Kamala is the first bay north of Patong, a ten-minute drive over the hill and a world away in mood. The beach is about two kilometres long, the village behind it is a real one with a mosque and a school, and the pace suits families and people staying for weeks rather than days.
Surin, the next bay north, is short and steep with strikingly clear water in the dry season. The hillsides around it hold some of the island’s most expensive villas and hotels.
Top things to do: Kamala & Surin
Kamala Beach
The southern end, near the village, is sheltered and shallow; the northern end is quieter and has some beach restaurants. In the monsoon months there is beginner surf here too.
FantaSea and Carnival Magic
Two large evening theme parks sit side by side just inland from Kamala. Phuket FantaSea is the older, a Thai-culture spectacular with a big stage show; Carnival Magic is a newer park built around lights and a parade show. Both can be booked with hotel transfers.
Surin Beach
Come for the colour of the water from about December to March. The seabed drops away quickly and the shore break can be heavy, so it is better for confident swimmers than small children.
Laem Singh
The small beach between Kamala and Surin was long a favourite. Land access has been closed off for some years, and it is usually reached by longtail from Surin when boats are running — ask locally.
How to get to Kamala & Surin
- From the airport: about 40–50 minutes to Kamala, slightly less to Surin.
- By bus: the Phuket Smart Bus stops at Surin and Kamala on its way between the airport and Patong.
- From Patong: 10–15 minutes by taxi to Kamala over the coastal hill road.
Insider tips
- Kamala has a large Muslim community. Beachwear is fine on the beach; cover up a little in the village streets.
- Surin’s sunbeds and beach clubs were cleared years ago — bring a mat or rent one, and there are food stalls at the back.
- Both beaches fly red flags regularly from May to October.
Best tours & tickets for Kamala & Surin
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see Kamala & Surin:
Entry ticket from €60 Phuket: Carnival Magic Entry Ticket with Optional Transfer
A Thai carnival-themed night park at Kamala, beside Phuket FantaSea: illuminated grounds, a large buffet hall and a parade show. It is big, bright and aimed squarely at families.
- Parades and colourful performances
- Immersive illuminated attractions
- Optional buffet dinner and transfers
Elephant sanctuary visit from €74 Phuket: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Half-Day Visit with Meal
A hands-on half day with elephants at a no-riding sanctuary: you feed them and join them at the mud and water. It is one of the island’s most-booked animal experiences, with more than two thousand reviews.
- Feed and walk with elephants
- No riding and no shows
- Thai buffet and hotel transfers
Premium cruise with dinner from €138 Phuket: James Bond Island Luxury Sunset Cruise
Phang Nga Bay as a comfortable cruise rather than an excursion: a large boat with day beds and a bar, a stop at James Bond Island and dinner as the sun goes down. Rated 4.9.
- James Bond Island
- Day beds, a full bar and a DJ
- Dinner on board at sunset
Speedboat day trip from €38 Phuket: Maya Bay, Phi Phi and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch
The most-booked Phuket tour on GetYourGuide by a wide margin, with more than twenty thousand reviews. A speedboat covers Maya Bay, the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh, a snorkelling stop and beach time on Bamboo Island, with a buffet lunch in between.
- Maya Bay and a view of Viking Cave
- Snorkelling stop and Bamboo Island
- Buffet lunch and hotel transfers
