What to Do in Kamala Beach?
Kamala Beach is a very nice beach with a tranquil atmosphere on the west coast of Phuket, popular with families and travellers who prefer a quiet holiday. The beach is immense and features many excellent Thai and international restaurants right on the beach, a rare luxury in Phuket.
The popularity of Kamala expanded with the new Pine Beach Bar opening at The Intercontinental Hotel and Cafe Del Mar Beach Club next. Kamala is still a beautiful long beach with clear waters during the high season. It features many small beach restaurants, shopping options, and excellent hotels, some with direct beach access.
Kamala Beach Travel Guide
The main road coming down from Patong Beach passes through Kamala, and you might keep driving (fast) without noticing the small street at the bottom of the hill. Kamala consists of two villages: the original Muslim town in the very back, which does not have much happening here, and Kamala’s tourist part is built all along the beach.
Pros and Cons of Kamala Beach
Pros of Kamala Beach:
- Beautiful and peaceful beach: Long stretch of soft sand with calm, clear waters in the high season.
- Family-friendly destination: Ideal for travellers seeking a quieter, relaxing vacation.
- Dining options: Many beachfront restaurants and bars offer Thai and international cuisine.
- Luxury beach clubs: Home to Cafe Del Mar and Pine Beach Bar, which are great for socializing and have sunset views.
- Nearby attractions: Close to Phuket Fantasea and other scenic beaches like Surin and Laem Singh.
- Accommodation variety: From budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury resorts with direct beach access.
Cons of Kamala Beach:
- Limited nightlife: More relaxed compared to Patong, with fewer nightlife options beyond bars and beach clubs.
- Seasonal swimming risks: Rough waves and rip currents during the monsoon season (June to November).
- Fewer activities: Limited in comparison to more bustling beaches like Patong.
Things to Do in Kamala Beach
There are no real attractions to see or visit besides Fantasea Park, a modest temple, a local market, and the beach itself. A few small beaches (Rayee Beach and Hua Beach) to the south on a tiny, long road leading to nowhere, nicknamed “The Millionaire Row”, home of the beautiful Paresa Resort and a collection of incredible private villas. You can enjoy a drink at the very end in a small bar built on top of rock boulders with amazing Patong Bay views.
The Main Beach
The beach has always been the main reason travellers preferred Kamala. The beach is long and wide, with soft pale sand and casuarinas and coconut trees. The sea is very shallow and clear during the high season. The northern and central areas are the most attractive, as some dirty streams release brown waters at the south end, where fishing boats are often parked.
Carnival Magic
Carnival Magic is a brand new 40-acre nighttime Thai carnival theme park known as the Magical Kingdom of Lights. It features numerous record-breaking attractions that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Situated on Kamala Beach, Carnival Magic stands as an iconic destination that no visitor to Phuket should miss.
Kamala Town
Kamala is a bit quieter and more local than the bigger tourist spots in Phuket. The beach is a long curve with soft sand and a row of trees behind it. Just inland, two streets run parallel to the shore, with a few hotels and restaurants directly on the beachfront.
The first street, set one block back, is a narrow lane. It can be quite pleasant in the evenings. You can walk along, passing small restaurants, casual bars, massage shops, tailors, tour counters, and convenience stores. It’s not too busy, which makes it nice for a slow walk and maybe stop for a drink or dinner.
The second road is a large four-lane road with more traffic. This is where you’ll find supermarkets, a few bars, and some practical shops. It’s less charming than the smaller lane, but handy if you need to pick up groceries or everyday things.
Nearby Beaches
Rayee Beach
Rayee is just next to the main Kamala Beach and is home to several luxurious properties, including Hyatt Regency Phuket and, further down, Cape Sienna. While it is a beautiful spot, Rayee is not suitable for swimming because of the coral.
