What to Do in Kalim Beach
Kalim Beach is a modest bay just next to the famous Patong Beach on the way to Kamala Beach. As the seafloor is mostly rocks and dead corals, Kalim is not a swimming beach but a popular spot for local surfers in the low season. However, waves are not very high, so don’t go imagining some impressive action. It seems to be good enough for practice.
Kalim is not popular for sunbathing either, as the sand is rough and coarse. People mostly come to walk their dogs or eat at one of the many street food stalls set at the end of each afternoon.
What to Do in Kalim?
Kalim doesn’t have much to offer in terms of attractions, but it is just next to Patong, so you won’t have a problem finding something to do. Of course, if you have a car or a motorbike, you can be anywhere since Phuket is quite a small island.
The Beach
The sand in Kalim is not smooth or white enough for travellers to lie down on it, and the seafloor is full of sharp coral, so it’s not the most attractive beach in Phuket. The beach is not deserted; it is a popular surf spot, and the ocean views attracted some fancy restaurants and lounges.
Where to Eat in Kalim Beach?
Kalim was home to a few fancy restaurants, some with beautiful ocean views, such as L’Arome by the Sea and its beautiful rooftop bar.
Acqua
Acqua is an award-winning Italian restaurant run by Chef Alessandro Frau, located in Kalim Beach near Patong. It holds a Michelin Plate award. The review highlights the creative, beautifully presented entrees, recommending diners let the chef choose a multi-course tasting. The spacious restaurant is well designed but roadside with no views. Appetisers range from 600 to 1,200 baht. Reservations are recommended in high season.
Address: 324/15 Prabaramee Road, Patong, Kalim, Phuket 83100
Open: 5 pm – 11 pm
Phone: 076 618 127
Price: High
L’Arôme by the Sea
L’Arôme by the Sea is a contemporary French restaurant on Kalim Beach, listed in the Michelin Guide. Chef Adrien Delcourt, formerly of Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower, creates modern French cuisine with Swiss Alps influences. The stylish interior features navy tones and velvet furnishings with Andaman Sea views. A rooftop Sunset Deck bar is perfect for pre-dinner drinks overlooking Patong Bay. The wine list is extensive with sommelier guidance. A Phuket 101 favourite.
Address: 247 Phrabarami Rd, Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150
Hours: 4 pm – 11 pm, closed on Monday
Phone: 076 346 271
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laromebythesea/
SeaSalt Lounge and Grill
Sea Salt Lounge & Grill is a seaside restaurant and bar on Kalim Beach, part of Diamond Cliff Resort near Patong. It features two areas: a circular lounge bar surrounded by comfortable salas and an artificial beach, perfect for sunset cocktails, and an elegant dining area set under tall trees right by the sea. The menu focuses on charcoal-grilled seafood and meats. Parking is available at the resort across the street.
Address: 225 Phrabarami Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150
Open: 11 am – 12 am
Phone: 076 623 555
Kalim Rim Lay
Kalim Rim Lay is a local Thai restaurant with bamboo huts set right by the sea on Kalim Beach, just past Patong on the way to Kamala. It serves genuine Thai food and fresh seafood, including excellent grilled chicken, Som Tam and sea bass. The setting is simple but the seaside location and sunset views make it special. This is a halal Muslim restaurant, so no alcohol or pork is served. Most customers are local, which says a lot about the food.
Address: Phrabaramee Road, past Kalim Beach, Patong, Phuket
Open: 9 am – 8.30 pm
Tel: 081 539 8873
Pan Yaah Seafood
Pan Yaah Seaview Restaurant is a romantic Thai seafood restaurant on Kalim Beach, just outside Patong. Set in a charming old house-style building with dark wood, dim lighting and candles, it offers unique views over Patong Bay. The menu features well-prepared Thai dishes including Hor Mok, Panang Nuea and steamed fish. The restaurant has improved significantly over the years and is now quite popular, so booking ahead is recommended, especially for a table by the water.
Address: 249 Prabaramee Road, Kalim Bay, Patong Beach, Phuket
Tel: 076 290450
Open: 11 am – 11 pm
Salsa Mexicana
Mexican restaurant built into a rocky hillside above the ocean on Kalim Bay, between Patong and Kamala. The terraced layout drops from road level to the waterline, with seating at different levels, including wicker seats right on the rocks. Wide open 180-degree views of the Andaman Sea make it a great sunset spot. The food is genuinely good, with generous portions of fajitas, tacos, burritos and nachos, plus Thai and European options. Staff are friendly and will help arrange transport home. Family-friendly with vegetarian and vegan options available.
Address: 253 Soi Phabaramei 9, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150
Hours: 11 am – 11 pm
Phone: 0822874287
Kalim Street Food
The local food market is also a lot of fun. At the end of the afternoon, many cars park along the seashore, selling all kinds of dishes. Some will look familiar, and some strange.
Where to Stay in Kalim Beach?
There are quite a few resorts and villas overlooking Kalim Bay. The best-known are Novotel Phuket Resort, Diamond Cliff Resort and Aquamarine. There is also a handful of smaller guesthouses and hotels.
Novotel Phuket Resort
Novotel Phuket Resort is a 4-star hotel set on the hillside at the northern end of Patong Beach, near Kalim. The resort features traditional Thai architecture, an imposing lobby with panoramic bay views, and three large cascading pools surrounded by palm trees and tropical greenery. The beach is just across the road, on a quieter stretch away from the Patong crowds. Facilities include three restaurants, a lobby bar, a large spa, open-air massage salas, a fitness room and a kids’ club.
Kalima Resort
Kalima Resort and Spa is a 5-star hotel built on a green hillside between Patong and Kamala, offering panoramic views over the entire Patong Bay. Most of the 190 rooms have ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies. The resort features three restaurants, including a teppanyaki and sushi bar, an immense rooftop sky bar, a pool bar, and the Busaba Spa. While the hotel is not beachfront, its elevated location and large infinity pool make it popular for its views and value for money.
More Photos of Kalim Beach
