Short Thailand beach trip- March/April
Jan 6th, 2016, 08:19 AM
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Short Thailand beach trip- March/April
Just posted another topic about Bangkok/day trips, but curious about quick trips from Bangkok to a beach locale.
I'll be travelling with my mom (25 and 63)- we're not partiers but we do enjoy good food (not spicy at all for her!), nice hotels and calm-water beaches.
We'll have a week to play with- she's open to spending 2 or 3 nights on the beach.
After reading through the entire beach section of my Fodor's book the last few days, I know most people head to the beaches for the diving- not us! We may snorkel if there's a place with not-to-deep water, but not a must. Half-day trips- snorkeling, seeing karsts, villages- are more up our alley than long, full days.
Phuket seems to be convenient, but over crowded, so would like to cross that off the list.
A clean, safe resort with breakfast is right up her alley. Thanks!
I'll be travelling with my mom (25 and 63)- we're not partiers but we do enjoy good food (not spicy at all for her!), nice hotels and calm-water beaches.
We'll have a week to play with- she's open to spending 2 or 3 nights on the beach.
After reading through the entire beach section of my Fodor's book the last few days, I know most people head to the beaches for the diving- not us! We may snorkel if there's a place with not-to-deep water, but not a must. Half-day trips- snorkeling, seeing karsts, villages- are more up our alley than long, full days.
Phuket seems to be convenient, but over crowded, so would like to cross that off the list.
A clean, safe resort with breakfast is right up her alley. Thanks!
Jan 6th, 2016, 09:20 AM
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The Phuket area is huge - some beaches on Phuket are crowded, some are not. If you want karsts, you'll want Krabi, Koh Lak, etc, all easily accessed from Phuket.
If you want something closely Bangkok, you might want to consider Hua Hin. The area by the Hyatt and the area by the Intercontintal are nice beaches - but no karsts. One of the advantages of Hua Hin is that it's a 2.5 hour drive from Bangkok, so a quick and easy trip.
If you want something closely Bangkok, you might want to consider Hua Hin. The area by the Hyatt and the area by the Intercontintal are nice beaches - but no karsts. One of the advantages of Hua Hin is that it's a 2.5 hour drive from Bangkok, so a quick and easy trip.
Jan 6th, 2016, 01:32 PM
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You will want accounts form other travelers, as these things change - except that Patong on Phuket is always jammed - and sleazy. Take a look at www.travelfish.org as there often have good info on beaches.
Jan 6th, 2016, 03:09 PM
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March/April is the 'hot dry' season but not the'high' season...more of a shoulder season so the main beaches on Phuket will be moderately crowded.
The smaller beaches up north of Phuket like Nai Yang and Mai Khao will be less crowded. Khao Lak - similar.
I'd avoid Patong, Karon, Kata at least.
The smaller beaches up north of Phuket like Nai Yang and Mai Khao will be less crowded. Khao Lak - similar.
I'd avoid Patong, Karon, Kata at least.
Jan 7th, 2016, 12:53 AM
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Nai Yang is a fairly small place, and less than 5 minutes by road from Phuket Airport. Ideal really. Aircraft noise isn't a problem, and it's quite enjoyable being on the beach watching the flight approaching from the sea at low-level...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSU1EKEyN-U
Top hotels [not stayed in either] are The Dewa, and Indigo Pearl, both just across a quiet road from the beach.
Other hotels [which we did stay at for a week each] are Nai Yang Beach Resort & Spa, and Nai Yang Beach Hotel. The former is next to the Indigo Pearl, and the latter is a 5 minute walk from the beach.
The beach at Nai Yang is very pleasant, good for swimming and general bathing.
Khao Lak on the other hand covers a whole 25 kms or so, and is 60-90 minutes drive north of Phuket Airport. Taxi 1,200-1,800 baht. Two main populated areas, Bang La On and Bang Niang. Several hotel front the beach. Lots of other hotels are stretched along the beach, but require transport to reach the townships. We had two weeks, with a week in both townships. The Cousin Resort in Bang Niang [beach 5 minutes walk] was quite good [swimming pool] and @ about 1,200 baht a night. But there's plenty of choice. Excellent night market in Bang Niang 3 nights a week, lots of places to eat and drink. There's lots of evidence of the Tsunami that hit the area a few years ago.
The quality of the beach really depends on where along the 25 km coastline you decide to stay. We found much of it not really good for swimming, although you can't really knock the locations, other than they are quite touristy without being overcrowded, and general prices are quite a bit higher than 'proper' Thai places [which suit us].
Where's best, Nai Yang or Khao Lak? We preferred Nai Yang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSU1EKEyN-U
Top hotels [not stayed in either] are The Dewa, and Indigo Pearl, both just across a quiet road from the beach.
Other hotels [which we did stay at for a week each] are Nai Yang Beach Resort & Spa, and Nai Yang Beach Hotel. The former is next to the Indigo Pearl, and the latter is a 5 minute walk from the beach.
The beach at Nai Yang is very pleasant, good for swimming and general bathing.
Khao Lak on the other hand covers a whole 25 kms or so, and is 60-90 minutes drive north of Phuket Airport. Taxi 1,200-1,800 baht. Two main populated areas, Bang La On and Bang Niang. Several hotel front the beach. Lots of other hotels are stretched along the beach, but require transport to reach the townships. We had two weeks, with a week in both townships. The Cousin Resort in Bang Niang [beach 5 minutes walk] was quite good [swimming pool] and @ about 1,200 baht a night. But there's plenty of choice. Excellent night market in Bang Niang 3 nights a week, lots of places to eat and drink. There's lots of evidence of the Tsunami that hit the area a few years ago.
The quality of the beach really depends on where along the 25 km coastline you decide to stay. We found much of it not really good for swimming, although you can't really knock the locations, other than they are quite touristy without being overcrowded, and general prices are quite a bit higher than 'proper' Thai places [which suit us].
Where's best, Nai Yang or Khao Lak? We preferred Nai Yang.
Jan 7th, 2016, 02:06 AM
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@LancasterLad - have stayed at the Dewa in Nai yang. The hotel is very clean and you have a choice of hotel rooms or private villa with own pool. Have stayed in the villa - room is quite small, with outside shower.
On Thursdays there used to be a local market just up near the temple (5 mins walk from the Dewa). Makes for a good 30-45mins diversion. The temple itself has a nice garden you can walk in.
Have not stayed at the Indigo Pearl but have walked through the hotel grounds as there is a pathway from Nai Yang beach that leads into the back of the Indigo Pearl. Looks like a nice resort, at least externally.
Have also stayed at Khao Lak at Baan Khao Lak. Nice resort and a good stretch of private beach where you can also walk along (takes you along the public beach area as well).
I am split between Nai Yang and Khao Lak. Liked them both equally.
On Thursdays there used to be a local market just up near the temple (5 mins walk from the Dewa). Makes for a good 30-45mins diversion. The temple itself has a nice garden you can walk in.
Have not stayed at the Indigo Pearl but have walked through the hotel grounds as there is a pathway from Nai Yang beach that leads into the back of the Indigo Pearl. Looks like a nice resort, at least externally.
Have also stayed at Khao Lak at Baan Khao Lak. Nice resort and a good stretch of private beach where you can also walk along (takes you along the public beach area as well).
I am split between Nai Yang and Khao Lak. Liked them both equally.
