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Malacca
Straits | Ao Chalong | Kata
Beach | Phi Phi | Krabi
This bay offers one of the nicest beaches on Phuket, and a pleasant
balance in its development. There are only three hotels here, each
quite different, and each excellent within its class. There are
also several restaurants and some small shops behind the beachfront
hotels. For a passing yacht looking for a beautiful beach, not too
much development, but some onshore pleasures, Kata is difficult
to beat.
The southeast corner of the bay offers anchorage in 8-10
metres on sand.
The Club Mediterranean covers about 60 percent of the beach, from
the northern headland down. Casual, outside guests are not catered
for here, though they are welcomed in the other two hotels.
 On
the south side is Kata
Beach Resort, a 200 plus room establishment that became
host of the Phuket
King's Cup Regatta in 1998. This is a 4 star resort with
large swimming pool and gardens, making it an ideal, reasonably-priced
holiday resort for families.
At the southern end is The Boathouse,
a long time favourite of the yachting community. This popularity
began with when its owner and designer, ML Tri Devakul, was one
of the founders of the King's Cup Regatta. The Boathouse, sporting
a nautical décor, often calls itself 'a restaurant with a
few rooms attached'. That restaurant is now so popular, and the
food so good, that reservations are 'must' throughout the high season.
Entertainment is in the piano bar style. The wine cellar here is
the best on Phuket, with upwards of 250 labels. Passing yachts may
call to replenish wine supplies at retail, not restaurant, prices.
The diving and snorkelling around Koh Pu (Crab Island) is well
worth trying. A note of caution, however: the passage between Koh
Pu and the headland is not recommended without local knowledge,
as there is a rock awash in the channel.
You can walk to Kata Centre, with its shops, restaurants and bars,
via the little road from the northeast corner of the bay. It takes
about 35 minutes to Phuket Town by tuk tuk.
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