Quintessential Thai sands in Karon
If it's a quintessentially Andaman hit of white-sand beachfront and lapping turquoise water you're after from your next holiday, Karon vacation rentals can oblige. They offer a pad that shoulders above the much-vaunted western shores of Phuket, where lanky coconut palms dip down to a truly photogenic bay. Scuba excursions and PADI courses, sailing trips and Thai spas, are all on the menu for when you're away from the beach. Or, you can just laze next to a private pool and sunbathe the days away.
Karst peaks and Buddhas in Karon
If you've bagged yourself Karon vacation rentals in the hills around Karon Beach itself, it's likely you'll be able to see the outline of the Big Buddha statue, above. You can wiggle on the main roadway all the way up to see it gazing out across Andaman Bay, in the distance. Talking of Andaman Bay, that area is home to the iconic Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. A 1-hour boat ride can take you there, to delve into the soaring karst coves of Phi Phi Leh and spend days exploring the brochure-worthy beaches of Phi Phi Don.
Snorkels and scuba in Karon
Like the whole island of Phuket, Karon is hailed as one of Southeast Asia's top scuba diving destinations. Uber-clear water and swathes of resplendent coral reefs that teem with rays and turtles and parrotfish are all in the offing for folk who don the tanks. You can even opt for multi-day live-aboard diving trips to ensure you're first to the sites in the morning. Alternatively, you can just bring along the snorkel and swim between the coves and cliffs of Karon itself – who knows what's waiting there?
Rains come and go in Karon
Karon sits on the western edge of Phuket Island, on the side of the Andaman Sea. It's part of a region of Thailand that sees 2 distinct seasons – rainy and dry. You'll want to plan your travels for the latter, especially if you're seeking out Karon vacation rentals on the beach. It runs from November to March each year, making it perfect for folk looking to bag a little winter sun. You can expect average daily temperatures in the 80s and cloudless skies for much of the time.
Karon – where jungle meets the sea
The softly rising hills and cascading jungles that hem in Karon Bay from the east are a break from the rugged karst peaks that line many of the other beaches in the Andaman region. They roll down to hit the sands of Karon Beach – itself, over 3 kilometers long – sprouting little pockets of coconut palms and sea pineapples as they go. Out at sea is a whole other wonderland of natural gems. Surrounding Phuket are clusters of coral reefs and rocky beds, home to whale sharks and turtles, giant manta rays and moray eels – it's a diving Mecca.
Transportation options to and around Karon
Fly into Phuket Intl. Airport (HKT), the closest airport, located 19.2 mi (30.9 km) from the city center.
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