What to Do at Kao Khad Beach
Kao Khad Beach, sometimes called Panwa Beach, is not a great swimming beach but has the charm of these remote bays not many would take the time to explore while visiting Phuket. Located on the east coast of the Panwa Cape and facing west, the whole area is peppered with luxury villas and few resorts, a great alternative to relax away from west coast crowded spots.
The other beaches on Panwa Cape are Ao Yon Beach, Panwa Beach, Meekham Baach and Heeowat Beach
WHAT TO DO IN KAO KHAD BEACH?
Kao Khad Beach and its surroundings are not your usual tropical holiday destination, but once you drive there on a nice day, you will see a side of Phuket island that few take the time to enjoy.
The Beaches
There are more than two beaches in the Panwa area. The one most people call Panwa Beach is Khao Kad Beach. The seabed is covered with dead coral, so it is not a great beach for swimming. Further south, Cape Panwa Beach is a lot nicer, and many people don’t even know it exists because the beach access is only reserved for the guests of the Cape Panwa Hotel.
Shopping and Massage
There is not much to do on Panwa but enjoy the tranquillity of such a unique hidden spot. You can sit at a beach table and enjoy reading, order drinks, food and some excellent tropical fruits. Then you can have a beach massage at one of the bamboo huts! This is quite unique as it is tranquil and feels like Phuket twenty years ago!
Ao Yon Beach
Ao Yon is a small hidden cove where you can swim all year round. It now has a few restaurants and a few small beach clubs.
Khao Kat View Tower
Khao Kat Views Tower or ‘Panwa Viewpoint’ offers an amazing 360˙ view of the southeast part of Phuket and the islands nearby. It’s very isolated, and despite some investments to attract tourists, it may be too remote to ever become popular.
Phuket Aquarium
Go further south and stop for a short visit to the Phuket Aquarium and its small glass tunnel. This aquarium may not be as big as the new Aquaria at Central Floresta Phuket, but this is a Phuket Marine Biological Center dedicated to rescuing dolphins, dugongs and turtles often found in distress around Phuket.
Baba Nest Rooftop
Baba Nest at Sri Panwa Hotel is the ultimate rooftop bar in Phuket. It is built high above Phuket Aquarium on the remote Cape Panwa, southeast of Phuket Island. It’s far, hard to find, and hard to book as you can expect a two-week waiting list to get a reservation, but it’s worth it.
Location: Cape Panwa
Address: 88 Sakdidej Rd, Vichit Muang Chang Wat Phuket 83000
Phone: 076 371 000
Open: 24 hours
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SripanwaPhuket/
WHERE TO STAY ON KAO KHAD BEACH?
There are quite a few hotels and accommodations along Panwa Beaches. The best-known hotels and resorts around Panwa are:
Cape Panwa Hotel
Cape Panwa Hotel is a long-established resort with a classic design in a very enviable location and a superb private beach. The hotel has more than 200 rooms, beautiful pool villas, 7 restaurants, an old Sino-Portuguese house hosting a restaurant by the beach, and a funicular to easily go and down the hillside. Read more about Cape Panwa Hotel
Swimming pool: 2
Restaurants and bars: 7+1 Bar
Facilities: Fitness centre + Spa
Distance to the beach: Private beach
Distance to Patong Beach: 21.5 km
Distance to Phuket Town: 10.5 km
Range: 5-star
Address:27, 27/2, Mu 8, Sakdidej Road, Cape Panwa, Phuket 83000, Thailand
Phone: 076 391 123
Check the rates:
Sri Panwa
Sri Panwa is one of Phuket’s most amazing and exclusive hotels. Everyone we know heard of it, but not many actually stayed there, and we finally did. This resort is built on the remote Cape Panwa hillside and is best known for its incredible rooftop bar called Baba Nest. Read more about Sri Panwa
Location: Cape Panwa
Address: 88 Sakdidej Rd, Vichit Muang Chang Wat Phuket 83000
Phone: 076 371 000
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 3
Restaurants and bars: 6
Distance to the closest beach: just a small private beach
Range: 5-star
Address:88 Sakdidej Rd, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Phone: 076 371 000
Check the rates:
The Mooring Resort
The Mooring Resort, located on Ao Yon Beach near Cape Panwa, offers 15 cosy bungalows amidst lush tropical gardens. Each bungalow features teak wood furniture, a private balcony, an indoor rain shower, and a bathroom with double vanities. Enjoy the sea-facing infinity pool and various activities like yoga, Thai cooking classes, and spa treatments. Adjacent to the resort is The Cove Phuket, housing a restaurant, beach club, and bar overlooking Ao Yon Beach. Read more
