The third longest beach in Phuket is Karon Beach, and this popular Phuket location is ideal for a family vacation, couples getaway, or trip with friends. Karon Beach is one of the most-visited areas in Phuket and offers excellent snorkeling and diving, exciting attractions, great restaurants, and lively nightlife.
Situated on the west coast of Phuket, between the main town of Patong and Kata, Karon Beach is spacious enough never to feel crowded. Find out all about Karon in this quick travel guide.
Different Areas of Karon Beach
Karon Center is the small city that makes up the heart of Karon Beach. You will find a good selection of restaurants, shops, and nightlife opportunities here. Plus, there is a lively market and a Buddhist temple to look around.
Karon Beach Road has many restaurants and is the location for some of the biggest resorts in Karon, while Luang Poh Chaun Road, at the southern end of the beach, is the setting for more restaurants, bars, and clubs. Karon Beach is the second-most popular area in Phuket and offers a wide array of things to do, and places to stay and eat, for all kinds of travelers.
A Closer Look at Karon Beach
The beach at Karon is one of the longest in Phuket, behind Mai Khao and Bangtao. It is also wide enough never to feel too crowded, even though it attracts many visitors. The most popular end is the south, with the central part of the beach also popular. The beach’s northern end is quieter and home to the large Centara Grand Beach Resort. Beach bars and cafes sell fruit, snacks, and drinks along the coast.
Watersports are popular, although you will not see as many boats or jet skis as Patong. You have more room on the water to try out your jet skiing skills or your waterskiing, wakeboarding, and windsurfing skills.
Snorkeling is good at the beach’s south end near the rock,s and you can rent snorkeling equipment from vendors on the beach.
Wat Karon and Karon Market
Karon Temple – Wat Karon – is located around 500m from the beach in the center of Karon. This temple was established in 1895, and the large building is home to many community activities and a busy market on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Here you will find various products from food to fashion, emphasizing goods for tourists like bags, T-shirts, sarongs, and shoes. You’ll be able to pick up a good selection of snacks as well as a variety of different drinks. The market on Tuesday and Saturday opens from around 4 pm to 10 pm.
Health, Spas, and Massage in Karon
If you want a good quality Thai massage or a spa treatment, then you should be able to find something to interest you in Karon. Many of the most famous spas are located at the more prominent Karon resorts like the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach. You’ll find plenty of choices on the beach if you want a cheaper option.
Cooking Classes in Karon
If you get bored on the beach all day, take an exciting cooking class where you can learn how to craft excellent Thai food from local ingredients. Find fun, Thai cookery classes at the major resorts, where you can spend a few hours under the guidance of the cooking experts.
Karon Beach Sunset/ Image via Luke Ma/ Flickr
Restaurants in Karon Beach
Karon has a wide selection of good-quality restaurants if you enjoy eating food rather than preparing it. One of the most popular places is 2Gether, a restaurant located on Patak Road a little from the beach. The restaurant serves a selection of international favorites. Another Thai food and international dish choice are Bai Toey in The Old Phuket Karon Beach Resort.
Karon Café serves excellent steaks from its location at the Pacific Club and has a good selection of wines. Ging Restaurant is a simple, friendly Thai restaurant with great food and excellent service. Mama Restaurant on Karon Beach Road is a good place for cocktails watching the sea and the sunset, as well as seafood and other favorites.
Two Chefs serves reasonably priced, cheap, tasty food and has live music most nights. On the Rock at the Marina Phuket Resort is a romantic dining spot for seafood, wine, and cocktails beside the ocean. Or try Red Onion, a place to go for cheap and tasty Thai food – the site is always busy.
El Gaucho at the Mövenpick Resort, on the other hand, is a Brazilian-style restaurant serving steaks and a variety of fine wines.
