Beach Eats
The stalls set up on the beach just north of the circle are worth
trying for their reasonably priced curries and other Thai dishes
and also for the sheer pleasure of feeling only sand underfoot and
an unfettered view of the sea as you dine.
The sun bed vendors sell drinks, snacks and ice cream and wherever
there are sun beds there's a restaurant not far away. Some are small
Thai restaurants that also feature western food and many are in
the bigger hotels that line the road.
Jet-ski and parasailing operators walk up and down the beach looking
for customers. With fewer jet-skis than Patong there's more room
to operate.
Exercise caution and wear a lifejacket when participating in motorised
watersports - most jet-skis have "no insurance" stickers
on them which is not so reassuring!
Also popular are the banana boat, waterskiing and wakeboarding.
Windsurfing is very popular on Karon Beach as it has some of the
best conditions in Phuket and plenty of space in which to maneuver.
Hobie cats and sea kayaks are also available.
Karon Beach is not so popular with surfers as it is very open to
conditions. With constantly shifting sandbanks it is not a reliable
location and just about anywhere else is better. However, you can
surf when there are small swells and no wind. Details: Karon's shifting sandbanks mean swell from all
directions. Winds are light and changeable and waves are up to two
metres. (Read more about surfing)
Beach Activities
Some good snorkeling can be found by the rocks at the south end.
Equipment can be rented on the beach. Volleyball is popular when
the sun begins to go down. What better location could there be for a Thai massage than on
the beach? Readily available and excellent value for money, the
masseuses are set up in the shaded areas. Other types of massage
and reflexology are also available.
Beach Vendors
Throughout the day beach vendors walk up and down the beach selling
all manner of wares: silk, clothing, henna tattoos, costume jewellery,
fruit, ice creams, nuts, ornaments, musical instruments and games,
to name a few. Sometimes you'll see the oddest of items for sale
that will make you laugh out loud. A polite 'no thank you' is all that's required to ensure they pass
you by, however the ice cream sellers are usually most welcome.
Should you wish to look at something on offer you're not at all
obliged to make a purchase. When actually buying something you'll
need to use your bartering skills to get a good price, bartering
should always be conducted in a warm friendly manner with a smile
on your face (the smile is the most important part).
Hotels on the Beach
Because the road follows the beachfront, there are no other hotels
with direct beach access. However, the following hotels are just
across the street, from north to south:
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Lovely
isolation and large beach
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