Kamala Beach can be considered a true city beach. It is located in the central part of Phuket Island on its western side, north of the famous Patong Beach.
Essentially, it’s the coastline of the town with the same name, consisting not only of tourist buildings but also local residents’ homes.
Beach Overview
This beach is quite long, about 1.2 miles (2 km), but it is relatively narrow at only 65-100 feet (20-30 meters) wide. For a long time, Kamala was a quiet and peaceful place. The beach served as a harbor for fishing boats and a relaxation spot for locals. Tourists were few and far between.
However, in recent years, more and more retirees have chosen this quiet spot as their second home. It’s understandable, as all the amenities of civilization are within reach, and the sea is just a stone’s throw away. In addition to expats, many package tourists now visit as well.
The sand at Kamala is white, resembling grains of salt. Many hotels are situated along the beach, and the areas near these hotels are often owned by them. Consequently, the quality and cleanliness of the sand can vary significantly. The beach is popular but much less noisy than Patong or Karon Beach.
In my opinion, it is somewhat similar to Bang Tao Beach – relatively quiet and a bit rustic, but still with plenty of people. Cleanliness is generally good at Kamala, although the southern “wild” part can have a lot of litter.
If you are interested in reading about other places, I have a brief overview of all the beaches of Phuket that can help you choose.
Swimming
The southern part of the beach is not very suitable for beach activities. The shore is somewhat dirty with many rocks and boulders. Local fishermen often leave their boats here. Additionally, the southern part has a rather gentle entry into the water, making it a long walk to reach any depth.
In the central and northern parts, where there are umbrellas and sunbeds, the entry becomes steeper the further north you go. The wide bay of Kamala is favorable for winds, which create large waves. In the north, they can reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) and break even higher when they hit the underwater reefs near the shore.
During the monsoon season, red warning flags appear on the beach. Swimming during this time is dangerous due to strong waves that can carry you far from the shore.
Sunbeds and Shade
There aren’t many sunbeds on the beach. In the most visited areas (center and north), you can rent a sunbed with an umbrella for the standard 100 baht. Hotels with their private sections of Kamala often set up additional rows of sunbeds available only to their guests.
The beach can change significantly between seasons. In high season, the entire beach from the center to the north is one large field of sunbeds, with many swimmers and gentle waves.
In low season, sunbeds are sparse, and you may not find any during a half-hour walk. There is almost no natural shade on the beach, except near the last row of sunbeds close to the trees, and in the morning when the sun is still low.
Beach Photos
North Part of the Beach
South Part of the Beach
Amenities
The beach itself features all the typical Thai beach amenities. Massage salons, small cafes, mini-markets, and numerous vendors selling cheap souvenirs, clothes, and beach gear. You can not only shop but also rent diving equipment to explore the northern reefs.
Moreover, according to many surfers, the strong waves are a great source of adrenaline, but only experienced surfers should attempt them. If you are an excellent surfer, Kamala in the wave season will be your Everest. There are many available boats, canoes, and kayaks for rent at the beach.
Some tourists rent boats and sail to one of the neighboring, more attractive beaches. You can also enjoy parasailing or banana boat rides. The activities at Kamala are not limited to typical beach fun.
Yoga schools (meditating on one of Kamala’s rocks with the sunrise is priceless), authentic Thai massage salons, and Thai cooking schools are available at the hotels.
The combination of beach and civilization gives Kamala significant advantages. You can stroll through the town and visit the Friday Market, where a wide range of goods is available. There’s also a mini-Lotus’s and a small Big C supermarket.
A trip to Kamala Temple is also worth your time, but the most interesting place is the Phuket FantaSea Show – an incredible and the largest show on the island. It’s more aimed at children, though adults will find it interesting too.
Hundreds of performers, elephants, and other exotic animals tell an intriguing story under the evening sky. But Phuket FantaSea is not just a show. It claims to be the largest amusement park in Phuket.
There are many cafes, attractions similar to funfair games, and, of course, shops. The architecture of the Palace of Elephants and other buildings is stunning.
The park itself is filled with helpful staff who will take care of you (point out the best attractions and other joys of life). This park is located in the central part of the beach, just 985 feet (300 meters) from the shore.
Accommodation
The entire beachfront (the first row) is occupied by expensive hotels in the central part of the beach. Hotels cover the area from the beach to the main road, which is quite far from the beach. In the northern part of the beach, there are almost no hotels along the shore. Instead, there are fenced-off empty lots (future hotels?).
There, hotels will all be across the road from the beach, and their density is also low. Prices are cheaper the farther from the beach you go, which makes sense. You can even find hostels for as low as 200 baht per bed.
On the other hand, luxury hotels with breathtaking views of Kamala Bay can cost more than 15,000 baht per night. Besides the price, the appearance is also an important factor.
Kamala offers a wide range of choices. There are modern grotesque hotels made of glass and white stone, as well as cozy mini-bay pools with wooden cottages forming their own unique system.
How to Find the Beach
To get to the cozy city beach of Kamala from the airport, take a taxi, which takes about 40 minutes. If you rent a car, follow the signs on the island’s main roads.
As a landmark, remember that Kamala is north of Patong Beach and northwest of Phuket Town.
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