Kata Beach ⛱️ in Phuket ✅

4.3/5 - (261 votes)

Probably the best beach family destination in Phuket

Kata Beach is a laid-back coastal resorts in Phuket which bring thousands of tourists every years due to its combination of beauty, activities and facilities. It is known as one of the most popular beach resorts in the island after Patong Beach. The c-shaped beach length 1.5 km, enjoys a velvety white sand and incredibly crystal clear waters especially during the high season (November to April). Its iconic island called Crab Island (Koh Po in Thai), standing in the ocean at 900 meters from the beach, is a great sunset photos background, making it one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket.

Kata Beach is shaded mostly by Casuarina pines and tropical trees, and it has a plenty spaces for parking car on the beach road. In addition to offering 2 designated umbrella areas and some massage shops, the beach offers lovely quiet free areas especially in the central part with breathtaking views towards the Andaman Sea. The vibe is laidback, and there is a great choice of restaurants, cozy cafes, shops, tailors, markets a moderate nightlife, and beautiful hotels mostly located on the second parallel road of the beach, called Kata Road. There are also some superb beachfront resorts to stay at, making it a great family destination.

During the high season months of November to April, the beach with its calm waters has a great swimming condition, and it is also great for snorkeling especially in the northern end of the beach. However, during the low season months of May to October, the sea is often rough with dangerous rip tides, therefore it is unsafe to swim. Punctually, the beach becomes lively among surfers that enjoy riding the waves. There are also surfing lessons and even hosts a surf competition yearly.

Where Kata Beach is located?

Kata Beach is located in the southwestern coast of Phuket, between the junior sister Kata Noi Beach, and the immense Karon Beach. The beach is 11 km away south of the well-known Patong Beach and 9 km away from the most beautiful beach in Phuket, Freedom Beach. The popular Nai Harn Beach is just 7 km away south near the tiny Ya Nui Beach and the 2 most popular Phuket viewpoints: Windmill Viewpoint and Laem Promthep Viewpoint. The Big Buddha Phuket is 3.7 km away as the crow flies, and it seems to be close to the beach. Surprisingly, it is 12 km far away!

Kata Beach is crowded?

Kata Beach is one of the nicest beaches as well one of the most popular tourist destinations in Phuket. Same as the other most popular beaches, Kata is of course more lively than the low season (May to October), but during the high season (November to April) it is enough crowded, but less crowded than Patong Beach.

Thing to do on Kata Beach

Kata Beach offers several beach activities to enjoy for everyone all year round. Let’s see together which activity to do during the high season and during the low season known as the monsoon season. First of all, the beach has an excellent swimming conditions during the high season, (November to April) because the sea is very calm with crystal clear waters. But of course, you always have to pay attention to the currents because you are swimming in the ocean. However, if you’re planning a holiday from May to October, Kata Beach can be dangerous and unsuitable for swimming due the high waves and the strong currents.

Snorkeling is a good thing to do mostly at the ends of the beach. These places are rich in marine life, while the central part remains sandy and uninteresting. Kata Beach is also a great destination for the scuba diving lovers, too. Frequently, diving lessons are often held in the northern end of the beach because there is an excellent diving condition with a great marine life to explore. It’s a great experience to do that takes you to breathtaking destinations, with a vibrant coral reef teeming with life with tropical fish that you never saw it before.

The beach has 2 umbrellas areas located one in the northern end and the other in the southern part of the beach. 200 Baht is the cost of 1 umbrella with 2 sunbeds. It is a great option for families with kids and retired people who prefer to enjoy the day in a comfortable environment by the beach. For those who prefer to spend the day in the free spaces shaded by tropical trees, there is a great choice especially in the center of the beach.

High season is a great time for practicing surf, stand up paddle and kayaking. There is nothing like exercise in the fresh air to make you feel good about yourself.

Massages on the beach are available at affordable prices. There are several places shaded by trees where you can have traditional Thai massage or body massage. Thai massage is an active treatment that reduce the severity of your headaches, decrease lower back and joint pain, increase your flexibility, calm your anxieties, and energize 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 are considered safe activities, accidents can still occur, sometimes leading to serious 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 min per person.

Taking photos and selfies at sunset is another thing to do on 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.

Low Season

 

Where to eat in Kata Beach?

Kata Beach has a great choice of restaurants serving reasonably priced Thai and international cuisine. Some 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.

Boathouse restaurant

The Boathouse Restaurant in Kata Beach is a chic restaurant by the beach, part of the Boathouse Hotel. It serves Thai and Western cuisine at good prices. The open-air terrace with sea view is of course the highlight of the restaurant. It is open for lunch and even for a sunset dinner.

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!

Green Heart Garden Kata restaurant

Green Heart Garden Kata is a very 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.

Where to stay in Kata Beach?

Kata offers a large choice of facilities to stay, from cheap guesthouses to 5-star hotels and pool villas, and just two superb beachfront hotels because the immense Club Med Resort occupies 80% of the 1.5-kilometre beachfront. Other facilities are located on the back roads, not far from the beach with reasonable prices.

UPDATING

Beyond Resort Kata

Club Med Phuket is an immense all-inclusive resort set on a 25-hectare overlooking the sea, but it does not have the right access to the beach. If you are looking for a 5-star resort, I should mention the luxurious Kata Rocks! Set in a hill offers a fantastic view towards ocean, especially at sunset. It doesn’t come cheap obviously!

Anyway around Kata there is a big Hotels choice to stay, from the highest to the lowest price. So, take time and choose the best one!

Kata Beach Photos


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Kata Beach Map