- Two TreasureBeaches
- Quiet beaches surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and warm, turquoise waters
- A great excursion is a visit to Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park
- Easily reached from Surat Thani railway station or Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport
- Favorite stays:
Aava Resort ***
Cozy Khanom ***
Hallo Villa **
Margarita Beach **
Rabiang Sai Resort **
Baan Man Lay *
Hat Nadan
Hidden Bay
PLACE
Khanom is a beautiful, sleepy town not far from Surat Thani. If you want to avoid the crowds of Ko Samui and Ko Phangan but still appreciate good facilities, Khanom is a great alternative. The area has long, quiet beaches, warm turquoise water and a beautiful backdrop of jungle-covered hills and mountains.
The countryside around Khanom is just as attractive, with rubber and fruit plantations and golden rice fields. The small town itself has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere and still feels very local. Sea turtles also come ashore to lay their eggs, particularly around October and January.
WHAT TO DO
There are plenty of interesting day trips around Khanom. One of our favorite things to do is simply rent a scooter and explore the area at your own pace. You will pass beautiful countryside, plantations, waterfalls and small secluded bays. And definitely make time to visit one of the local markets.
Another interesting excursion is Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, with caves, waterfalls, mangrove forests and the islands of the Thale Tai Archipelago. The surrounding waters offer colorful coral reefs and opportunities for snorkeling.
One of Khanom’s best-known excursions is a boat trip to look for the famous pink dolphins. They can often be spotted in the waters around Khanom, although, of course, sightings are never guaranteed. Even if the dolphins decide not to show themselves, the boat trip itself is a great way to explore this beautiful coastline.
Khao Wang Thong Cave is another place worth visiting. After climbing the stairs, you can enjoy views across the surrounding mountains, fields and jungle, and there is a good chance you will encounter monkeys along the way. The entrance to the cave is close to the viewpoint. Inside, you can explore an impressive limestone cave system with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. And be prepared to meet a few bats along the way.
There are two main beaches near Khanom, together with several smaller bays. Our favorite is the long and peaceful Hat Nadan. Naiplau is also a beautiful bay, but the main road runs a little too close to the beach for our taste, especially if you are looking for a peaceful night’s sleep. For this reason, we have not included Naiplau in our database.
TRANSPORT
Surat Thani is one of the main transport hubs in southern Thailand and can be reached by plane, train or bus. From Surat Thani, the journey to Khanom takes around 1 hour by minibus and costs about 100 baht per person. Buses and minibuses to Khanom leave from the main bus station in Surat Thani.
Khanom is about 25 kilometers from Donsak Pier. A taxi between the pier and Khanom costs approximately 200–300 baht. Khanom also has minibus connections with Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Once you arrive, renting a scooter is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to explore Khanom and its beaches. Scooters are available in town and at many stays. Alternatively, you can use a scooter taxi for shorter trips.
