AO KATA YAI AND AO KATA NOI

Peaceful AO KATA YAI is a few minutes drive around the headland from Karon (17km from Phuket town), but both prettier and safer for swimming thanks to the protective rocky promontories at either end. The northern stretch of Kata Yai is completely given over to the unobtrusive buildings, and then it’s a lengthy trek down to the rest of the accommodation at the southern end, where you will find the restaurants, bars, mini-markets, tour operators and transport rental outlets. A headland at the southernmost point divides Ao Kata Yai from the much smaller AO KATA NOI, which is an attractive little gold sand bay, very popular and so quite crowded with parasols and deckchairs. Kata Noi has its own small cluster of businesses including a mini-market, several restaurants and bars, transport rental and even a tailor’s shop.