Karon Beach Phuket
Karon Beach is a long stretch on Phuket of a postcard perfect holiday. Just south of Patong, but world away in atmosphere, the wide and gently curving powder sand beach is lined with small dunes and pandanus palms. Most luxury resorts and commercial developments are restricted to the opposite side of the coast road giving Karon the feel of a true tropical beach. In fact Karon beach goes on for miles and the Southern end seems windswept and cut off from the large resorts behind it by dunes and a road, therefore lacking the buzz and convenience of the other beaches. The town itself is full of amenities and the hills behind provide the hotels there with wonderful views, but this beach itself lacks the intimacy of Kata or Kamala, and it’s difficult to simply ‘stroll down’ to the beach.
The longest stretch is known as Karon Yai - with seeming miles of uncluttered deckchairs and occasional ice-cream vendors – while Karon Noi at the northern end is mostly taken by guests of the beachfront Le Meridien Resort. A cluster of oceanfront guesthouses and resorts also sit modestly in the tropical forest of the adjoining Karon headland with access to the beach below.
Most resorts and other accommodations line the coast road from Kata to Karon and beyond to the hills. Several streets leading back from the beach are home to some stunning boutique resorts, funky restaurants and cafes that are well worth exploring.
The Karon Plaza area to the south has numerous guesthouses, bars and shopping outlets that mark the line between Kata and Karon. Heading toward the north end of Karon Beach , the Hilton Arcadia Phuket Resort dominates much of the landscape before the main market areas and the large Karon Circle . Many of the top eateries – both Thai and global cuisine - and bars can be found in this district that caters to all budgets and tastes.
A quiet beachside resort town by nature, Karon does liven up at night with music streaming from local bars. For the real nightlife action, Patong is just a few minutes drive over the hill. There are also several late night clubs on the hill between Karon and Patong near the elephant safari camp. Karon Beach is also a good central base to explore Phuket and beyond with many tour booking agents available offering dive trips, elephant trekking, cruises and more.
Karon is a good family beach, with a busy town centre supplying everything you might need. There are quite a few resorts in Karon located on the hilly interior which means a short walk or tuk tuk ride to the beach, but fantastic views.
Karon is well placed in the middle, - within easy reach of the nightlife of Patong, as well as a short hop over the hilly headland at the southern end to the lovely Kata beach.