Laem Singh Beach
The elusive Laem Singh Beach is just a little further down the road, past Kamala. This was one of the most popular green coves on the island for many years, but the landowner decided to close it. It now seems impossible to access, but it still is. You have to find the way! We’ll tell you how 🙂
Surin Beach
Further north, just a few kilometres away, the superb Surin Beach and Pansea Beach are further north. Surin is an immense natural beach with only one restaurant still available. Years ago, it used to be the place to dine and party at one of the many beach clubs, but all were declared illegally built and removed one day. Pansea Beach, next to it, is a beautiful but private beach only accessible to the guests of the two 5-star hotels sharing it: The Surin and Amanpuri.
Where to Stay in Kamala?
Kamala has a wide range of hotels, from budget to luxury. You will find a row of guesthouses along the southern part of the main beach at excellent prices, but the sea isn’t as attractive around this part. In the centre is the Kamala Beach Resort, and in the north is the Novotel Phuket, an excellent value for money. Both have direct beach access. In the 5-star range, try the luxurious Paresa Resort or the Hyatt Regency.
Intercontinental Phuket Resort
| On The Beach |
The Intercontinental Phuket Resort, located right on the beach of Kamala, is a luxurious 5-star hotel that offers an unparalleled experience. The hotel is divided into two separate wings, each with its own unique vibe and situated on either side of the main road in Kamala. The smaller beachfront wing has a sleek, modern design and features amenities such as a swimming pool, a beach club, and a beachside restaurant. The back wing of the hotel is actually the most visually stunning, with a spacious reception area and a central pathway that leads to a stunning white Thai building located at the back of the property. Read more
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 4
Restaurants and bars: 4 + beach club
Facilities: Spa, Fitness, Kid’s club, VIP lounge, Tennis
Distance to the closest beach: on the beach!
Check the rates
Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort
| Across the street to the beach |
Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is a superb 5-star resort built on a hillside of Kamala overlooking Rayee Beach, which is just a little south of the main Kamala beach, far from any crowd. This luxurious 201-room resort on the west coast of Phuket offers splendid sea views from almost every balcony. Obviously, the higher the room, the better the panorama! Read more
Range: 5-star – Adult Only
Swimming pools: 3
Restaurants and bars: 3
Distance to the closest beach: across the street to the beach
Check the rates
Other popular hotels in Kamala Beach
Where to Eat in Kamala?
The Kamala dining scene seems to be changing faster than the seasons. Kamala is famous for the many small restaurants and bars set along the beach on a 1 km strip. Those restaurants are great for a slow and affordable breakfast by the sea, a lunch with a sea view or a great dinner with a sunset. Parallel to the beach, but behind a line of buildings, is the ‘main street’ where you will find other favourite Thai restaurants such as Charoen Seafood at Kamala Dream, Blue Manao, and Sala Thai.
Smile Bar
Smile Bar is a very popular beachfront restaurant and bar with a great location just across the beach and the sea. The place has been recently renovated and is brighter and very welcoming. The team is super friendly and speaks good English. The menu is great, but Smile Bar is well known for its grilled chicken!
Casa Boho
Casa Boho is a casual Latin American rooftop restaurant at Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, set high above Rayee Beach, just south of Kamala. Created by the team behind Bangkok’s Above Eleven, it features an oceanview terrace with daybeds along an infinity pool, perfect for cocktails and tapas at sunset. There’s also The Den, a fun play area with games for kids and adults. In the evening, it’s a great spot for a relaxed dinner with a good wine selection and panoramic views.
Mizu Teppanyaki
Mizu is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant by the pool at Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort. It’s an easy spot to enjoy good seafood and Japanese dishes, all cooked right in front of you on the teppan grill. The menu has plenty of fresh seafood and a few creative takes on classic Japanese plates. The chefs know how to put on a bit of a show, which makes it fun to watch while you eat. A relaxed dinner option at the resort.
