Kata Beach ⛱️ in Phuket ✅
The best beach family destination in Phuket
Kata Beach is a stunning one-mile shoreline on the southwest coast of Phuket, located south of Karon Beach. Known for its soft white sand and clear waters, it features a beautiful bay with Pu Island about 900 meters offshore.
This family-friendly beach offers plenty of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling. For those looking to unwind, beach massages are available. The area features various amenities, including vendors, restaurants, and shops, creating a relaxed atmosphere that balances the busier parts of Phuket with quieter spaces. Kata Beach is an ideal destination for both relaxation and recreation.
Kata Beach is adorned with Pandanus and Casuarina trees, offering pleasant shade and a stunning sea view. Accessible via the beach road with ample parking, the beach provides 10% of an umbrella zone, beach massages, and beachfront resorts. Additionally, there are fantastic restaurants by the beach, making it an ideal destination for families.
The atmosphere at Kata Beach is relaxed, with several restaurants, cozy cafes, shops, markets, tailors, and moderate nightlife along Kata Road, the second parallel road to the beach. This laid-back coastal resort attracts thousands of tourists annually due to its beauty, activities, and amenities. It is considered one of the most popular beach resorts on the island, second only to Patong Beach.
Where Kata Beach is located?
Kata Beach is situated on the southwestern coast of Phuket, between the smaller Kata Noi Beach and the immense Karon Beach. The beach is located 11 km south of the well-known Patong Beach and 9 km north of the stunning Freedom Beach. Nai Harn Beach is just 7 km to the south, near the tiny Ya Nui Beach and the two popular viewpoints in Phuket: Windmill Viewpoint and Laem Promthep Viewpoint. The Big Buddha Phuket is 3.7 km away in a straight line, although it’s 12 km away by road.
Is Kata Beach crowded?
Kata Beach tends to be busier during the high season, from November to April, but it remains a more tranquil option compared to Patong Beach. For those seeking a quieter experience, I recommend visiting during the low season from May to October or exploring the northern end of the beach, where you can find a more serene atmosphere. This way, you can fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings while avoiding the larger crowds.
Thing to do on Kata Beach
Kata Beach provides a variety of beach activities for everyone to enjoy throughout the year. Let’s explore which activities are best during the high season and the low season, also known as the monsoon season.
Generally, the beach has excellent swimming conditions during the high season, which runs from November to April, when the sea remains calm. However, it is always important to pay attention to the currents, as you are swimming in the ocean. If you plan to visit from May to October, be aware that Kata Beach can be dangerous and unsuitable for swimming due to high waves and strong currents. If you see red warning flags along the beach, it is crucial not to enter the water, as this indicates that rip tides can be very hazardous in this area.
Snorkeling is best enjoyed at the northern tip of Kata Beach, with a rich marine life presence. Be sure to bring your own gear; if you forget, you can rent equipment from vendors along the beach. Additionally, Kata Beach is a fantastic destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Diving lessons take place exclusively at the northern tip of the beach, where you will find a large coral reef. This area offers an excellent opportunity to explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish that you may never have encountered before. It’s a breathtaking experience that showcases the beauty of marine life.
The beautiful beach has two umbrella areas located on the northern end and the other on the southern end. 200 Baht is the cost of 1 umbrella with two sunbeds. It is an excellent option for families with kids and retired people who prefer to enjoy the day in a comfortable environment by the beach. For those who like to spend the day in the free spaces shaded by tropical trees, there is a great choice, especially in the center of the beach.
The warm and flat waters are excellent for stand-up paddle boarding, also known as SUP. It is a popular water sports activity that involves standing up on a board and using a paddle to make your way through the water. There is nothing like exercising in the fresh air to make you feel good about yourself.
Massages on the beach are available at affordable prices. There are several spots by the beach where you can have traditional Thai or body massage. Thai massage is an active treatment that reduces the severity of your headaches, decreases lower back and joint pain. Additionally, it increases your flexibility, calms your anxieties, and energizes your mind and body. Try it at least once, you will feel rejuvenated.
For the adrenaline lovers, parasailing and Jet sky activities are allowed on Kata Beach. Although generally considered safe activities, accidents can still occur, sometimes leading to severe injuries or even death. Parasailing is easy, and it costs approximately 1,500 baht per ride. Each flight is up in the air for about 10 minutes. Jet Sky costs 1.500 baht for 30 minutes per person.
Taking photos and selfies at sunset is another thing to do at Kata Beach. Breathtaking sunsets often release rays of sunshine and warm colors into the sky leaving everyone speechless. The iconic island in the ocean makes an excellent sunset photo backdrop for everyone.
