When we think of an international beach holiday, we want it to be everything we have ever dreamt of, from pristine beaches to scuba diving and swimming, from comfortable stay options to restaurants serving great food, from sunset view points to after sunset plans. If you want to realize your dream, Kata Beach in Thailand is where you should go!
Kata Beach (Hat Kata Yai) and Kata Noi (Hat Kata Noi) are two adjacent beaches on the West coast of Phuket towards the South of Karon district. Kata Yai is commonly known as Kata Beach.
Best time to visit Kata Beach
Kata Beach comes within Phuket which has a tropical climate. The climate is dominated by three conditions: hot, rainy and cold. Though it doesn’t get too much cold, the hot weather can be too hot. This is why the best time to visit Kata Beach is in the cool and dry season from November to February. The month of May get hot followed by monsoons starting from mid-May to October.
How to reach Kata Beach
You don’t need to struggle with the Kata Beach map to figure out how to reach here because it’s very easy. We’ll tell you how!
To reach the Kata Beach from India, you will have to first fly to the nearest Airport in Phuket, Phuket International Airport (HKT). There are various modes of transport that run from Kata Beach to Phuket Airport. From the airport, you can take a minibus to Kata Beach (INR 400). The travel time is around 4 hours. You can also book a private taxi from the airport to the Kata Beach (INR 1400) which will drop you in 1 hour. There are also small open air buses available from Phuket town to Kata Beach (INR 80).
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10 Major attractions on Kata Beach
These major attractions of Kata Beach in Thailand will raise your excitement bar:
1. Karon Viewpoint
Located between Nai Harn and Kata Noi beaches, Karon Viewpoint is one of the most visited viewpoints in Phuket. Standing here, you can view Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon beaches. There are drinks and snack stands along with a large gazebo under which you can sit and relax.
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2. Dino Park Mini Golf
On the beach road, right in between the Karon and Kata beaches lies the Dino Park. It is a small 18-hole golf course and restaurant, themed on dinosaurs with many large, life-like cement statues of the pre-historic creatures, along with an erupting ‘volcano’ as well as a themed restaurant.
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3. Kata Noi Viewpoint Bars
The winding roads from Kata Beach to Nai Harn Village has Island’s some of the most fascinating views of sunset and beach. The sunset cafes located above Kata Noi offer the best view of the place. Visit some of the cool cafes located here to view the beautiful sunset and enjoy some tasty dishes. Spending time in these restaurants is an interesting thing to do, and you will agree once you are there.
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4. Surf House Phuket
If you want to try surfing, Surf House is an excellent place for you as you can indulge in this activity no matter what the weather condition is. Surf House is centered on a high-pressure wave-generating machine that throws a four-inch-deep sheet of water up a sloping ‘pool’. Don’t worry if your are a beginner, as you can hold onto a guiding safety rope held by a staff member. And if you happen to fall or slip, instead of falling downwards the strong water flow ensures you fall upwards. The place also has bar and restaurant for you to enjoy.
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5. Kata Noi Beach
Located along Phuket’s west coast, Kata Noi is a small bay and one of the best beaches on the island. It is characterised by clear water with rocky headlands on both which make it an ideal place for swimming and snorkelling. Kata Noi Beach is also a popular spot for surfers during off season (May to October).
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6. Wat Kittisankaram
The bright colour, Wat Kittisankaram or Kata Temple is located on a vast area covering about 48 rai, surrounded by alluring natural beauty. The temple was built in 1832 and was known as Wat Kata. The temple consists of a beautiful ordination hall inside which is kept the temple’s main statue of Lord Buddha. The Wat also features a monastery pavilion, monks’ dormitories and a primary school on the same ground.
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7. Surfing in Kata Beach
Phuket’s West Coast is slowly gaining attention as the best surf destination of vacation in Thailand. And Kata beach can be called the ‘surfing capital’ of Phuket. The south end of the beach is considered to be the best board riding in Phuket which attracts a lot of surfer crowd to the beach. The waves are fast but manageable for surfing. And if you do not want to surf, just simply watch other do sitting under the shade of rocket trees that line the beach. You may even try a hand at the volleyball game.
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8. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in Kata Beach is a must try activity. Unlike in regular surfing where the rider sits till a wave comes, stand up paddle boarders stand on their boards and use a paddle to move themselves on the water. SSS Phuket Dive, Freedive & Surf Centre has a special instructor who will teach you the techniques of stand-up paddling for free. You can also rent a SUP board.
