The dry season
November to April: calm, clear water on all three beaches, parasailing and jet skis off Karon, and the busiest weeks of the year from December to March. Book hotels early around Christmas and Chinese New Year.
Karon
District
A subdistrict on Phuket's south-west coast between Patong and Rawai: three beaches, a famous viewpoint and a resort town livelier than the north, calmer than Patong.
Karon in photographs
Karon. Karon. Karon.
- Space
- Three beaches, from 3 km to 850 m
- Views
- Karon Viewpoint: three bays at once
- Food
- Restaurants for every budget
- Nightlife
- Bars that wind down by midnight
- Water sports
- Surfing at Kata in the monsoon
- Access
- Smart Bus stops at Karon and Kata
About Karon
Karon is a subdistrict of Mueang Phuket on the south-west coast, about 14 km from Phuket Town. It borders Patong to the north, Rawai to the south and Chalong to the east, and the whole of it, some 20 km², is one municipality with four villages: Karon, Khok Tanot–Kata, Bang La and Khok Chang.
Three beaches face the Andaman. Karon is about 3 km of wide, quartz-white sand that squeaks underfoot; Kata, 600 m to the south, is a 1.5 km bay with the islet of Ko Pu offshore; Kata Noi, over the next headland, is a small, quiet bay of about 850 m.
Behind the sand, the land rises to hills in the south and flattens into valleys in the east, where the villages and farms are. The road over the southern hills passes Karon Viewpoint, with three bays in one view, and Nakkerd Hill, crowned by the Big Buddha, rises on the eastern edge.
The resort town grew around Karon Circle, Patak Road and Kata's second road: hotels, guesthouses, massage shops, bars and restaurants, with markets on fixed evenings. It is busier than the north of the island and much calmer than Patong next door; in the monsoon, Kata turns into one of Phuket's surfing beaches.
What is good about Karon
Room on the sand
Karon's 3 km beach has only two hotels on the sand, so the whole shore is open and there is always a quieter stretch to walk to.
One of Phuket's best-known views
Karon Viewpoint, a free roadside lookout on the hill road to Nai Harn, shows Kata Noi, Kata and Karon bays at once; it is open at any hour.
Eat at every price
Pad thai at the temple market, seafood on Kata's beach road, hilltop terraces over Kata Noi and hotel restaurants on the sand at Karon.
Evenings without the crowds
Karon and Kata have beach clubs, a reggae bar under a big tree at Kata and small bars around Karon Circle; Patong's nightlife is 15 to 35 minutes away.
A surf town in the monsoon
When the south-west swell arrives, Kata fills with surf schools and board rentals; in the dry season parasailing and calm swimming take over.
On the Smart Bus line
The airport Smart Bus stops at Karon Circle and in Kata for a flat 100 THB (2026), and taxis and ride apps are easy to find.
Walkable between the beaches
Kata is 600 m from Karon's south end and Kata Noi about 1.5 km further, along hilly roads with pavement in places.
Things to do at Karon
Karon. Karon. Karon.
Nature
Karon Viewpoint
Stop at the shaded gazebo on the road from Kata to Nai Harn for the view over three bays; there is a large car park and a few drink stalls.
Culture
The Big Buddha
A 45 m white marble Buddha on Nakkerd Hill with terraces looking over Chalong Bay and the west coast; open daily 09:00 to 18:00, free. Cover shoulders and knees.
Culture
Wat Karon
Karon's working temple, with carved doors telling the Buddha's life, a rare black Buddha and a yearly Narayana gilding festival between February and March. Free.
Food and drink
Karon Temple Market
On Tuesday and Friday from 16:00 to 22:00, about 500 m inland from Karon Circle: Thai food, a well-known pad thai stall, clothes and fruit.
Shopping
Karon Bazaar
A covered market on the beach road near Karon Circle, open daily from 10:00 to 23:00, with souvenirs, clothes and small restaurants.
Food and drink
Kata fresh market
Mae Somchit market on Patak Road opens daily from about 06:00 to 21:00: fruit, vegetables, meat and cooked Thai food, where Kata itself shops.
Swimming · dry season
Swim at Kata Noi
From November to April the small bay is calm, shallow and very blue; bring a towel and find shade under the trees at either end.
Surfing · monsoon months
Learn to surf at Kata
From June to November Kata's waves bring surf schools, board rentals and a yearly competition; the north end of Kata Noi suits beginners on smaller days.
