Have you ever heard the phrase “singing sand”? If so, you might already suspect that we’re talking about a special spot on Phuket Island – Karon Beach. In this article, we’ll explore why its sand “sings,” discuss its dangers, and much more.
General Information
Beach information
Length (m): 3500
Cover Type: Sand
Water Temp (°C): 28
Cleanliness (1-10): 7
Crowdedness (1-10): 8
Infrastructure: Full infrastructure
Best Season: Nov–Apr
Waves Level: Moderate
Lifeguards Available? yes
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Phuket Island has a beach called Karon (Karon Beach Phuket), majestically positioned between the popular, noisy Patong and the calmer Kata. Calling Karon “majestic” may be an understatement. Its shoreline stretches for five kilometers, and its width varies from about 50 to 70 meters.
Below is a map of the beach and its popular attractions.
Tourists have created a certain hierarchy and divided the beach into two sections: Small Karon (also known as Karon Noi) is located on the northern part of the coast if you face the sea. It’s hidden from view, which has both advantages and disadvantages.
Karon Noi
Karon Beach is notorious for its numerous undertows (rip currents), which are powerful water currents that can pull swimmers away from the shore. This potentially lethal phenomenon makes escaping difficult, often with tragic outcomes. The current can easily carry a tourist out into the open ocean.
Sometimes rip currents are visible from the shore
Such rip currents are present in large numbers on Karon. Hence, staying in a closed section of the beach can have unpleasant consequences for vacationers. On the other hand, this seclusion attracts fewer tourists, so fewer people make it there.
Returning to the subject of undercurrents at Karon Beach Phuket, it’s worth noting that they pop up suddenly in various places. Where lifeguards have recognized a rip current, red flags are posted to warn swimmers that it’s dangerous. Accordingly, in the summer season (when there are waves and fewer tourists), you’ll see more of these flags.
And yet, despite the sad annual statistics, crowds of tourists persistently come here. In our view, it’s better to pick another place to vacation, but they still come.
Even with the huge flow of travelers, the beach doesn’t feel overcrowded (if you’ve ever been to Black Sea resorts at the height of the season, you’ll know what we mean). It’s quite spacious and less noisy than Patong, but not as quiet as Kata Beach.
The fine, rock-free sand on Karon produces a distinctive creaking sound underfoot – a phenomenon that has earned it the nickname “singing sand.” This phenomenon can also be found elsewhere in Thailand (for instance, the sand “sings” on Bang Tao, though not as loudly, but it tries!).
The sand appears white – though on overcast days it takes on a yellowish hue, becoming almost brilliantly snow-white in the sunlight. In peak season, nearly daily sunshine keeps the sea clear despite the heavy sand, whereas during the rainy or off-season, murkier water and rolling waves prevail (by the way, in that kind of weather, lifeguards are especially vigilant about keeping people from entering the water to avoid accidents—remember rip currents?).
In general, many travel agencies rate Karon among “the best beaches in Phuket,” which is debatable given the points above. It’s good, yes, but not necessarily the best. Thailand has other, more attractive spots.
We recommend checking out our overview article on Phuket’s beaches.
Entering the Water
Karon Beach deepens much more rapidly than Patong, so swimmers find themselves in deep water sooner – a factor to keep in mind, especially for inexperienced swimmers. The bottom is sandy and free of rocks, but there’s plenty of marine life that will try to get close—or even give a tiny (painless but unpleasant) nip.
The first downside is the presence of natural debris. Here and there you’ll see leaves or seaweed (not a ton, but you might encounter them).
The second downside—jellyfish. From May through June, there seem to be none, but in December, for about a week, these marine creatures were a nuisance. There were no reports of attacks on humans, but they floated around among the usual debris, which can be unsettling.
You can sunbathe and enjoy a lazy beach vacation on Karon without trouble because the shoreline itself is clean, with no trash or food waste. There are plenty of garbage bins before you reach the sand.
As for waves, the sea here isn’t always calm (it might be more correct to say it’s rarely calm). Even when it looks like there’s no wind, a wave will appear—this is just how the seabed is shaped. Water washes onto the shore every five to seven minutes, after which there’s a brief lull. So if you’re traveling with kids, it might be better to choose a calmer cove or keep a close eye on your child, because their swimming could become stressful for parents.
The photos below illustrate that Karon Beach on Phuket might be better suited for travelers without kids.
Beach Equipment
Recently, conventional loungers – as commonly known among European tourists – have been banned on many of the island’s beaches. Resourceful Thai vendors now offer makeshift sand beds complete with a mattress, typically for around 100 THB plus an extra 100 THB for an umbrella.
Many vacationers still use the old tried-and-true method—spreading a large towel on the sand. It’s convenient and practical, except that sand can get everywhere.
As you know, it gets quite hot on the shore (air temperatures often reach 37–38°C), and the average tourist can’t spend more than two hours in direct sun without risking heatstroke. Luckily, there’s a small shaded area set back from the beach. An interesting fact: there’s more greenery on the southern and northern sides, whereas the center has sparse vegetation that offers little relief from the sun.
Under the trees, the grass grows densely, and small Thai ants were spotted there. They might not bite, but they can ruin your comfort. One solution is to move onto the sand close to the trees, but you’ll need to arrive early in the morning to grab that spot.
