"Karon Beach", Phuket, Thailand: photos and reviews of tourists. Karon beach, its features and how it can be dangerous Karon beach now

Among tourists who come to Phuket, Karon Beach is known as an excellent place for outdoor activities and evening entertainment. Colorful sunsets are visible from this beach in all its glory. In the evening hours, many tourists like to walk along the coastal strip, enjoying the coolness that appears, the light sea breeze and the views of the sun hiding behind the horizon.

Karon is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand and is highly regarded by beach lovers from different countries. It is popular with Europeans, Americans and Australians. It is noteworthy that in 2008 Karon was ranked eighth among the best beaches in the world.

The long coastline in the Karon Beach area is usually divided into two parts. Small Karon (Karon Noi Beach) is a small cozy bay with a coral reef. Big Karon Beach ends near the Sai Cape, which separates it from Kata Beach.

The sand of Karon, white with a yellowish tinge, contains quite a lot of quartz, and therefore it squeaks when walking. Sometimes this sound, very reminiscent of the crunch of snow, is said to be "sand sings" or "singing sands". Another reason for Karon's popularity is the steady wind and waves that pick up strength from July to September. They attract surfers from all over the world to this part of Phuket. In addition, Karon Beach is suitable for families with children. The clean sandy shore, the gentle entrance to the water and the flat bottom have long been appreciated by fans of family recreation.

The southern part of Karon is home to many beautiful coral reefs that stretch towards Kata and Bu Island. The north is more habitable. This is a place of noisy youth parties. Restaurants, shops and cafes are open here. And on the streets facing the beach there are chain stores "Seven-Eleven" ("7-11").

Weather features

You can relax on Karon Beach all year round. Each month this corner of Phuket is revealed in a special way, sometimes contrary to weather forecasts. Spring, winter, autumn and summer at Karon Beach are alluring in their own way. And every season has its fans.

The peculiarity of the Thai climate is that during the year there are no sharp jumps in temperature, and the air warms up evenly from +28 to + 33ºС. The heat on Karon is never long and exhausting, and the sea is always very warm. The high tourist season begins on this beach in November and dies down by April. During it, the water in the sea is very clean, it is not so hot, and there is little rainfall, so all the beach hotels are overcrowded with tourists.

From late spring to mid-autumn, Karon has a low season. This is the period of monsoon rains when the climate becomes humid and hot. Tropical showers occur mainly at night. And in the daytime, the bright sun quickly evaporates the moisture that has fallen out.

In early summer, Karon Beach is usually stormy, and monsoon winds blow constantly from the southwest. Large waves along the entire Andaman coast lift sand from the bottom and the sea water becomes cloudy. Swimming at this time on Karon is not recommended, as a strong reverse current can carry even the most experienced swimmer into the ocean. Unfortunately, despite the warning signs (red flags), every year there are daredevils on Karon who swim far enough. And during the summer monsoon, a few people drown.

Resort infrastructure

Finding accommodation for every taste and budget for tourists coming to Karon is not difficult. There are places here where couples with children, lovers of luxury holidays or youth companies can comfortably accommodate. However, it will not be possible to rent an inexpensive hotel right on Karon Beach.

The central part of the resort development is occupied by expensive 4-5-star hotels: Hilton, Centara Grand, Novotel, Beyong Resort, Centara Karon, Karona Resort, Le Meridien, Movenpick, Karon Princess, Phuket Orchid Resort and others. Many hotels in Karon do not have their own access to the sea, but are separated from the coastline by a road. Almost all large hotel complexes are located behind this road, and the wide beach strip remains free from buildings.

More budget options for recreation on Karon are offered by numerous mini-hotels, guest houses and condos, from which you can walk to the beach in 2-5 minutes. They are mainly built on the second coastline, in the northern and southern parts of the beach.

Karon Beach is considered public. It is very convenient that a pedestrian (bicycle) path stretches almost along the entire beach line.

In the north of Karon, on Patak Road, near the Karon Circle roundabout, there are most of the restaurants, bars, cafes, travel offices, clothing markets, pharmacies and other establishments. Exchangers are located mainly on the territory of hotels. In addition, restaurants and travel companies operate in the south of Karon on a small street that connects the beach with the main road. From here you can get to Phuket city by regular buses that leave every hour (fare 30 THB).

The problem of "where to eat" on Karon simply does not exist. In the area of ​​this beach you can find both expensive and quite budget restaurants and cafes. Here they serve European, Thai, Indian, Italian, Mexican and Scandinavian cuisine. Karon also has places that serve excellently cooked seafood and steaks. Most of the local restaurants have a relaxed, family atmosphere that all travelers love.

Shopping in Karon is inferior to Patong. Although there are shops here, their assortment is significantly lower than in those located on the territory of the neighboring beach. There are no large shopping centers in Karon, and they do not sell electronics and household appliances. It is customary to buy clothes here at the Shopping Sale Karon Plaza, which is more like a one-story covered market.

