Kamala Beach lies in a pretty bay, with several hotels. There are plenty of restaurants ashore in a busy village atmosphere on the south end of the beach. The bay is easily recognised from seaward by the large structures of the Phuket Fantasea Park and the developments on the southern hill.
Kamala Dreams fronting the beach in the centre of the village is owned by a yachting veteran of 26 years in Phuket, Jan Jacobs, who has many tales of sailing the local waters.
Care should be taken when coming from the south to avoid the rocky patch 300 metres off the headland. Anchor anywhere well out in the bay in 6-8 metres on a sandy bottom.
Laem Sing is a beautiful bay framed by two rocky headlands. It is the favourite spot for paradise seekers and ageing hippies who prefer the short longtail ride from Patong to the gruelling bus ride to Krabi. Look for the famous Sunday afternoon parties at Ott’s Bar in the very south of the beach.
Anchor in 10 metres on a sandy bottom. In the south part of Surin Bay is a floating high season jetty.
There are several daytime restaurants here, in the high season, with more in nearby Surin Beach, around the headland, which is one of the island’s only zoned public beaches.
As such, all the resorts are situated behind the park, but there are many restaurants, bars, beach clubs and food stalls along the beach.
Amongst these is the famous Diver’s Place, a casual beach bar named for its charismatic Australian owner (once Australia’s national deep diving champion). Others have become transformed into trendy beach clubs for the 4 and 5 star resorts a few hundred metres away.
From this headland north, the private housing and the hotel accommodation becomes increasingly exclusive and expensive.
You should anchor outside the hotel moorings (which are not available for public use) in 10 metres on a sandy bottom. This anchorage is uncomfortable when the northwesterly swell is running in February or March.
This secluded spot is one of the nicer bays on the west coast and is home to The Chedi Phuket and Amanpuri exclusive resorts. Yacht crews may use the hotel restaurants for that special occasion, but it is wise to make a reservation.
There is an excellent sandy beach, and good snorkelling is to be had on both points.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic Charts of the respective countries.
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