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Kata and Karon
Beach
 Karon
Beach is a long gently curving beach of small sparkling white sand
dunes, crisp clean water and a few evergreen trees. As you circle
the roundabout, you can go east through the village and you will
be on the main highway running east and west across the island,
or you can continue south along the road to Kata beach and the rest
of the south coast beaches. During the months of June through September,
the strong south-west winds brings surf from the open sea. Karon
Beach and Relax Bay Beach receive continuous big waves and experienced
surfers head out to challenge them. The southern end of Karen Beach
has the most surf activity and there are surf stations with boards
for hire.
 There
are two beaches called Kata: Kata Noi and Kata Yai (Noi means small,
Yai means big). The Club Med Complex dominates this scenic beach,
but it is open to the public. This is the beach of choice if you
are swimming with small children because it remains shallow for
about thirty meters from the shoreline. Koh Poo, 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.
Separated by a small headland from the larger beach,
this charming little bay is nestled up against lush emerald green
jungle covered mountains. 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.
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 Along
the coast road between Kata Beach and Nai Harn Beach is situated
a large public pavilion where you can rest and enjoy the spectacular
view. Visible from this vantage point you can see three of Phuket’s
prettiest bays, Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon Beach.
From this scenic vista you can watch the emerald
green waters of the bay change to shades of blue and indigo as they
pass over the coral reefs. Just across the street a number of fruit
and soft drink venders set up everyday, and provide a good place
to sample some local fruit or enjoy a cool drink.
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 Five
minutes south of Patong Beach, as you climb the hill you will see
a large hotel complex on your right. This is a good place to pull
off to the side of the road for a minute and enjoy the scenery.
Unfortunately, access to this beach is blocked by the Le Meridien
Hotel, and unless you are a guest there this beach can only be reached
by boat from Patong.
 There
is no official lookout point here -- just a few chairs and an abandoned
roadside restaurant, but it is a great place to watch the white
bellied sea eagles feed early in the morning. They soar the sky
in a circular pattern making a dramatic dive into the sea and taking
flight with fish on their talons for breakfast. While watching the
birds, its a great place to appreciate the gentle breeze, the magnificent
view, the stunning hues of blues and greens all framed with a white
sandy beach, and the lazy white clouds as they roll silently past.
You can feel and breathe the beauty of Phuket. That is what draws
people to visit here, and what brings them back time and again.
Unbelievable as it may seem it only gets better as you continue
to the south.
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