The relaxed family-and-couples beaches south of Patong — Kata and Karon, with lovely long stretches of sand, good swimming and surfing, plenty of resorts, restaurants and low-key bars, and a calmer, friendlier vibe. Beachy, comfortable and well-serviced, near the famous viewpoint; the base for travellers who want a proper beach holiday with good sand, dining and a relaxed atmosphere, minus Patong's chaos. Phuket's classic beach-resort base. Easygoing and pleasant.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€50–120
typical per night in Thailand
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Phuket — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Kata & Karon and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- The Big Buddha21 min walk1.8 km
- Patong Beach26 min taxi8.5 km
- Old Town street art36 min taxi12.1 km
- Phuket Old Town37 min taxi12.2 km
- Southern Thai food37 min taxi12.2 km
- Surin & the northern beaches53 min taxi17.6 km
- Phi Phi Islands day trip161 min taxi53.7 km
- Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island165 min taxi54.9 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 6.Karon & Kata viewpoints — Phuket's west coast is strung with spectacular viewpoints, and the best is the Karon Viewpoint (Kata Viewpoint) on the coastal road south of Kata — a stunning overlook of three beautiful bays (Kata Noi, Kata and Karon) curving one after another along the coast, with the islands offshore. Pull over for the classic Phuket postcard panorama, especially glorious at sunset. Nearby is the dramatic Windmill and Promthep Cape viewpoints at the island's southern tip. A free, breathtaking highlight and a must-stop on any island drive. Simply gorgeous; go at sunset.
- 7.Southern Thai food — Phuket has a rich, fiery food culture all its own — southern Thai cuisine at its spiciest, plus the island's unique Peranakan (Chinese-Malay) 'Phuket-style' dishes like Hokkien noodles and moo hong pork, superb fresh seafood, and legendary street food and markets, especially in the old town. Graze the night markets and street stalls, try the local specialities, and cool the heat with fresh coconut; the flavours are bold, complex and delicious, and often absurdly cheap. A tasty, essential highlight beyond the resort restaurants. Come hungry and spice-tolerant.
- 9.Kata & Karon Beaches — Two of Phuket's loveliest and most relaxed beaches — Kata and Karon, long, clean crescents of golden-white sand with clear water good for swimming and (in the green season) surfing, backed by resorts, restaurants and low-key bars, with a friendlier, calmer vibe than Patong. Spend a lazy beach day swimming, sunbathing and enjoying a beachside meal, or catch a surf lesson; the little Kata Noi bay next door is especially pretty. Classic, family-friendly Phuket beach bliss. A wonderful, laid-back beach day. Lovely and welcoming.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Kata & Karon; flights via Google Flights.