Kata Beach
Kata Beach is a beautiful area located on the west coast of Phuket, north of Nai Harn Beach and south of Karon. The locality is generally divided into two places: Kata Beach, the main area where the village is located, and Kata Noi, which is a smaller area with a few hotels and restaurants. Both of them have gorgeous beaches, though the one on Kata Noi is usually quieter.
The village offers a really good mix between activities to do, restaurants and places to stay while providing a typical resort feel, with long walking streets and small roads that are all interconnected. The beach is approximately 1.5 kilometers long, while its sister’s measures only 600 meters.
You will find plenty of hotels and accommodations in the area, from the unknown bed & breakfast to the luxurious 5-star resorts a few steps away from the beach. As it is often the case in Phuket, prices will go up toward the high season, from November to April, and back to their reasonable states in low season.
Foodies and gourmands will have more than enough choice when looking for restaurants, especially in the center of Kata Beach, where you can find both Thai and international cuisine. The nightlife scene is located into small areas, as to not disturb the rest of the village.
Looking for something to keep you entertained? Aside from the beach itself, Kata is home to several establishments, such as the Dino Park, a mini-golf with a prehistoric theme, or the Surf House, which is a great place to learn how to surf without having to put a foot in the sea. Parasailing and other water activities are available, too. Other points of interest, such as the Kata viewpoint or the Big Buddha, in Chalong, are a few minutes drive from the center, making it an ideal location to explore other parts of the island.
We see a good mix of travelers, though the majority would be families and couples looking for a relaxing holiday.
There are a few buses making the trip from Kata to Karon and then Patong, traveling along the beach road. However, it is recommended to rent a vehicle for the duration of your stay or to grab a taxi whenever you feel the need to escape your hotel.