Water sports · dry season
Parasailing off Karon
In the high season boats tow parasails 5 to 10 minutes over the bay, usually for less than in Patong.
Family
Dino Park Mini Golf
Eighteen holes through a fake jungle with dinosaurs at the Kata end of the beach road; a round takes 30 to 40 minutes. Open 10:00 to 23:00 from October to May.
On the sand · dry season
A beach club day
Karon and Kata's beach clubs open to non-guests, with sand and pool seating; one has a fire show every evening at 19:00.
Food and drink · dry season
Sunset drinks above Kata Noi
The bars on the steep road from Kata Noi towards Nai Harn look down over the whole bay at sunset.
Culture
Kata's temple and shrine
Wat Kitti Sangkharam on Kata Road and the Po Seng Ti Te shrine, a Chinese shrine to the god of medicine on Patak Road; both free.
A day at Karon
Walk the 3 km beach while it is cool and listen to the sand squeak underfoot.
Swim in the small bay before the sunbeds fill; in the monsoon, take a surf lesson at Kata instead.
Lunch on a terrace above Karon Bay, or Thai food on the beach road. On The Hill Karon
Drive up Nakkerd Hill for the Big Buddha and the view over the south of the island; cover shoulders and knees. Phuket Big Buddha
Watch the sun go down from Karon Viewpoint or a hilltop bar above Kata Noi. Karon Viewpoint
On Tuesday or Friday, eat at Karon Temple Market; other nights, dinner on Kata's beach road and a drink at a beach bar. Karon Temple Market
Places in Karon
Our picks
Karon Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Kata Noi BeachA roadside lookout on the coast road between Kata and Nai Harn with a view over three bays: Kata Noi, Kata and Karon.
Phuket Big Buddha
Buddhist templeA 45-metre seated Buddha clad in white marble on Nakkerd Hill, about 400 metres above the sea between Chalong and Kata, built from visitors' donations.
Wat Karon (Wat Suwan Khiri Khet)
Buddhist temple · Karon BeachThe working temple of Karon, where resident monks lead daily rituals; a centre of Buddhist teaching since 1980.
Wat Kitti Sangkharam
Buddhist temple · Kata BeachThe temple of Kata, recently rebuilt by its monks and workers, with an ordination hall, monks' quarters and a school for local children.
Po Seng Ti Te Shrine (Kata)
Chinese shrine · Kata BeachA Chinese shrine at the north end of Kata Beach dedicated to Po Seng Ti Te, the god of medicine.
Karon Temple Market
Night market · Karon BeachA twice-weekly evening market on the grounds of Wat Karon, behind Karon Beach about 500 metres from the Karon Circle.
Kata Night Market
Night market · Karon BeachA covered food market just off Patak Road in Kata, behind the Beyond Kata resort, a few minutes inland from Kata Beach, with a gorilla statue at the entrance.
Karon Bazaar
Community mall · Karon BeachA shopping and dining plaza on Patak Road in Karon with a daily covered market of tourist goods.
Dino Park Mini Golf
Family attraction · Karon BeachAn 18-hole mini golf course in a prehistoric jungle garden with full-size dinosaurs and a volcano, at Kata's centre opposite Starbucks.- No photograph yet
Kids Playorama
Indoor playground · Kata BeachAn indoor play centre at Kata Beach, inside the Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort. 
Super Surf Kata
Surf school · Kata BeachA surf simulator by Kata Beach: two parallel high-pressure jets of water run up a padded slope fast enough to carry a rider, over water barely ten centimetres deep.
TANN Beach Club
Beach club · Karon BeachA beach club on a wide wooden deck at the south end of Karon Beach, once a simple Thai restaurant.
COAST Beach Club & Bistro
Beach club · Karon BeachThe beach club and bistro of the Centara Grand Beach Resort at the quiet north end of Karon Beach, open to outside guests.
Fira Beach Club
Beach club · Kata Noi BeachA pool club with a steakhouse and a sky bar on the hill above Kata Noi Beach; despite the name it is not on the beach.
Ska Bar
Beach bar · Kata BeachA reggae bar on the sand at the far southern end of Kata Beach, where the beach meets the rocks.
After Beach Bar & Restaurant
Rooftop bar · Kata Noi BeachA Thai bar and restaurant on a panoramic terrace above Kata Noi Bay, on the road from Kata to Nai Harn.