9. Cooking classes at Boathouse Oceanfront
If you are impressed by the Thai cuisines and wish to recreate it by yourself, head to the Boathouse Oceanfront to attend their cooking classes. The beautiful location will inspire you even more to cook with love. The class is addressed by the Executive Chef, Brian Burger, who presents an interesting introduction to Thai herbs. Then comes Executive Sous-Chef, K. Dam, who takes a brief lesson on how to prepare steamed pumpkin and coconut custard followed by a demonstration in vegetable carving. There is a lot more to look forward to this class.
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10. Scuba diving
Rated among the top 10 diving destinations in the world, Phuket is a great place to learn diving and get your, PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Certificate. You may go on diving day trips from Phuket to Phi Phi Islands and Racha Islands to see the King Cruiser and dive at Shark Point. Or dive cruise to Similan and Surin Islands in the Andaman Sea to if you want to see big fishes.
Best hotels & resorts on Kata Beach
- Both the Kata beaches, Kata Yai and Kata Noi has a variety of accommodation, with hotels and resorts suitable for all
- budgets. Some of the top Kata beach resort and hotels are listed below:
- The Shore at Katathani: Price starting at – INR 32,000
- The Baray Villa by Sawasdee Village: Price starting at – 20,300
- Katathani Phuket: Price starting at – INR 13,100
- Beyond Resort Kata: Price starting at – INR 9,300
- Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort and Spa: Price starting at – INR 4,600
- Metadee Resort and Villas: Price starting at – INR 9,400
- The Galleri by Katathani: Price starting at – INR 15,4000
- Chanalai Garden Resort: Price starting at – INR 3,600
- Nook Dee Boutique Resort, Kata Beach by Andacura: Price starting at – INR 8,000
- Sugar Palm Grand Hillside: Price starting at – INR 4,700
We have given you a variety of choices in stay options so that you don’t have to worry about where to stay in Kata Beach. Just choose the hotel that suits your taste and pocket.
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Best food on Kata Beach
- Tom Yam Goong – hot soup with prawns or mixed seafood
- Pad Thai – fried white noodles served with prawns and omelet
- Khao Pad Khai – basic rice dish served with chicken, pork or shrimps
- Tom Kha Kai – coconut milk soup with chicken, mushroom, tomatoes & lemongrass
- Geng Kheaw Wan Gai (Green curry) – cooked eggplant served with chicken
- Krapow Moo, Nua or Kai – fried pork basil
- Som Tam – a spicy grated green papaya salad
- Kuey Tiaow – a non-veg noodle soup
- Chicken Rice – specially prepared rice served with chicken and spicy brown sauce
- Massaman Curry – beef curry with potatoes
Best restaurants on Kata Beach
The places to eat in Kata range from high-end restaurants to moderate costing restaurants. Most of the eats serve a variety of both, international and local Thai cuisines. Take a bite from every Kata Beach restaurant listed below to get the best flavours of the region:
- Villa Royale: Timings 7am – 11pm
- Kata Rocks Restaurant: Timings 24 hours, daily
- Wok Pagoda Kitchen Phuket: Timings 11am – 11pm
- On The Rock
- Leonardo Da Vinci Restaurant: Timings 5.30pm – 11.30pm
- Kampong Kata Hill: Timings Dinner timing
- Red Duck Restaurant Phuket: Timings 12am – 11pm
- Bella Vista Restaurant Phuket: Timings 8am – 11pm
- Capannina: Timings
- Heaven Restaurant & Bar Phuket: Timings 9am – 4am
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Best nightlife on Kata Beach
Being one of the most buzzing beaches of Phuket, Kata Beach has some of the most exciting nightlife venues. If you want to make the most of the nights you spend on Kata Beach, hangout at these lit places along with your friends, family or alone. These are the select spots where you can witness the Kata Beach night life at its best:
- RekaTa Beach Club
- Stone Bar
- Ska Bar
- Cafeopera Live
- Dina Park Mini Golf
- Surf House Phuket
- Robert’s Pub
- 4U Skybar Nightclub
- After Beach Bar
- Heaven Rooftop
- Sabai Corner
Further Read: 18 Surreal Islands Near Phuket You Should Definitely Explore
Kata Beach is a power-packed holiday destination where you don’t have to worry and hurry about the tourist places to cover. Like they say, “A holiday full of ocean breeze puts a mind at ease!” Plan a vacation to Phuket and visit it’s best surfing beach, the Kata Beach
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