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Kata and Karon
Beach
 Karon
Beach is a long gently curving beach of small sparkling white sand dunes,
crisp clean water and a few evergreen trees. As you circle the roundabout,
you can go east through the village and you will be on the main highway
running east and west across the island, or you can continue south along
the road to Kata beach and the rest of the south coast beaches. During
the months of June through September, the strong south-west winds brings
surf from the open sea. Karon Beach and Relax Bay Beach receive continuous
big waves and experienced surfers head out to challenge them. The southern
end of Karen Beach has the most surf activity and there are surf stations
with boards for hire.
 There
are two beaches called Kata: Kata Noi and Kata Yai (Noi means small, Yai
means big). The Club Med Complex dominates this scenic beach, but it is
open to the public. This is the beach of choice if you are swimming with
small children because it remains shallow for about thirty meters from
the shoreline. Koh Poo, the small island off the north end, has a lively
coral reef that is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Mask and fins
can be rented on the beach for about 100 baht. If you stroll to either
end of the beach you will find many little places that offer tasty Thai
food.
Separated by a small headland from the larger beach,
this charming little bay is nestled up against lush emerald green
jungle covered mountains. Quiet and convenient, this tranquil little
piece of paradise is one of the nicest places to stay on the island.
There is a small coral reef at the south end but caution must be
taken, because of the steeper drop off from the shore than at Kata
Yai and because this beach is affected more by rough weather.
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 Along
the coast road between Kata Beach and Nai Harn Beach is situated a large
public pavilion where you can rest and enjoy the spectacular view. Visible
from this vantage point you can see three of Phuket’s prettiest bays,
Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon Beach.
From this scenic vista you can watch the emerald
green waters of the bay change to shades of blue and indigo as they
pass over the coral reefs. Just across the street a number of fruit
and soft drink venders set up everyday, and provide a good place
to sample some local fruit or enjoy a cool drink.
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 Five
minutes south of Patong Beach, as you climb the hill you will see a large
hotel complex on your right. This is a good place to pull off to the side
of the road for a minute and enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, access
to this beach is blocked by the Le Meridien Hotel, and unless you are
a guest there this beach can only be reached by boat from Patong.
 There
is no official lookout point here -- just a few chairs and an abandoned
roadside restaurant, but it is a great place to watch the white
bellied sea eagles feed early in the morning. They soar the sky
in a circular pattern making a dramatic dive into the sea and taking
flight with fish on their talons for breakfast. While watching the
birds, its a great place to appreciate the gentle breeze, the magnificent
view, the stunning hues of blues and greens all framed with a white
sandy beach, and the lazy white clouds as they roll silently past.
You can feel and breathe the beauty of Phuket. That is what draws
people to visit here, and what brings them back time and again.
Unbelievable as it may seem it only gets better as you continue
to the south.
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