Sunset at Kamala Beach, Phuket

Kamala Beach

Small town with a relaxed ambiance

Kamala’s two-kilometer-long beautiful sandy beach is sheltered by Kamala Bay. The small town has massage shops, spas, tailors, restaurants, bars and some of the best five-star resorts on the island.

To do & see in Kamala

Plenty to do and see in Kamala, both on and off the beach. It’s best known attractions are Carnival Magic Theme Park and Phuket FantaSea Theme Park.

Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic is Thailand’s first nighttime carnival theme park. Both children and adults will enjoy an evening of carnival games, shows and a spectacular show with special effects, flying creatures, animatronic floats and aerial ballet against a virtual reality background.

Kingdom of Lights at Carnival Magic, Thailand’s first nighttime carnival theme park
Kingdom of Lights at Carnival Magic

Phuket FantaSea

Phuket FantaSea is a cultural theme park in Kamala. Here you can watch the “Fantasy of a Kingdom”, a spectacular stage show that portrays the customs, traditions and beliefs of the Thai people. An impressive show with acrobatics, fireworks, light effects, magic and illusions performed by numerous actors wearing colorful costumes, the story tells of the battle of good versus evil.

Cultural stage show at Phuket FantaSea
Fantasy of a Kingdom show
Phuket FantaSea

Kamala Beach

Kamala has a beautiful sandy beach lined with trees and sheltered by Kamala Bay. The water is shallow, making it very suitable for families with children. During the dry season from November until April the sea is calm and clear.

The North end of the beach is great to relax, sunbathe and swim in the azure waters of the Andaman Sea. You can get a Thai massage or foot massage at the beach at 300 Baht per hour. The atmosphere is much quieter and more relaxed than Patong Beach, about ten kilometers further South.

Surfing

Kamala Beach is best for surfing during the low season, from April to October. While the South end is well suited for beginners, the North end is great for more experienced surfers with waves of up to three meters. During the dry season from November until March the sea is calm with very small waves. Several shops along the beach rent out surf boards.

Jet ski

Jet skis are for rent on Kamala Beach. Be aware that you are responsible for damages. A well-known scam is to charge tourists for pre-existing damage. Tempers often run high quickly during the argument that follows.

Longtail boat rental

A fun experience is to take a longtail boat trip. Go to Haad Laem Sing, a small sandy beach just North of Kamala and then further North to Surin Beach or follow the rocky coastline South towards Patong.

Long tail boats are for rent at the South end of the beach. Agree on price, duration and where to go before getting in the boat.

Longtail boats on the beach
Longtail boats on the beach

Local markets

Get a feel of local life and visit one of the two open air markets in Kamala town.

Kamala night market opposite Phuket FantaSea on Kamala – Patong Road opens Monday and Friday from 4 pm until 9 pm.

The Kamala village market which has a more local feel to it is located a few hundred meters past The Pela hotel in the South end of Kamala town. It opens Wednesday and Saturday from 3 pm until 7 pm.

Both markets sell clothing, fashion accessories, souvenirs and beauty products. Their main draw though is the abundance of Thai food and fruits. Try Thai dishes as Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Satay chicken, spring rolls and desserts like roti pancake, toddy palm cake or mango sticky rice.

Lots of tropical fruits around. Depending on the season you will find bananas, mango, durian, dragon fruit, oranges and papaya.

Restaurants

There are plenty of restaurants both near the beach and in Kamala town serving Thai, Indian, European and seafood. Restaurants along the beach road often have a display of fresh fish, shrimp, squid and shellfish in ice. Just point at what would like to eat, and it will be cooked for you.

Silk Restaurant & Bar
Silk Restaurant & Bar is a high-end restaurant serving Thai and Italian food. It is located in the Andara Resort & Villas at 15 Moo 6, about a hundred meters from the South end of the beach.

Big Boys’ Burger Club
Big Boys’ Burger Club specializes in burgers cooked to your preference as well as fries and chicken wings among others. You will find it on 98/19 Soi Pa Chak, in Kamala town, a few minutes walk South of the Tsunami Memorial Park.

Greek Tavern
If you’re looking for a change, try the Greek Tavern on Hua Khuan Nuea Road. The restaurant serves good Greek food, including vegetarian options. On the menu are dishes like like Moussaka, souvlaki and Greek salad. Also try the ouzo, an aperitif with an anise flavor.

