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Karon Beach
 Just
10 minutes south of Patong Beach, is a long stretch of
unspoilt white sand.
Karon, the second largest of Phuket's principal beaches, is quiet
and relaxed. There are lots of good local restaurants and a range
of accommodation from small guesthouses to family resorts offering
extensive sports and recreational facilities.
Nightlife is not as varied or raucous as Patong. Karon
is a place for enjoying a good local meal, drinking outdoors with
friends or watching the world go by. It's quiet but if you want
a change of scene, Kata village is within walking distance, and
Patong a short drive for a night out.
 The
beach is extensive - lots of room and rarely crowded. Cold
drinks, fruit, sarongs are all available from passing vendors
and local restaurants set up on the beach, so you don't need to
move unless it's to hire a jet-ski or go snorkelling at the southern
end which has a coral reef stretching toward Kata and a small
offshore island (Boo Island)
The sand.......is a unique Karon phenomena - Walk
onthis perfect white sand and you'll hear it squeak! No one seems
to know why. From November to April, Karon offers perfect conditions,
but from May to October swimming can be dangerous because of strong
undertows, so observe the warning flags.
Where to Stay 
Large resort hotels line the beach road and offer excellent seaviews
and recreational facilities. The Arcadia and the Thavorn
Palm Beach Resort are especially good for families, offering
a variety of activities to suit all ages. If you prefer to be
outside a hotel environment, Karon also has high-rise apartments
just minutes from the beach. The centre of Karon, which runs from
Karon Circle away from the beach towards a parallel back road,
has lots of small value-for-money guesthouses, restaurants, shops
and tour offices. Not too many seaviews, but comfortable rooms
close to the beach. (See our hotel guide for details)
Where to Eat
Karon Circle - a traffic island decorated with strange
mythical creatures straight out of Thai folklore, is the main
focal point in Karon. Located on the beach road, development away
from the beach starts here. Opposite is a row of local unpretentious
and inexpensive restaurants offering excellent sea food and Thai
specialities.
For more stylish dining try Old Siam at the Thavorn
Palm Beach Hotel along the beach road which serves excellent
Royal Northern Thai cuisine. Choose the terrace or traditional
teakwood house. Classical dance performances - Wed and Sat. Open
noon- 2.30 , 6-10pm. Reservations recommended. Tel 396 116, 396
552.
Pining for a steak? Tai Kong Phuket Arcadia Hotel, also
on the beach road, serves excellent seafood and imported US steak.
Live music in lobby lounge and karaoke bar. Open for dinner from
5pm-10pm.
At Talay-Tai (Karon Villa) you can select your own fresh
Phuket lobster, crab or saltwater fish, served either Thai or
international style. Tel 396-139, ext 340
Al Dente close to Karon Circle serves generous fondues,
both meat and cheese, as well as cooked-to-order Italian dishes.
Classical music makes a relaxing background to the sound of the
sea in this fine open-air restaurant. Lunch and dinner. Tel 396
569
Seema's Pure Indian Vegetarian Food Karon Plaza, Karon
(just off main highway) No dairy products or eggs. No alcohol
served but you can bring your own. There's also a little gift
shop with Indian imports. Lunch and dinner.
What to Do
Karon is more spread out than Kata with two centres; one at the
north end stretching back from Karon circle, and the other in
the centre of the beach. Stroll along the promenade which connects
the two along the beach road, from Karon circle to Kata village,
at sunset. On route you'll find local bars, eateries and a few
hotel restaurants. For the bar scene, the back of the town from
Karon Circle offers the usual fare, competing for your attention
with loud music and bargirls. The beach bars - more laid back
offer music and a general party scene.
Attractions Nearby
Snake Farm. Part of the Phuket Shooting Range complex
this show is part educational with demonstrations on what to if
you encounter a snake in the wild, and how to treat a wound if
you are unfortunate enough to be bitten. The part of the show
that includes seemingly sensible young men dance around, kiss,
and otherwise annoy the snakes may make you a bit squeamish. Head
towards Chalong Circle and follow the directions to the Phuket
Shooting Range. Elephant trekking and Paintball are also found
in this complex.
Link here to our clickable Map
of Karon, our Phuket
Photo Tour, and dining
pages.
Overview
· Airport Beach
· BangTao · Kamala
· Karon · Kata
Laem Singh · Nai
Harn · Nai Yang
· Pansea ·
Patong · Rawai
· Surin
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