Infrastructure
Karon is a well-developed resort town, which brings certain consequences (on the north side of the beach, there’s a pipe discharging directly into the sea; you can also find two small streams around the beach’s perimeter, which don’t smell great).
On many Phuket beaches, the sewage issue is similar. You can either accept it and look for a spot away from these streams or choose a less developed area.
When it comes to entertainment, shopping, and dining, Karon offers an abundance of options. Karon has plenty of places to go— you can walk from the beach to any kind of establishment (store, market, bar, restaurant, café, etc.). Most of the businesses and shops line two streets, one of which is the beach road. On the beach side is a narrow sidewalk, and on the opposite side are numerous hotels (the first line), bars, massage parlors— basically everything you might want. In the evening, the beach gradually empties out, and visitors head somewhere they can eat well, drink, and have fun. Fortunately, there are plenty of nightlife venues in Karon. According to some reviews, you don’t even need to go to Patong; while Karon’s nightlife isn’t as intense, it’s good enough for a fun time.
At night, your options narrow to cafés and bars, but what if you tire of sunbathing during the day? You can spend your money nearby at the local market—Karon Plaza. This market is not far from the beach, offering souvenirs, beach gear, clothes, cosmetics, and more. Just don’t get carried away and spend your entire vacation fund! Prices are certainly affordable compared to other countries, but the huge selection might affect your wallet—practice self-control.
Karon Plaza
As for meals, you can grab lunch at the market itself or at any roadside café. The cuisine is diverse (European, Chinese, Russian, and of course Thai). Keep in mind that dishes are usually adapted to Western tastes, so if you want genuinely spicy Thai food, just tell the waiter, “Spicy, please.” But brace yourself for the shock to your palate. Prices here differ from Pattaya’s (Karon is more expensive), but don’t be shy about bargaining; Thais are open to discounts.
If you don’t feel like sitting down at a table and prefer quick bites, the street food cart is your best friend. This is a quick and inexpensive type of street food. They mainly sell grilled skewers, fruit slices, and other simple fare. You can buy a few skewers with a simple side dish for 20–30 THB each and eat in your hotel room or just stroll around with a refreshing coconut juice or Thai coconut milk ice cream (cheap and delicious).
In terms of larger stores, you might check out Family Mart, Bamboo Mart, or 7/11.
We don’t recommend handing your body over to street masseurs who offer services right on the beach.
If you get bored lying around at the beach, there are local tour agencies nearby where you can book trips to local attractions. The farther and more exclusive the attraction, the higher the price. Don’t forget to bargain—this is Asia, after all.
You can also explore on your own, although without a guide it won’t be as informative. Still, you can see a few landmarks (for example, the Carousel Monument on the traffic circle). Also near the beach is the Big Buddha statue, which is worth visiting at least once.
Karon itself doesn’t have a viewpoint, but near Kata Beach you’ll find a lookout area called Karon Viewpoint. You get a great panorama of the coastal zone, and it’s especially nice in the evening to watch the sun dip behind the horizon, plunging Phuket into darkness…
There are also activities available right on the beach. If you’re among those who prefer an active vacation, the options depend on the time of year. For example, early May, June, July, August, September, and a bit of October are the season of big waves on Karon, so they offer surfboard rentals (they’re available year-round, but when waves are small, it’s less useful). From November through March (sometimes until mid-April), it’s peak season here, so there are more activities (jet ski rentals, banana boat rides, parasailing, and much more).
If you prefer a calmer holiday, you can play mini-golf in Dino Park or simply relax in the sun.
By the way, you’ll hear English spoken here more often than in the island’s remote areas, so if you’re seeking solitude, consider elsewhere.
Accommodation
Finding housing is no problem. There are options for every budget and comfort level. “Cheap” doesn’t mean “bad,” which is especially true on Karon. You can find great options further inland for 300–400 THB a night, with clean linens and everything you need in the room. If you want to know the cost of a specific hotel, you can check via the search form (we use it regularly).
Outside view of one of the hotels
The closer to the shore, the pricier the hotels and apartments. Right on the first line, you’ll find the most upscale and expensive resorts. The more stars, the higher the price. The further from the beach, the cheaper it gets.
The housing market is so saturated that even during peak season (including New Year’s), you can still find a room.
The most interesting options include:
- Marina Phuket Resort Karon Beach
- Princess Resort
- Baan Karon Buri Resort
Remember that it’s best to book in advance; there might be rooms available at the last minute, but not necessarily the kind you envisioned before boarding the plane.
Transportation
Describing transportation on Phuket is tricky because there are so many options: some prefer taxis, others prefer songthaews (small trucks with a passenger section in back).
Currently, in any month, vehicle owners in Karon set high prices and aren’t eager to bargain. So the best choice for tourists is usually to rent your own wheels.
If you don’t want to deal with a motorbike, here are approximate prices:
- Taxi from the beach to Phuket Town: 1,000–1,500 THB
- Tuk-tuk: 200 THB
- Songthaew: 40 THB
We’ll post a detailed price analysis a bit later.
So, while Karon is a popular place, it can be fairly dangerous if you don’t follow basic swimming safety rules. The scenery here is quite picturesque, and you should consider visiting at least once.
