Karon is a residential area and the beach of the same name in Phuket, which is one of the longest and most popular beaches of the island, has a developed tourist infrastructure and hotels near the beach strip.
Karon Beach is located in the southwestern part of Phuket, medu by two other, no less famous beaches - Patong and Kata.
Many tourists like Karon. It is long, developed and at the same time calm: there are two markets, there are shops, currency exchangers, tour desks, an abundance of cafes and restaurants, ranging from local cuisine, ending with pan-European, there are also bars open until three in the morning and various accommodation facilities.
In addition, Karon Beach has a convenient location - walking distance from Kata and Kata Noi beaches, as well as such famous attractions of Phuket as the Big Buddha and the Karon View Point observation deck; direct public transport runs to Phuket Town.
Karon Beaches
The coast of Karon is divided into two beaches
Small Karon (Karon Noi, Karon Noi), which is a small secluded bay hidden between two low green hills overlooking the sea waters.
There is fine and light sand on the beach; the sea water is clean and transparent.
Right next to Karon Noi Beach is the 5-star beach hotel Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort - SHA Extra Plus Resort with a green area, outdoor pools, outdoor recreation areas, spa, restaurants, barbecue on the beach, bar. The room rate includes breakfast or breakfast + dinner. Link to the hotel
Karon Beach, also known as Bolshoy Karon (Karon beach, Karon beach), located south along the coast from Maly Karon.
Next, we will talk about the Big Karon, or just Karon Beach
Karon Beach is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, with a length of more than 3 kilometers.
This beach is among the most popular and sought-after beaches in Phuket among vacationers.
All three-plus kilometers of the beach strip are covered with fine and soft to the touch sand from white to light yellow, depending on the weather and the activity of sunlight. Although Karon beach is very popular and a large number of tourists come here every year, however, thanks to the long beach strip, even in the high holiday season, you can find a relatively secluded place on the beach.
The beach is quite clean and comfortable.
From time to time, traders, touts and photographers walk along the beach offering photography in Phuket.
Northern and central parts of Karon Beach
Almost in the center of the beach there is a small green area with a pond - Khlong Bang La Park (Khlong Bang La Park), in which the local attraction - the Golden Dragon (Karon Dragon Image) stands out as a bright spot.
The southern part of Karon beach
Karon Beach is known for its "Singing Sand", which creaks underfoot when walking, vaguely resembling singing.
This creaking is created due to the high content of quartz in the composition of sand. The sand on Karon is really cool, but not unique, for example, on Bang Tao beach, the sand also "sings", not as intensely and sonorously as on Karon, and for this you need to make efforts with your feet, but still "squeaks".
Along Karon beach there is a strip of greenery - trees and palm trees that create shade, in which, on the grass, vacationers are placed.
More dense greenery grows near the southern and northern parts of the beach, in the center - the greenery is more sparse.
Palm trees and trees cast a little shade on the sandy beach strip.
There is no natural shade on most of the sandy beach strip. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented here.
There is a medical center, rescue towers, toilets and showers on the beach.
In the northern part of the beach, near the ring, in a shady park area there are children's playgrounds and an outdoor sports ground.
There are beach and water activities on the beach: volleyball, parachutes, jet skis, bananas, pills, etc.
Sea water on Karon
Karon Beach is an open beach, which is good and beautiful in high season, but is the cause of waves and undercurrents during the rainy season (approximately from May to October months).
In the holiday season (in winter), the sea water is quite calm, clean and warm.
The entrance to the sea is gentle and smooth, the depth comes quite quickly, which is good for lovers of swimming. The bottom is sandy. However, even in winter there are small waves, because of which pits form on the bottom. Such pits are not dangerous for adults, but for small children during waves and immediately after such, it is necessary to monitor more closely.
Even in the high holiday season, vacationers are warned against undercurrents, which are less frequent than in the rainy season, but still, it's better to look where you're going to swim.
