Karon Beach Activities

Relaxation is king at Karon.  You won't find yourself dangling from the end of a bungee cord or watching a contrived sideshow.  What you will find is peace.  The beach is expansive and seems doubly so due to a lack of crowds.  The end-to-end walk is a thirty-minute hustle or an hour-long thoughtful stroll.  Stretch out on a beach chair. Take in some sun. Fall asleep with an open book on your chest.  Or lose yourself in the sound of the sea while a masseuse works that famous Thai-massage magic.

Should you want your beach experience to include getting wet, head to the point at the south end of the beach with snorkeling gear and check out the sea life among the rocks and coral.  Excursions in deeper water can be handled by one of the numerous local dive operators.  Battle the waves on a personal watercraft or ride in harmony with them on a surfboard.  Regardless of how you enjoy the water, check the flags and remember green means go, red means no.

Off the beach are ample opportunities to get down to the serious business of unwinding.  From simple massage shops to luxurious spas, pampering options for every budget are plentiful.  Street-side you'll find the cheapest route to bliss with traditional Thai and oil massages.  Some shops have expanded their list of services and will happily beautify your nails, braid your hair, or stamp your hide with a temporary henna tattoo.  Upscale spas, while more expensive, are sure to provide an experience that won't soon be forgotten.  Exotic herbs, fruits, minerals, and oils combined with massage, steam therapy, wraps, baths, scrubs, masks, and facials, are offered in peaceful, private surroundings by expert therapists that promise to work out the bad and work in the good.

Earn your sleep with a range of land-based physical activities.  Bicycles rentals are available for exploring road or jungle.  Joggers flock to the wide footpath that parallels the beach in the evening. Head to the hills for a spectacular view from atop an elephant. Impromptu football and volleyball games spring up at Karon Park on the north end of the beach.  The stadium, on the south end of the beach, is home to an assortment of sporting activities including rugby and football. 

Guests at the large resorts can choose from a smorgasbord of entertainment options.  Fitness centers, tennis and squash courts, and pools keep your body in top form.  Classes in Thai cooking or local arts invite you to experience the culture hands-on.  Programs for children keep the little ones busy while mom and dad partake in a hotel-packed picnic on the beach.

Karon Temple is perched on the hill above Karon Circle and hosts a night market on Tuesday and Saturday. Local eats, clothing, and random oddities can be had for cheap after friendly negotiations.

Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble were turned loose with orders to build a miniature golf complex; Dino Park was the result. Situated between Kata and Karon, this prehistoric putt-putt is a hit with both children and adults alike. The 18 holes take about forty minutes to complete, but with a restaurant, bar, and unending Bedrock photo-ops, it’s easy to lose track of time millions of years back in time.

Need more? The day trip selection available from the many handy travel agents is vast. Choose from an army of nouns: canoe, jeep, monkey, sunset, elephant, snake, seashell, golf course, boat, cabaret, cave, view… the list goes on. And if you really can’t shake the bungee craving, Patong Beach is only minutes away.