Where to Stay in Phuket: Kata Beach or Bangtao Beach?
Phuket is home to more than three dozen beaches, with two of its most sought-after beaches – Kata Beach and Bangtao Beach – set along its west coast. Both Kata and Bangtao have the classic holiday beach offerings of soft sands, sunbeds, and sunset views, but each has distinct features that should be considered when deciding on which beach in Phuket is best for you. For those planning a Phuket escape and wondering whether to stay in Kata Beach or Bangtao Beach, here’s a brief guide on each beach and what you can expect to find there.
Overview
Who is Kata Beach for?
Kata Beach has a more compact area than Bangtao Beach, so it’s good for those who wish to explore on foot. Though it could be done with better sidewalks and footpaths, the streets of Kata Beach are quite easy to walk around, and it’s not too far to take a stroll to Karon Beach. Families, couples, and groups will all find enough things to do at Kata Beach, as well as enjoy a better choice of budget-friendly hotels.
Surfers in search of better waves will find them at Kata Beach, which is also a fine beach to just laze away the day on a sunbed. Upscale dining and nightlife choices are limited at Kata Beach, and it has no beach clubs – after dark, it’s more of a place to enjoy a seafood feast followed by a few pints of beer at a local bar or sunset cocktails with sea views at an open-air bar up in the headlands.
Pros of Kata Beach:
- Compact and walkable, with access to nearby beaches (like Karon Beach).
- Variety of accommodations from budget to luxury.
- Surfing opportunities from May to October, SUP boarding in calmer months.
- Family-friendly activities, including mini-golf and playgrounds.
- Local markets and casual nightlife with bars and live music.
Cons of Kata Beach:
- Limited upscale dining options and no beach clubs.
- It can be busy, especially compared to quieter beaches.
- Some vendors and water activities (e.g., jet skis) may feel intrusive.
Who is Bangtao Beach for?
Bangtao Beach is a superior choice for those arriving in Phuket on a shorter visit since it is much closer to the Phuket International Airport (17km) than Kata Beach (47km). Less time in traffic means more beach time! Though traffic in the area is getting more congested, Bangtao has a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere than Kata Beach – it helps that there’s no road lining the beach, so there’s no sight or sounds of traffic at all when relaxing on the sands.
Bangtao Beach and its attractions and activities are spread over a large area across the Cherngtalay sub-district, making it more difficult to explore on foot compared to Kata Beach. That said, if you just wish to stay in or near the Laguna complex, it’s easy to get around with the Laguna shuttle boats and buses, which are free for guests. Families on holiday might prefer Bangtao Beach, which has a wide selection of resorts with beach access catering to families.
Pros of Bangtao Beach:
- Long, spacious beach with uncrowded stretches, even during peak season.
- Close to Phuket International Airport, saving travel time.
- Numerous beachfront hotels, luxury resorts, and family-friendly accommodations.
- Vibrant nightlife with beach clubs and upscale dining.
- Various wellness and sports activities, including golf and yoga.
Cons of Bangtao Beach:
- Spread-out attractions make it harder to explore on foot.
- Less budget-friendly accommodations compared to Kata Beach.
- Increasing traffic congestion in the area.
The Beaches
The Beach of Kata
Kata Beach is a lovely 1.5km stretch of white sand in the south part of Phuket’s west coast. It’s one of Phuket’s busiest and best-known beaches, along with its neighbours to the north, Karon Beach and Patong Beach. With a shallow bay, clear waters and soft sands, Kata Beach is one of the most swim-friendly beaches in Phuket. It’s also popular for stand-up paddleboarding during the calmer months of November through April. From May through October, Kata Beach has some of the best waves for surfing, and there are surfboard rental shops and lessons available on the beach. There’s a road running parallel along most of the beach between the sand and the large Club Med resort, allowing for easy access.
All along Kata Beach, you’ll find sunbeds with umbrellas available for rent during the day. Also on the beach are vendors offering hair braiding and massage, selling drinks and snacks, and renting out beach toys, boogie boards, surf and SUP boards. You can also hire a longtail boat for beach-hopping excursions. Jet skis, banana boats, and parasailing are available at Kata, though not recommended! Kata Beach has only a few restaurants right on the beach at its south end near The Boathouse Hotel, including the popular Ska Bar, which has fire shows on some evenings.
The Beach of Bangtao
Bangtao Beach is 6km long, one of the longest Phuket beaches, with white sands and a west coast location great for enjoying sunset views. Even during peak season, Bangtao Beach doesn’t feel crowded, as it’s easy to just wander north up the sands to find a lonely stretch of beach. The sea is shallow and comfortable for swimming during the calmer months.
