Phuket Old Town
Phuket, Thailand
Kamala Beach, Phuket
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Photo: Gossipguy, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — a public beach
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; lifeguards by day
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 3 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Length
- About 2–3 km around a shallow bay
- Into the water
- Gentle slope, sandy bottom — good with children
- Best time
- November–April; May–October brings waves, watch the flags
- Where
- West Phuket: Patong to the south, Surin and Laem Singh to the north
- Distances
- ≈ 10 km from Patong, ≈ 30 km from the airport, ≈ 22 km from Old Town
Key facts
2–3 kmthe length of the beach around its palm-fringed bay
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Russian and English WikipediaguidesGentleslope and sandy bottom — good for swimming with children
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Russian WikipediaMay–Octobercan bring big waves — the monsoon season
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Russian WikipediaPhuket lifeguardsQuieterthe centre is busiest; the north and south ends are near-empty
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Russian WikipediaFantaSeathe Phuket FantaSea evening show park is opposite the beach
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Russian WikipediaFishermensmall fishing villages sit at the south of the bay
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Russian Wikipedia≈ 10 kmby road from Patong, 10–15 minutes
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OSRM route≈ 30 kmfrom Phuket Airport, about 40 minutes
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OSRM routeWhat is Kamala Beach?
Kamala is a beach and village on Phuket's west coast, between Patong to the south and Surin to the north. The beach runs 2–3 km around a shallow, palm-fringed bay. The sandy bottom and gentle slope make it popular with families.
Kamala is noticeably quieter than Patong: the centre of the beach is the liveliest, while the north and south ends are almost empty even in high season. Small fishing villages sit at the south of the bay, and the village behind the beach has markets, cafés and massage shops. The Phuket FantaSea evening show park is opposite the beach.
When to go and what to expect
November to April brings a calm sea and clear water — the best time to swim. May to October brings stronger waves and red flags, but fewer people.
The beach is public and free. Locals rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and there are cafés and restaurants along the sand. Prices run a little higher than on neighbouring beaches, thanks to the upmarket resorts nearby.
Things to do at Kamala and nearby
- Swimming with children — in the calm season, by the gently sloping shore.
- A walk around the bay to its quiet ends.
- Laem Singh — a small cove a couple of kilometres north.
- Phuket FantaSea — an evening show park opposite the beach (separate ticket).
- The fishing villages at the south of the bay.
- Sunset over the Andaman Sea.
How to get to Kamala Beach
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Patong it's about 10 km north on the coast road — 10–15 minutes by Grab or taxi.
- From Phuket Airport (HKT) it's about 30 km, around 40 minutes by taxi or transfer.
- From Phuket Old Town it's about 22 km, 25–35 minutes.
- From Bang Tao it's about 10 km south, 15 minutes via Surin.
- To Laem Singh it's 5 minutes north on the coast road.
How long do you need?
Plan half a day: a morning swim, lunch by the sea and sunset. If you're staying in Kamala it's a calm everyday beach; Patong's nightlife and shopping are just 15 minutes away.
In the evening you can catch a show at Phuket FantaSea opposite the beach, and by day pop up to Laem Singh cove to the north.
Is Kamala Beach worth it?
Yes, if you want a calm beach with a gentle entry into the sea, especially with children, still close to Patong.
The YesGo take: there's little entertainment or nightlife, and prices are above average. In monsoon season, swim only by the lifeguards. Party-seekers should head to Patong.
Before you go: checklist
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Phuket beaches: compare and choose
Phuket beaches and bays rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Phi Phi Islands | 29 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200 | 58.8 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karon Beach | 25 | 3 h | Free | 12.8 km |
| Kamala Beachyou are here | 24 | 3 h | Free | — |
| Bang Tao Beach | 24 | 3 h | Free | 5.8 km |
| James Bond Island | 24 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 300 baht | 42.7 km |
Western Phuket in a day
Bang Tao Beach in the morning, Kamala Beach in the afternoon, and Bangla Road in Patong in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Bang Tao Beach3 h · free
- 100 min walk from the previous stopKamala Beachyou are here3 h · free
- 125 min walk from the previous stopBangla Road1 h 30 min · free (street)
3 places · about 11 h 15 min with walks · 225 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- The quietest spots are the north and south ends of the beach.
- The calmest sea is from December to March.
- With children, swim in the morning when the waves are smaller.
- The village has markets and cafés in the evening.
- In the evening: Bangla Road in Patong, 15 minutes away.
Questions
Can you swim at Kamala Beach?
Yes, from November to April; from May to October only between the lifeguard flags.
Is Kamala good for children?
Yes — a gentle slope and sandy bottom, in the calm season.
How long is Kamala Beach?
About 2–3 km.
How do I get to Kamala from Patong?
About 10 km north, 10–15 minutes by Grab or taxi.
How far is it from the airport?
About 30 km, roughly 40 minutes.
What's near Kamala?
Laem Singh cove to the north and the Phuket FantaSea show park opposite the beach.
Kamala or Patong?
Kamala is quieter and better with children; Patong is for nightlife.
When is the best time to visit Kamala?
November to April.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Russian Wikipedia — Kamala Beach: length, bay, sea bottom, wave season, quiet ends, fishing villages, FantaSea
- English Wikipedia — Kamala Beach: location, length
- Phuket lifeguards and tourist police (local press, 2024–2025) — flags, current season
- Wikidata Q10542974, OSM — coordinates of the beach, Laem Singh and FantaSea; OSRM route — distances
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