Mai Khao is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a little bit of peace and quiet and isolation. It is possible to find a nice quiet spot on the beach and spend all day there without seeing anyone.

Because if its isolation and lack of tourists, facilities are sparse. Restaurants are found along the beach road and mainly serve up Thai cuisine. JW Marriott is the place to head for western meals, although the food is, as you might expect, much more expensive than at the local establishments. Most visitors bring their own food and mats on which to sit and enjoy their lunch. This way, you do not need to disturb your relaxation time by relocating to the main road.

There is a campground which also has bungalows towards the central part of the beach for those on a tighter budget. However, the camp site is very small and the bungalows are very basic.

Activites include hiking and swimming, although swimming can be dangerous during May to November because of the undercurrents. Hiking can be enjoyed in the national park and there are many trails to follow which will take you through some picturesque scenery. Fishing is also a popular past time and because of the lack of crowds, it is possible to catch some very impressive-sized fish.

The endangered giant leatherback turtles lay their eggs on Mai Khao and every April, the young are released into the sea during Songkran (Thai New Year). If you are visiting during this time, it is well worth seeing and a sight you will almost certainly never see again.