In search of peace and quiet, soft sand, and soothing greenery in Phuket, tourists often come to Bang Tao Beach. The spacious, calm, and very long shoreline is perfect for a relaxing vacation.
Bang Tao Beach can easily be considered the longest on the island. It stretches for almost 7 kilometers and has an elegant arc shape. The beach is generally divided into three main sections:
- Southern – a busy and more lively area where tourists usually gather.
- Central – there are many tourists, but still plenty of space.
- Northern – a quiet and less crowded section.
Hotels are lined up along the beach, and these are usually the areas where you’ll find more people. For peace and quiet, it’s best to move further away from the tourist hotspots, as package tourists are usually too lazy to walk long distances along the shore.
The shoreline is covered with yellowish sand. The size of the sand grains depends on the section of the beach: in the south, it is finer, while in the north, it is coarser. There is not much natural debris, as hotels try to clean the areas around their buildings, but where there are a lot of tourists, it is hard to maintain perfect cleanliness.
The charming crescent-shaped bay invites visitors to swim in its blue waters. The sea in this area cannot be called crystal clear, as the bottom is somewhat silty, which reduces visibility. However, this small downside is compensated by an excellent entrance into the water. The beach has no rocks or sharp shells, so walking barefoot along the shore is safe and comfortable.
A green belt of casuarina trees frames the sandy shore. Just imagine the aroma of pine mixed with a hint of salty sea air! There are very few palm trees, so it is impossible to hide under their broad leaves. The casuarina trees provide some shade, but only in the first half of the day.
The lack of natural shade means that beach umbrellas are necessary. The Thai sun is relentless, and it does not spare anyone who neglects sun safety. You can find shelter on sun loungers under umbrellas. In the southern part, there are plenty of them, but most belong to local cafés. In the northern part of the beach, there are significantly fewer sun loungers.
Interestingly, even a few years ago, when authorities banned the placement of sun loungers on the beach, visitors to Bang Tao still enjoyed comfortable seating. These facilities belonged to restaurants and cafés, and their operations were not restricted.
The sea is usually calm and gentle from November to April. By summer, the wind grows stronger, creating high waves. Strong tides sometimes leave only a thin strip of sand on the wide beach. The tide schedule in this area is complex: in the central part, low tides are barely noticeable, while in the north and south, they occur regularly. Strong low tides do not happen every day, but when they do, you may need to walk about 50 meters to reach deeper water.
It is not surprising that tourists gather where the infrastructure is more developed. Most shops and restaurants are concentrated in the southern part, catering to vacationers. In the center of Bang Tao, also known as the Laguna area, infrastructure is equally well-developed, while the northern part is the quietest and least touristy.
A traditional Phuket-style promenade separates the shopping area from the beach. Here, you will find familiar street food vendors, souvenir sellers, and beach gear merchants.
Nearby, there are small shops, a few ATMs, and currency exchange points. A short taxi ride will take you to the large Tesco supermarket, where you’ll also find a McDonald's.
Although the area is generally quiet, nightlife is still present. Several upscale beach clubs offer brunches, evening parties, and live music. You can also enjoy delicious meals at restaurants offering both Thai and European cuisine—whatever suits your taste!
Along the beach, you will occasionally find paid toilets and fresh-water showers. If these facilities are not available nearby, you can always use the restroom in a café for a small fee.
It is difficult to highlight interesting attractions in an area filled with luxury hotels. However, tourists may be curious about the Muslim village located between the main road and the streets near the beach. Its unique cultural traditions make it stand out in Thailand.
For other attractions, you will need to travel further from the resort area. This part of Phuket is designed primarily for the enjoyment of package tourists. While it may lack major landmarks, there is no shortage of entertainment.
Tourists can enjoy jet skis, speedboats, banana boats, inflatable tubes, and parasailing. There is also a rental service for Paddle Boards, which can be taken with an instructor. Learning to ride one is not as easy as it may seem from the outside. Nearby, there is a new modern water park.
Near the entrance to the Laguna area, there is a horse riding club. Here, you can try another activity – horseback riding, including along the beach. The photos turn out quite romantic, of course. However, having horses nearby while you are relaxing in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea is a rather questionable pleasure.
Bang Tao Beach on Phuket Island is sometimes called an elite beach. There is nothing supernatural about it, just that most of the island's most expensive hotels are located along the shoreline.
Luxury hotels and apartments are mainly concentrated in the central part of the beach, in the Laguna Phuket complex. This area even has its own lake system, an excellent golf course, and high-end restaurants. In addition to hotels, you can also rent a villa.
