Kalim Beach: what to do and where to stay

By Paula Parker

Kalim Beach is one of the better surfing beaches in Phuket, located just to the north of Patong on the west coast.

The beach or bay is really just a continuation of Patong Beach and the only thing separating the two beaches is a small rocky headland.

At high tide the water around Kalim Bay has excellent coral reefs making it a great spot to go snorkeling or diving.

At low tide, the coral reefs on the Northern end of Kalim are close enough to the shore to go exploring on foot.

There is an amazing variety of living creatures here, such as starfish, tiny fish and seashells.

The rocks are razor sharp, so if you are going to go exploring it is best that you wear reef shoes or joggers.

You will often see the locals wandering around collecting crabs and shrimp.

The beach is a little rocky and not what I would call a good swimming beach, there are no sunbeds or water-sports available at Kalim Beach.

The above pictures of Kalim were taken on low tide, so if your looking for fun beach activities you will need to head to Patong.

During the monsoon season from June through to September the northern end of Kalim is one of the better beaches in Phuket to go surfing.

Kalim Bay is a nice beach for an afternoon walk, but not a beach that I personally would swim in.

There is a good range of accommodation at Kalim from family friendly resorts and hotels to budget hotels and guesthouses.

Below is just a few of the many resorts and hotels that are available.

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The area around Kalim beach is a quiet alternative to the lively Patong Beach, yet close enough to the nightlife and shopping that Patong has to offer.

There is not a lot of nightlife around Kalim Beach, apart from the odd bar, but there is a great selection of upmarket restaurants which can be found overlooking the water.

We have listed some of the best restaurants and bars that we have found on our travels that are located overlooking Kalim Bay.

They include the Baan Rim Pa Piano Bar Restaurant with it's Royal Thai cuisine and breathtaking panoramic views over Kalim Bay. Baan Rim Pa has long been established as one of the most famous restaurants in Thailand and a favourite of visitors from around the world.
Baan Rim Pa is located opposite the Kalima Resort & Spa and is open daily from 12.00pm to 11.00pm.

L'Arôme by the Sea is an elegant French Restaurant with stunning views, located at the southern end of Kalim Beach. The restaurant is open daily from 4.00pm to 11.00pm..

Acqua Restaurant is a fine dining Italian restaurant, located along the road, just after the Oceanfront Beach Resort at Kalim. This award winning restaurant is fantastic but it doesn't have ocean views. Open from 5.30pm to 11.00pm.

Kalim is fast becoming an ideal alternative for an evening out for those who prefer to opt out of Patong's hectic nightlife.

From Patong follow the Beach Road North, it is the rocky beach just before the hills.