Where is Karon Viewpoint?
The Karon Viewpoint Thai name is Kho Sam Haad, which means ‘The Hill of the Three Beaches’, and once we reached the place, just as promised, we saw three beaches. So if this is your first trip to Phuket, you probably will stop for a few minutes at this popular and beautiful panoramic landmark to admire the view from the top of the hill.
The closest and smallest one is Kata Noi Beach. A bit further we could see the beautiful Kata Beach with its island ‘Koh Poo’, which means Crab Island, and far, we could also spot the very long beach of Karon.
With such a strategic location on the side of the road leading to the famous Promthep Cape, we sometimes stop at Karon Viewpoint on our way to Nai Harn, and we always see a lot of travellers taking selfies or Instagram shots. Sometimes we stay a bit longer in the gazebo shade to enjoy drinks or snacks bought at the tiny shops located a few steps below, or watch the well-known reggae guy who is always hanging there selling some necklaces and accessories.
Why is it called Karon Viewpoint?
The name is a little mysterious. The first time we visited it, it was called ‘Kata Viewpoint’, but one day, someone decided to rename it ‘Karon Viewpoint’! If you know Phuket’s geography, you’ll realise how odd this is because it is much closer to Kata Beach than Karon Beach. It may fall under the Karon district or someone who had too much time on his hands. It is a little confusing, and travellers sometimes try to find it around Karon Beach!
Anyway, we continue to call it Kata Viewpoint and most travellers never noticed the name change or the massive sign on the building.
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.
Photos of Karon Viewpoint
Karon Viewpoint Street View
Where to eat near Karon Viewpoint?
Heaven Rooftop Restaurant
Heaven Rooftop Restaurant is a little-known viewpoint terrace hidden below the famous Karon Viewpoint on the east coast of Phuket. Heaven Restaurant has a relaxed style we usually find on beach clubs and is a great place for us to end the day with a sunset. Most importantly, we enjoyed some amazing views over the three bays of Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach and Karon Beach, further in the back.
Address: 6 Soi Leammumnai, Tambon Karon, Phuket 83100
Open: 5 pm – 10 pm
Phone: 093 140 0113
Price: Affordable
Sabai Corner
Sabai Corner is a beautiful Thai restaurant hidden in Phuket, not far from Kata Noi Beach. Only a few dedicated travellers will find it or try to find it. The food is good without being exceptional, but we had fun just finding it and discovering the magnificent panoramic view of the nearby sea.
Location: Take the small road past Karon View Point and drive all the way down
Open: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: 089 875 5525
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 viewpoints 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.
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: Free
How 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 km
Karon Viewpoint Map
Get the directions on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/gYLeg1hSAfFXBKfW9.
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Born in France a long long time ago, I started to travel the world early until I settled in Phuket in 1994. For the past 30 years, my passion for photography and my curiosity have taken me to every corner of Phuket, Bangkok and everywhere I could go in Thailand. My goal is to share my discoveries, photos and tips to help travellers plan their holidays by making Phuket 101 as easy as possible to use for everyone!