The Bua Restaurant
Right at the South end of the beach is The Bua Restaurant that serves Thai, vegetarian and fresh seafood. Enjoy dishes as green chicken curry, massaman curry, pomelo salad, tuna tartare, Tom Yum Goong, spring rolls and Pad Thai with good views of the beach.

HQ Beach Lounge
The HQ Beach Lounge is a high-end beachfront restaurant and bar at the North end of the beach next to the InterContinental. A stylish place with a nice ambiance, the restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating with great views. The restaurant serves Thai and Western food at above average prices. It’s a good place to enjoy a few sunset cocktails.

Nightlife

Around Kamala town are pubs, beer bars and bars with young female hostesses. Many of them are centered around Kamala – Patong Road, a few hundred meters from the South end of the beach.

If you’re looking for go-go bars, nightclubs and discotheques, go to Bangla Road in Patong, the center of nightlife in Phuket.

White Sun Bar
Just off Rim Hat Road, a very short walk from the South end of the beach is the White Sun Bar. A fun and relaxed place for beer, wine and cocktails as well as a few games of pool or Connect 4.

Aussie Pub Kamala
The Aussie Pub serves cold beer and cocktails as well as food as fish and chips or burgers with fries at good prices. Watch sports games on multiple big screens or play a few games with the young hostesses. The pub is located on Kamala – Patong Road near the intersection with Rim Hat Road.

Kamala Beergarden
Go to Kamala Beergarden for cold beer, cocktails and food as chicken wings and pizza, burgers, spaghetti or Thai food. Play a game of pool on one of their pool tables, watch sports on TV screens or play games like Connect 4 with the girls. You’ll find the beergarden on Kamala – Patong Road, on the intersection with Pa Chak Road.

On the Roof by Novotel
On the Roof by Novotel is a rooftop bar with great panoramic views of Kamala Beach and the bay. Enjoy cocktails and good food with great sunset views. During happy hour from 5.30 pm until 7.30 pm cocktails are half price. The bar is part of at the Novotel Phuket at the North end of Kamala beach.

The Café del Mar
The Café del Mar next to the HQ Beach Lounge is a more of a beach party club with a DJ and a fire show. Prices are at the higher end.

Where to stay

Kamala has a good variety of accommodation both along the beach and in town, ranging from budget to five-star luxury accommodation like the Twinpalms MontAzure and the Andara Resort & Villas.

Twinpalms MontAzure
If you’re looking for beachfront luxury, stay at the five-star Twinpalms MontAzure. Located in a peaceful location at the North end of Kamala Beach, the new resort has comfortable and spacious suites, suites with private pool and penthouses with private pool. Enjoy a cocktail at the beach lounge or a good meal at the beachfront restaurant.

Andara Resort & Villas
One of the best luxury resorts in Phuket is the five-star Andara Resort & Villas at the South end of Kamala Beach. It has great views of Kamala Bay, the Andaman Sea and the forested mountains. All suites and pool villas are spacious and well equipped. The resort pool overlooks the beach and the Andaman Sea. Facilities include a fitness centre, tennis court, full service spa and yoga classes.

Himmapana Luxury villas
The new four-star Himmapana Luxury villas are located in Kamala town, about one kilometer from the beach. The villas in stylish design are well equipped with amenities and a kitchen. Every villa has its own private pool and garden. Pamper yourself at the full-service spa or enjoy an in-room massage. Free shuttle bus to the beach.

The Umbrella House
The three-star Umbrella House is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in Kamala town in walking distance from eateries, bars and massage shops. It’s about a ten-minute walk to the South end of the beach. The modern, small hotel has spacious rooms with a balcony. There is a pool and a children’s pool.

Getting around

Public transport is limited in Kamala. There is a songthaew service to Phuket Town. The Phuket Smart Bus runs between the airport and Rawai. If you prefer a more comfortable way to get around, take a Grab taxi.

To Phuket Town
The blue non air-con songthaew buses run between Kamala and Phuket Town. There are no bus stops. Flag one down on Kamala – Patong Road, the main road in Kamala. The service operates from 6 am until 6 pm. One way fare is 40 Baht. Pay the driver when you get off the bus.

To other beaches
To get to one of the other Phuket beaches like Patong, Kata, Karon, Nai Yang or Surin, take the Phuket Smart Bus that runs between Phuket airport and Rawai.


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John Gray’s Sea Kayak Tour

  • Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay
  • Explore hidden caves and cliff lined lagoons
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  • Kayak in emerald lagoons
  • Professional English speaking guide
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Phi Phi Islands Tours

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James Bond Island Tours

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  • Full day tour from Phuket
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