Karon is Phuket's second-largest beach after Patong, stretching about three kilometres along the Andaman Sea coast. It sits between Kata to the south and Patong to the north, and strikes a middle ground between the two — livelier than Kata, calmer than Patong.
The beach itself is broad and the sand is notably yellow and grainy, with a coarser texture than the fine white sand further north at Mai Khao. Development is spread out along the bay rather than packed tight, which means that even in high season you can find a quiet stretch. There is almost no natural shade, so bring strong sunscreen or hire a deckchair and umbrella. In the low season (roughly May to October) the surf gets rough and the undertow can be dangerous — flags are posted and should be taken seriously.
Karon Town, the strip of restaurants, bars, and shops running parallel to the beach, is functional rather than charming. Eating and drinking here is inexpensive by Thai resort standards — Red Onion on the beach road is a reliable local favourite for Thai food at fair prices.
Dominating the skyline above the bay is the Phuket Big Buddha, a 45-metre statue on top of the Nakkerd Hills with panoramic views across southern Phuket. Wat Chalong, the island's most important Buddhist temple, is about eight kilometres away and worth the trip.