It is convenient to get around Karon Beach by songthaew - pick-up trucks equipped with a covered body for the transportation of passengers. The fare is 20 THB. On the same songteo you can get from Karon to Kata Beach. Many travelers who come here prefer to rent motorbikes and move along the beach and around the island on their own.

The tourist infrastructure in Karon is constantly developing - new hotels and shops are being built and old ones are being reconstructed. The embankment was recently improved. Locals love this corner of Phuket and try to keep it clean. And special services are responsible for cleaning the spacious beach strip.

Special offers for hotels

Beach entertainment

For tourists coming to Thailand for a beach holiday, Karon has all the conditions. Here you can rent umbrellas and beach loungers (100 THB) to sunbathe in peace. There is no shade from trees on this beach. The only exception is a small area in the south of Karon, where casuarin pines and coconut palms grow.

To the services of vacationers on Karon Beach, there are several spas, and there are also places where you can get a good massage. In the evenings, Karon's bars and restaurants welcome fans of music, dance and noisy pastime. Nightlife is always in full swing here!

For those who like to wrestle with the waves and the wind, a surf station has been built on Karon, where experienced instructors work and you can rent boards. Those who wish can also rent jet skis, go water skiing, "banana" or take a parachute ride behind a boat.

There are several good places for snorkeling and diving near Karon Beach. Several diving centers are concentrated in the beach area at once, which organize boat trips with diving for tourists. However, connoisseurs of the underwater world should definitely take into account that in summer and early autumn there can be dangerous currents in the area of ​​this Phuket beach.

From Karon Beach, tourists are taken by boats to the amazingly beautiful natural corners - the Similan and Surin Islands, as well as to the islands of Phi Phi, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. In addition, excursion tours around Phuket are sold on Karon. So, stopping at this beach, if you wish, you can easily see all the sights of the Thai resort and the adjacent islands.

Karon landmarks

Karon has the largest park on the island and Lake Nong Harn. This is a place where vacationers enjoy jogging, fitness and cycling. It is quiet here and there are absolutely no shops or restaurants working.

The Karon Circle transport interchange, built at the northern end of the beach, serves as an excellent landmark. In the center of it there is a sculpture that symbolizes the three traditional occupations of the island - fishing, agriculture and tin mining. Extensive tin mining has brought wealth to this Thai resort, and the income of the fishermen continues to play a large role in Phuket's economy today. And, in addition, profitable rubber plantations exist in many parts of the island, including on the slopes above the Karon beaches.

Not far from the traffic junction, 0.5 km from the beach, a Buddhist temple was built on Patak Road. You can visit it on any day, but it is most crowded here on Tuesdays and Sundays, when a local market opens nearby.

Near the Marina Phuket Resort there is a Dinopark mini-golf, which delights both adults and children (Karon Road, 47). Here you can have a good walk and take interesting photos. Dinopark accepts guests every day from 10.00 to 00.00.

In a beautiful green area, there is a modern mini-golf course with 18 holes. Figures of prehistoric animals - dinosaurs, a volcano “active” every half hour and a 12-meter waterfall became the real decorations of the dinopark. In the evenings, this corner of Karon is beautifully illuminated. The dinopark has a themed restaurant-bar, which is decorated in a cozy cave. Here guests can taste European and Thai cuisines, as well as drink cocktails and freshly squeezed juices.

A special channel has been laid across almost the entire Karon Beach, designed to protect the coast and the hotels located on it from the destructive force of the tsunami. The walls of this canal were faced with beautiful tiles, and along it were installed small graceful bridges, romantic pavilions and sculptures of mystical creatures. In the evening, this engineering structure is also beautifully illuminated.

From Karon Beach, the statue of the Big Buddha is perfectly visible, installed on a hill 400 m high above the coast. The large 45-meter monument is considered one of the most revered places in Phuket, and therefore its visit is included in almost all sightseeing tours of the island resort. From the platform at the Big Buddha, wonderful views of the picturesque Thai island and the sea expanses that wash it open open. It takes 15 minutes to get from Karon Beach to Big Buddha by motorbike, songteo or taxi. Respecting Buddhist traditions, you should not wear beach clothes on such an excursion. There is a small market near the monument, which serves Thai souvenirs.

How to get there

Karon Beach is located on the western coast of the island, 20 km from Phuket Town and 45 km from the local airport. From here, Karon can be reached in about an hour. A trip in a yellow metered taxi will cost THB 650. The booking desk for this taxi is located outside the airport building. Other taxis carry from the airport to Karon Beach for 700-1000 THB.

On a scheduled mini-bass, the road will cost 200 THB. In addition, a voucher for a transfer to Karon can be purchased at the airport, which costs 750 THB. Many hotels located along Karon Beach offer their customers a transfer for 1000 THB.