During the low season, beach activities decrease drastically due to the rough sea and scattered rain. Punctually, the beach becomes lively among surfers who enjoy riding the waves that are almost 2 meters high. The best spot for pro is the central area of the beach, which has a great reef break with the highest waves. The southern tips with lover waves attract beginners and passionate surfers. It is also an excellent spot for surfing lessons, making it one of the best beaches for surfing in Phuket.
Where to stay in Kata Beach?
Kata offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly to luxury. In the center of Kata, there are many affordable guesthouses and bungalows. Additionally, there are numerous 4-star resorts with spacious swimming pools, well-appointed rooms, and beautiful tropical gardens, situated in the heart of Kata, surrounded by plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops. For those seeking an upscale experience, there are outstanding 5-star resorts, often featuring private pool villas and luxurious rooms at medium to high prices, especially during the high season. In the southern part of Kata, the Boathouse Boutique and Beyond Kata Resort are the only two hotels with direct Beach access, offering great value for money.
OZO Phuket
OZO Phuket is a compact 4-star luxury resort conveniently located within walking distance of the beautiful Kata Beach. The hotel is an L-shaped building of 255 well-appointed rooms and suites with 9 typologies to choose from. It has an outdoor swimming pool and a water park for the kids. There is also a restaurant which serves delicious International and Thai cuisine. This resort provides a serene environment and premium amenities, making it the ideal destination for travelers seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating vacation.
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The Boathouse Phuket
The Boathouse is a 4-star hotel in Kata Beach having direct access to the beach. This superb hotel boasts 38 well-designed rooms and suites, all with sea-facing balconies and providing a large number of amenities to immerse yourself in a world of comfort. The hotel has an acclaimed seafront restaurant with an award-winning wine cellar which serves local and International cuisines. It has also 2 beautiful seafront swimming pools with a pool bar. Beautiful setting, excellent service and strategic location by the beach and near the town of Kata, it is one of the best choice for couples or friends.
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Beyond Kata
Beyond Kata (formerly Kata Beach Resort & Spa) is a long-established hotel in Phuket having direct access to Kata Beach. The popularity of this 4-star hotel is due to its combination of location near the beach, great service, and good value for money. The hotel has 275 rooms and suites with sea view designed in contemporary style, a beachfront restaurant, and a beautiful swimming pool with a pool bar. The resort is ideal for both couples and families seeking a comfortable and relaxing summer vacation spot in Phuket.
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Club Med Phuket
Club Med Phuket is a vast resort nestled along 25 hectares of tropical garden that occupies 80% of the 1.5 km beachfront, but has not direct beach access. This all-inclusive family resort in Kata has 325 well-furnished rooms and suites in traditional Thai style surrounded by swaying palm trees. It provides 2 renewed restaurants, 2 bars, a swimming pool, a kid’s park, and a spa. It is a great holiday destination for families and couples with a wide array of activities and facilities to ensure the guests needs.
Metadee Concept Hotel
Metadee Concept is a 5-star hotel nestled in the earth of Kata just at 5 minutes from the beautiful Kata Beach. Metadee Concept Hotel is one Hotel with 2 concepts, Metadee Elite Kata and Metadee Concept Hotel. It boasts for a total of 264 rooms, suites and villas artistically designed in modern style with superb décor. This hotel has the largest free-form swimming pool in Kata plus a tiny water park for the kids. Spa and wellness centre, fitness centre, free parking, room service and airport shuttle are some of the most popular facilities of the hotel.
Let yourself be carried away by the flavors of Thai and International cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant by the pool or enjoy a dining experience with sublime Mediterranean tapas and refreshing cocktails at the large rooftop while admiring colorful sunsets. Metadee Concept is a great hotel for everyone especially for those love to stay in a superb location plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, markets nearby and not far from beach.
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The SIS Kata Resort
The SIS Kata is a 4-star resort nestled up on the hillside of Kata near the heart of Kata and not far from the beach. It is just at 15-minute walk from Kata Noi Beach and Kata Beach. The SIS Kata, SIS stands for ‘Stay In Style’ is ideal escape for travelers that seeking a peaceful and restful vacation experience, with a serene atmosphere and top-notch amenities.
It has 124 well-appointed guest rooms and suites with desk, free WI-FI, flat screen TV, private bathroom, and coffee/tea maker to cater guests’ needs. But not all rooms have balcony and sea view. The SIS Kata Resort provide an on-site fitness center, 2 swimming pools, Spa and Wellness Center, 2 superb restaurants and a wonderful rooftop overlooking the ocean. The hotel’s popularity is due to its superb location, great facilities, exceptional service and value for money.
