Villas & homes for rent in Karon

Karon sits on Phuket's west coast, directly south of Patong and immediately north of Kata. Its beach runs for about three kilometres, and the hotels stand across the beach road rather than on the sand, so the shoreline stays open. Behind the road the land climbs into hills. It is a beach-resort strip, and it suits long-stay renters and rental owners who want the west coast at a calmer pitch than Patong.

The beach is wide, and long enough for a half-hour walk. The dry sand squeaks underfoot. Swimming is easy in the dry months. From roughly May to October the surf builds and rip currents are a real hazard; when the red flag is up, stay out of the water. The town centre is the Karon Circle roundabout, and Karon Temple sits inland on Patak Road, where a market trades on Tuesday and Friday evenings. The front is holiday-facing; a block back it is more everyday. Kata is five minutes south. Patong is about twenty minutes north by road, close enough for an evening out. Phuket Town is roughly half an hour east over the hills. Two caveats. There is no international school in Karon; the nearest campuses are in Kathu and Chalong. And the airport is about 45 kilometres away, an hour by road in clear traffic and longer when it is not. Karon suits beach-first households more than anyone facing a daily commute.