What to Do in Kamala Beach?
Kamala Beach is a very nice beach with a tranquil atmosphere on the west coast of Phuket, popular with families and travellers who prefer a quiet holiday. The beach is immense and features many excellent Thai and international restaurants right on the beach, a rare luxury in Phuket.
The popularity of Kamala expanded with the new Pine Beach Bar opening at The Intercontinental Hotel and Cafe Del Mar Beach Club next. Kamala is still a beautiful long beach with clear waters during the high season. It features many small beach restaurants, shopping options, and excellent hotels, some with direct beach access.
Kamala Beach Travel Guide
The main road coming down from Patong Beach passes through Kamala, and you might keep driving (fast) without noticing the small street at the bottom of the hill. Kamala consists of two villages, the original Muslim town in the very back, which does not have much happening here, and Kamala’s tourist part is built all along the beach.
Pros and Cons of Kamala Beach
Pros of Kamala Beach:
- Beautiful and peaceful beach: Long stretch of soft sand with calm, clear waters in the high season.
- Family-friendly destination: Ideal for travellers seeking a quieter, relaxing vacation.
- Dining options: Many beachfront restaurants and bars offer Thai and international cuisine.
- Luxury beach clubs: Home to Cafe Del Mar and Pine Beach Bar, which are great for socializing and have sunset views.
- Nearby attractions: Close to Phuket Fantasea and other scenic beaches like Surin and Laem Singh.
- Accommodation variety: From budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury resorts with direct beach access.
Cons of Kamala Beach:
- Limited nightlife: More relaxed compared to Patong, with fewer nightlife options beyond bars and beach clubs.
- Seasonal swimming risks: Rough waves and rip currents during the monsoon season (June to November).
- Fewer activities: Limited in comparison to more bustling beaches like Patong.
WHAT TO DO IN KAMALA BEACH?
There are no real attractions to see or visit besides Fantasea Park, a modest temple, a local market, and the beach itself. A few small beaches (Rayee Beach and Hua Beach) to the south on a tiny long road leading to nowhere, nicknamed “The Millionaire Row”, home of the beautiful Paresa Resort and a collection of incredible private villas. You can enjoy a drink at the very end in a small bar built on top of rock boulders with amazing Patong Bay views.
The Main Beach
The beach has always been the main reason travellers preferred Kamala. The beach is long and wide, with soft pale sand and casuarinas and coconut trees. The sea is very shallow and clear during the high season. The northern and central areas are the most attractive as some dirty streams release brown waters at the south end, where fishing boats are often parked.
Nearby Beaches
Rayee Beach
Rayee is just next to the main Kamala Beach and is home to several luxurious properties, including Hyatt Regency Phuket and, further down, Cape Sienna. While it is a beautiful spot, Rayee is not suitable for swimming because of the coral.
Laem Singh Beach
The elusive Laem Singh Beach is just a little further down the road, past Kamala. This was one of the most popular green coves on the island for many years, but the landowner decided to close it. It now seems impossible to access, but it still is. You have to find the way! We’ll tell you how 🙂
Surin Beach
Further north, just a few kilometres away, the superb Surin Beach and Pansea Beach are further north. Surin is an immense natural beach with only one restaurant still available. Years ago, it used to be the place to dine and party at one of the many beach clubs, but all were declared illegally built and removed one day. Pansea Beach next to it is a beautiful but private beach only accessible to the guests of the two 5-star hotels sharing it: The Surin and Amanpuri.
WHERE TO STAY IN KAMALA?
Kamala has a wide range of hotels, from budget to luxury. You will find a row of guesthouses along the south part of the main beach at excellent prices, but the sea isn’t as attractive around this part. In the centre is the Kamala Beach Resort, and in the north is the Novotel Phuket, an excellent value for money. Both have direct beach access. In the 5-star range, try the luxurious Paresa Resort or the Hyatt Regency.
Intercontinental Phuket Resort 
The Intercontinental Phuket Resort, located on Kamala Beach, is a luxurious 5-star hotel that offers an unparalleled experience. The hotel is divided into two separate wings, each with its own unique vibe and situated on either side of the main road in Kamala. The smaller beachfront wing boasts a sleek, modern design and features amenities such as a swimming pool, a beach club, and a beachside restaurant. The back wing of the hotel is actually the most visually stunning, with a spacious reception area and a central pathway that leads to a stunning white Thai building located at the back of the property. This building is so impressive that it immediately captures the attention of all guests upon their arrival. Read more
Other popular hotels in Kamala Beach
WHERE TO EAT IN KAMALA?
