Found in an area of Phuket that’s becoming known as a multi-million-dollar villa enclave, the simple Skyla’s Beach House on Kamala beach is a pleasant surprise for those of us seeking seafront dining without having to shell out big baht for the privilege.

Skyla’s Beach House — bare feet welcome.

Skyla’s Beach House is a rustic yet well crafted open-air restaurant on stilts, sitting at the northern tip of the beach. Thatch and bamboo roofing and a wood platform give it a real hut-on-the-beach feel, while the big lounging sofas and free WiFi make it an inviting spot to linger on even if you’re not in the mood for a beach meal.

Sofas and surfboards at the ready.

Skyla’s menu is small and simple, with a selection of casual Thai and Western dishes each at a price of 100 baht. There’s coffee, beer and cocktails, too, with beer only 50 baht during happy hour 17:00-18:00. Great value for a beachfront sunset drink.

Sandwich on the sands.

With a relaxed and friendly vibe, Skyla’s is a fine spot to laze away the day, alternating cold drinks with a cool ocean dip and a bit of snorkelling around the rocks within easy swimming reach. There are surfboards for rent and lessons for stand-up paddle (SUP), surfing and yoga, offering something for the more active beach visitors. They even do SUP yoga, a combined surf and stretch session out on the calm bay.

Skyla’s peaceful setting is marred a bit with the 168-room Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay under construction nearby (due to open by mid-2013), but we found that once we were seated on a bar stool, cold beer in hand, gazing out to sea, the rest of the world kind of melted away.

View from the beach bar.

Skyla’s is open daily from 11:00 till 21:00. You can only get here by walking along the beach to Kamala’s north end. The nearest parking is at a small lot across the main road through Kamala, north of Phuket Fantasea theme park just inside the soi leading to Swissotel Resort. After parking here, walk through the tunnel under the road to the beach, turn right and sashay down the sands right to the end.

Skyla’s Beach House
North end of Kamala Beach, Phuket
T: (085) 476 9096
www.skylaphuket.com

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