Kata, Phuket
Kata is Phuket's easygoing middle ground: two lovely swimming beaches, plenty of restaurants and bars, and the island's best beginner surf in the green season, all without Patong's chaos.
Kata
Featured places
A few of our favourite spots across the island right now.
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Kata Beach is Phuket's easygoing family favourite: 1.5km of soft sand, calm high season swimming, beginner surf in the green season and food a step away.
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The Shore Beach Club on Kata Noi Beach, part of Katathani Collection of Resorts, sells sunbed, daybed and cabana day passes from THB 3,000 net per couple.
Pool daily 10:00-20:00; Restaurant daily 11:00-00:00 (last order 22:30); Beach Club Bar daily 10:00-00:00 (last order 23:45)
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Kata Noi Beach is the small, quiet one over the headland from Kata: about 650m of pale sand, clear water in high season and hardly any vendors at all.
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Peach Hill Resort sits on a hillside above Kata Beach in Phuket, a sustainable family hotel where a THB 500 day pass unlocks the pool, sauna, Wi-Fi and lunch.
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Kata Rocks is a clifftop luxury pool-villa resort above Kata Beach, Phuket, with an iconic infinity pool, sea views and the KR Day Pass for day visitors.
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Fin Hostel is a clean, modern hostel in Kata Beach, southern Phuket, with dorms, curtained capsule beds and private rooms, a short walk from the sand.
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Pamookkoo Resort day pass in Kata, Phuket: THB 499 adults, THB 299 under-12s, with a four-storey water slide, THB 200 F&B credit, spa discount and parking.
Kata
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Kata
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Kata sits on the west coast just south of Karon and strikes the balance many visitors are looking for. It has proper beaches, a good spread of places to eat and drink, and enough to do, but the pace is a world away from neighbouring Patong.
The vibe and who it suits
Kata is relaxed, friendly and squarely aimed at families and couples who want convenience without the late-night mayhem. Evenings revolve around casual restaurants, beach bars and live music rather than club strips. It's an easy first-timer base and a comfortable spot for a longer, low-key stay.
The beaches
Kata actually has two bays. Kata Yai is the main beach, wide and sandy with good swimming in high season. Just over the headland to the south, Kata Noi is smaller, quieter and arguably prettier, backed by a handful of resorts. During the green season (roughly May to October) Kata becomes one of Phuket's top spots for beginner surfing, with board hire and lessons readily available. For more options nearby, see our Phuket beaches guide.
What you'll find here
Accommodation leans mid-range and family-friendly, with a good choice of hotels from beachfront resorts to budget guesthouses on the hill. Dining is varied and international, and there's plenty of low-key nightlife in the form of beach bars and pubs. Kata is also a handy launchpad for island-hopping and other tours, and the famous Karon Viewpoint sits just to the south.
Getting around
The town is fairly walkable along the beach road, though the surrounding hills are steep. Scooter hire and taxis are widely available, and Patong's nightlife is only 15 to 20 minutes away by road. The airport is roughly an hour to the north. Kata makes a comfortable, central base for exploring the whole west coast, with Karon just next door and the southern beaches an easy drive away. High season (November to February) brings the calmest sea and biggest crowds, while the green season swaps swimming for surfing and noticeably cheaper rooms.
Browse the Kata listings below, or return to the Phuket overview to weigh it up against the island's other beach towns.