Karon Beach vs Kamala Beach

Who is Karon Beach for?

Karon Beach works well for two types of travellers. The first are those who want large, quiet resorts with easy beach access and don’t mind spending time within the resort itself, since Karon’s small town is set back from the beach and requires a shuttle or tuk-tuk to reach from many hotels. The second group are budget travellers who stay in the small town of Karon, where restaurants, bars, and shops are concentrated.

Karon has one of Phuket’s longest beaches at 3.5km, and it never feels as crowded as Patong or Kata. The sand makes a distinctive squeaky sound when you walk on it. Families appreciate the wide, open beach and the calm atmosphere, while the town area has enough restaurants and a night bazaar to keep evenings interesting without being overwhelming.

Pros:

• Long (3.5km), wide beach with fewer vendors and loungers, offering a peaceful experience.
• Many hotels are just across the road from the beach, providing easy access.
• Features a night bazaar and local restaurants near the town area.
• A good range of large family resorts with excellent facilities, like Centara Grand and Pullman.
• Less crowded than Kata or Patong, even during peak season.

Cons:

• The town is separated from most beachfront hotels, often requiring a tuk-tuk or shuttle.
• Limited nightlife and entertainment options.
• Few beachfront dining choices directly on the sand.

Who is Kamala Beach for?

Kamala Beach attracts families, couples, and retirees looking for a more upscale beach experience with better dining options right on the sand. The 2km beach has a string of casual restaurants along the shore for breakfast, lunch, and sunset meals, plus stylish beach clubs like Café del Mar, Shimmer, and Pine Beach Bar at the northern end.

Kamala has evolved into one of Phuket’s luxury hotspots, with the southern headland area now called “Millionaire’s Mile” home to high-end resorts like InterContinental, Hyatt Regency, Cape Sienna, and Keemala. But the beach town itself still has guesthouses and mid-range options for those on tighter budgets. Kamala is also closer to the airport than Karon, making it convenient for shorter stays.

Pros:

• More beachfront dining options with restaurants directly on the sand.
• Stylish beach clubs, including Café del Mar, Shimmer, and Pine Beach Bar.
• Home to several luxury resorts and villas along “Millionaire’s Mile.”
• Phuket FantaSea and Carnival Magic entertainmentare nearby.
• Closer to Phuket Airport (25km vs 45km for Karon).
• Night market on Mondays and Fridays.

Cons:

• Fewer budget accommodation options than in Karon.
• Attractions are more spread out, requiring transport.
• The beach is shorter (2km vs 3.5km), though it rarely feels crowded.

The Beach of Karon

Karon Beach stretches 3.5km along Phuket’s west coast, making it one of the longest beaches on the island. The beach is wide with plenty of space to spread out, and even during high season, it never feels as packed as neighbouring Patong or Kata. The sand is thicker than at other Phuket beaches and is famous for making a distinctive squeaky sound when you walk on it.

Beach loungers and umbrellas are available for rent, though there are fewer than at Kata, giving the beach a more natural, less commercial feel. A wide road runs along the beachfront, and most hotels are located across this road rather than directly on the sand. Only Centara Grand Beach Resort, Beyond Resort Karon, and Marina Cottage have direct beach access. A few local restaurants are found at the north end of the beach near the roundabout.

The town of Karon sits perpendicular to the beach rather than running alongside it, which means getting from your hotel to restaurants and shops often requires a short ride. This layout contributes to Karon’s quieter atmosphere, but can feel inconvenient if you want to walk everywhere.

The Beach of Kamala

Kamala Beach curves gently along a 2km bay, shorter than Karon but with a different character. The beach started as a Muslim fishing village and still retains some of that local feel, though tourism has transformed much of the area. The sand is soft and the water shallow, making it popular with families.

What sets Kamala apart is the beachfront dining scene. A string of casual open-air restaurants lines about 1km of the beach, perfect for breakfast with your feet in the sand or sunset drinks while watching the sky change colours. At the northern end, upscale beach clubs like Café del Mar, Shimmer, and Pine Beach Bar offer a more sophisticated atmosphere with DJs, cocktails, and loungers.

Beach activities include surfing and paddleboarding during the right season, massage services, and longtail boat trips. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent along the beach, and vendors sell food and drinks to those who prefer not to move from their spot.

The Hotels in Karon Beach

Karon Beach has a solid range of accommodation, with many hotels positioned just across the road from the beach. Some properties cover enormous grounds, so even if your hotel sounds close to the beach, you might have to walk through extensive gardens to reach it. Only three hotels in Karon have direct beach access: Centara Grand Beach Resort, Beyond Resort Karon, and Marina Cottage.

The area is known for large family-oriented resorts with good facilities. Pullman Phuket Arcadia (formerly Hilton) is one of the biggest, while Centara Grand remains popular for its beachfront location and kids’ facilities. For mid-range options, Paradox Resort (formerly Mövenpick) and Avista Grande offer good value. Budget hotels and guesthouses cluster in the Karon town area, where you’ll also find restaurants and nightlife.

The Hotels in Kamala Beach

Kamala has developed a reputation for luxury accommodation, particularly along the southern headland now known as “Millionaire’s Mile.” Here you’ll find some of Phuket’s top resorts, including InterContinental Phuket Resort, Hyatt Regency, Cape Sienna, Keemala, Twinpalms MontAzure, Paresa, and Andara, along with several private villas with stunning sea views.

But Kamala isn’t exclusively high-end. The beach town has guesthouses and small hotels at the southern end that suit travellers on tighter budgets. Two resorts offer direct beach access: Kamala Beach Resort in the centre and Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach at the northern end. The mid-range and budget options are more limited than in Karon, but they exist for those willing to look.

What to Do in Karon Beach

Karon’s facilities centre on the small town area that runs perpendicular to the beach. Here you’ll find restaurants serving Thai and international food, massage shops, small supermarkets, and a collection of beer bars. The Karon Night Bazaar offers shopping and street food in the evenings. There are also a couple of beach clubs on Karon Beach for those wanting a more upscale daytime experience.

The setup in Karon means most beachfront hotels are removed from the dining and entertainment scene. Large resorts like Centara Grand and Pullman have multiple restaurants on-site, which works well for families who prefer to stay within their resort. Those wanting more variety will need to take a shuttle or tuk-tuk to the town area.

Shopping options are limited in Karon itself, but the Central Phuket mall is about 20 minutes away, and Patong’s shopping scene is even closer.

What to Do in Kamala Beach

Kamala offers a different setup with more beachfront dining. The restaurants along the beach make it easy to walk from your hotel to lunch or dinner without needing transport. The beach clubs at the northern end, particularly Café del Mar and Pine Beach Bar, provide upscale options for sunset drinks and evening entertainment with DJs and occasional events.

The town of Kamala has cafes, souvenir shops, massage parlours, and convenience stores along the main road. Big C and Villa Market have opened stores in the area, making grocery shopping convenient. A popular night market runs every Monday and Friday near Phuket FantaSea.

For evening entertainment, Kamala hosts the extravagant Phuket FantaSea and the newer Carnival Magic shows, both featuring elaborate stage productions with Thai cultural themes. The old-school Kamala Biergarten and a few other bars offer more casual nightlife, though nothing approaching Patong’s intensity.