I have shifted locations on the island and am now discovering and exploring a few more tropical beach destinations. One of the reasons I chose this beach was its size. Here are my thoughts on big beautiful Karon Beach in Phuket Thailand.
Location
South of the infamous Patong Beach, you will find this glorious long, tan sand and clear water beach. The area has quite a developed town and is right next to another amazing beach called Kata.
Walk-ability
At over 3km long, Karon is a superb beach for that brisk early morning walk or late afternoon lazy stroll. Because of its length, there is so much room for everyone to spread out, never really feeling crowded even though it is host to thousands of people a day.
The sand near the waters edge is compact and hard, a perfect surface for barefoot or shoes should you prefer a good run.
South End
Quite a popular spot with a nice little curve of calmer waters and fewer people. There are no huge hotels down this end, so it feels less crowded, but I can tell it is a preferred spot for day beach goers. Ones who come down in the morning with all their gear, and plant for the day. โบ๏ธ
North End
Like Kamala Beach, there is quite a rocky area up here, large boulders in fact. A clear stream is continually running over the flat sand. This area is home to lots of crabs and I can spot snorkelers out in the water, surveying the depths around the underwater rocks.
There is a large hotel back in the bushes, however this stretch of sand is absolutely gorgeous and perhaps the least crowded.
The fishermen and their boats are down at this end too. The beach area they occupy has many bits of coral and shells right at the waters edge.
Middle
The beautiful thing with Karon Beach in Phuket is there are no developments right on the beach itself! The entire 3km is pure unadulterated beach front. Between the beach and the town is a road, a footpath and a canal.
There are multiple outfits to rent chairs and umbrellas from in this section and it is busy! Most of the folks are gathering in this middle section for their beach visit. And most of these visitors are Russian. Just like Kamala, Karon and Kata beach are absolutely chock full of Russian visitors and expats.
I walk this expanse in the mornings, and make a game of carefully keeping track of the languages I hear as I pass people. Typically, its one single English speaker and the rest Russian. ๐ Out of probably 40 people I pass close enough to hear them speaking. Most of the folks are families and older couples.
There are very few amenities right on Karon Beach. A few massage booths and perhaps a cooler or two to purchase a bottle of water. If you are looking for food, and donโt want to purchase what the vendors walking the beach are selling, you will need to hop across the road to a restaurant, street food cart or 711.
Water
Absolutely lovely! Clear, clean and warm, not refreshing in this heat at all. ๐ The entrance into the sea is gradual with no drop offs. At times of the year, the red flags will be out in force as there can be some wicked rip tides here.
I really like this beach. For me, as an early morning walker, its great. I can get a long walk in, 45 minutes in each direction, on a firm surface with the wind keeping me cool and the sea calming my brain. ๐ By 8:00am there are people in the water and the beach is filling up. By mid day, its way to crowded for me.
