Kata Beach, Phuket | Family-Friendly Activities & Beachfront Resorts

Located on the west coast of Phuket, Kata Beach is one of the island’s best kept secrets! This scenic beach is covered in silky smooth sand that invites visitors to pull out a lounger or a beach towel and stay for a while. It is a place that calls upon surfers from all over the world to flaunt their skills on the epic waves while sun-bathers lay around on the beach and enjoy the show. Kata Beach is a family-friendly nature area where visitors can go swimming in its warm ocean water and then gaze upon the palm trees and rock formations that stand prominently in the background. Boasting vibrant blue ocean water, Kata Beach is a place where tourists flock to during the warm summer months. It is home to a delicious assortment of gourmet restaurants that serve up international food and traditional Thai cuisine, as well as shopping centers, nightclubs, and and cultural attractions that will keep visitors busy for days. For those who are planning a fun-filled vacation or even a business trip to Phuket, be sure a trip to Kata Beach makes it onto your itinerary!

Best Time of Year to Visit Kata Beach

The best time of year to visit Phuket is between November and April when most other areas of the world are experiencing cold weather, rain, and snow. For those who are traveling down from the Northern Hemisphere, Phuket can provide a warm and welcome respite from the gloomy winter conditions. During this time of year, the temperatures hover around 95°F and the weather is dry, sunny, and overall beautiful, making it ideal for spending the day playing at Kata Beach. Visitors can expect to pay more for hotel rooms and attractions as the dry season is popular among tourists looking to take a relaxing vacation near the beach.

Rainy season occurs from May to October with the heaviest rainfall from September to early October, making Phuket wet and stormy. While visitors are likely to find inexpensive hotels by traveling here during this time of year, spending time at the beach can be dangerous as strong ocean currents and surging waves take hold of the shoreline. Temperatures during Monsoon season hover around 87°F and the weather can be unpredictable.

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Attractions Near Kata Beach

While visitors will undoubtedly have an exceptional time surfing, swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, boating, and lounging in the sand at Kata Beach, there are many other local attractions that are worth checking out in between sun soaking sessions. Phuket features an eclectic mix of historical attractions as well as hipster galleries and trend-setting art galleries. Tourists do not need to wander off very far to find unique and fun activities to do with the family, friends, or even solo. Here are some of the most popular local attractions around the beach.

Jungceylon Shopping Center

Home to over 200 mainstream and local stores, Jungceylon Shopping Center is a bright and lively place where visitors can experience what it is like to shop Thai-style! This mall features two floors of shopping fun that includes vendor tables and stalls, boutique stores, and department stores. Jungceylon Shopping Center is home to Robinson Ocean, a fine Thai department store that offers everything from home decor to designer label purses. Along with stores to shop in, guests will find an assortment of coffee shops and quick serve restaurants as well as a movie theater. Families can spend the afternoon bowling at the bowling alley or finding their inner child at the arcade. Jungceylon Shopping Mall is open from 11am to 10pm daily.

Sunday Walking Street Market

Famed for its vast collection of outdoor vendors, custom designed classic cars, and delicious Thai street food, Sunday Walking Street Market or Lardyai Phuket is a hot urban attraction that appeals to the young and young at heart. This market is open from 4pm to 10pm each Sunday and encompasses a walking strip that is just under 400 meters in length. At Sunday Walking Street Market tourists will find an amazing selection of gifts, food, and crafts that will immerse them into the Thai culture. all vendor stalls are independently owned and operated, so visitors can support small business owners while they shop. Visitors will find Sunday Walking Street Market in Old Phuket Town in the heart of the city.

Phuket Trickeye Museum

A fun and quirky museum unlike anything you have ever experienced before, Phuket Trickeye Museum is all about the art of deception. Be sure to bring a camera when visiting this place to capture all of the magic that happens before your very eyes! While visiting the museum, guests will get to see and be a part of exhibits that are all based on trickery using 2D images that are meant to look like 3D. This expansive museum covers two floors and it is a lot of fun to wander through, especially with friends and family. Phuket Trickeye Museum hosts over 100 deceptive exhibits where visitors can create the illusion of walking across a tight-rope, catching a loved one before they fall to certain doom, or even lounging around at a fancy Paris cafe without even having to travel there. Phuket Trickeye Museum provides a fun time for all. The museum is open from 10am to 7pm and admission is 450 baht for adults and 270 baht for kids.