Swimming pool: 1
Restaurants and bars: 1
Distance to the beach: on the beach
Distance to Patong Beach: 22.7 km
Distance to Phuket Town: 11.7 km
Range: 4-star
Address:106 Moo 8, T.Wichit A.Muang, 83000 Phuket, Thailand
Phone: 076 60 00 20
Hotel Location:
Click here to see this beach on the map 📍
Check the rates:
5. Bandara Villas
Bandara Villas is a beachfront property facing Ao Yon Beach, a rather hidden location that’s great for swimming and sunbathing with views of the Andaman Sea. The resort has 25 luxury private pool villas nestled in tranquil and green surroundings. Its highlight is the Ao Yon Pool Villa, a 2-storey hilltop villa with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a dining area, and a living room. It also has a private infinity swimming pool and a large sundeck with magnificent ocean views. Guests of Bandara Villas can enjoy daily activities such as yoga, Thai boxing, and aqua aerobics, as well as resort amenities like a beachfront pool, fitness centre, and a full-service spa. You can spend your evenings at the onsite Beach Bar, one of the most popular nightlife venues in Ao Yon Beach. Read more
Swimming pool: 1
Restaurants and bars: 1+1 Bar
Facilities: Fitness centre + Spa
Distance to the beach: on the beach
Distance to Patong Beach: 23.2 km
Distance to Phuket Town: 12.2 km
Range: 5-star
Address: 96 Soi Ao-Yon Khaokhad, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Phone: 076 316 298
Hotel Location:
Click here to see this beach on the map 📍
Check the rates:
WHERE TO EAT AROUND KAO KHAD BEACH?
If you are after peace, the Panwa peninsula is an enjoyable region to spend a slow afternoon staring at nearby islands. Then, have lunch or drinks at bamboo and thatched roofs restaurants along the strand. You can even stay at one of the beautiful resorts, the most popular being My Beach Resort and enjoy a great morning stroll along the sandy bay to the few fishing boats at the southern end.
The Cove
For a more sophisticated lunch or dinner (but still casual), drive a kilometre further down the coast, stop at the excellent The Cove, and enjoy a surprisingly great menu while sitting at tables by the sea!
Location: Ao Yon Beach
Address: 8/1, Wichit, Muang, Phuket 83000
Open: 7:30 am – 9.30 pm
Phone: 062 242 3442
Price: Moderate
Panwa House
Panwa House is a white Sino Portuguese restaurant surrounded by palm trees, right on the secluded beach of the Cape Panwa Hotel on the east coast of Phuket. This house has been a Phuket icon for years, even appearing in movies or TV series.
Location: Cape Panwa
Address: 27, Mu 8, Sakdidej Road, Cape Panwa, Phuket 83000
Tel: 02 233 3433
Open: 6:30 pm – 11 pm (except Mondays)
Baba Hot Box BBQ
The quality of the meat, the cool equipment used to cook and smoke it to perfection, and the chef’s skills make this a treat. Probably one of the best steak experiences on the island.
Location: Cape Panwa
Address: 88 Sakdidej Rd, Vichit Muang Chang Wat Phuket 83000
Phone: 076 371 000
Open: 24 hours
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SripanwaPhuket/
KAO KHAD BEACH PHOTOS
How to get to Kao Khad Beach?
Ao Yon Beach is a little difficult to find for three reasons. First, the name can be confusing as it is occasionally called Khao Kad Beach. Second, there is another beach nearby called Panwa Beach, but it is a private beach reserved for the exclusive use of the Cape Panwa Hotel.
- Distance from Patong to Panwa Beach: 22 km
- From Phuket International Airport to Panwa: 42 km
- From Phuket Town to Panwa: 10 km
- From Bangtao to Panwa: 32 km
KAO KHAD BEACH MAP
More Beaches in Phuket
FAQs about Kao Khad Beach
✳️ What is there to do around Panwa Beach?
a. Panwa is has a few interesting places to visit:
Ao Yon Beach
Baba Nest Rooftop Bar
Phuket Aquarium
Panwa Viewpoint✳️ Where can I eat around Panwa?
a. There are many restaurants in Panwa. Here are some we tried and liked:
The Cove
The Beach Bar
Panwa House
Baba Iki and Baba Hot Box BBQ at Sri Panwa✳️ What are the best hotels around Panwa Beach?
a. Here are some of the most popular hotels in the Panwa area:
Sri Panwa
Pullman Phuket Panwa Resort
Cape Panwa Hotel
Crowne Plaza Phuket Panwa Beach✳️ How Far is Panwa Beach from Phuket Town and Patong Beach?
a. Panwa Beach is 9 km from Phuket Town, 40 km from Phuket International Airport and 20 km from Patong Beach.
What’s Around?
The Beach Bar Phuket – Panwa Beach
The Cove Phuket – A Hidden Gem on Ao Yon Beach
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!