Kata's 1.5km (1 mile) strip of golden sand is one of the most popular beaches in Phuket due to the combination of it's beauty, facilities and activities. Hundreds of people come each day to soak up the sun and take advantage of all on offer. Often busy but never crowded this beach is perfect in many ways.

During the north-east monsoon season (November to April) the warm sea is as flat as a pancake, crystal clear and turquoise in colour.

The south-west monsoon season (May to October) can make for slightly rougher swimming conditions, but it's this time of year that the surfers flock to enjoy the smallish waves. Rarely do the red flags come out, the days they do you probably wouldn't want to go the beach anyway.

Late in the year as the waters turn calm, Kata bay becomes populated with 100+ beautiful yachts which arrive from all over the region, some even circumnavigating, to compete in December's King's Cup Regatta, Asia's premier sailing event.