Kamala Beach, Phuket
Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is a short ride north of Patong, aside the glistening waters of the Andaman Sea. With a narrower and quieter bay, and less visitors than Patong Beach, Kamala retains a relaxed and laid back feel. The village continues to exist as a fishing spot for locals, remaining a part of “authentic” Thailand. Forested hills and valleys surround the area, making Kamala one of the most beautifully tranquil places to live and stay on Phuket. Traffic is sparse, with a single narrow street crossing the village, and a main road outside of the area to provide easy access.
Kamala Beach has become a preferred location for retirees and other longer-term visitors due to its lower profile in terms of nightlife and entertainment. Accommodation ranges from small hotels to holiday villas and apartment rentals, ideal for independent and comfortable stays.
Kamala is home to the famous Phuket FantaSea entertainment complex, which attracts visitors from all over the island but is no disturbance at all to those staying in the village. The complex has been likened to Disneyland, which is an exaggeration, but it is certainly Phuket’s most popular and well hyped tourist attraction. Tour companies run daily transport to and from the complex.
Beach life in Kamala
Kamala Beach is a beautiful long stretch of beach which is remarkably unoccupied, even in high season. There are a limited number of beach front resorts, mostly located in Kamala village. The northern side of the beach is very quiet with no construction, leaving plenty of space for everyone who wishes to enjoy a relaxing day without disturbance, a quiet walk or a picnic on the grass.
Particularly in the monsoon season, there are strong currents on many of the beaches and drownings are a depressingly common occurrence. Heed the warning flags on popular beaches and play it safe if off the beaten track. It is important to note that, while many tourists who flock to the beaches of Phuket are European, nudity is viewed as highly offensive to Thais. It is very rude to go topless to beaches. Thais are generally non-confrontational, but it is always best to be respectful while treading on another's home country.
Kamala Beach villas
The southern headland of the Kamala is known as the “Millionaire Road” owing to a number of high profile villa developments overlooking Kamala Bay and its clear waters. The villas have set the standards for high end construction on the island, and vie for occupiers with striking architecture and varying facilities. These are ideal if you want an out of the way stay in the finest of luxury.
