A Panoramic View of 3 Bays in Phuket
Karon Viewpoint sits on the hill road between Kata Noi and Nai Harn, and from the top, three beaches are visible at once. The Thai name is Kho Sam Haad, which means The Hill of the Three Beaches, and for once the name delivers exactly what it promises. The closest and smallest is Kata Noi Beach directly below. A little further is Kata Beach with its small island Koh Poo, which means Crab Island, sitting just offshore. And in the distance, the long pale curve of Karon Beach stretches north.
On the way to Promthep Cape or Nai Harn, this viewpoint is an easy stop. There are usually plenty of visitors taking selfies or photos for Instagram. There’s a gazebo with shade, a couple of small drink and snack shops a few steps below, and a reggae vendor who seems to have been selling necklaces and accessories from the same spot for as long as anyone can remember. Entry is free and the parking area is large.
Why is it called Karon Viewpoint?
The name is a little mysterious. On early visits, this place was called Kata Viewpoint, which made obvious sense: Kata Noi Beach is directly below and Kata Beach is the next one along. At some point the official name changed to Karon Viewpoint. Karon Beach is the furthest of the three visible from here, and the viewpoint itself is physically much closer to Kata than Karon. Whether it falls under the Karon administrative district or someone just made a decision one day and stuck with it, the new name has caused genuine confusion. Visitors sometimes search for Karon Viewpoint and end up looking around Karon Beach wondering where the viewpoint is.
The old name Kata Viewpoint still gets used locally and still makes more sense. The massive official sign on the building says Karon Viewpoint, but plenty of long-term residents ignore it.
Karon Viewpoint has a large and accessible parking area, so if you can’t resist a viewpoint, don’t hesitate to stop on your way to the Windmill Viewpoint and Promthep Cape.
How It Started
This viewpoint has been a stop on the road south since the 1990s. Back then it had almost nothing: a patch of ground, a view, and maybe one vendor selling drinks from a cool box. The gazebo and the small shops came later. The reggae vendor appeared at some point in the early 2000s and has been there ever since, which is a kind of permanence that most things in Phuket don’t manage.
What’s changed most is the volume of visitors. The viewpoint was always popular with people driving between Kata and Nai Harn, but the rise of photography-focused travel turned it into a destination rather than a quick stop. The parking area fills up fast in high season, especially in the late afternoon. The view itself hasn’t changed. The crowd has.
My Take
Karon Viewpoint is worth five to fifteen minutes depending on the light. The three-beach panorama is genuinely one of the better views on the island, and on a clear afternoon the colour of the water from this height is hard to beat. The best time to stop is between 4 pm and 5 pm when the sun is lower and the light on Kata Noi Bay shifts from flat blue-white to something much warmer.
Compared to Promthep Cape, which is the obvious competitor for sunset viewpoints in the south, Karon Viewpoint is quieter, easier to park at, and offers a different angle: three distinct bays rather than open ocean horizon. Most visitors heading to Promthep drive straight past without stopping. That’s a mistake worth correcting. The views are different enough to make both worth doing on the same afternoon.
Where to eat near Karon Viewpoint?
Chopol’s Plantation Bar and Restaurant
Heaven Rooftop Restaurant Phuket
Tree Bay Clubhouse Phuket
What to do nearby?
Nui Beach
Nui Beach stands out as an unconventional beach. While it may not possess the grandeur of other beaches, its coarse sand and hidden nature appeal to those who enjoy discovering secret and secluded spots. The more challenging it is to locate such beaches, the more attractive they become to travellers, and Nui Beach happens to be one of the remaining few.
Black Rock Viewpoint
The Black Rock viewpoint, located in the southern part of Phuket, has gained recognition over time; however, it is considered a bit challenging to find unless you are familiar with the area. It is recommended to have a car or, ideally, a motorbike to reach the viewpoint path entrance. Additionally, being in decent physical condition is recommended due to the steep walking involved.
Photos of Karon Viewpoint
Karon Viewpoint Street View
Karon Viewpoint Info
Location: Past Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach Address: 4233, Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100 Open: 24 hours Price: FreeHow to get to the Karon Viewpoint?
Karon Viewpoint is easy to find by the coastal roadside between Kata and Nai Harn Beach. You can easily go there by local bus or smart bus, tuk-tuk, taxi or self-driving: From Patong Beach to the Viewpoint: 13 km From Kata Beach: 3 km From Bangtao Beach: 32 km From Phuket Town: 17 km From Phuket International Airport: 49 kmKaron Viewpoint Map
Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/gYLeg1hSAfFXBKfW9.FAQs about Karon Viewpoint
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