Unlike Kata Beach, Bangtao has several beachfront hotels, including the luxury resorts in the Laguna Phuket complex. And Bangtao has plenty of choices for beachfront dining and parties. Several restaurants and bars, ranging from rustic bamboo shacks to upscale beach clubs like Catch Beach Club and Tichuca Phuket, are found right on the beach. If you don’t wish to splurge on a beach club cabana, there are sunbeds available to rent at a more modest cost along Bangtao Beach as well. These are found in the southern section of Bangtao, while the north end of the beach towards Layan Beach is more deserted and fringed by forest.
Similar to Kata, Bangtao Beach has beachfront massage services, vendors selling drinks and snacks, and rentals of beach toys, boogie boards, surf and SUP boards. There are longtail boats also available for hire to explore nearby beaches.
The Hotels
The Hotels in Kata Beach
Kata Beach has a diverse choice of accommodation, from backpacker hostels to mid-range hotels to 5-star resorts. The Club Med resort occupies a large area of land just across the road from the beach, while the only two hotel options right on the beach are The Boathouse and Beyond Kata. In general, the further away you go from the beach, the cheaper the accommodation you can find in Kata, whether it’s a small bungalow guesthouse or a room at a shophouse. If they’re a bit too far away to walk to the beach comfortably, some hotels around Kata Beach offer free shuttle service for their guests.
Some of Phuket’s most luxurious hotels are set in the headland at the south end of Kata Beach or in nearby Kata Noi Beach, including Kata Rocks, Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, and the Shore at Katathani Resort.
6 Popular Hotels in Kata Beach
The Hotels in Bangtao Beach
Bangtao Beach is home to the Laguna Phuket resort complex, which takes up a large area of land along the southern section of the beach. Among its 6 upscale resorts are the three beachfront hotels Angsana Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, and SAii Laguna Phuket. Banyan Tree Resort offers luxury villas, while those in search of more affordable accommodation at Laguna could book into the Cassia Phuket apartment hotel.
Bangtao Beach hotels are among the most family-friendly in Phuket, with all the Laguna Phuket resorts and nearby 4-star resorts like the Sunwing Bangtao Resort and Arinara Beach Resort offering large swimming pools and many sports and activities for kids. Cheaper accommodation is not as easy to find in Bangtao as it is in Kata Beach, but those willing to stay further away from the beach around Cherngtalay can find more budget-friendly guesthouses and apartments for rent, even a few hostels.
6 Popular Hotels in Bangtao Beach
Things to Do
Things to Do in Kata Beach
Kata was one of the first beaches in Phuket to have hotels, and as such, the surrounding village has been built over the years with many shops, restaurants, and services catering to beach-going visitors. Aside from surfing, snorkelling and SUP boarding on the beach, more family-friendly activities at Kata Beach include Dino Park mini-golf, Super Surf Kata for flowboarding, and a playground in the park next to Club Med.
The streets of Kata are quiet in the daytime, but as night falls, several restaurants start setting up their tables piled high with fresh seafood, and many shops and markets open up. Kata Night Market is a good place to try more local-style dishes and pick up some souvenirs.
Similar to Bangtao Beach, Kata Beach is on the west coast and is a great place to watch the sunset. The beach itself is a prime sunset-viewing spot, and there are some terrific views to enjoy nearby at Karon Viewpoint (often called Kata Viewpoint) and at some of the bars and restaurants like After Beach Bar and A Blanket & A Pillow. While there are a few places to get a nice wine or cocktail in Kata, like The Boathouse and Mom Tri’s Kitchen, it’s a pretty casual nightlife scene compared to Bangtao Beach, and there are no beach clubs in Kata. In Kata Beach, you’ll find a few small bars and live music venues, and you won’t need to put on any fancy dress to go out here.
Things to Do in Bangtao Beach
The area around Bangtao Beach has developed a lot in recent years, with places like Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket offering upscale shopping and dining choices. Boat Avenue has a Villa Market supermarket and a night market every Friday, while Porto de Phuket is home to Tops Food Hall and holds events in its open-air plaza regularly. The road between Boat Avenue and the lake, as well as the road leading to Laguna, are lined with many more restaurants, shops, bars, cafes, and spas. More boutique shops, as well as a kid’s club and various sports activities like padel, can be found at the Blue Tree lifestyle village, about a 15-minute drive away from the beach. Find local food and cheaper clothing and souvenirs at the Bang Tao Night Market, open every Monday and Thursday evening.
Bangtao Beach has plenty of wellness and sports offerings, including the 18-hole Laguna Golf Club and the famous Banyan Tree Spa, as well as horseback riding, cycling, mini-golf, yoga, and martial arts classes. For nightlife, most of the action in Bangtao is at its beach clubs, including Catch Beach Club, Nora Beach Club and Maya Beach Club, which all offer sunset cocktails, DJ music and parties. For more casual beachfront dining and drinking at Bangtao, there’s a row of thatch-roof beach bars along the sand, as well as Hugo Hub, which has less pricey cocktails and food truck fare.
