still work for couples who mainly want a resort and a pool.
Where to Stay
Khao Lak has three main hubs. Bang La On in the south is the most developed, with restaurants and shops along the main road and Nang Thong beach. Bang Niang in the middle is a mix of resorts, markets and the tsunami museum. Khuk Khak and the beaches to the north are quieter, with the largest resorts.
Notable honeymoon picks include the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa, famous for its very long pool. The Sarojin, a smaller, design-focused resort with a strong reputation for service. Le Meridien Khao Lak is another large resort on the northern beaches.
Farther north, Pakarang and Bang Sak have fewer people still. Expect approximate rates from moderate to high, with the biggest jump over the holidays.
Romantic Things to Do
Book a Similan Islands day trip on a smaller speedboat or a private charter. The scenery of huge granite boulders on white sand is unlike anywhere else in Thailand. Snorkel with turtles and reef fish, then climb to the viewpoint on the main island if it is open.
Dive lovers can take a liveaboard trip for several days to the Similans and the Surin Islands, farther north.
On land, walk at Pakarang Cape at sunset, when the low tide reveals coral rubble and tide pools. Visit the Bang Niang market for snacks and souvenirs. Pay your respects at Police Boat 813, which the 2004 tsunami carried about two kilometers inland.
Spend a night or two in a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok.
Getting There and Around
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Thailand. Most couples connect in Asia or the Middle East to Phuket International Airport (HKT), then drive about 80 kilometers north to Khao Lak. The trip takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Taxis from the airport are easy to book. Many resorts offer private transfers.
There is no train and no local airport, so road is the only way in.
In Khao Lak, the main road (Route 4) is fast and busy, with limited sidewalks. Use taxis, resort shuttles or a private driver rather than walking along it at night. Scooters are available, but foreign drivers are often involved in accidents. Tour operators pick you up from your hotel for the Similans and Khao Sok.
Food and Drink
Khao Lak's food scene is relaxed and good value. Small Thai restaurants line the main road in Bang La On and Bang Niang, serving curries, stir fries and seafood. Grilled prawns, fish with garlic and pepper and spicy southern-style curries are local favorites.
The Bang Niang market runs several afternoons a week, with stalls selling grilled meats, fruit, desserts and clothes. It is a fun place to graze.
Resorts have their own restaurants and many set up private beach dinners, often with a set menu and candles in the sand.
Many visitors are European, especially from Scandinavia and Germany, so you will also see bakeries and European dishes. Prices are generally lower than in Phuket's busier areas.
Honeymoon Tips
Respect the red flags. Khao Lak's open beaches can have strong waves and rip currents, especially in the monsoon season. Swim only when the sea is calm and stay close to the shore.
Know the tsunami signs. Warning sirens and evacuation route markers are in place. If the sirens sound, move inland to high ground immediately.
Book the Similans early in high season, since visitor numbers are capped and boats fill up.
Khao Lak is sleepy at night. If you want bars and nightlife, plan a night in Phuket. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Thailand, since dengue occurs in the area.
