Kamala beach - Phuket Travel Guide
Kamala beach is sandwiched between Patong beach on the north and Surin beach on the south, on the western coast of Phuket.
Kamala beach is not crowded like its popular neighbor Patong beach. The northern end of the beach is always quiet, while the southern end will see more tourists during peak season. The Beach Road or ‘Rim Haad’ at the southern end has many budget hotels and restaurants. You can find still cheaper eateries on Kamala Road.
Kamala retains its village charm, in spite of the tourist influx. This may not last long, as more resorts and complexes are under construction or being planned. Here you will find more locals and than tourists even during the peak tourist season. You also get to enjoy the local food in authentic surroundings in Kamala.
How to reach
From Phuket International Airport, you can find cabs to take you to Kamala. The fare is around 500 baht.
Getting Around
You can travel around the place in taxis and tuk-tuks. Their fares are almost the same.
Places to see
Beach is the main attraction of the place. Besides, there are Fantasea show and the Buddhist Temple, located at the southern end of the beach. There is a monument dedicated to Tsunami in a park located at the middle of the beach.
Things to do
Kamala boasts of a beautiful beach that is uncrowded. If you are contended to spend the entire day lazing around the beach, this is the right place for you. The water is crystal clear and the sand clean. During low tide, the water recedes and the right end of the beach will be perfect for swimming. At the left end, near the rocks, you can go fishing.
Massage is not available on the beach itself. These are offered in the stalls lining the beach. The rate is fixed at 300 baht per hour.
Kamala Wat is the Buddhist Temple located at the south end of the beach. You will spot it only if you go looking for it. It was vastly damaged during the Tsunami. It was restored with the help of the Australian TV program, Backyard Blitz. You will find a memorial tree with a dedication plaque in the garden here. The events of Tsunami with pictures are displayed on a board for the benefit of visitors.
The temple itself has the life story of Buddha depicted in pictures on its walls. The Buddhist monks and locals welcome tourists warmly. You are allowed to take photographs of the place if a local person accompanies you. A visit to the temple is ideal to know more about the local culture.
Fantasea is a popular show and theme park in Phuket Kamala. It combines Thailand’s cultural heritage and technology to enthrall the tourists. The 4 D show is much appreciated. The park is spread over 140 acres and has a multi-cuisine restaurant that can accommodate 4000 guests. A shopping arcade is also here that sells local products. The park is open from 8.30pm on all days except Thursdays.
Patong Beach is close by if you are looking for extra fun and change of scene. However, cabs charge 500 baht one way. For cheaper transport, tuk-tuks are an option. They charge 300 baht for the trip. Some hotels arrange shuttles to Patong for their guests.
If you don’t want to spend this much either, the best option is the local bus to Phuket town. It gives you a good feel of the place and its people. This service runs every hour from Kamala. You will invite amused stares from the local passengers. Just flag down the bus and hop in through its open backside. You can pay the driver at the end of the journey. This is for the adventure-seekers.