Karon Beach in Phuket (or Karon Beach) is perhaps the most popular among Russian tourists, especially those who come on tour. For what advantages do tourists love it so much, what did we like and what we didn’t like? I'll tell you about this in this post.

Here I made a detailed description of the beach, talked about the pros and cons, attractions, shops, markets and how to choose a hotel if you are planning to come here on vacation. Go!

Read also:

Karon Beach Phuket - Russian Branch in Thailand

Karon Beach is considered the second most popular beach on the island (after Patong) - the infrastructure is well developed here! You will always find where to eat deliciously, have a massage, book an excursion, buy fresh fruits and souvenirs back home.

On the other hand, Karon is a little quieter than Patong with its noisy bars and discos. Here everything is scattered over a large area, there is no crowding and you feel freer.

According to my observations, 80-90 percent of tourists are Russians, and Russian speech on the beach and in the surrounding area is heard more often than Thai. The feeling that you are lying somewhere in Anapa or in Sochi, although the beach here is much better :)

Strictly speaking, in addition to the main Karon, there is also a small Karon Noi beach to the north, but it is occupied by the luxurious five-star Le Meredien hotel and is sandwiched between two capes and is well insulated.

Description of Karon Beach

Karon Beach itself is located between Patong in the north and Kata in the south, 20 km from Phuket Town and 45 km from the international airport. The beach is about 3.5 km long and 50 meters wide - there is where to stay, although in the season there are a lot of people, no less than in Patong. If this is important to you, avoid staying here during peak dates: mid-December to mid-January.

Karon has very cool quartz golden sand, and it is so fine that it squeaks underfoot. Beach volleyball players consider this sand to be one of the best in the world for this sport, you will have the opportunity to try it too - there are several volleyball nets.

The entrance to the water is average, not very gentle, but not steep either - it is quite comfortable. But beware of strong undercurrents, especially during the rainy season. Most people in Phuket drown here. There are even hazard warning signs and red flags on the shore (in case of bad weather) - don't ignore them!

It is for this reason that I DO NOT recommend Karon for families with children, because there are still many wonderful beaches in Phuket where you can not worry about a child, and he himself will feel comfortable.

Unfortunately, there are very few tall trees on the shore and there is almost no shade. But you can always hide under an umbrella or in the shade of small palms and trees that are between the road and the beach. Sun loungers and parasols can be rented for 100 baht each or 200 baht for everything per day.

The road passes nearby, but it is separated from the beach by a 50-meter green zone (in the southern part in this zone there is even something like a river-pond), so the noise of passing cars is not heard.

Road along the beach

The main life on Karon takes place in the northern part of the beach near the ring, where most of the hotels, restaurants, bars, travel agencies are located.

Ring on Karon

The central part is occupied by large chain four and five-star hotels, near which there is no special infrastructure.

The central part of Karon Beach - few people

The southern part is also quite active. At this point, there is a small peninsula and a transition to the neighboring Kata beach. Along the main road and neighboring lanes, people are actively beckoned for food or massage.

Attractions and entertainment in Karon

In the vicinity of the beach you will find many travel agencies organizing tours wherever you go: to Phi Phi, James Bond Island and other islands, Khao Sok ...

From water activities on the beach - scooter rental, banana boating, parachute flying behind a boat. You can also rent a longtail boat and sail to nearby beaches.

Prices for entertainment in Karon

Coming to Tai and not getting a massage is a big omission, so make sure you go! Prices are standard for Phuket:

Kids will love the Flintstones-inspired Dino Park. Nearby on the mountain is a giant statue of Buddha, often called Big Buddha. If you love temples and Buddhas seemed a little to you, then visit another temple Wat Karon, which is on Patak Road in the northern part, 500 meters from the beach.

Take a trip or go to the neighboring Kata beach, or better go a little further south on, it's gorgeous!

In the evening, be sure to watch the sunset on the seashore - here on Karon they are very picturesque.

For nightlife, there is a direct road to Patong, since it is only 6 km to the north, although in Karon you can find bars with Thai girls.

In the rainy season from May to October, seasoned surfers come to Karon, because the waves are big here.

Read also:

Hotels near Karon Beach

Almost all hotels in Karon are located across the street from the beach, even the five-star Hilton and Tavorn are such a feature. Traffic on the road is quite busy, and although there are no big problems to cross, it is not fun either.

Choose your vacation spot very carefully, read the reviews. To make it easier to choose, I wrote a separate post:

Map of Karon hotels

All hotels on Karon Beach are marked on this interactive map, you can click on the mark and see photos, prices, reviews and book your favorite option.

Find a cheap tour to Thailand:

Cafes and restaurants in Karon Beach

Most of the cafes and restaurants are concentrated in the north of the beach in the ring area and in the south on the road to Kata.

For a romantic date and stunning sea views, head to On The Rock Restaurant- beautiful, about 20% more expensive than the average for Karon, but it's worth it.