There are more restaurants on our dining page, and we keep adding them as we explore. Click the button below
KAMALA BEACH NIGHTLIFE
Kamala beach nightlife has evolved a lot since the arrival of Cafe Del Mar. After all, there is still a bit of old-fashioned nightlife, and you are still in Phuket. Few ladies will probably call you “Hello, welcome!” when you walk past their bars, and it is always more fun to have a drink with friendly company than alone. It is nowhere like Bangla Road, but it adds a bit of spice and colour to the street.
Cafe Del Mar
Café Del Mar Phuket is one of the best beach clubs on the island. This well-known Ibiza brand found out this island was the right place for a beach party beach club with good music, great drinks and most of all, notorious parties.
Beachfront Bars
In the middle area of Kamala Beach, you will find a few tiny local bars made of bamboo serving surprisingly good cocktails at a low price, making this one of the best options to end the day sitting with a drink while looking at the sun gently disappearing behind the horizon.
Pine Beach Bar
Pine Beach Bar is a recent and beautiful venue set right on the sand of Kamala Beach and part of the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel. With such a wide strip of soft white sand and a beautiful landscape, the north end of Kamala is an ideal place to spend the afternoon or watch the famous colourful sunsets of Phuket.
Phuket Fantasea
Phuket FantaSea is a show narrating the legend of Kamala, which in this story is a jungle with a mythical palace, quite different from the Kamala you know. This massive stage performance takes place on the grounds of a large theme park in Kamala Beach. After more than 20 years in Phuket, the show is still going strong, welcoming visitors and tourists worldwide each year to enjoy this surprising performance.
Kamala Beach Through the Years
I first visited Kamala Beach in 1990. The whole area was a fishing village. Buffaloes roamed the beach, and fishermen dried small fish on large tarps and in baskets along the sand. There were thatched huts behind the beach, a couple of small restaurants, a school, and a temple. That was all. Nobody stayed in Kamala back then. Patong and Kata were already enjoyable and not too busy, so there was no reason to come here.
Kamala was just a quiet Muslim fishing village that most people drove past without stopping. When I came back in 1994, a few hotels had appeared near the beach. It was a nice little hideaway, not well known and not talked about, because there was really not much to do apart from enjoying the beach. Phuket Fantasea opened later and brought some visitors in the evening, but daytime Kamala stayed quiet for years.
Insider Tips
Kamala has changed beyond recognition from the fishing village I saw in 1990, but it kept something the busier beaches lost: a sense of calm. The beach is still long and wide, the water is still clear in high season, and the pace stays slower than Patong or Kata. The arrival of Cafe Del Mar and Pine Beach Bar brought a new crowd, but the north end of the beach still feels peaceful. It is a good choice for families and couples who want a proper beach holiday without the noise. The restaurant scene along the sand is one of the best in Phuket for casual beachfront dining. Just keep in mind that nightlife is limited and getting to other parts of the island means dealing with the hill road to Patong.
Kamala Beach Directory
Salsa Mexicana Phuket
Lillo Island Restaurant & Bar
IRON BOT Cafe & Bar Phuket
Baanrai I Talay Cafe Phuket
Kamala Beach Information
Are There Beach Chairs in Kamala?
Beach chairs are back on 10% of the beach, so everyone should be happy, as shown in this picture taken from the same spot on the same day. On the left are beach loungers; on the right, there are none. Kamala is a beautiful but often underrated beach. It’s probably why many visitors are returning every year, knowing that the best way to keep your favourite beach to yourself is to keep it low profile!
Fast Facts about Kamala Beach
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Good |
| ⛱️ Beach length: | 2 km |
| ⛱️ Other beach nearby: | Surin Beach |
| 📷 Thing to do: | Phuket Fantasea |
| 🍴 Best restaurant: | Jaras at Intercontinental Phuket |
| 🍸 Best rooftop bar: | Vanilla Sky |
| 🍹 Best beach club: | Cafe del Mar |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Intercontinental Phuket Resort |
| 🧳 Best mid range hotel: | Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach |
| 🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 10 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 22 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 24 km |
Kamala Beach Photos
Kamala Beach Map
This story was first published on June 09, 2016
