Just a couple of minutes drive from big brother Kata Beach is the quaint and picturesque beach known as Kata Noi.

In Thai, ‘noi’ means little and at just 700m in length the name is quite apt, especially when you consider that Kata Beach is more than twice its length at 1.5km long.

Despite being small in stature, Kata Noi more than punches above its weight because of its soft white sand, crystal clear turquoise water and jungle hinterland.

Like big brother, it is popular with surfers during the windy monsoon months of May until October when the stronger winds produce good waves.

Outside the low season months, the sea off Kata Noi is flat and calm and makes the beach the ideal place to go for a swim or a snorkel and equipment for the latter can be rented from the beach.

Like most, if not all beaches on Phuket, there are sun beds and umbrellas available for rent on Kata Noi, but the slightly limited number makes it first come, first serve and may require arriving early to ensure you get one.

Some of the sun beds belong to some of the resorts that line the beach and are reserved for guests of the resort only.

Be sure to check before you get too comfy and are asked to move and are forced to interrupt some good rest and relaxation. Should you get hungry from all the relaxing you’ve been doing, there are a few favourably priced restaurants on your way into Kata Noi on the left hand side of the road.

If that seems like too much effort, then the people that hire out the sun beds also double up as food vendors, so you can pick up a tasty treat without having to leave the comfort of your sun bed.

Like most of the beaches in Phuket, Kata Noi Beach gives sun worshippers the chance to partake in a range of water sports, including parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boating and snorkeling.

Last but not least, you can use your trip to Kata Noi Beach as an opportunity to pick up a few bargains from the hawkers that stroll up and down the beach parading their wares.