Bang Tao Beach

Ao Bang Thao is a large open bay on Phuket Island's west coast, approximately halfway between International Airport and Patong Beach, which houses the second longest beach on island. Bang Tao Beach is a six kilometre stretch of fantastic white and fine sand overlooking the beautiful turquoise crystal clear waters of Andaman Sea, making it one of the island's best beaches as well as one of most popular holiday destinations on Phuket Island. Mostly surrounded by shady trees, the long beach can be divided into three distinct areas. The southern end of Bang Tao is one of the best destinations on the island for family vacations. Waterfront there is a wide range of friendly and affordable hotels, boutique hotels cheap guest houses, and rental rooms, as well as many seafood restaurants to choose from. Behind this part is set Cherng Talay village offering nice dining alternatives. The evening market on the main road is definitely the best place to try local foods and even make some purchases. Known as Laguna Beach, the central part has been developed around an old abandoned tin mine and is mostly occupied by the huge and luxurious "The Laguna Phuket Resort Complex", which houses five luxury upmarket resorts, hotels and expensive villas situated around six picturesque lagoons and the 18-hole Laguna Golf Course. Bang Tao's quieter and rather undeveloped northern part is known as Layan Beach and is ideal for those seeking to get away from the crowd. However, it offers some hotel accommodations, restaurants and venues, including the excellent Layan Beach Restaurant, the stylish Dream Beach Club and the luxurious Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.
Features - Considering the length of Bang Tao, it is difficult to generalize the beach's features throughout its immense extension. The surrounding crystal clear water is great for swimming and other water activities, but can become quickly quite deep in some areas, so it can be dangerous to children and less experienced swimmers. Deck chairs and sun beds can be rented along most of beach, although there are some areas that do not offer them, while in front of Laguna Complex they are provided by the hotels and resorts for the exclusive use of their guests.
Activities - From November to April Bang Tao offers a great selection of beach activities including, paragliding, kite surfing and wakeboarding, banana boat rides and Jet Ski, as well as elephant rides along the beach. Located near the Laguna Complex entrance, the Phuket International Riding Club offers riding lessons and horse back rides down the beach. The surf is pretty good at the northern end of the beach. Laguna's guests can also have fun with Hobie Cat and windsurfing. Located opposite Bangtao Village Resort near the beach's southern end, Phuket Adventure Mini Golf is a classic 18-hole miniature golf course, set in a beautifully garden and it is the perfect spot for the whole family after a long day at the beach. Situated about 5 km east of beach, Anthem Wakepark is the first clockwise cable wakeboarding park in Asia. Nestled within a huge fresh water lake, surrounded by natural and mountainous landscape, this cable park has 6 pylon towers, 8 carriers running along a 12 meter high cable track measuring 650-meter long. Set in the scenic Laguna Complex, Laguna Phuket Golf Club is a classic 18-hole, par-71 golf course measuring 6,756 yards. Fully upgraded in January 2015, the prestigious golf club features fantastic golf experience and facilities designed for golfers of all abilities from all over the world.
Night life - Bang Tao's nightlife scene is very far from the bustle of transgressive Patong Beach. There are no discotheques, go-go or beer bars in the area, yet the nightlife is quite lively and reflects the beach's atmosphere, offering some trendy beach clubs, pubs and bars. Dream Beach Club, Catch Beach Club, Xana Beach Club Phuket, Lux Beach Club, Supper Club and Black Cat are most popular venues.Read More