Bang Sak Beach

Bang Sak Beach runs for several kilometres along the Andaman coast in Phang Nga, about 13-15km north of central Khao Lak — a 20-25 minute drive. It’s quieter than the main Khao Lak strip, with a handful of upscale resorts (Le Meridien Khao Lak among them) set back from a long, mostly open stretch of sand.

The water is calm and shallow with a sandy seabed, better suited to swimming and long walks than snorkelling — there’s no fringing reef directly offshore. Casuarina trees line the back of the beach for shade. Early mornings bring local fishermen working longtail boats just offshore. Sea turtles are known to nest along this part of the coast, most often between November and February, though sightings aren’t guaranteed.

This stretch of coast, together with neighbouring Bang Niang and Nam Khem, was among the areas hit hardest by the 26 December 2004 tsunami. The region has since rebuilt as a resort area, and several memorial sites sit a short drive inland — the Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park and the beached Police Boat 813 among them — for anyone who wants the context alongside the beach itself.

Insider Tip: Trips to the Similan Islands depart from Thap Lamu Pier, not from Bang Sak itself — most operators include hotel pickup, so book through your resort or a Khao Lak-based operator rather than trying to arrange transport to the pier yourself.

Watch out: The Similan Islands close to all visitors from May to October for monsoon and reef recovery — don’t plan a trip there outside November-May.

Visit during the dry season, November to April, for the calmest seas and clearest weather. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and plenty of water — shade is limited outside the treeline. Several resorts sit directly on the sand if you’d rather stay here than commute up from central Khao Lak.