Beaches · West coast, north of Patong
Kamala Beach
A village beach, quieter than Patong, with simple restaurants and longtails, and calmer at its northern end.
Access
By road
Entry
Free
Time to allow
A few hours, or a stay
Best time
November to April, when the sea is calm most days
Why go
For a beach with a village behind it rather than a nightlife district: simple restaurants, longtails pulled up on the sand, and Patong over the headland by road.
What you will find
A village beach on the west coast, between Surin and Patong, quieter than Patong and calmer at its northern end. The sea is calm on most days from November to April and rougher from May to October.
Getting there
By road. The Phuket Smart Bus from the airport passes through Kamala and stops on the main road, not at hotels. Patong is a road over the headland to the south.
Before you go
Three people have drowned here in three years, according to provincial figures. From May to October, never swim under a red flag; we could not confirm lifeguard cover here.
Portuguese man o' war were found washed up at Kamala in September 2025. If you are stung, get out of the water, pour vinegar on the sting and call 1669.
Where this place leads
Common questions
Kamala or Patong?
Kamala if you want a quieter village beach; Patong if you want nightlife on your doorstep. A road over the headland links the two.
Is Kamala safe for swimming?
On most days from November to April the sea is calm. From May to October it is rougher, and three people have drowned here in three years: never swim under a red flag.