Kata Beach Phuket

Possibly the most beautiful beach in Phuket, Kata Beach is a 1.5km long paradise waiting for people to enjoy and fall in love. The Beach, on the west coast of Phuket Island, is one of the most visited beaches just after Patong Beach. Kata enjoys a lovely sandy bay with an incredibly blue sea and an iconic island standing in the middle of the ocean, making excellent sunset photographs.

Kata Beach is really all inclusive. A whole mile strip of perfect sand meeting crystal sea; the south end is the perfect spot to enjoy a Thai massage in the shade, with the north offering a host of thrilling activities including kayaking and scuba-diving – any way you choose to spend it, you’ll be spoiled by the beauty of this incredible beach. Kata Beach really is everyone’s beach.

While it can be bustling in high season, Kata is less crowded than Patong and still offers a vast choice of dining venues, shopping, nightlife, and hotels. This beach is also known to be a great family destination.

There really is no bad time to go to Kata Beach. Phuket’s best time weather-wise is December through to May, where the island stays hot, reaching its hottest temperatures toward the end of May and into April. June, July and August are favoured by the locals as the hot days are usually relieved a little by short downpours of rain, but long days of sunshine are still to be enjoyed at this time.

And even during the rainiest season from September to October long days of sun await you on the beach between short rainfalls, and plenty of low-season activities are still available to enjoy.

 

Kata Beach facilities

In around 10% of the sand on Kata Beach, you can rent sun chairs and umbrellas every other distance. Beach visitors can also buy small umbrellas (several hundred baht at local shops and supermarkets near the beach) and beach mats (at the entrance to the beach, near Kata Beach Resort). There are shops, restaurants and toilets near the south end.

Of course, the beach is the main reason people travel all the way to be here and choose to stay on this part of the island. The beach is immense (1.5 kilometres), the sand clear and very soft, and the water has a beautiful blue colour during the high season (December to April). Trees provide plenty of shade to the entire bay, where you will find drink vendors, beach massage, and a few small but good Thai restaurants.

 

Kata Beach restaurants

The food at Kata Beach leaves nothing to be desired. You’ll be spoilt for choice, and will only worry that you won’t have enough time to sample all the amazing restaurants lined up along the beach.

From the Horn Grill Steakhouse whose menu has everything from steak to swordfish, to Kampong Kata Hill where you can taste possibly the best that Southeast Asia gets to offer.

Whatever your preferences are for taste, décor, atmosphere or service, there’s a restaurant for everyone at Kata Beach.

 

Surfing in Kata Beach

Phuket surfing mostly happens along the west coast, where you can get some decent wave action. Waves are not huge but are great for beginners and competitions are frequent during the low season. You will easily find board rental shops, and surf lessons are widely available at busier beaches.

Kata Beach is the best-known surfing beach in Phuket, with the most wave-riding action at its southern end near The Boathouse resort. Surfers should find decent waves here at any tide level, but conditions are best at mid-tide.

 

Beginner to advanced surfers will enjoy surfing here, and while Kata can get busy, it's rarely overcrowded. Board rental is available from a few shops at the beach, and those looking to learn or improve their skills can sign up for lessons at one of the surf schools.

You'll never get bored at Kata Beach with so much to do all around. The north end of the beach offers a range of nautical activities from snorkelling to surfing to scuba diving for all ages and abilities, while the south end offers more relaxed leisure, including Thai massage, shops and restaurants.