You can have a good time in EAT Bar & Grill Restaurant(take from specials written in chalk on a blackboard) and Two chef where live music is played in the evenings.

You can drink good coffee at Coffee talk, try delicious ice cream there, and for delicious food at average prices Ging restaurant or Sabaijai cafe... Inexpensive and delicious meals can be found in Mr. Thong Restaurant or in cafes by the lake (closer to the sea).

Cafe in the south of the beach near the lake

Russian cuisine on Karon is not uncommon :) And Thai restaurants often have a Russian menu.

Here are examples of prices in cafes and restaurants in Karon:

Cheap food

Shops and markets in Karon

The traditional Thai bazaar is open on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Wat Karon temple from somewhere from 16-00 until the evening. Here you can buy souvenirs and eat all sorts of nice things, drink a fruit shake.

Another bazaar is located on the embankment, a little to the north of the ring, there are more clothes and shoes.

In the area you will find supermarkets 7-11, Family Mart, Hippo and others where you can buy little things.

How to get to Karon Beach? Transport

How to get to Karon from the airport?

From the airport to Karon there are special minibuses for 200 baht. They are sent after filling, and you can find them at the exit from the arrivals area of ​​the international terminal at special counters. Travel time 80-90 minutes

A taxi will cost 900 baht, but it will also take you to the beach faster and more comfortably - the journey takes 40-50 minutes. In order not to look for a taxi upon arrival, you can - you will be met with a sign with your name and taken directly to the hotel.

To leave, go to one of the many tourist kiosks, but at least one day before departure, to reserve your seat.

How to get to Karon from Phuket Town?

Towne and Karon are connected by blue songteo trucks, they run on schedule. They follow the road along the beach and follow Karon to Kata. You can catch a songteo anywhere; to stop it, you just need to press a button on the ceiling. The fare is 40 baht to the city, 20 baht to Kata.

Transport in Karon

Of course, on Karon you will find the ubiquitous tuk-tuks, brightly colored and tuned to look like they were going to street races. But their prices for travel are not humane, even for a short trip they strive to rip off 100-150 baht. The fare to Patong is 400 baht. To the neighboring Kata 200 baht.

The best option would be to rent a bike or car. Bike rental prices start from 150-200 baht per day.

Taxi rates in different parts of Phuket

Karon Beach Phuket (Karon Beach) in 2019 is the most popular beach in Phuket. How is it, why isn't Patong the most popular? By the number of requests in Yandex, Karon Beach bypassed Patong in 2019! Yes, yes, I was surprised too!

Karon Beach in Phuket is one of the best and largest beaches on the island, located in the west between the more or less quiet beach and the bustling Patong. The length of the beach line is 4 kilometers. It is 6 kilometers from Patong to Karon Beach in Phuket, the distance from Karon Beach to Kata Yai is less than a kilometer, and Kata Noi Beach is not far from it.

A few tens of meters from the beach area of ​​Karon (Phuket) there is a road, but passing cars do not disturb the feeling of tranquility. There are only a few hotels with access to Karon Beach.

Phuket Karon: features

Karon differs from the rest of Phuket's beaches in that there are strong waves during the monsoon period. This is due to the fact that the beach is not in a bay or bay and is not protected from the rough sea.

The most comfortable period for rest in Karon is winter. It is then that there are almost no waves here. The most dangerous period is June - September. At this time, the waves are so strong that rip off currents can knock you out into the open sea. If you still run the risk of going into the water on Karon Phuket Beach during this period, then do it in the designated areas where lifeguards are on duty.

Karon Beach almost does not lag behind in terms of the scale of development from the main tourist mecca of Phuket - Patong. Here, in a short period of time, a huge number of hotels near the beach have grown and soon there will be no living place, like in Patong. The beach itself is well cleaned and here you rarely find garbage from the crowds of tourists in the form of various packages, bottles, food leftovers, and so on. Rubbish can be thrown out on the way to the road where waste containers and toilets are located. Now that eating and drinking has been banned on the beaches of Thailand, it has become much cleaner here.

Karon (Phuket) is always full of tourists, but everyone has enough space due to the length of the beach line. Several years ago, all sunbeds were removed here, but, like on other beaches in Phuket, here for 200 baht you can rent two mattresses with an umbrella. You can do even cheaper - buy your own umbrella and a few towels at the Macro market for 80 baht. The bulk of tourists in Karon rest on their own towels.

Karon Beach Phuket is not lush with vegetation like, for example, Kata, but you can still find palms and almond trees along the coast. Closer to the lake in the north of Karon, in the direction of hotels, and the vegetation is even more sparse, but still there are palm trees and small bushes.

