Kata Noi

Kata Noi is the smaller of the two Kata bays, tucked behind a headland immediately south of Kata Yai and reached by a single road over the ridge. Steep forested…Kata Noi is the smaller of the two Kata bays, tucked behind a headland immediately south of Kata Yai and reached by a single road over the ridge. Steep forested hills wrap the bay on three sides, which keeps development to one row of buildings along the shore.

The beach is a few hundred metres of fine sand with a rocky southern end. Two large resorts dominate the frontage, with a small run of independent restaurants, massage shops and convenience stores at the northern access. There is no through road: the bay is a dead end, which is much of the reason it stays quiet even in high season.

The road climbing south from Kata Noi leads to the Karon viewpoint, the most photographed lookout on the island, taking in Kata Noi, Kata and Karon in one sweep. Swimming is good from November to April; the southwest monsoon brings a shore break and rip currents, and the beach is flagged accordingly. Most visitors here are resort guests, so the village trade is smaller than at Kata proper.