Kamala Beaches Beautiful Beaches

This well-enclosed bay and fishing village surrounded by forested hills is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket.

Tranquil and calm, the pretty white sands of Kamala beckon most people by day, but if you're seeking more than sunbathing on a perfect beach, there are other options. Hire a long-tail boat and go snorkeling at the north end of the beach, explore the neighbouring beaches of Laem Sing or Surin, or take an island tour.

Local and friendly, Kamala represents the face of old Phuket with village markets, welcoming people and cosy restaurants. The Tsunami sadly caused extensive damage to this sleepy enclave, but the area is recovering fast. Fishing boats still line the shoreline, local cafes and bars are open for business and hotels unaffected by the wave are welcoming visitors.

With its quieter pace Kamala has, over the last few years, become a favoured spot for retirees and other longer-term visitors staying in small hotels, home and apartment rentals nestled around the village. On the headland to the south, are a number of luxury villa developments, with great views of Kamala Bay and beyond along its winding road.
After Patong, this long, sweeping beach is a quiet breath of fresh air. Lined by casuarinas at its northern end, Kamala Beach makes for fine swimming and it's easy to find your own patch of sand. During the short wet season you will find the locals and the occasional tourist trying to fit in a bit of surfing here.

The town feels much more like a little Thai village than others on Phuket. It still has the standard touristy stuff, but you don't need to walk far to find a fairly unaffected place.

Most of the development is at the southern end of the beach, where a handful of restaurants, cheapish guesthouses and a couple of mid-range hotels pull the smallish crowds. The northern end is pretty much undeveloped. During high season, water sports take up a lot of time here with windsurfing, waterskiing, banana boats, fishing trips and island hopping all running on a daily basis.

Kamala Beach was badly damaged by the Boxing Day Tsunami, and the majority of the beach-side budget guesthouses were destroyed. The recovery process has been slower on Kamala than elsewhere on Phuket. Many places that had hoped to rebuild when we visited after the tsunami have not been able too, as of our revisit in the summer of 2006. But there is a good bit of expansion and development going on, and few places that got tired of waiting for government cheques have finally gone ahead with rebuilding on their own dime.

Dining options are beginning to expand as more local restaurants open their doors. For stylish holiday dining, Surin Beach, just a 10 minute drive north, offers some of the island's most sophisticated upscale restaurants and shopping outlets.

Kamala is the kind of place to relax with friends in a small restaurant or local bar, so nightlife tends to be low-key. The main evening attraction is the celebrated Phuket FantaSea entertainment complex, with its themed dining and colourful nightly stage extravaganza. A vivid show of glittering dance routines, fantastic magic acts, music and, yes, elephants that make for a spectacle not easily forgotten. If you're looking for something more lively Patong's nightlife is only a 10 minutes drive south.