Rougher from May to October
Like the rest of the west coast, the cove can get rough in the monsoon; stay out on wavy days and follow the resort staff's advice.
Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
Patong · west coast
A small cove of soft white sand and shallow turquoise water between Patong and Karon. The land belongs to Le Meridien; outside visitors come for lunch or a sunset drink.
Also written Relax Bay, Relax Beach, Hat Karon Noi, Haad Karon Noi, Le Meridien Beach · อ่าวรีแล็กซ์ (หาดกะรนน้อย) · Релакс-бэй (Карон Ной)
Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay) in photographs
Sunbeds and umbrellas on the sand. The resort's beach bar. The bay and the headland from the hillside.
- Sand
- Soft white sand under tall coconut trees
- Water entry
- Shallow, clear water with no rocks
- Quiet
- Kept quiet by the resort
- Sunset
- Sunset bar on the sand
- Access
- Non-guests via the resort's restaurants
About Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
Karon Noi, also called Relax Bay, is a small cove between Patong and Karon, at the foot of a green hill. It has soft white sand, shallow, clear turquoise water with no rocks, and a line of tall coconut trees along the back.
The land around the cove belongs to Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, one of the island's first large hotels. Beaches in Thailand are public by law, but owning the land lets the resort restrict access, so the beach stays quiet and well kept, with loungers, umbrellas, showers and water sports for guests.
Outside visitors can still enjoy it: book lunch at one of the resort's restaurants and you are free to walk the beach, or come for Relax Beach Bar on the sand in the evening, with sunset cocktails and DJ nights and fire shows at weekends.
Things to do at Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
The bay from above, the beach curving north. The beach and the resort from above. Sand, rocks and clear water.
Swimming · dry season
Swim in shallow, clear water
The water is shallow, clear and free of rocks, one of the easiest swims on the west coast.
Water sports · dry season
Kayaks, catamarans and jet skis
The resort runs water sports from the beach, including kayaks, catamarans and jet skis.
Surfing · monsoon months
Surf lessons
The resort offers surf lessons on the beach when there are waves.
Snorkelling and diving · dry season
Snorkelling trips
Snorkelling from the beach and snorkel trips can be arranged through the resort.
Nightlife
Relax Beach Bar
Sunset cocktails on the sand from 17:00 to 22:30, with DJ nights and fire shows Friday to Sunday; open to outside guests.
Food and drink
Lunch and a beach walk
Book lunch at the resort to get onto the beach; prices are above local restaurants, but you get the cove.
Food and drink · dry season
Beach barbecue
The resort holds barbecue nights with grilled meat and seafood on the sand.
A day at Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
For resort guests, the shallow, rock-free water is at its calmest in the dry-season morning.
Borrow a kayak or snorkelling gear from the resort's water-sports team.
Non-guests can book lunch at one of the resort's restaurants, such as the Italian Portofino, and then walk the beach. Portofino
Cocktails on the sand with soft music, and the best photos of the cove in the evening light. Relax Beach Bar
From Friday to Sunday, Relax Beach Bar has DJ nights and fire performances until 22:30. Relax Beach Bar
Our Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay) score
4.5out of 5
Resort guests, and anyone booking lunch or a sunset drink at Relax Beach Bar.
A small cove of soft white sand with shallow, clear turquoise water, no rocks and a line of tall coconut trees, kept quiet and clean by the resort around it. The limit is access: the land belongs to Le Meridien, so non-guests reach the sand only by eating or drinking at the resort.
The character of the beach
A profile, not a mark: where Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay) sits on four scales, and what it is known for.
- Lively
- For children
- Surf
- Snorkelling
No lifeguards · Soft white sand under tall coconut trees
What is good about Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
Shallow and rock-free
The water is shallow, clear and turquoise, with no rocks to step on, which makes for easy swimming.
Quiet and well kept
Because the resort controls the land, the cove never gets the crowds of Patong or Karon.
Relax Beach Bar
The resort's bar on the sand opens at 17:00 for sunset cocktails, with DJ nights and fire shows from Friday to Sunday; outside guests are welcome.
Water sports for guests
Kayaks, catamarans, snorkelling and surf lessons are offered on the beach.
Easy with children
Shallow water, soft sand and the resort's kids' club make it simple for families staying at the resort.
Before you swim at Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
No lifeguards reported
No source mentions lifeguards. Keep children within reach, even in shallow water.
Water-sports craft
Jet skis, catamarans and kayaks operate from the beach; swim away from their launching area.
Midday sun
Shade is under the coconut trees and resort umbrellas; bring sunscreen and water.
Beach clubs, bars and restaurants on Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
1 place open on the sand in September 2026, walked south to north, then the road behind the beach and a few minutes inland. A price level is what one visit typically costs a person.
A few minutes inland
Relax Beach Bar
Bar · on the sand · 17:00–22:30 daily
Le Meridien Phuket's bar on Karon Noi's sand: sunset cocktails with soft music, dinner, and DJ nights and fire performances from Friday to Sunday. Outside guests welcome.
Portofino
Restaurant · the road behind · 18:00–22:30 on Wednesday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
The Italian restaurant of Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, open for dinner.
Pakarang Restaurant
Restaurant · the road behind · 07:00–10:30 and 17:30–22:30 on Wednesday (Google Maps shows one day; the other days to check)
The family-friendly international restaurant of Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, open for breakfast and dinner, with sunset views.