The Kamala dining scene seems to be changing faster than the seasons. Kamala is famous for the many small restaurants and bars set along the beach on a 1 km strip. Those restaurants are great for a slow and affordable breakfast by the sea, a lunch with a sea view or a great dinner with a sunset. Parallel to the beach, but behind a line of buildings, is the ‘main street’ where you will find other favourite Thai restaurants such as Charoen Seafood at Kamala Dream, Blue Manao, and Sala Thai.
Smile Bar
Smile Bar is a very popular beachfront restaurant and bar with a great location just across the beach and the sea. The place has been recently renovated and is brighter and very welcoming. The team is super friendly and speaks good English. The menu is great, but Smile Bar is well known for its grilled chicken!
Boat Bar & Restaurant
Boat Bar is a simple but always popular restaurant on the beach, and the staff is very friendly. They serve a great range of Thai food and Pizza at an excellent price. Perfect for drinks at sunset too!
Bella Vista Kamala
Bella Vista Kamala is an Italian restaurant located right on the beachfront of Kamala Beach, offering stunning sea views to go with your holiday breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
hom Restaurant at Intercontinental
A dinner at Hom Restaurant at the Intercontinental Phuket Resort on Kamala Beach is a truly luxurious experience. The setting is breathtaking, with the hotel’s stunning architecture standing out against the hillside. As you walk toward the restaurant, the carefully crafted design creates a memorable atmosphere. Inside, the minimalist décor is both elegant and inviting. The 10-course menu focuses on traditional fermentation techniques, using fresh local ingredients to enhance flavours. The intimate dining room ensures privacy, while the friendly staff and thoughtful wine pairings add to the relaxed yet sophisticated experience. It’s the perfect spot for a special occasion.
There are more restaurants on our dining page, and we keep adding them as we explore. Click the button below
KAMALA BEACH NIGHTLIFE
Kamala beach nightlife has evolved a lot since the arrival of Cafe Del Mar. After all, there is still a bit of old-fashioned nightlife, and you are still in Phuket. Few ladies will probably call you “Hello, welcome!” when you walk past their bars, and it is always more fun to have a drink with friendly company than alone. It is nowhere like Bangla Road, but it adds a bit of spice and colour to the street.
Cafe Del Mar
Café Del Mar Phuket is one of the best beach clubs on the island. This well-known Ibiza brand found out this island was the right place for a beach party beach club with good music, great drinks and most of all, notorious parties.
Pine Beach Bar
Pine Beach Bar is a recent and beautiful venue set right on the sand of Kamala Beach and part of the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel. With such a wide strip of soft white sand and a beautiful landscape, the north end of Kamala is an ideal place to spend the afternoon or watch the famous colourful sunsets of Phuket.
Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic is a brand new 40-acre nighttime Thai carnival theme park known as the Magical Kingdom of Lights. It features numerous record-breaking attractions that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Situated on Kamala Beach, Carnival Magic stands as an iconic destination that no visitor to Phuket should miss.
Novotel Kamala Rooftop
‘On The Roof’ is a vast and breezy rooftop with plenty of comfortable seating with the beach’s views. This rooftop is a great place to end the day with a cocktail or dinner, as the music is not as loud as in nearby beach clubs. Don’t miss the happy hour from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm, two glasses for one’s price.
Night Market
The main road also has a bit of nightlife, shops, restaurants, and even a Big C Superstore, but the most interesting thing is the fresh local market, which is held all day at the village entrance. The night market opens on Mondays and Fridays from 3.30 pm to 10 pm on the main road. It’s your chance to see fruits and vegetables like you haven’t seen before and eat fun snacks you will never forget.
KAMALA BEACH INFORMATION
Are There Beach Chairs in Kamala?
Beach chairs are back on 10% of the beach, so everyone should be happy, as shown in this picture taken from the same spot on the same day. On the left are beach loungers; on the right, there are none. Kamala is a beautiful but often underrated beach. It’s probably why many visitors are returning every year, knowing that the best way to keep your favourite beach to yourself is to keep it low profile!
Fast Facts about Kamala Beach
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Good |
| ⛱️ Beach length: | 2 km |
| ⛱️ Other beach nearby: | Surin Beach |
| 📷 Thing to do: | Phuket Fantasea |
| 🍴 Best restaurant: | Jaras at Intercontinental Phuket |
| 🍸 Best rooftop bar: | Vanilla Sky |
| 🍹 Best beach club: | Cafe del Mar |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Intercontinental Phuket Resort |
| 🧳 Best mid range hotel: | Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach |
| 🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 10 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 22 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 24 km |
KAMALA BEACH PHOTOS
KAMALA BEACH MAP
This story was first published on June 09, 2016
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