On Karon Beach (Phuket) you can spend time actively, there are many interesting entertainments available. So, you can fly by parachute - it will cost 2000 baht, which is more expensive than in Patong (1500 baht). Among the water activities are tablet or banana rides (1,000 baht), as well as jet ski rental (1,500 baht). So fans of extreme sports will definitely not be bored.

Karon Beach Phuket tours

A large number of package tourists come to Karon Beach in Phuket. This is the second most popular package beach after Patong. Therefore, there is nowhere without Russians - you can hear Russian speech and there is a menu in Russian in some cafes. If you want a quieter, calm and deserted beach, you have to choose another place, not Karon, and even less Patong. And no longer Kata. At least Kata Noi or Nai Harn.

Hotels in Karon Beach Phuket

Consider the cost of living on Karon Beach. Prices here start at 800 baht per day, but this is the lowest price offer, and there are not many housing options for this amount. They are all far from the beach and with minimal amenities. The average cost of living in Karon Beach hotels in Phuket ranges from 1,500 baht per day. But, by the way, offers at such prices are considered very democratic, because compared to other beaches - Surin and Bang Tao, you can relax here cheaper.

Considering the cost of a vacation in Phuket, we can say that Karon (Phuket) is also available for budget tourists, since most hotels operate in the middle and lower price range - $ 100-300 and $ 50-100 per day, respectively. Naturally, there are also luxury offers that start at $ 500 per day.

If we talk about specific hotels on Karon Beach in Phuket, there are not many of them. In the northern part, there is a guesthouse, ideal for family holidays, and an affordable guesthouse right next to the lake. In the south, there are hotels with direct access to the beach. It is for adult guests and features a lot of greenery. All other hotels are compactly located behind the coastal zone - across the street from the beach itself, on the bypass road and in side streets. Choosing a place to stay in the south of Karon Beach in Phuket, there is an additional advantage, since you can go swimming on the neighboring beach - Kata Yai. You can walk to it in 15-20 minutes, and by bike you can get there in 5 minutes.

In the central part of Karon (Phuket), there are two large hotels - and, as well as small, but popular, and.

On the northern coastal zone near the Patong Pass, not far from the lake, there are Karon Beach hotels, and other resorts in different price ranges.

On Karon Beach, Phuket, you can easily relax with children, only a few hotels have age restrictions. Everything you need is provided for the youngest guests - playrooms, babysitting services and mini-clubs. More existing offers can be found on the websites of the hotels themselves or by making a request to a travel agency. For long stays, you can rent an apartment on Patak Road.

Restaurant features on Karon

The main nuance with food on Karon Beach in Phuket is that there are no cheap cafes and malls nearby where you can have a quick bite to eat. Therefore, for lunch you will have to go to restaurants across the road, where the cost of meals starts from 150-200 baht, drinks from 50 baht.

If you are ready to walk a little in search of a budget option in Karon (Phuket), then you can find inexpensive Thai cafes far from the beach. From good cafes I can recommend Robin House - located between the First and Second lines behind the Phuket Orchid Resort, Kata Villa - located on the way to Kata, here you can order soup from 69 baht, volume 129 baht, steak from 139 baht ... I liked the Veranda cafe next to the Karon ring and the Chekhoff Restaurant between Karon and Kata.

For a quick bite to eat on the way from the beach, you can go to the small market along the Karon Plaza road. Cheap and cheerful. It offers standard dishes such as rice with chicken, shrimps, kebabs, salads, sushi. From the interesting local cuisine - pad thai, tom yam, sausages, kebabs prepared according to special recipes.

You can also buy ready-made meals at your nearest 7-Eleven, which saves even more time and money. If desired, everything will be warmed up and given ready-to-use.

Phuket Karon 2019: entertainment and attractions

On Karon Beach in Phuket, you will not find attractions at every turn, but you can fully spend an eventful vacation on the beach itself. There is also Dino Park nearby, a place that will surely please both adults and children, where they play mini-golf.

The park is notable for its stylized design with a dinosaur theme - staff costumes, stone caves and the atmosphere of a cartoon about the Flintstones - will give you positive emotions. There is a restaurant nearby where you can have a bite to eat with dishes of European and Thai cuisines, and if you are there in the evening, you will certainly meet a little elephant walking on the street, with which tourists are happy to take pictures.

If you want to feel the spirit of Thai culture or religion, then visit Wat Suwan Khirikhet - Karon Temple, located in the northern part of the beach.

A place that vacationers in the north of Karon Beach in Phuket also enjoy visiting - a local lake where Thais and local farangs meet, running around it in the evenings. Takro training is held nearby - a game using a ball made of rattan.

The list of the most interesting and amazing sights of Karon Beach in Phuket includes a viewpoint between and Karon. There is a wonderful view from there, beautiful landscapes - a combination of beaches and hills covered with greenery.

If you visit there, it will be useful to go directly to the Nai Harn beach itself. It is special in that there are practically no buildings on it - there is only one hotel nearby and this makes this place even more mysterious. This is rarely found in Phuket.

