Khanom is a small seaside resort on the mainland coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, opposite Koh Samui and about 20 minutes from the Donsak ferry terminal. The bay is lined with long, tranquil beaches, backed by verdant hills and small, mostly family-run resorts. Khanom is famous for its pink dolphins, which frequent the shoreline and can be spotted on morning boat trips from the local jetties.
It's more developed for tourism than it was a few years ago, with two 7-Eleven stores, new cafes, and some glamping options, but it's still more of a place for Thai weekenders and a few expats than a major tourist destination. A winding coastal road south of the town leads to Sichon, the nearest beach resort. Below you'll find information on dolphins, beaches, viewpoints, the road, the cave, how to get there, and accommodation.
Where to stay in Khanom
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Key facts
Opposite Koh Samui
On the mainland, it is 20 minutes from the Donsak ferry terminal and about 1.5 hours from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Dolphins early
The pink dolphin boats go out in the morning, ideally between 7:30 and 9:00 am.
Approximately 1,500 baht per boat
A 1.5-hour longboat trip for dolphin watching costs about 1,200 baht per person for a tour with pick-up.
You need wheels
Khanom is spread out. Rent a scooter or car to get around between the beaches, the town, and the viewpoints.
February to September
The dry season in the Gulf. From October to December it is the rainy season here.
Stay three nights
Enough time for the dolphins, the cave, the cliff road and a few relaxing days at the beach.
The pink dolphins
The pink dolphins of Khanom are Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, a coastal species that lives in shallow waters near estuaries and fishing grounds. They are not pink at birth. Calves are dark gray, and adults only develop their pink coloration due to the development of blood vessels close to their skin, which help them dissipate heat. They reach a length of 2–3.5 meters and are considered endangered. Here, they feed close to the shore between Laem Prathap, north of Khanom's beaches, and the Donsak ferry terminal. They are the town's symbol, and dolphin statues can be found throughout the district. Keep an eye out for the dolphins when taking the ferry from Donsak.
Boats depart early in the morning from small jetties north of the city when the sea is calm and the dolphins are feeding. The best chances are between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. A longtail boat trip costs around 1,500 baht for 1.5 hours. Some boatmen even offer a free return trip the next day if you don't see any dolphins. Group tours with hotel pick-up cost around 1,200 baht per person and include stops such as Pancake Rock (a rock formation made of layered stones), a swim on an island, or the Khao Wang Thong Cave in the afternoon. Dolphin sightings are frequent but not guaranteed.
Choose a boat captain or operator who keeps their distance and lets the dolphins come to the boat instead of chasing them, and avoid any trip that promises to feed them.
The beaches
Ao Khanom, the largest bay in the district, is a long sandy beach with several names. To the north stretches Kho Khao Beach with a few beach bars, then Khanom Beach and Na Dan Beach merge into the main beach, shaded by casuarina trees and dotted with small resorts and restaurants. South of a headland lies Nai Phlao, the largest and most popular beach – a curved stretch of sand below the hills, where most of the resorts are located and which offers views of Koh Samui. Beyond this, the beaches along the road to Sichon become smaller and less crowded.
The sea is usually calm, the sand fine, and on weekdays you often have the beach all to yourself. At low tide, Khanom beach recedes significantly, so swimming is best done at high tide. As along the entire coast, some trash washes ashore here, but it's much better than it used to be. In the north of the district, a wooden bridge crosses the mangroves in Ao Talet, and the coast around Kwaeng Pao beach is characterized by limestone hills and offers views of Samui and the Ang Thong Islands.
Viewpoints, the road to Sichon and the cave
On the hill above Nai Phlao is the Naern Thae Wada viewpoint, a landscaped park with terraces and steps overlooking the coast. It features a garden and a café (entrance fee: 30 baht, open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm). The road leading up is steep, and the Blue Terrace café is located on the same hill.
South of Nai Phlao, the coastal road to Sikhon winds through the Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, one of the most photographed routes in the south. A particularly recommended stop is the viewpoint with the elephant statue and a parking area. The cafes along the road also offer fantastic views. The road is steep and winding, with guardrails only in some sections. Therefore, drive slowly and stop frequently to take photos.
Inland lies Khao Wang Thong Cave, a large limestone cave that can be visited with a guide. Helmets and flashlights are required. The approximately one-hour climb through narrow passages leads to chambers filled with stalactites. Entry costs 200 baht (including the guide). The cave is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Samet Chun Waterfall, about 3 km inland from the beaches, cascades into a natural pool after a 20-minute walk. It is best visited in September and October when the water level is high. On Saturday afternoons from around 3:00 PM, the Bang Nod pedestrian zone transforms into Khanom's Market, where you can find street food, fruit, and local seafood.