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Kata Rocks Phuket
Kata Rocks is Phuket’s luxury 5-star resort perched on the rocks between Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach overlooking the Andaman Sea. It is a perfect destination for travelers looking for an intimate and a holiday experience. The chic hotel is popular by its iconic 35-metre infinity pool with white umbrellas and for its 34 luxurious private pool villas with sea view meticulously crafted to provide a haven of comfort and tranquility
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Chanalai Garden Resort
Chanalai Garden Resort is a 4-star hotel with 209 modern rooms located at just 200 meters by walk from Kata Beach. It features 2 outdoor pools, 2 pool bars, a fully-equipped fitness centre, and 2 on-site restaurants. The hotel is a 20-minute drive to Phuket Town and 47 km from Phuket International Airport.
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Orchidacea Resort
Orchidacea Resort is nestled on the hills of Kata just at short walk away from the white soft sand and clear waters of Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach. The 4-star hotel features 154 well-appointed rooms, each skillfully designed to provide comfort and tranquility. It is a perfect escape for all of those who want to stay in a superb hotel with a good value of money and a great location not far from the beach.
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Check out the 10 Best Hotels in Kata Beach
Where to eat in Kata Beach?
Kata Beach has a great choice of restaurants serving reasonably priced Thai, Italian and international cuisine. Few are located by the beach and the other in the second parallel road from the beach. During the high season street food are situated on the beach road shaded by trees.
Seafood restaurants
Kata Seafood, Kata Mama Seafood and Kata B.B.Q are 3 great restaurants located in the southern end right on the beach. They serve mostly Thai cuisine and some international dishes at affordable prices. Those are a convenient places to have breakfast, lunch or even a sunset dinner by the sea with a pleasant sea breeze.
Pomodoro Italian Restaurant
Pomodoro Pizza is an authentic Italian restaurant, located in a relatively quiet area, at just 5 minutes from the beautiful Kata Beach. The open-air restaurant serves excellent Italian food at affordable prices. The list of pizza is vast with over 30 pizzas to choose from. Pizza is cooked in the wood-fire oven obtaining an excellent taste and crunchiness. Pomodoro is one of the Best Pizza Restaurants in Phuket. It opens from midday till late, and they are doing delivery service, too. Highly recommended!
Prego Kata restaurant
Prego Kata is a charming and authentic homemade Italian restaurant nestled within the OZO Phuket building, conveniently located just a stroll from the stunning shores of Kata Beach. Situated on the first level, Prego Kata boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for both relaxed dining and special occasions. Guests can choose to dine al fresco on the spacious terrace, where they can enjoy the gentle breeze, or retreat indoors to the comfortable, air-conditioned dining area designed for those who prefer a cooler setting.
The thoughtfully crafted menu features a diverse array of Italian delicacies, including a variety of tantalizing starters, homemade pasta dishes, artisanal pizzas cooked to perfection in a traditional wood oven, hearty main courses, and delicious desserts, all offered at reasonable prices that provide excellent value. Prego Kata has gained a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in Phuket, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers exploring the Kata Beach area. The restaurant welcomes guests daily from midday until 11:30 PM, and the relaxed dress code adds to the laid-back vibe, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for everyone. Be sure to stop by and savor the rich flavors of Italy in this delightful coastal setting.
Green Heart Garden Kata restaurant
Green Heart Garden Kata is a hidden restaurant set amongst trees and has its own kitchen garden. It is perched high on the tropical Kata hills and blessed with outstanding views of the ocean. The restaurant serves excellent Thai food prepared using their fresh ingredients growth in their organic farm. Green Heart Garden is on the list of one of the Best Local Thai restaurants in Phuket.
Boathouse Restaurant
The Boathouse is a chic restaurant overlooking Kata Beach and the Andaman Sea featuring outdoor and indoor seating options. The highlights of the restaurant is the large terrace which offers breathtaking views towards the sea and Phuket’s colorful sunsets, making it the perfect place for a romantic dining. It serves mostly excellent Thai and Western cuisine, boasting a superb wine list with over 150 unique labels. The restaurant is open also for the outdoors and booking in advance is recommended.
Pizzeria Trattoria Il Tagliere
Pizzeria Trattoria Il Tagliere is an authentic Italian restaurant located in the lively center of Kata. It serves excellent Italian cuisine and great pizzas cooked in an handmade wood-fire oven. The cozy restaurant with casual setting, provides outdoors and indoors seating options. The menu is extensive and well-illustrated, the wine list is pretty long and the staff is friendly and speak English. It is a great dining option after a long day spent on the beach.
Kata Beach Photos
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