Karon Beach 2019: Things to Do in the Evening

Karon Beach in Phuket has many entertainment options, but at the same time, it is more focused on family vacations. Of course, there is everything for night-time party-goers - bars, restaurants with live music. The largest number of such places is concentrated in the northern part of Karon Beach in Phuket. But of course there is no such movement, clubs, bars, sex shows like in Patong.

What is the best way to get to the beach

Upon arrival at Phuket airport, if you arrived in the afternoon, you can get to Karon Beach by minibus, the fare of which is 200 baht. The stop is located immediately at the exit from the building itself. On the ground floor, tourists are offered taxi and transfer services, but this will cost more. For example, costs about 800-1000 baht.

Public transport to Karon Beach runs from Phuket Town. Blue buses need to pour on Ranong Street (Market Bus Station). On average, it will take 45 minutes to reach your destination by this transport, if you do not get stuck in a traffic jam. The trip will cost 35 baht, just don't mix up the buses. Identification mark - the inscription on the bus "Kata Beach-Karon-Phuket Town". Their supervising schedule is convenient for planes arriving during the day - from 6 am to 5 pm.

At other times you will have to take a taxi to the hotel. From Patong it will cost about 300 baht, but the final price is determined by the distance to the desired hotel. You can consider as an option , especially if you plan to visit many interesting sights in this area during your vacation. The rental price starts from 800 baht per day, which fully justifies the cost of transport when planning an intensive recreation program. Another variant - (from 200 baht per day).

There are no direct public buses from Karon to Patong. You must first go to Phuket Town, and then from Phuket Town take a blue bus to Patong.

Kata Beach is within walking distance of Karon Beach in Phuket. Really walk in 15 minutes. Or take the same bus "Phuket Town - Karon - Kata". From there you can walk even further to the wonderful Kata Noi beach. Walk 15 minutes.

Considering all the features of a vacation in Phuket in Karon in 2019, you can be sure that you will be left with pleasant memories. Moreover, these places have unique things that can surprise tourists.

Karon beach on the map instead of attractions

Now you know everything about Phuket and Karon in 2019. This is a good beach destination, crowded and not the most expensive in Phuket.

Personal experience: what are the pros and cons of Karon? Why has it become a favorite beach for Russians? Our review, assessment and advice on Karon.

You are going to vacation in Phuket in 2019. The questions arise: which beach to choose? Which one is considered the best? Where is the sea cleaner? This article will answer your questions about the most popular beach in Phuket among Russian tourists - Phuket Karon Beach.

Karon beach rating

Atmosphere

Privacy (6 out of 10). There are enough people here, mostly families with children. Mostly Russians. But the beach is wide and long, there is always a secluded corner.

Silence on the beach (7 out of 10). Tourists are quiet and calm. There is a secondary road near the beach, there is little transport on it.

Nature (8 out of 10). The bay is picturesque, you will have a rest overlooking two small islands.

Beach quality

Water purity (9 out of 10). When the sea is calm, the water is cleaner than Patong.

Beach cleanliness (8 out of 10). There is natural debris, but not enough.

Entering the water (8 out of 10) gentle, but the sea is deep. There are no rocks or reefs.

Sand (10 of 10) amazing: fine and squeaks like starch. The color is almost white, slightly yellowish.

Shadow (5 out of 10). There is a life-saving line of trees and palms in some parts of the beach. There is shade on the beach only until noon, then you will have to rent a sunbed with an umbrella or hide under the palm trees.

Beach infrastructure

Rating: 5 out of 10. As in the case of Patong, we put a fat minus for Karon: only 1 toilet and shower in the northern part, there are no changing cabins. There are no cafes or restaurants on the beach, just across the street. You can buy food and drinks from vendors. Prices in cafes and restaurants on the first line - from 70 baht for rice with meat. Visit the Yummy restaurant on the north of the beach for chic seafood noodles.

Swelling currents and large waves are not uncommon during the rainy season in Karon, so warning flags are posted.

There are two playgrounds and exercise equipment - not all there is to lie around. Simulators are not popular, but we noticed some activity. The beach has standard water activities: parasailing, jet skis, banana rides, beach volleyball courts.

Resort infrastructure

Rating: 8 out of 10. The resort is well developed and there is no shortage of cafes, shops, restaurants and night markets.

Entertainment at the resort. There is no variety like in neighboring Patong. The resort has excursions, massage parlors, karaoke, bars and clubs. Attractions include the Karon View Point, Wat Karon Temple and the Big Buddha statue. For children - mini-golf at Dino Park.

Night life. It is on Karon Beach, but the resort cannot compete with Patong.

Shopping weak. Visit the Shopping Sale Karon Plaza and the Karon Temple Night Market.

