Karon Beach

Karon Beach is one of the more popular areas of Phuket outside of Patong. It boasts a fair number of accommodation choices suitable for all budgets, ranging from simple rooms in Karon town to luxurious suites in posh resorts facing the sea. With few exceptions, most resorts are situated across Patak Road, which runs parallel to the beach. Since the tsunami of December 2004, many improvements have been made to the area’s infrastructure and there are now paved walkways along the beach and pedestrian bridges crossing the runoff canal.

The beach is quite wide, especially during low tide, with fine golden “barking” sand. The waves can be quite rough, especially during the rainy season (May to November), and there are strong rip currents that can pull a swimmer out to sea. Lifeguards towers dot the beach and flags are raised daily indicating the condition of the surf.  The water is quite clear, but during rough seas a number of jellyfish is apt to wash up on shore. There are a number of beach vendors offering umbrellas with lounge chairs as well as light snacks, cold beverages and massages. Prices are very reasonable, a full day’s chair/umbrella rental costing 100 THB and an hour’s massage 300 THB. A great number of restaurants and shops line Patak road so a meal and/or a bit of diversion from the beach is never far away. Karon is quite popular with Scandinavians, and it is quite common to see Danish, Norwegian or Swedish specialities featured in many menus.