The Sundeck
Rooftop bar · Kata Noi BeachA lounge bar and restaurant on two floors overlooking Kata Noi Bay, on the road between Kata Noi and Nai Harn.
Tree Bay Clubhouse
Rooftop bar · Kata Noi BeachA two-storey open terrace on the hillside below Karon Viewpoint, looking down on Kata Noi, Kata and Karon bays.
On The Hill Karon
Restaurant · Karon BeachA viewpoint restaurant on the hill road above Karon Beach, one of the few view restaurants on the island that serve breakfast.
The Boathouse
Restaurant · Kata BeachA beachfront restaurant on Kata Beach with a long-standing wine list and a pool bar by the sand.
Kata Seafood Restaurant
Seafood restaurant · Kata BeachA Thai and seafood restaurant on the sand at the southern end of Kata Beach, next to the Ska Bar.
Mom Tri's Kitchen
Fine dining · Kata Noi BeachThe restaurant of Mom Tri's Villa Royale on Kata Noi Beach, with a view over the bay.
Chopol's Plantation Bar & Restaurant
Restaurant · Kata Noi BeachA small Thai restaurant and bar in a palm plantation on the hill past Kata Noi, off the road to the Karon Viewpoint.
Kampong Kata Hill
Restaurant · Kata BeachA Thai and seafood restaurant on a small hill in the middle of Kata, open for more than thirty years.
Sugar & Spice
Restaurant · Kata BeachA family-style restaurant on Kata Road, on the way to Kata Beach and near the Kata Night Market.
The Pad Thai Shop
Restaurant · Karon BeachA simple local noodle shop on Patak Road in Karon, known for its pad thai; a Lonely Planet article about the cook hangs on the wall.
SOUL Vegan Cafe & Restaurant
Restaurant · Karon BeachA vegan café and restaurant on Karon Road, about 200 metres from Karon Beach.
On The Rock Restaurant
Restaurant · Karon BeachThe seaside restaurant of the Marina Phuket Resort on Karon Beach, built on the rocks in a traditional Thai design of dark wood with the cliff as its back wall.
Viewpoints
Black Rock Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Ao Sane BeachA lookout in the south of Phuket just before Nai Harn Beach, at the end of a dirt road off the coast road.
Bars
- No photograph yet
Relax Beach Bar
Karon BeachLe Meridien Phuket's bar on Karon Noi's sand: sunset cocktails with soft music, dinner, and DJ nights and fire performances from Friday to Sunday. Outside guests welcome. 
Starz Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Rooftop bar · Karon BeachA small open-air rooftop bar next to Karon Circle, facing the north end of Karon Beach.
The Dim Sun
Rooftop bar · Karon BeachThe rooftop bar and restaurant on the top terrace of Avista Grande Phuket Karon.
Restaurants
A Blanket & A Pillow
Restaurant · Karon BeachA café-restaurant on bamboo terraces down a hillside above the sea in northern Kata, at the end of an alley past the Aspasia and Novotel Kata Avista; tents and small bungalows to rent behind it.
Baan Chom View Restaurant
Restaurant · Kata Noi BeachA restaurant on stilts on the road from Kata to Nai Harn, above Kata Noi, with a large wooden terrace looking over the Andaman Sea; the second of the row of view restaurants when coming up from Kata.
Baan Khao Soi
Local eatery · Kata BeachA small air-conditioned shop on Kata Road in Kata, opened in 2025, that serves one dish: khao soi, the northern Thai curry noodle soup.
Buffalo Steakhouse Karon Beach
Restaurant · Karon BeachA steakhouse on Karon Road in Karon, opposite Dino Park Mini Golf.
Cappadocia Turkish Restaurant Karon
Restaurant · Karon BeachThe Karon Beach branch of a Turkish restaurant chain, on Patak Road; its cooks have long experience in Turkish kitchens.
CHAR'D Grill
Restaurant · Karon BeachA steakhouse and seafood grill at Avista Grande Phuket Karon, built over water, with flame-to-table cooking; named Asia's Best New Hotel Restaurant 2024.
Cafés
CoffeeBAR789
Café · Kata BeachA small coffee shop in Kata.
CUP SEA Coffee
Café · Kata BeachA small, minimalist coffee shop in a quiet lane between Kata and Karon, with two small tables on a veranda overlooking the temple.
Dome Cafe
Café · Kata BeachA small, calm coffee shop on Patak Road in Kata, with soft light and comfortable seats; the baristas like to talk.