Food on Karon

Tourists write that food prices in Karon Beach are higher than in Patong. It seems to us that they are the same. Of course, it all depends on the level of service and the status of the establishment. We ate at the seaside restaurant: seafood noodles from 90 baht, fried squid - 120 baht, garlic rice - 60 baht.

Hotels in Karon Beach

On Karon Beach, you will find hotels of different price categories - and even close to the beach. Here are examples of hotel prices:

Tips for booking hotels:

1. Book in advance... Better 3-5 months before the high season - and there will be more choice, and prices are lower. You can book a hotel on the search engine Roomguru.
2. Read reviews tourists when looking for a hotel on Karon - so you will learn about the important details.

Come on vacation in 2019 to Karon if a developed infrastructure is important: there is a large selection of hotels, cafes and restaurants. It is not as noisy as in Patong, but you can have fun and have fun.

If you are not friendly with English, then you will still be comfortable on Karon Beach - almost every second vacationer at the resort speaks Russian.

There are also conditions for families with children: children's menu in restaurants, playgrounds, entertainment. But entering the sea for children is not convenient - the depth quickly begins.

Why has Karon Beach become so popular with Russians? We think it’s a matter of silence, tranquility and some intimacy of the resort. There is less nightlife, there is no busy road near the beach, but the infrastructure is developed almost like in Patong.

Have you ever heard such a phrase as "singing" sand? We are sure that those who are familiar with it already understand that we will be talking about such a place on Phuket Island as Karon Beach. Why "singing" sand, how dangerous is Karon and much more in this article.

There is Karon Beach Phuket on Phuket Island, which is majestically located between the popular and noisy Patong, as well as calm Kata. Majestic Karon can be called boldly, and that's putting it mildly. The length of the coastline is five kilometers, and the width is from 50 to 70 meters.

See the map of the beach and all its popular attractions below.

Tourists have even created a kind of hierarchy and divided the beach into two sections, small and large Karon. Small Karon (Karon Noi or Karon Noi) is located in the northern part of the coast, if you look at the sea. It is hidden from prying eyes and this has both pros and cons.

The island of Phuket and Karon, in particular, is famous for the abundance of underwater currents (drafts or rip currents). This is a deadly natural phenomenon, once in which it is difficult for an adult to get out and often everything ends in death. The current can easily carry a tourist into the open ocean.

Such tractors are present in great numbers on Karon. Therefore, rest in a closed part of the beach can be fraught with unpleasant consequences for vacationers. On the other hand, closedness attracts fewer tourists, which affects fewer people who get here.

Developing the theme of the underwater currents on Karon Beach Phuket, it is worth mentioning that their location suddenly appears in different places, and where rescuers managed to recognize the drafts, red flags are installed warning that swimming is dangerous. Accordingly, in the summer season (when there are waves on the beach and there are few tourists), there are many times more such flags.

And yet, despite the annual sad statistics, crowds of tourists come here with enviable persistence, in our opinion, it is better to choose another place to stay.

Despite the huge flow of travelers, the beach does not feel crowded (if you have ever been to the Black Sea resorts in the high season, you are sure you know what I mean). It is quite spacious here and not as noisy as in Patong, but not as quiet as in Patong.

The sand on Karon is fine, without stones, and while walking, it emits a semblance of squeak (hence the name - "singing"). This property of sand is found in Thailand not only here (for example, in Bang Tao, sand also "sings", not so intensely, but he tries).

The color of the sand is white, which in cloudy weather gives off yellowness (yes, why be honest, the yellow color is more saturated), and in the sun it resembles snow-white. The weather conditions are excellent here, during the season the sun shines almost every day, and therefore the water in the sea is transparent, despite the abundance of sand. During the rain and in the non-tourist season, the water is muddy, and the waves roll in (by the way, in such weather, the rescuers are especially zealous to ensure that no one enters the water, in order to avoid accidents, rip currents, remember?).

In general, many travel companies include Karon in the rating - the best beaches in Phuket, which is rather controversial, given the circumstances listed above. Good - yes, but not the best. There are also more attractive places in Thailand.

Entering the water

It is deep on Karon, and the entrance here is faster (you get deep quickly) than on the same Patong. The bottom is sandy, without stones, but there are many living creatures that strive to touch tourists and even bite (not painful, but unpleasant).
The first minus is the presence of plant debris. Here and there there are some leaves, algae (not to say that there are a lot of them, but you can stumble upon them).

The second minus is jellyfish. In the period from May to June, they were not noticed, but in December, for about a week, these marine inhabitants did not give rest. There were no cases of attacks on people, but together with the floating debris, the feeling is not pleasant.
You can sunbathe and spend a lazy beach vacation in Karon without shocks, because the coast itself is clean, no garbage and food waste. There are quite a few urns before the start of the sand.