If you look closely, you can see the currents from the shore. And, if suddenly you are still caught in the current, then you should not try to row to the shore in a straight line, struggling with the current, so you will only lose strength, you should swim to the side (right or left) from the current, and when you swim out of the current, already row to the shore and, most importantly, do not panic, and if you have lost a lot of strength, give signs for help to people on the shore.
While on Karon, we noticed that the sea water is "renewed". This happens about every two weeks. In the afternoon, small waves rise, and in the morning the water becomes clear and transparent, a little cooler, after which the sea is calm again for two weeks, during this time it warms up again and gets a little dirty, after which the process repeats.
Swimming in the sea, occasionally you can feel something stinging (pinching). It doesn't hurt, just a little unpleasant. Such feelings are caused by plankton.
Nightlife on Karon
Night, more precisely, evening life is present on Karon, but it does not bother and is more moderate than, for example, on Patong, and, at the same time, lovers of evening rest will not be as bored on Karon, as, for example, on the beaches of Nai Harn or Kamala. In this regard, Karon is almost perfect, by Thai standards, of course.
With the onset of darkness, which comes quite early in Phuket, the streets of Karon come to life, and the beach empties. Numerous vacationers walk near the sea, sit in cafes, restaurants and bars, of which there are plenty.
When the sun begins to set over the horizon, a lot of people gather on the beach, everyone freezes in anticipation of sunset. On Karon, like many other places in Phuket, the sun sets from the sea, and when a bright fireball "sinks into the water", it creates a beautiful sight. And the fact of meeting the sunset on the ocean is beautiful in itself.
Embankment and streets of Karon
The bulk of all leisure establishments are concentrated on the two central streets of Karon, as well as on the small streets adjacent to them.
The busiest parts of the streets are those that are closer to the ring (north side of the beach): the first street runs along the beach line and also acts as an embankment; the second one runs above the first and goes around the Karon.
On the Karon ring itself there is a historical monument "Carousel" (Karon Beach Roundabout).
On the embankment (Karon Rd Street), there is a driveway in the center, there is a walking sidewalk on the beach side, and on the opposite side there are hotels and apartments lined up in a row (considered to be located on the first line), there are also cafes, bars and restaurants.
Near the beach there is a bazaar "Karon Plaza" (Karon Plaza). This is a small lively market where they sell fruits, souvenirs, beach equipment, cosmetics, clothes and other small goods. Open daily.
At the market, you can have a cheap snack in small Thai cafes.
On the second street, going deep into the island and bearing the name Patak Rd, near the Karon ring, there is an abundance of cafes and restaurants, both local, European, Thai cuisines adapted to Europeans, etc.
On a small street that departs from Patak Rd, more like a nook, there are bars where you can drink hot drinks, play billiards and dance.
Restaurants on Karon serve various fish, seafood, kebabs, vegetables, soups, salads, drinks and other dishes. You can order takeaway food.
Near restaurants, in open showcases on ice, fresh fish, seafood and kebabs are presented in abundance. Come up, choose, they tell you the price and if the price suits you, sit down at a table, and at this time they will prepare the assortment you have chosen. The method of cooking can also be chosen - on coals, fried, boiled, with garlic, etc. Prices vary from restaurant to restaurant, sometimes very significantly, bargain and discount the price willingly.
There are restaurants that offer free salad bars, which are sliced vegetables and fruits, as well as sauces, bread and pasta. Such salads can be eaten while waiting for the ordered dishes. It is quite convenient, I have gathered vegetables and fruits, ordered fish or cape and the side dish is no longer needed.
On the streets of Karon there are also: shops, minimarkets, souvenir shops, currency exchangers, tour desks, Thai massage parlors.
At retail outlets, you can buy fruit, have a snack with various Thai snacks, local pancakes, eat "fried" ice cream made from milk and fresh fruit right in front of you, or drink refreshing coconut.
Wat Karon Temple. Karon Night Market
The Karon Buddhist Temple or the Dragon Palace (Wat Karon) is the main attraction of Karon.
The temple was erected in 1895, after which it was repeatedly restored, thanks to which the temple building now looks fresh and bright.
