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Introducing Kata – A Family-Friendly Retreat

Kata is a stunning coastal village featuring with the postcard blue water, swaying coconut palms, and soft sand ideal for building sand castles. Catering to families with younger children, Kata is filled up with quaint restaurants, exciting activities and numerous private pool villa properties for your unforgettable family holiday.

Ministry

Kata Overview

Kata beach is composed of two adjacent beaches – Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Kata Yai or big Kata is a splendid stretch of silvery sand attracting visitors to relish in the warm and calm waters, and soak the sun. The off season (from May to October) draws surfers to ride Kata wave or learn surfing in one of the schools lining the beach.

Kata is a more family-oriented than its northern neighbour Patong offering just perfect number of nightlife, affordable accommodations and an ample selection of dining venues. This scenic southern gem retains a village feel and provides a peaceful atmosphere catering to those wanting a tranquil holiday.

On the right from Kata Yai, there is a splendid coral reef inhabited by tropical fish and crabs. The reef stretches until the Poo island sitting in the centre of the bay. Although, snorkelling may be fascinating and exciting, it is recommended do not venture swimming too far as the currents can be sometimes unpredicted and dangerous. Always pay attention to the red flags set on the beach, they will inform you whether swimming is safe or not.

What We Love

  • A family-oriented peaceful coastal village

  • Shallow and well-maintained beaches

  • An ample range of restaurants and bars

  • Great shopping and relaxing opportunities

  • Fantastic villas to suit all budgets

Ministry

Things to See & Do in Kata

Shopping

After the scrumptious seafood barbeque matched with a suitable wine, you may find yourself wandering aimlessly through shopping plazas and bazaars set along the main road.

Even though Kata is a rather small coastal town is hosts a fair number of fashion shops, shoes, accessories centres and sports outlets. Less heaped then Patong shopping scene, Kata though provides everything you may need during your holiday: from the small necessities and toiletries to the quality beachwear and leather products.

Several shopping malls set in the area are the ideal places to hunt out some unique souvenir or exotic gift. If there is no price attached to the item, it means you can try your hand at bargaining but do not take it too seriously.

Relaxation

Kata is an ideal base to indulge in the beach relaxation for the whole family. Water sports, diving, snorkelling and surfing (in offseason) are available in Kata for all travellers wanting to stay active.

There are several dive centres located at the northern end of the area, where you can rent a snorkelling and diving gears or take a dive course. The shallow waters and beautiful coral reef underneath, featuring Kata, make the area an excellent site for novices who want to learn scuba diving.

After the pleasant day spent on the fabulous Kata beach, there is no better way to unwind and smooth your body, than getting a relaxation massage with the use of a virgin coconut oil. This moisturising oil would be an ideal remedy for your skin if you overdid with a tan. You cannot miss the opportunity to treat yourself with a divine spa treatment once in Kata!

Kata Beach | Phuket, Thailand
Phuket Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous
Phuket Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous Sunset
Phuket Kata Water Park Activity
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Downtown Downtown Shops | Kata Noi, Thailand
Ministry

Eating & Drinking in Kata

Restaurants

Kata dining ranges from the authentic street food stalls serving a traditional Thai cuisine to a handful of upscale restaurants offering the exquisite plates at a matching price. Kata without the exaggeration can be called a gourmet’s paradise.

The fine dining is represented with a few classy beachfront restaurants serving an eclectic mix of local and fusion cuisines along with the Western favourites. Seafood barbeque is always a great choice to order in Kata restaurants. You can choose daily tiger prawns, lobsters and fish from the display set right in front of the restaurants.

Most of the mid-range and family-oriented venues are located on the northern end of the area serving Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Indian and many other cuisines to satisfy your taste buds and delight your gourmet eyes.

Nightlife

Kata nightlife is less hectic than in Patong featuring with just a perfect number of chilled out bars but nothing even close to those frantic beer bars dotting the nightlife capital.

Most of the drinking establishments are set along the road that runs parallel to the beach. There is no shortage of reggae bars, elegant drinking establishments and fancy beach clubs catering to visitors of all ages and providing a sophisticated nightlife experience.

