Immediately north of the popular town of Patong, Kamala Beach is an altogether different proposition. Chilled and low-key compared with bold and busy Patong, Kamala Beach is relaxed and the ideal place to spend some hours, days or even weeks.
Kamala Beach is an enclosed bay which makes it perfect for getting away from it all. It is surrounded by wooded hills and also encompasses a traditional fishing village. In fact, Kamala Beach is one of the best places to visit in Phuket, and also one of the most beautiful. Here’s what you can expect when you visit Kamala Beach.
Who Goes to Kamala Beach?
Anyone and everyone! Kamala Beach does have a quieter pace than other resorts in Phuket so it does not attract large numbers of people looking to enjoy a busy nightlife. But Kamala Beach does still have its fair share of younger visitors, families, and older visitors who are attracted by the laid-back pace of life. It is also a popular place for people staying long-term on the island.
Backpackers and upmarket travelers alike are attracted to Kamala Beach. There is a range of budget accommodation available in hostels, beach huts, and small guesthouses. There is also a choice in luxury resorts, including those situated on the headland overlooking the ocean. There is plenty to choose from, including plenty of places to eat in Kamala, whatever your budget.
Kamala Beach isn’t the busiest resort in Phuket but that is part of its charm. Fans of Kamala love to come here to get away from the crowds.
Where is Kamala Beach?
Kamala is a small fishing village on the west coast of Phuket. The west coast is the most popular tourist stretch of beaches on the island, and Kamala is close to Patong Beach and Surin Beach, which lies to the north of Kamala Beach. Surin Beach is busy but not quite as active as Patong.
What Can You See at Kamala Beach?
Despite being one of the quieter resorts on Phuket, this beach is home to one of the most popular attractions on the island – Phuket Fantasea. Never heard of Fantasea? It is a big, bright and fantastic entertainment complex and show venue, similar to Disneyland and Vegas in style. There is a whole host of activities and venues within Fantasea, including the Palace of Elephants, the Songbird Luminaries, and more.
Fantasea hosts a two-hour show every night apart from Thursday, which is a magical mix of theatre, elephants, performing artists, music, aerial ballet, magic and much more – all with a distinctly Thai flavor. It is certainly worth a visit wherever you stay on Phuket.
You can also visit the Kamala Friday Market. This is a local market more than a tourist attraction, and it is the best way to discover the true culture of southern Thailand. It sells fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, takeaway Thai food, clothes, and accessories.
What to Do in Kamala Beach
Many people come to Kamala Beach for the surfing. It is one of the most popular surfing places after Kalim and Kata Noi beaches. There are separate clear sections for surfing including the southern part of Kamala Beach which boasts a gentle swell, the central area which is a good place for advanced surfers to try their skills, and the northern part which is an excellent surfing spot but you do need to have enough skill to navigate the swell.
If you fancy something a little more sedate, Kamala Lawn Bowling Club is for you. It may seem strange to play this English sport in Thailand, and this is actually a centuries-old activity on Phuket and the center was opened by an English citizen. It attracts people of all ages.
And Wat Baan Kamala is the best temple in the area, a classic temple to Buddhism which is set right on the beachfront. The village is Muslim but the temple is a testament to the religious freedom in the area. The temple was rebuilt after the tsunami in 2004 and it has some lovely architecture and nice gardens.
For more information on Thailand and Asia travel, visit PhuketOn. Find out more about accommodation, activities, restaurants, and beaches across Asia at PhuketOn.
Photo credits: Kamala Beach and Kamala Beach Sunset by David Johnson/Flickr