Restaurants and Shopping Centers Near Kata Beach

Like with many other metropolitan Asian cities, guests will run into a variety of highly sought after night markets that selling street food as well as gourmet fine dining restaurants while visiting Phuket. Just as the dining options are varied and complex, so are the shopping opportunities available for those who have some money to spend. From vendor stalls that specialize in selling key chains and sunscreen to designer label retail stores that offer handbags and shoes at lower prices, the shopping and dining possibilities here are endless. Here is a look at some of the hottest places to eat and purchase gifts for yourself or loved ones.

Kata Night Market

Located just a short distance from Kata Beach, Kata Night Market is a place where visitors can find an amazing assortment of food, produce, clothes, accessories, and unique gifts to take home. Kata Night Market features a bazaar-style set up that appeals to visitors of all ages. It consists of three large domed structures with countless vendor-operated stalls. Kata Night Market is a wonderful place to get some homestyle Thai food. The market is open from 5pm to 10pm nightly and there is no admission fee.

The Atrium Cafe

The Atrium Cafe is located right on the shoreline of Kata Beach and is the perfect place to get some high-class international food and an ice cold drink. The restaurant, located in Beyond Resort Kata, features plenty of outdoor seating, complete with umbrella tables to provide visitors with shade while they relax and dine. Offering delicious menu items such as fresh caught seafood and succulent legs of lamb, The Atrium Cafe serves up every dish with the utmost attention to the finer details. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night drinks and boasts beautiful views of the ocean beyond. The Atrium Cafe is open from 6:30am to 11pm daily.

Big Mom Thaicooking Class

For those who have ever wanted to learn how to cook up some authentic Thai food, Big Mom Thaicooking Class is the place to learn! Each class costs 2,900 baht and students will learn how to make simple dishes that boast complex flavors. All dishes are made with fresh and local ingredients and guests get to learn how to cook with Big Mom herself! Classes are held daily from 8am to 6pm.

The Boathouse Restaurant

An elegant international restaurant that overlooks the beautiful waters of Kata Beach, The Boathouse Restaurant features a delicious assortment of surf and turf options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This restaurant has a spacious outdoor patio where guests can savor artistic menu options and sip on fine wines. The Boathouse Restaurant is located inside The Boathouse Hotel and offers a bar, relaxation lounge, and a restful atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a decadent meal. The Boathouse Restaurant is open from 6:30am to 12am for all of your dining needs.

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Set amid a beautiful rock cliff setting Mom Tri’s Villa Royale boasts an exotic ambiance that makes the food and cocktails served up here even more memorable. The restaurant itself is decorated with stone flooring and Thai antiques with clean pressed table linens and plenty of native flora and fauna. At Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, guests can dine on an assortment of tantalizing menu options such as fresh caught fish and shrimp to braised veal in wine sauce. The restaurant has an expansive wine cellar with fine international varieties. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, or a romantic dinner for two. It is open from 6:30am to 11pm daily.

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Top-Rated Hotels Near Kata Beach

After a long day of sightseeing and playing in the ocean at Kata Beach retreat back to one of the many fine hotels located within close proximity to the shoreline. From budget-friendly family hotels to romantic 5-star luxury resorts, Phuket has the perfect lodging option for anyone. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular hotels in the region.

Aloha Residence

For approximately 780 baht per night visitors can stay at the Aloha Residence and experience comfortable accommodations for an affordable price. This 3-star hotel features all of the comforts of home and is located just a short distance away from Kata Beach. Guests will have quick access to the city and the rest of the island thanks to its close proximity to the public bus station. Rooms at the hotel are just under 300 square feet each and are adorned in western-style furnishings. Amenities included with a reservation at this hotel include currency exchange, a private bathroom, fresh linens, complimentary toiletries, room service, a hot tub, and a day spa. There is also an onsite coffee shop and restaurant so guests can grab a bite to eat without leaving the comfort of the hotel.

