The next beach south of Karon is Kata Beach, which is also known as Kata Bay. Kata beach is much smaller than Karon Beach, but every bit as beautiful with lush white sand and lovely trees that provide shade and a nice area to relax in. Kata has a very laid back feel and is the place to be if you like to kick back on the deck chairs or chill out in the shade.

Very popular for families, Kata is an all round favourite due to its spectacular palm-lined beach, great restaurants, lively but not raucous nightlife and varied accommodation options - all close to the beach. From May to October surfers flock to catch Kata's waves and from November to April the beach is alive with sunseekers.

Kata is split into two focal areas: Kata Centre, which is at the northern end close to Karon and Kata South, home to several resorts. Visitors will find an abundance of shops to browse in, from souvenir and ready-to-wear outlets, to 7-Elevens and local mini-marts, to name-brand fashion stores.

Development in Kata has progressed at a much slower pace than Patong just a few kilometres north, with small guesthouses, a few resorts, local restaurants and shops gradually established over a number of years. The few hotels located right on the beach have blended in with no ugly high rise blotting the landscape.

Away from the beach, you'll find shops, street vendors, cafes, bars and great local restaurants. Kata also offers a few surprises like a gourmet restaurant with a reputation for one of the best best wine cellars on the island, some stylish cafes and sophisticated Thai dining.

Majority of the hotels in Kata beach offers facilities for wheelchairs users. There are also a great number of shops, markets, souvenir sellers etc. and are all open from 9:00 to 21:00. Money exchanges and ATM’s are located close to the Kata Beach resort offering good rates of exchange. Bank of Ayudhya has two branches in Kata Beach open from 09:00 to 16:00. Closed on Saturdays / Sundays and public holidays. Post office is located on Thaina Road, just along from Kata Centre. Open from 09:00 to 16:00. However, the above article that reveals information on Kata beach will help you get a precise review of Kata Beach.

Phuket mainly has two seasons - the wet season from April to November that provides heavy monsoon rains and can be very hot and humid; and the dry season from December to March that provides long hot sunny days.

Kata Beach is in fact not one beach but two beaches that are separated by a headland at the south end of Kata Yai Beach and the northen end of Kata Noi Beach.

Kata Yai Beach

The beach is wide, two kilometres long and made of fine white sand which gently slopes away into the blue waters of the Andaman Sea.

It is fringed by casuarinas trees, under which you will find vendors selling drinks, food, massage services, souvenirs and the like. These vendors will be happy to serve you at your sun lounger which you can hire for a nominal charge.

For those who prefer to be a little more adventurous than lying around in the sun all day, the beach offers jet skiing, parascending, banana rides, water skiing and long tail boat excursions, also diving packages are available to local coral reefs. Most hotels and guest houses are situated in this area.

Kata Noi Beach

This is a much smaller bay, only ten minutes walk away from kata yai. Lush green jungle covered mountains surround the beach. Separated by a small headland from the larger beach, this charming little bay is nestled up against lush emerald green jungle covered mountains.

A few shops, local restaurants and one or two bars give a feeling of being off the tourist track. One hotel - the Kata Thani - forms the focus of the beach, although there are a few small guest houses tucked away nearby. At the south end is a small coral reef but care must be taken in the low season. Don't expect much action, but it's very peaceful and if want to go shopping or a have a night out, Kata Yai is only 5 minutes away.

This is the beach of choice if you are swimming with small children because it remains shallow for about thirty meters from the shoreline. Kata's broad and curving beach offers safe swimming for kids and clear water during the high season (November - April) You can rent a local longtail boat and go fishing or snorkeling off the rocky headlands, hire a jet-ski (swimming areas are separated) or a hobie cat, or simply relax and take it easy.

Koh Poo (crab Island, maybe because its shape), the small island off the north end, has a lively coral reef that is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Mask and fins can be rented on the beach for about 100 baht. If you stroll to either end of the beach you will find many little places that offer tasty Thai food.

Quiet and convenient, this tranquil little piece of paradise is one of the nicest places to stay on the island. There is a small coral reef at the south end but caution must be taken, because of the steeper drop off from the shore than at Kata Yai and because this beach is affected more by rough weather.

Kata Beach Nightlife

Kata Beach has a small village-like atmosphere, which is quite pleasant for strolling around of an evening. The bar scene here is fairly low key and informal. Nightlife is now quite active in Kata Center, a large choice of restaurants and bars open their doors all day, but it looks more lively at night.

Choice of food is large, from Scandinavian, Indian, Pizzerias or English, but of course seafood and Thai food restaurants as well. If Thai food is what you like, then you'll find an endless amount of places serving all kinds of local dishes. You will also find European food served in many places and there are some great Scandinavian restaurants too.

Many bars are still in the old "phuket way", with girls calling you when you walk down the street, but lately some more original bars opened with a friendly cozy style. Shop till you drop with hundred of souvenir shops, tailors and dive shops opened till late. Kata is a small village, half way between the hyper active nights of patong beach and some other remote beaches.

If you prefer wine, try The Boathouse Wine and Grill, which also serves exceptional food in sophisticated surroundings.

The Club Med Complex dominates this scenic beach, but it is open to the public, serving every evening a different buffet and a show performed by the staff. One of the most popular hotel in Kata.