What it costs to live near Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
6 months or more
Apartments
฿43,500/ month
median of 3 · from ฿42,500
Villas
฿153,000/ month
median of 1 · from ฿153,000
Townhouses
฿96,500/ month
median of 2 · from ฿55,000
- The zone
- The waterline
- Chosen step: The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes for rent near Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
6 months or more
- homes for rent nearby
- 11
- within a 13-minute walk of the sand
- 4
- the nearest home to the sand
- 110 m
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort is the only hotel on the cove, with 470 rooms and suites. Other homes and hotels are in Karon, a short drive south, and Patong to the north.
Homes by type
Rent a month
6 homes in the beach zone
- Rooftop pool
2‑bedroom apartment in Karon Noi, Moon Terrace
฿48,500/ month
110 m to the sand · 1 min on foot
3‑bedroom townhouse in Karon Noi, Coral Heights
฿96,500/ month
460 m to the sand · 6 min on foot
4‑bedroom villa in Karon Noi, Bayview Gardens
฿153,000/ month
800 m to the sand · 10 min on foot
- New building
- Workspace
2‑bedroom townhouse in Karon Noi, Moon Terrace
฿55,000/ month
910 m to the sand · 11 min on foot
- Workspace
3‑bedroom apartment in Karon Noi, Moon Terrace
฿43,500/ month
1000 m to the sand · 13 min on foot
- Sea view
3‑bedroom apartment in Karon Noi, Coral Heights
฿42,500/ month
1020 m to the sand · 13 min on foot
Around Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
Every place inside the beach zone, by category: choose one to see its places, nearest the water first, each numbered as its mark on the map.
Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay) by month
The season · November to April
Calm sea, clear water
November to April: shallow, calm, clear water, ideal for swimming and water sports.
The monsoon · May to October
Waves, walks and red flags
May to October: the west-coast swell can reach the cove; surf lessons replace calm swims on rough days.
| Month | The sea |
|---|---|
| Jan | Calm |
| Feb | Calm |
| Mar | Calm |
| Apr | Calm |
| May | Changing |
| Jun | Rough |
| Jul | Rough |
| Aug | Rough |
| Sep | Rough |
| Oct | Changing |
| Nov | Calm |
| Dec | Calm |
Calm: swim any day Changing: check the flags Rough: monsoon swell, red flags on many days
Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay) with children
For families staying at Le Meridien, Karon Noi is one of Phuket's easiest beaches with children: soft sand, shallow, rock-free water and a kids' club. Non-guests can visit only through the resort's restaurants and bar.
- Shallow, clear water with no rocks.
- A kids' club and large pools at the resort.
- Loungers, umbrellas, showers and toilets for guests.
- No lifeguards reported; stay within reach of children.
Getting to Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay) and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 50–70 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 10–15 min
- From Phuket Town
- 30–45 min
Karon Noi lies between Patong and Karon, below the hill road, about 3.5 km from Patong. Access to the sand is through Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort.
- By car. About 3.5 km from Patong over the hill towards Karon; turn off to Le Meridien on Soi Karon Nui.
- Grab and taxis. Ask for Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort; diners and bar guests are dropped at the lobby.
- By scooter. The hill road between Patong and Karon is steep and winding; ride carefully.
Parking. Parking at Le Meridien for guests and diners; there is no public parking at the beach.
Who will love Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay), and who will not
Will love it
- Guests of Le Meridien, who have the cove almost to themselves.
- Families staying at the resort: shallow, rock-free water and a kids' club.
- Couples coming for a sunset drink on the sand at Relax Beach Bar.
Will not
- Day-trippers wanting a free beach day: access is through the resort's restaurants and bar.
- Budget travellers: food and drinks are at five-star resort prices.
Tips for Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
Book lunch to walk the beach
Non-guests who eat at the resort are free to walk around the cove afterwards.
Come for the sunset
Relax Beach Bar opens at 17:00; arrive early for a front-row table.
Weekend fire shows
Friday to Sunday bring DJ nights and fire performances on the sand.
Ask for Relax Bay
Some drivers know the cove as Relax Bay or simply as Le Meridien's beach.
Swim in the dry season
The cove is at its calmest and clearest from November to April; on rough monsoon days, stay out of the water.
Combine with Karon
Karon Beach, a short drive south, is public and much larger if you want a free beach day.
Questions about Karon Noi Beach (Relax Bay)
Can non-guests visit Karon Noi Beach?
Yes, through Le Meridien. The resort owns the land around the cove, but outside visitors can book lunch at one of its restaurants and then walk the beach, or come for a drink or dinner at Relax Beach Bar.
Is Karon Noi Beach private?
Legally, no beach in Thailand is private. In practice, the land around Karon Noi belongs to Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, which controls access.
What are Relax Beach Bar's opening hours?
Every day from 17:00 to 22:30, with DJ nights and fire performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Outside guests are welcome.
Is Karon Noi good for swimming?
Yes, especially from November to April. The water is shallow, clear and free of rocks. No lifeguards are reported, so keep an eye on children.
Is Karon Noi Beach good for kids?
Yes, for families staying at Le Meridien: soft sand, shallow water with no rocks and a kids' club.
Where is Karon Noi Beach?
Between Patong and Karon on Phuket's west coast, about 3.5 km from Patong, at the foot of a green hill.
Why is it called Relax Bay?
Relax Beach or Relax Bay is an old name from Phuket's early tourism days; on maps it appears as Hat Karon Noi.