Laem Sai Cup
Café · Karon BeachA small coffee stop near Kata on terraces of bamboo that step down narrow stairs to the boulders by the sea.
Star Mountain Sunset Restaurant
CaféA hillside café near the Big Buddha with a west-facing terrace over Karon Bay.
Thai Gallery and Coffee Bar
CaféA small open-air café and restaurant on the hillside near the Big Buddha, on the Big Buddha road (Soi Yot Sane 1).
Shops
Makro Food Service Kata
Wholesale store · Karon BeachA Makro Food Service store on Patak Road near Kata.
Markets
Mae Somchit Kata Fresh Market
Fresh market · Kata BeachA fresh market on Patak Road in Kata, one of the guide's Phuket fresh markets.
Night Food Market Kata Beach
Street food market · Kata BeachA food market hidden among small hotels in the centre of Kata, not far from the beach, which locals call the Kata Walking Street Market.
Health
Healthplus Medical Clinic
Clinic · Karon BeachA private medical clinic in Karon.
Kata-Sainamyen International Clinic
Clinic · Kata BeachA walk-in international clinic of the Sainamyen group in Kata-Karon, on Koktanod Road.
Transport
- No photograph yet
Ao Sane car park
Nai Harn BeachThe small parking area at the top of the hill above Ao Sane, reached through The Nai Harn resort; spaces are few, and scooters can continue down to a second small area. - No photograph yet
Kata Noi car park
Kata Noi BeachThe small car park at the southern end of Kata Noi, near Katathani; full early on busy high-season weekends.
Kids
Pamookkoo Resort water park
Water park · Kata BeachThe water park inside the grounds of Pamookkoo Resort near Kata Beach, which visitors who are not guests can use with an all-day ticket.
Zipline Xventure Phuket
Adventure parkA jungle adventure park in Chalong near the Big Buddha, with zip lines and high rope routes, including easy courses for beginners.
Gyms
New Karon Gym
Gym · Karon BeachA fitness centre in the middle of Karon Beach: one spacious, air-conditioned room with modern weight machines, free weights, squat racks and cardio, run by an ex-bodybuilder.- No photograph yet
SK-11 Gym
Gym · Kata BeachA fitness centre on Kata Road in Kata with a gym and group classes. 
Studio X Fitness
Gym · Kata BeachA women-owned boutique weights gym in Kata, running for more than 20 years under a recent new name, focused on free weights, compound lifts and bodyweight work.
Yoga
Kata Hot Yoga
Yoga studio · Kata BeachA Bikram-style hot yoga studio on Khoktanod Road, a short walk from Kata Beach, in a room heated to 40 °C with mirrored walls.
Santosa Detox & Wellness Center
Yoga studioA detox and wellness centre in the hills above Kata Beach whose yoga and fitness classes are open to drop-in students as well as retreat guests.
Yoga Rooftop
Yoga studio · Karon BeachAn open-air rooftop yoga studio at CC's Hideaway resort in the hills of Kata, open to drop-in guests as well as the resort's wellness retreats.
Water sports
- No photograph yet
Armin's Dive Shop
Ao Sane BeachA tiny dive shop on Ao Sane Beach renting snorkelling gear and offering beginner snorkelling and beach-diving lessons (about 950 THB per person). - No photograph yet
Oceanic Dive Center
Dive centre · Kata BeachA dive centre on Patak Road in Kata, founded in 1999 and registered with both SSI and PADI, with its own equipment shop that is not tied to one brand. 
Phuket Surf
Surf school · Kata BeachA surf and stand-up paddle school on Koktanod Road at Kata Beach, with group and private lessons and board hire by the day.
SSS Phuket Dive & Surf Center
Dive centre · Kata BeachA school on Koktanod Road in Kata that has taught scuba diving, freediving, surfing and stand-up paddling from one shop since 2008, with 17 instructors.
- The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
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Homes in Karon
Resort hotels, condos and guesthouses fill the flat ground behind Karon and Kata, with villas and hillside resorts looking over the bays. Only a few hotels stand on the sand; most homes are a short walk or ride from the beach.
50 homes for rent in KaronKaron through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: big waves, rip currents and red flags on many days, so swim only where lifeguards allow. Surfers take over Kata and the north end of Karon, and prices drop.
Karon with children
Karon and Kata are among Phuket's mainstream family choices: gentle dry-season beaches, a walkable resort town, family attractions and plenty of hotels, with Patong's crowds a hill away.
