Best time to visit Khao Lak
Khao Lak is known for an Andaman dry window from November to April, and Similan boats run 15 October to 15 May. Stay on the mainland if the park is closed.
Back to Khao Lak
Khao Lak uses Andaman rules, and November to April is the beach and the usual first stay. Similan and Surin open 15 October to 15 May and close 16 May to 14 October, and anyone selling a July Similan trip is selling a different island or a lie.
Fly into HKT, then drive 70 to 90 minutes north on Highway 4, and sleep on the Bang Niang strip if dinner matters. Early and late park dates still cancel on swell, and keep a spare beach day. Pair with Phuket or Khao Sok, not with Samui.
Month notes
- 15 Oct to 15 May: Park open. Book Thap Lamu boats early in peak weeks.
- Nov to Apr: Best sand. Highway 4 stays the spine.
- 16 May to 14 Oct: Park closed. Come only for a quiet mainland beach in rain.
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- Are the Similans open in July?
- No. Closed 16 May to 14 October.
- Can you visit in August for the beach only?
- You can. You will get metres of Takua Pa rain, not a bargain Andaman week.