Kata Noi Beach is one of the most luxurious and expensive beaches in Phuket. It’s located at a dead end, meaning the road stops at the beach, providing a secluded and quiet atmosphere. There is only one entry and exit point. The beach is small, surrounded by high-end hotels, with no budget accommodations available. Everything is pristine and well-maintained.
The sea is excellent for swimming, but for more entertainment options, you might need to head over to the nearby Kata Beach. Kata Noi Beach is perfect for a relaxed, leisurely vacation under umbrellas and swimming in warm water. Its beauty attracts many tourists.
Beach Overview
Kata Noi is just south of Kata Beach. The shoreline is lined with hotels, and the only road in the area runs behind them, separating it from the beach.
Kata Noi Beach is about 12 miles (20 km) from Phuket city. “Noi” means “small” in Thai, and the beach is indeed small but quite wide, ranging from 33 to 164 feet (10 to 50 meters) depending on the season and tides.
The beach is about 0.43 miles (700 meters) long. At the edges, the sand mixes with a chain of reefs, making it a favorite spot for snorkeling in Phuket. You can spot crabs in the occasional coastal rock formations.
Since the bay is small, there isn’t much boat traffic, which is a plus for tourists. The beach has very fine white sand, and the water is clear and blue. It’s cleaner and less crowded compared to the northern beaches, making it one of the best beaches in Phuket.
Swimming
Kata Noi Beach gets deep quite quickly. Within just 5 meters, the water is already up to your neck and keeps getting deeper. There are hardly any tides, and the seabed is sandy with no rocks.
During winter and early spring, the sea is calm and safe. But in late spring, summer, and fall, big waves attract surfers. Swimming can become dangerous due to sudden tidal changes and strong winds, and flags are set up to warn when it’s unsafe to swim.
Sunbeds and Shade
Finding shade on Kata Noi Beach can be quite challenging, even more so than on Kata Beach. There aren’t many accessible trees, and most of the shady spots are already taken by other tourists.
In the morning, you might find some space under the trees, but as the sun gets higher, you’ll need umbrellas. The hotels have rows of lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent, and you can usually find an available one.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The beach is quiet and peaceful, perfect for families with small kids, making it a family-friendly beach in Phuket. There aren’t many shops, just a few stalls selling drinks, fruits, and seafood. You won’t find cheap Thai cafes or street food vendors, but you can dine at the hotel cafes. There are very few massage parlors, bars, or shops nearby.
There are a few small shops for souvenirs and clothes, but no markets or large shopping centers. For more shopping options, head over to Kata Beach or Karon. Kata Noi is ideal for a relaxing vacation away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Accommodation
Kata Noi offers a variety of beachfront accommodations. Finding a hotel like Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is easy since it occupies most of the shoreline.
This makes it quite expensive. There are no budget accommodations right on the beach; the closest options are a bit further away and may already be booked. Mid-range tourists often stay at hotels and guesthouses on Kata Beach, where prices start at 500 baht per night.
How to Find the Beach
Kata Beach is split into two parts by rocks – the busier Kata Beach and the quieter Kata Noi. Kata Noi Beach is located south of Kata Beach, separated by a rocky outcrop. To get there, you need to walk from the southern part of Kata Beach, first uphill, then downhill.
Public transport to Kata Noi goes through Kata Beach. Take a bus from the station on Ranong Road in Phuket Town to Kata, then walk. From Patong and Karon, you can take a taxi, tuk-tuk, or walk through Kata.
There are two main entrances to the beach: one at the beginning (right side) and another near the end (left side). Most people use these entrances, and there are places to park bikes.
Right Entrance with Stairs
If walking to Kata Noi, choose the nearest entrance. You’ll see parked bikes and a staircase leading down to the beach. This is the right part of the beach (facing the sea).
Left Entrance
If on a bike, either entrance works. The left entrance, near Katathani Hotel, has a proper parking area.