Check In to Aloha Residence, Step Out to Kata Beach

Fin Hostel Co Working

Ideal for lone travelers and those who are in the area on business, sleeping pods and bunks at Fin Hostel Co Working are available for as little as 249 baht per night. This hotel is sleek and trendy and provides the perfect night’s rest for the travel weary soul. The capsules are adorned in light wood and are fitted with a bed that fits two guests comfortably. The male and female dorms are outfitted in bright and colorful decor. When not sleeping, guests are invited to relax in the community room or grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria. Guests are provided with lockers to store their valuables and there are community bathrooms to wash up in. This hostel features 40 different staying areas for guests. Amenities offered at the hostel include a BBQ area, an outdoor pool, a coffee shop, and a business center.

Check In to Fin Hostel Co Working, Step Out to Kata Beach

Beyond Resort Kata

Featuring royal-class accommodations along the shoreline of Kata Beach, Beyond Resort Kata is an oasis near the city. Luxury suites at this resort hotel can be booked for around 3,800 baht per night during the non-peak travel months of the year. This hotel is located just a short distance from the airport and from the bus terminal, giving guests quick access to the rest of the island.

At Beyond Resort Kata guests are pampered from the moment they walk through the front lobby doors. The suites are large and modern and guests can choose from deluxe to triple superior floor plans depending on the size of their party. Each room is decked out in modern furnishings and bright room accents making it feel tropical, yet elegant. Not only will guests get to lodge in beautiful staying rooms with private bathrooms, but there is also an onsite outdoor pool, fitness center, kid’s play room, and delicious international restaurants to choose from. Guests also receive special amenities like free coffee and tea, bottled water, and concierge services.

Check In to Beyond Resort Kata, Step Out to Kata Beach

Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort

Complete with beautiful views of the city and complimentary breakfast for all who stay here, Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort treats everyone like a VIP. This hotel is located right near Kata Beach and within walking distance from the public transportation station, providing tourists quick access to the attractions around the rest of the island. Rooms at Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort start at just 3,600 baht per night, and the service is exceptional.

Adorned in palm trees and lush tropical foliage, Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort offers a luxury stay for all who lodge here. Each room comes with a private balcony and guests can choose from an assortment of floor plans with different bed options. This beautiful hotel offers 143 rooms and a variety of services that guests can enjoy. At Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort, guests will find a game room, a spacious outdoor swimming pool, table tennis, a sauna, a hot tub, a garden, a dartboard, and more. There are also onsite restaurants and a bar where guests can grab a delicious signature cocktail.

Check In to Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort, Step Out to Kata Beach

Chanalai Garden Resort, Kata Beach

Located along the beach, Chanalai Garden Resort, Kata Beach provides superior service in a luxurious tropical setting. This 5-star hotel and resort offers a restful stay and plenty of activities to keep visitors engaged while staying here. Rooms at this hotel can be booked for as little as 2,150 baht per night during the non-peak travel months of the year. Guests can experience luxury accommodations without spending a lot of money! From standard rooms with a garden view to executive suites with king size beds, this hotel offers rooms that appeal to families, groups, and solo travelers.

Guests are invited to relax and unwind poolside with a cold drink in hand while enjoying all of the natural scenery Chanalai Garden Resort, Kata Beach has to offer. The resort features a spacious outdoor swimming pool and a lush tropical garden. Each room is clad in neutral colors that promote rest and relaxation along with comfortable beds and contemporary furnishings. There is a state-of-the-art fitness center where guests can break a sweat while looking out at the garden. For those who are interested in working out in the company of others, the resort hosts fitness classes each day. The rooms are adorned in calming hues of white and tan with wood and stone accent walls throughout. There is an elegant onsite restaurant which serves up gourmet surf and turf menu items as well as cocktails and snacks.

Check In to Chanalai Garden Resort, Kata Beach, Step Out to Kata Beach

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