- Kata and Kata Noi are shallow and calm from November to April.
- Lifeguards patrol Karon and post flags; swim only between them, especially from May to October.
- Dino Park Mini Golf and a children's play centre in Kata fill a rainy afternoon.
- International schools and the big hospitals are a drive away, in Chalong, Rawai and Phuket Town.
Getting to Karon and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 50–75 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 15–35 min
- From Phuket Town
- 25–40 min
Karon lies on the west coast between Patong and Kata, about an hour from the airport and 25 to 40 minutes from Phuket Town. The airport Smart Bus runs through it, and taxis, ride apps and scooters do the rest.
- The Smart Bus. The airport Smart Bus (route 1) stops at Karon Circle, Karon's stadium and three stops in Kata: a flat 100 THB, hourly, cash, QR or contactless card (2026).
- Grab and taxis. Taxis, tuk-tuks and ride apps are easy to find; tuk-tuks wait late into the night in Kata.
- By scooter. The easiest way between the three beaches and up to the viewpoint; the hill roads are steep.
- On foot. Kata is 600 m from Karon's south end; Kata Noi is about 15 minutes on foot from Kata, hilly and without pavement in places.
Parking. Hard on Patak Road and Kata's narrow beach road; small car parks at Kata Noi and Karon Viewpoint. A scooter or a taxi is easier.
Who will love Karon, and who will not
Will love it
- First-time visitors who want a real beach town without Patong's crowds.
- Families: calm dry-season bays, mini golf and a walkable town.
- Surfers and learners from June to November, when Kata has waves.
- Couples who plan their evenings around sunsets and hilltop bars.
- Long-stay residents who want the beach on the doorstep and cafés, gyms and restaurants nearby.
Will not
- Party seekers: bars wind down by midnight; Patong is a short ride away.
- Anyone wanting real seclusion in the high season: Karon and Kata are busy from December to March.
- Tight budgets for a long stay: a furnished one-bedroom costs about 18,000 to 40,000 THB a month (2026).
Tips for Karon
Swim between the flags
From May to October rip currents run off Karon; swim only where the lifeguards' flags allow.
Market evenings
Karon Temple Market runs on Tuesday and Friday from 16:00; go early for the pad thai.
Kata Noi early
Kata Noi's small car park fills on busy weekends; arrive before 10:00 or come by taxi.
Viewpoint at any hour
Karon Viewpoint is free and open all day and night; sunrise is quieter than sunset.
Dress for the Big Buddha
Cover shoulders and knees on Nakkerd Hill; the site is free and runs on donations.
Ride the Smart Bus
A flat 100 THB takes you to the airport or Patong from Karon Circle or Kata; buses run hourly (2026).
Hospitals are a drive away
There is no large hospital in Karon; the big private hospitals are in Phuket Town, 25 to 40 minutes away.
Book the holidays early
Hotels fill around Christmas and Chinese New Year; book well ahead for December to March.
Questions about Karon
Is Kata part of Karon?
Yes. Kata and Kata Noi beaches are in Karon subdistrict, which covers about 20 km² from the Patong headland to the hills above Nai Harn.
Which is better, Kata or Karon?
Karon has the longest, widest beach and more space; Kata has the livelier, more walkable town, surfing in the monsoon and the calmest swimming in the dry season. Kata Noi is the quietest of the three.
How far is Karon from the airport?
About 43 km, 50 to 75 minutes by car. The airport Smart Bus stops at Karon and Kata for a flat 100 THB (2026).
Can you swim at Karon Beach all year?
The best months are December to April. From May to October there are big waves and rip currents; swim only where lifeguards' flags allow.
When is the Karon Temple Market?
Every Tuesday and Friday from 16:00 to 22:00, about 500 m inland from Karon Circle.
Where is Karon Viewpoint?
On the hill road from Kata Noi towards Nai Harn. It is free, open at any hour and shows Kata Noi, Kata and Karon bays in one view.
Is Karon good for families?
Yes: calm dry-season beaches, a walkable town, mini golf and a play centre. Schools and the big hospitals are a drive away.
How much is rent in Kata and Karon?
A furnished one-bedroom costs about 18,000 to 40,000 THB a month (2026), depending on the season, the view and the distance from the beach.
When is surf season at Kata?
From about June to November, when the south-west monsoon brings swell. Surf schools and board rentals open along the beach.