A few family-oriented entertainment complexes stand out Kata nightlife offering some great experiences to both children and adults alike. The Dino Park, set on the top of the small hill, for example, provides a fun golf club to be enjoyed by kids and their parents, an awesome bar to have the fresh juice of a cold beer and realistic dinosaur statues scattered throughout the area.

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Mom Tri's Kitchen - Cocktail Hour | Kata Noi, Thailand
Ministry

Kata Neighbourhoods

Situated towards the south of Phuket International Airport on the western coast of Phuket Island, Kata is the superb family retreat and an ideal base to take in all the sights of the southern Phuket.

Kata & Surrounds

Rawai

Rawai seduces visitors with its secluded bay and natural beauty, mostly occupied by the local fishermen, the northern end is a preferred area among expats.

RAWAI GUIDE

Patong

Patong beach is the heart of the action of Phuket island and arguably the happening party centre of Asia where the streets are lined with bars and restaurants.

PATONG GUIDE

Nai Harn

A favourite place among tourists and locals to soak in the naturally formed pool and indulge in the amazing views of the luxurious yachts moored in the distance.

NAI HARN GUIDE
Ministry

Kata Villas

There are over 5 Ministry Approved villas in Kata. As Kata is a beautiful family-oriented, yet, rather a laid-back location, villa prices tend to be lower than in other parts of Phuket. Kata villas range from USD $400 per night for four-bedroom villa resorts to USD $1,200 per night for an eight-bedroom luxury villa.

Most of our villas have dedicated staff including butlers, chefs, nannies, 24-hour security personnel, and many other services you won’t find in a hotel. This is why we say “Spend just one night in a villa and you’ll never stay in a hotel again.”

Ministry

Practical Information

Getting There

Although it is possible to get to Kata, Phuket over land or water, the best way is to fly.

AIRPORT AND PIER TRANSFERS

It can take anywhere between 1 hour to 1,5 hours to reach Kata from Phuket International Airport depending on traffic. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa.

AIRPORT TAXI

Alternatively, there is a taxi desk at the arrival level which arranges one-way fares at a fixed-price. You can opt one of the transfer options – a shared mini van with other travellers or a private taxi.

MINI BUS

Minibus linking Kata beach and Phuket International Airport is an affordable way to travel to Kata. One way ticket for one person costs around THB200, and buses leave as soon as they filled up.

Getting Around

There are plenty of options, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers:

PRIVATE CAR

Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. Depending on which villa you are staying in, the cost for the private vehicle with a driver can vary, so it’s recommended to contact our Ministry of Villas team to get the complete information about the private transfers.

ON FOOT

As Kata is a rather small village, it can be easily covered on foot. Strolling along the shaded beachfront sidewalk, lined with the magnificent coconut palms, is a pleasant way to get to any dining, shopping or relaxation establishment.

RENTAL SCOOTER

Kata has several motorbike rental shops and it’s a preferred way to move around the area, but a certain level of experience is required. Also, take into account that you must have an international drivers license on your person at all times otherwise the local police can issue you a ticket with a summons to appear in court. And, of course, make sure you wear a helmet.

MOTORBIKE TAXI RIDE

Motorbike taxi ride is a relatively new way of travelling around the area invented by entrepreneurial locals. Depending on the length of the distance the price ranges significantly, still making it an affordable way to move around. Although, motorbike taxi ride is not recommended if you are travelling to longer distances due to reasons of comfort and safety.

TAXI

Phuket taxi makes it easy to move around as you can flag a cab down the street or request a pick-up by phone. There are two types of taxis available in Kata: multitude small bright red or orange coloured minivans or sedan-style taxis with the “Taxi-Meter” sign on top. It is recommended to use metered taxis for longer distances as drivers of minivans that are not equipped with meters are often reluctant to reduce the inflated price.

TUK-TUK

Travelling on tuk-tuk around Kata is another easy way to explore the area. But take into account that there are no fixed prices for tuk-tuk services, and you will be asked to pay the almost equal price as for taxi.

Ministry

Kata Travelogue