13 Things to do in Kata Beach

The Beach

Kata Beach stretches 1.5 kilometres of immaculate soft sand with crystal-clear blue waters during high season (December to April). Shaded by natural trees, the bay has drink vendors, beachside massages starting at 300 Baht, and small Thai restaurants at the south end. Beach chairs occupy some parts of the beach, ensuring plenty of room for everyone, with affordable rentals and friendly staff maintaining clean facilities. While the sea is perfect for swimming during high season, low season (June to November) brings dangerous conditions with strong rip currents that require strict attention to red flag warnings. However, these powerful waves have transformed Kata into Phuket’s premier surfing destination, hosting annual surf competitions and attracting wave riders from around the world.

Dino Park

Dino Park offers a fun Jurassic-themed mini golf experience located between Kata and Karon beaches. This 18-hole course features life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, including roaring T Rex and moving creatures through prehistoric jungle settings. Players navigate challenging obstacles like swamps, lava caves, and an erupting volcano that blasts smoke and flames, with a Flintstones-themed restaurant available for post-game dining.

Super Surf Kata

Super Surf Kata offers a safe artificial wave experience where visitors can learn surfing, wakeboarding, or kiteboarding without the usual challenges of extreme sports. Two parallel high-pressure water streams flow up an inclined slope, creating enough lift for riders on just ten centimetres of water over a soft, rubbery surface that makes falls painless. Beginners can start with bodyboards or small flow boards while trainers provide guidance and safety ropes.

Wat Kitti Sangkharam (Kata Temple)

Wat Kitti Sangkharam, known locally as Kata Temple, has served the community since 1832, making it nearly 200 years old. Located one kilometre inland from Kata Beach on Patak Road, this peaceful Buddhist temple features recently renovated buildings painted in brilliant red, yellow, and orange colours. The complex includes an ordination hall with Buddha statues, monks’ quarters, and a local school for children. The temple manages Phuket’s famous Big Buddha statue on nearby Nakkerd Hill and serves as a true community centre where families come for quiet reflection away from busy beaches.

Surfing in Kata

Kata Beach is Phuket’s best-known surfing destination, offering good wave action at its southern end near The Boathouse Resort. The beach provides decent waves at any tide level, though conditions are optimal during mid-tide from May to October. Suitable for beginner to advanced surfers, Kata offers consistent wave-riding opportunities without becoming overcrowded in low season. Multiple surf shops provide board rentals directly on the beach, while several surf schools offer lessons for those wanting to learn or improve their skills.

Kata Noi Beach

Kata Noi Beach offers a quieter alternative to nearby Kata Beach, with soft white sand and incredibly clear blue water during high season. This small bay, once voted one of the world’s ten most beautiful beaches by TripAdvisor, remains relatively quiet and away from tourist crowds. The northern end provides decent surfing waves for beginners during low season, while the beach’s proximity to the famous Karon Viewpoint offers spectacular panoramic views. Three luxury resorts occupy the entire beachfront: Katathani Beach Resort, The Shore, and Mom Tri’s Villa Royale – providing exclusive access to this pristine location. Visitors can enjoy sunset drinks at hillside bars like After Beach Bar and The Sundeck, which offer breathtaking views over the bay.

Parasailing

Parasailing is available but not recommended for safety reasons, as some fatal accidents have occurred. If you still want to try, here is how it works, and it can be a bit surprising: You will be equipped with a parachute on the beach while the speedboat takes position perpendicular to the beach. On the pilot signal, you will have to run for a short distance in the direction of the ocean, assisted by the team. That’s where the most surprising thing happens: as you take off, a crew member will grab the ropes of the parachute and will hang above you during the whole flight without any safety features. That’s quite a sight, but apparently, they never fall.

Kata Night Market

Tucked behind Club Med on Muang Patak Road, Kata Night Market operates daily from noon until 11 pm. This vibrant food court–style market features rows of tiny stalls offering grilled meats, seafood, Pad Thai, and fried rice. Fresh fruit vendors serve mango sticky rice and banana roti, while an ice cream booth delights with loud, showy preparation. Adventurous eaters can sample fried insects: grasshoppers, silkworms, and crickets, or pay a small photo fee if they only wish to take pictures. Beyond food, the market’s bazaar sells light elephant pants and T-shirts for 100–150 Baht.

Open: noon -11 pm, daily
Address: Muang Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100

Tree Bay Clubhouse

Tree Bay Clubhouse sits on a hillside below Karon Viewpoint, offering breathtaking panoramic views of three iconic southern Phuket bays: Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon beaches. This unique two-storey restaurant features a massive circular platform with a curved bamboo and leaf roof, creating distinctive architecture rare in modern Phuket. The central bar serves crafted cocktails while guests enjoy scenic dining on the terrace. Reservations are recommended to secure edge tables with the best views, especially for sunset dining when the hillside location provides spectacular evening ambience.

The Sundeck

The Sundeck offers spectacular panoramic views from its hillside location above Kata Noi Beach, positioned between Kata Beach and Nai Harn Beach near the famous Karon Viewpoint. This trendy rooftop lounge serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine alongside cocktails, sangria, and an impressive wine selection in a sophisticated atmosphere with DJ music and comfortable sofas. Open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, the rooftop is great for sunset dining while watching the sun set over Kata Noi Bay. The location makes it an ideal stop during Phuket exploration for drinks with panoramic sea views and sunsets.

The Commune

The Commune is a seaside terrace bar perched above the rocks between Karon and Kata, popular for ocean views and photo spots along its staircases and multi-level decks. Hidden at the end of a narrow lane on Laemsai Road, it draws a young crowd and selfie lovers, with neighbours like A Blanket & A Pillow and Laem Sai Cup Cafe adding to the appeal. Drinks and light bites are served on the main terrace beside a small pool, with a 180 Baht entrance fee credited to the bar to discourage photo-only visitors. Parking is limited; scooter spaces fill fast, and cars may need tricky U-turns, so walking from the beach is easier.

Ska bar

Ska Bar is a small but iconic Reggae bar built in the shade of an immense tree, right on the beach in Kata. This unique setting makes it a perfect spot to end your day on the beach, even if you are not a Reggae fan. The atmosphere is relaxing, the view of the bay beautiful, and while you can’t really see the sunset from the bar itself, you can admire the sky colours reflecting on the wet sand.

Fira Rooftop

Fira Beach Club is an immense rooftop venue perched high above Kata Noi Beach, offering stunning panoramic views and Mediterranean-inspired luxury despite being far from the actual beach. Open from 11 am to 10 pm, this upscale establishment features day beds for 2-8 guests, VIP cabanas, and private rooms for larger groups. The venue houses KIPO restaurant on the second floor, where Chef Ramon Verano creates vibrant coastal Mediterranean dishes using local ingredients, and DOXA sky bar, renowned for sunset views and expert mixology. The atmosphere blends relaxed beach club vibes with chic sophistication, perfect for special occasions or effortless gatherings. Prices are on the high side, and parking can be challenging.