As for the waves, the sea is not always calm here (it would be more accurate to say, always restless). Even seemingly calm, but the wave no, no, but roll over, such a feature of the relief. The water washes the shore every five to seven minutes, after which there is another calm for a while. Therefore, for tourists with children, it is better to choose a quieter bay, or to give up all the forces for controlling the child, bathing in which can turn into torment for the parents.

Many vacationers, nevertheless, use the old grandfather's way - a wide towel spread on the sand. Convenient and practical, one thing is bad, the sand is packed.

As you know, it is quite hot on the coast (the air temperature often warms up to 37-38 degrees) and the average tourist cannot stand more than two hours in the open sun, you can get quite a real sunstroke. Fortunately, there is a small sheltered area nearby, which is located in the depths of the beach. An interesting fact - there is more greenery on the southern and northern sides, while in the center the vegetation is scarce and does little to help in the fight against the sun.

There is a dense grass under the trees, in which small Thai ants have been seen. They may not bite, but they will disturb the comfort. You can advise to move to the sand, as close to the trees as possible, but this will require arriving here early in the morning to have time to take a seat.

Infrastructure

Karon is a well-developed resort village with all the ensuing consequences (on the north side of the beach there is a pipe that goes directly into the sea, and along the perimeter of the beach you can also find two rivers that do not smell very pleasant).
On many beaches of Phuket, the situation is similar with sewerage, and then either put up with it and look for a place away from these streams, or choose a place away from civilization.

With regard to entertainment, shopping and food, this will not be a problem. Karon is rich in all kinds of establishments; on foot from the beach you can reach any establishment (shop, market, bar, restaurant, cafe, etc.). The largest number of all kinds of establishments and shops is located on two streets, one of which is the embankment. On the side of the beach, it is equipped with a narrow sidewalk, and on the opposite side there is a huge number of hotels (first line), drinking establishments, massage parlors and whatever your heart desires. When evening falls, the beach gradually empties and tourists move to where they can eat deliciously, have a strong drink and have fun. Fortunately, there are enough entertainment establishments on Karon. If you believe the reviews, you don't even need to go to Patong, even if the nightlife in Karon is not so busy, but here you can have a good time.

At night it is clear that you will only have to choose between cafes and bars, but how to plan your day if you get tired of sunbathing on the beach? You can spend money nearby at the local bazaar - Karon Plaza. This market is located near the beach and here you can buy small souvenirs, beach holiday equipment, clothes, cosmetics and much more, the main thing is not to get carried away and not spend all the resort savings. The price of products here, of course, is democratic, compared to other countries, but a huge selection can greatly affect your wallet - keep yourself in control.

If there is no desire to sit at a table and you prefer quick snacks, the bakeware is your everything. This is such an impromptu and inexpensive kind of fast food. They offer mainly kebabs, fruit slices and similar fast food. You can take a few kebabs with you to your room with a simple side dish at a price of 20-30 baht for one and eat at the hotel, or just walk the streets with refreshing coconut juice or Thai ice cream with coconut milk (inexpensive and insanely delicious).

If you want to relax your body, massage is the best way to please yourself. Moreover, the huge number of massage and spa salons is simply amazing. For one massage session (40 minutes - an hour) you will be charged from 250 to 250 baht, depending on the qualifications of the massage therapist.

If you get tired of wallowing at the sea, there are several local travel agencies nearby, where you can book an excursion to local attractions. The farther and more exclusive the attraction, the higher the price. But do not forget to bargain, this is Asia, everyone is bargaining here.

Karon does not have its own observation deck, but near the Kata beach there is a viewpoint called Karon Viewpoint. From there, an excellent view of the coastal area opens up and in the evening it is especially great to watch the sun go down the horizon, plunging Phuket into darkness ...

From entertainment on the beach there is also something to do. If you belong to the half of tourists who prefer active rest, then depending on the month of the year, the entertainment may differ. For example, the beginning of May, June, July, August, September and a little October is the season of strong waves in Karon, and there is a surfboard rental (it works in the rest of the months, but when the waves are small it is practically useless). From November to March (sometimes until mid-April) it is the season here, so there is more entertainment (jet ski rental, banana rides, parachute flights and much more).

And by the way, the Russian language is heard here more often than in the remote areas of the island, so those who are looking for solitude should consider other options.

Lodging

There will be no problems with rental housing. Here are options for any wallet and level of claims. Cheap does not mean bad, and this rule, more than ever, works in Karon. You can find great options in the depths of the village for 300-400 baht per day, with clean linen and everything you need in your room. How much a hotel costs can be found in this search form (we regularly use this option).

The closer to the coast, the more expensive hotels and apartments. The most pretentious and expensive hotels are located on the first line. The more stars, the more expensive, the longer it takes to get to the beach, the cheaper.

If you don't want to bother with the bike, the prices are as follows:

1. Taxi - from the beach to Phuket Town - 1000-1500 baht.
2. Knock knock - 200 baht.
3. Songteo - 40 baht.

A detailed analysis of prices will be posted a little later.

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