Khanom on a map
The beaches stretch from the town of Khanom south to Nai Phlao, the dolphin piers are located in the north towards Donsak, and the cliff road leads south to Sichon.
After Khanom
Ferry prices and times to Donsak can be found in our Bangkok to Koh Samui travel guide. The speedboats from Samui to Donsak take approximately 45 minutes.
Check the boat connections from Koh Samui to Khanom.
12Go lists the Raja ferry to Donsak with a transfer to Khanom, including departure times and e-tickets. Prices include a booking fee.
Sponsored link – We may receive a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
From Koh Samui, Surat Thane and Nakhon
From Koh Samui, you can reach Donsak by car ferry: Raja from Lipa Noi or Seatran from Nathon. The crossing takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and runs approximately hourly for 170–220 baht. Alternatively, you can take a speedboat (about 45 minutes). Khanom is about a 20-minute drive south of Donsak. Ferry and minivan tickets to Khanom are available from 12Go. Khanom is an ideal destination to visit before or after a stay in Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao.
From Bangkok, you can fly to Nakhon Si Thammarat or Surat Thani in about an hour. Alternatively, you can take the train or bus. From there, it's about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive. Since there's limited public transport in Khanom itself, it's recommended to book a private van or taxi online or through your resort. Once there, you should rent a scooter or car, as the beaches, town, dolphin watching sites, and viewpoints stretch for several kilometers. Having your own vehicle also makes it easy to use the coastal road to stay overnight in Sichon.
Accommodations and Sichon
Most accommodations are small and scattered along the beaches – from simple bungalows to a few resorts with pools. Compared to Samui on the other side of the water, they offer good value for money. For proximity to restaurants and cafes, stay at Khanom Beach or Na Dan, while the larger resorts and quietest evenings are particularly recommended at Nai Phlao Beach. The area only gets really crowded on Thai holiday weekends.
Sichon, the next town south along the coastal road, is even smaller and quieter. It offers a peaceful, rocky beach, as well as Hin Ngam Beach, a few resorts and cafes, and is frequented mainly by Thai visitors. A trip there is worthwhile for lunch or an overnight stay if Khanom is too crowded.
Khanom or Koh Samui
Koh Samui offers an airport, famous beaches, large resorts, nightlife, and everything else you'd expect. Khanom, on the other hand, boasts the same sea and views, less crowded beaches, dolphins, more affordable prices, and a more relaxed nightlife. Samui is ideal for a hassle-free holiday with all the comforts, while Khanom is the perfect choice for a peaceful stay on the mainland. Since the two islands are only accessible by ferry, a few nights in Khanom can easily be combined with a trip to Samui.
When should you go?
Khanom is located in the Gulf of Thailand, so its weather is more similar to that of Koh Samui than Phuket. The peak season for dolphin watching tours runs from February to September. During this time, the seas are calm, ideal for excursions on dolphin-watching boats. February is the driest month with approximately 64 mm of rainfall, as measured by the weather station on Koh Samui, across the water. From June to September, the weather is generally pleasant, while the Andaman coast experiences monsoon season.
The rainy season here lasts from October to December, with November being the wettest month, bringing around 445 mm of rainfall to Samui. During this time, the sea is rough and boats are not always able to sail. Some waterfalls and islands in the national park are also closed from November 20th to December 31st. January is generally a pleasant month as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Khanom travel guide.
On the mainland coast of the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand, opposite Koh Samui and about 20 minutes from the Donsak ferry pier.
Take a longtail boat from the docks north of town early in the morning, ideally between 7:30 and 9:00 AM. A private boat costs around 1,500 baht for 1.5 hours, and guided tours with pickup cost around 1,200 baht per person. Wildlife sightings are common but not guaranteed.
These are Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, which are born dark grey and turn pink in adulthood because blood vessels running close to the skin help them to release heat.
Take the ferry from Raja or Seatran to Donsak (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes, 170–220 Baht) and from there a car or minivan (approx. 20 minutes). Tickets for the ferry and minivan directly to Khanom are available from 12Go.
Yes, for a few quiet days. There are long, deserted beaches, pink dolphins, a beautiful coastal road, and affordable resorts easily accessible from Samui. It's not suitable for nightlife or holidays in large resorts.
This is very helpful. The beaches, the town, the piers, and viewpoints are far apart, and the public transport network is not very developed. Most resorts rent scooters or arrange a car.
Nai Phlao is the largest and most popular beach, where most of the resorts are located. Khanom Beach and Na Dan are closer to the town's restaurants and cafes.
From February to September, the Gulf experiences its dry season with calm seas, ideal for dolphin watching tours. Avoid the months of October to December, the rainy season with the heaviest rainfall in November.
Where to stay overnight on Khanom
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I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.
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