We had to check out Phuket because it has reached “Legendary” status as a Southeast Asian beach destination. We decided to stay on Kata Beach because we like waves and it’s supposed to have the biggest. We lucked out and found a great place to stay and another great place to eat (look below).

 

The beach was nice, and the waves were pretty big. They were so big on Karon Beach that swimming wasn’t allowed. The ban seemed a little overprotective to us and we felt like visitors should be warned and left to their own discretion about whether to get in or not. Whatever.

 

There was a high dose of sleaziness in the “girly bar” areas that we felt obligated to check out and then easily avoided. However, the sleezy feeling only came off after scrubbing vigorously, with chlorine-bleach, in a very very hot shower.

What We Learned

 

- “White House Inn” has a nice location in the Kata area. They gave us a great price and the rooms were well appointed and cleaned compared to the competition. However, their walls have large trelles cutouts along the ceiling that lets the A/C leak outside unchecked.

 

- The “Thai Kitchen” has a super-friendly staff serving big portions of good food at equally friendly prices. The locals know where it’s at.

 

- Your bus from elsewhere will probably drop you off at Phuket Town. So you will need to make a 10 minute walk to “The Market” where the “local pickups” run their routes around the island so you can get to the beach you want to be on. They’re affordable. Ask locals for directions.