Kata Noi Beach — Attraction in Karon

Peaceful beach in Kata, definitely way nicer (but also smaller) than the main beach of Kata just 10 minutes away on foot. It is worth the walk. I’ve seen some of the prettiest sunsets of my life at this beach, just stunning. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for just 100 bahts per day. However, there are some things to note: the bathrooms are disgusting. They cost 10 bahts which is not much, but I’ve seen way cleaner free public toilets in other areas. This should definitely improve. you can get a thai massage directly on the beach, which is cool, but this is the only massage place in Thailand where I felt scammed, and I’ve been to many!! (I am writing it here since they don’t have a dedicated place on Google Maps). You pay for an hour of massage but you only get 45 minutes, in all other places you get the full hour. They don’t wash your feet before starting (you have to wash them yourself) and the ladies did not have a good attitude. I noticed them reducing the length of the massages systematically with other customers as well. The prices are not cheaper than other massage parlors right on the street next to the beach which are better equipped and more friendly. Restaurants on the street behind the beach are quite more expensive than those next to the main Kata beach. There are no restaurants on the beach; just resorts.

All in all, I recommend the beach, but beware of the...

Two access points for public use, neither of which is necessarily easy compared to other beaches. Steep stair decent with minimal parking along the road at the far right side/north end of the beach. You're parking on the hill part of the road before descending down to the beach town. There is a nasty looking bathroom, from the outside, at the top of the steps, which wasn't open when I was there. The other access point is basically in the middle of the beach with parking on a very narrow and conjested road. There are a couple of pay parking lots along the road which makes for a hike with your beach gear. View from the beach is beautiful, but there's no shade, so bring an umbrella. Can also rent an umbrella with a chair for 100 baht each. Nice sand and beautiful water. Can possibly do some basic snorkeling from the south end. Doesn't have your typical food and drink stalls, just a couple. Resorts line the whole beach, except for that narrow center entry point. The breach is somewhat medium sized, which can feel private if there aren't many people. Otherwise, it would...

Kata Noi was a really glorious beach in the early-mid 80s (along with the rest of Phuket). It's beyond dreadful these days, indeed I never go near KN anymore (I first came to Phuket in 1975 - when there was no development on any of the beaches). The rot really began setting in around the end of '89/beginning of '90 when Katathani began its colonization of the beach front. These days the beach is only accessible (to us non-resort types) via a couple of narrow points. And the development surrounding it is awful. The same goes for so much of Phuket - where the infrastructure can't cope - the unbelievably clogged roads [which can be very dangerous - you hear ambulance sirens frequently on a daily basis - and if you don't have medical insurance it's like the American system - pay up or piss off], the ever present threat of water shortages etc.etc.) Not sure why anyone would want to holiday here - after the end of Covid the place [Phuket - like many other places] has been overrun by Russians and increasing numbers of Chinese and Indians. If that sounds appealing to you...