Karon Temple is a temple complex located about half a kilometer from the beach, on Pathak Road. The main structure of the complex is the temple itself, the entrance to which, on both sides, is decorated with two statues of the Thai mythological snake.
There is an outdoor Night Market (Night Market Karon) on the territory of the temple. The market starts working, approximately, from 16:00 hours. At this time, traders set up tents on the territory of the temple, from which there is a lively trade.
However, tourists and locals are particularly interested in the part of the market where food is sold. Many people come to the market just for this. There is a lot of ready-made food on the market. At first, traders can call an inflated price, you need to bargain. More about Karon Night Market...
Attractions in the vicinity of Karon
1. Dino Park Mini Golf (Dino Park Mini Golf).
The main activity in the park is, of course, a game of mini golf. However, the park itself is stylized as a Jurassic jungle and on its territory there are several artificial small caves, a waterfall and a stream, as well as models of dinosaurs, there is a stylized bar and restaurant.
2. One of the most famous and visited viewing platforms in Phuket is Karon View Point, which offers a picturesque view of three beaches - Karon, Kata and Kata Noi.
3. The outstanding symbol of Phuket is the Big Buddha (Big Buddha Phuket).
You can visit the listed and other attractions from Karon Beach both with excursions around the island and on your own: by taxi, rented bike or on foot.
Where to stay on Karon
The choice of accommodation facilities on and near Karon is very large and diverse, ranging from hotels and resort complexes to apartments.
Hotels near Karon Beach
Thavorn Palm Beach Resort Phuket - SHA Extra Plus is a 5-star hotel with water slides, outdoor pools, landscaped garden, fitness center, restaurants, bar and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Beyond Resort Karon - SHA Extra Plus is a 4-star resort with direct access to the beach, outdoor pools, spa, restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is a 5-star hotel with direct access to the beach, swimming pools, a water slide, a lazy river, a garden, restaurants, a fitness center, a spa and a games room. Breakfast may be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Phuket Emerald Beach Resort is a 5-star resort with a view of the beach, a swimming pool, a children's pool with slides, a garden, a fitness center, a restaurant, a bar and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities on Karon (hotels, apartments, etc.), both directly near the beach and more remotely from it, can be viewed and booked here
How to get to Karon Beach
It is convenient to get to Karon Beach, both from the airport - direct bus, and from Phuket Town - direct bus (Phuket Town - Kata - Karon).
From Phuket Airport and Phuket Town
From the airport (morning, afternoon and evening) you can get directly to the beach by minibuses, which you will find at the exit from the airport.
By public buses first to Phuket Town. From Phuket Town, from Ranong Street, bus "Phuket Town - Kata - Karon". This bus passes through two streets of Karon: first along the upper Pathak, then follows the street along Karon Beach.
Also, at any time of the day, from Phuket airport and other places on the island, you can get to Karon by taxi, tuk-tuks, rented motorbike or car.
Rent a car in Phuket (all places and airport) →
From Patong Beach
From Patong Beach to Karon can be reached by public buses with transfers. First you need to get to Phuket Town, then take the bus to Karon.
You can get from Patong to Phuket Town, or, which is faster, before reaching Phuket Town, get off at the ring near the Central Phuket shopping center, cross the road and take the bus to Karon.
From the beaches of Rawai, Yanui and Nai Harn
Via Phuket Town. Or, which is faster, get off at the first and only ring on this route - Chalong. You can get out in front of the ring, walk a little forward, turn left and wait for the Phuket Town – Karon - Kata bus. Or, go outside the ring, cross the road and also wait for your route.
From the beaches of Kata and Kata Noi
The beaches of Kata and Kata Noi can be reached on foot. From Kata Beach, you can take the Phuket Town - Kata - Karon bus.
From other beaches of the island
From other beaches in Phuket, you can also get to Karon by bus through Phuket Town.
In the direction of Karon, the only bus runs, which starts in Phuket Town, passes through Karon, and stops at the final stop located near Kata Beach.
Local buses - songteo, it is impossible not to notice - these open blue cars immediately attract attention.
