Bang Tao Beach in Phuket: review. photos, reviews. The best conditions for a versatile holiday on Bang Tao beach How to get to Bang Tao beach from Phuket airport
Designed for people with high incomes, because... Some of the most expensive hotels in Southeast Asia are built here, restaurants offer a wide selection of delicacies, and spa centers are considered among the best in the world.
For a variety of recreation, there are golf clubs, beauty salons, and chic discos. In addition, everyone can learn how to conquer waves at professional surfer courses, which makes your vacation unforgettable; you will definitely feel the adrenaline. People who don't like risks can go on a short trip on a yacht and see the underwater world of the picturesque bay.
Photo: Alexander Chaikin/Shutterstock.com
The sand is fine, clean and pleasant to the feet, so you can easily walk barefoot. Bang Tao Beach in Phuket is suitable for both middle-aged people and young people. For the convenience of vacationers, hotel management has agreed that everyone can use the services of any hotel, regardless of which one they are staying at. This significantly increases the possible options for spending time.
Photo: Andreas R./Shutterstock.com
The waves in this part of Phuket are of medium height only in the middle of the bay, on the sides they are either not at all, or they are almost invisible. During the low season (May-September) the waves can be quite large, so various surfing tournaments are held during this period, as well.
Hotels
As already noted, hotels on Bang Tao Beach are mainly aimed at wealthy people (as well as), although there are also good inexpensive three-star hotels. I will list some hotels, and also indicate approximate prices for a room per night for two people (the cost of booking is approximate, since it depends on the day of arrival and departure, as well as the type of room):
- . The most luxurious hotel in the resort. Beautiful picturesque area, stylish rooms, high quality service - these are the main features of this hotel. Vacationers are provided with many places for entertainment and relaxation, among which first-class spa centers and massage parlors stand out. The room can be booked for US$200.
- . Very comfortable and stylish hotel. The rooms have TV, air conditioning, comfortable beds, and in some rooms you will see real works of art. The restaurants serve delicious dishes that will not leave anyone indifferent. You can get to the hotel in just 20 minutes from the airport by taxi. The room can be booked for $80.
- . “Average” on the beach: not expensive, the service is quite good, the food is tasty, but not fancy. The rooms are bright, modestly but tastefully furnished. Room prices start at $80.
- . A very cheap hotel, designed more for “staying the night” than for spa treatments and gourmet meals. Provides its clients with a bungalow that has free Wi-Fi, TV, and a safe. In principle, there is everything you need for a comfortable stay. You can book a bungalow for only $25.
You can book these and other hotels on the website. This is a proven service that allows you to book rooms at the lowest prices. Bang Tao Beach is located in an area called Cherng Thalay, so take this into account when choosing a hotel (following the link above you will see hotels in this area).
Entertainment
Bang Tao Beach (Phuket), with a total length of 8 km, is located on the west coast of the island. Despite its advantages, Bang Tao is not a good choice of holiday destination for the average tourist. Mostly an expensive resort with corresponding prices for accommodation and services. Therefore, a budget tourist doesn’t have much to roam around.
Bang Tao Beach
One of the best beaches for family, secluded, single and youth holidays, located in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Bang Tao Beach is a huge bay, and the 8-kilometer length of the coast makes it the second largest on the island of Phuket. It is located in the northwestern part between Pansea Beach and Nai Thon.
Bang Tao is also known as Laguna Beach, as the area surrounding the place was previously used for tin mining. The area later became the luxurious Laguna Phuket Complex and is considered the center of the most prestigious villas and hotels.
Just a couple of minutes' drive from the beach is the town of Cherng Talay, where the local population still lives off profits from fishing, agriculture and latex processing.
There is no rental of sun loungers on the beach, as hotels provide them for their guests. But there are a lot of sellers of trinkets and local souvenirs here.
Conditional division
The northern part is located closer to the airport and, naturally, is undeveloped, that is, there is no infrastructure and hotels. Along the shore you can find several lonely cafes, and beyond it there is only a road. There are practically no tourists here, so the northern part of Bang Tao is an ideal place for solitude. True, the quality of the beach is worse compared to the southern part: a narrow strip of sand, and during high tide its width is only a few meters. A place free not only from vacationers, but also from entertainment and sun loungers.
The southern part is located closer to Patong Beach and the infrastructure is very different from the northern one. This is where all the cafes, shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment are located. True, the situation in the southern part is not the same as in the usual resorts. There are no traders, rental offices or travel agencies. Everything is cultural, rich, civilized, and most importantly, clean. The noisy tourist areas familiar to many vacationers are located at the very end of the south and smoothly transition to the territory of Surin Beach.
How to get there
You won’t be able to get to Bang Tao Beach by local public transport; all you have to do is call a taxi or rent a car. It is worth considering the high prices of taxi drivers, since the area is expensive. For example, the road from Patong Beach or the airport will cost approximately 600 baht, and only if you negotiate. For 50 baht you can take a local shuttle to Surin Beach.
Shopping on Bang Tao Beach
While taking a walk along the beach, you can find several shacks selling all the beach essentials, from clothes to sunglasses.
You can purchase household items and household utensils near the entrance to the Laguna Complex.
A shop selling Asian art and handmade wooden elephant and Buddha statues is on the main road on the way to the beach. The world famous chain store 7 eleven is located here.
At the entrance to Laguna Phuket at the Canal Village shopping center, you can shop for antiques and designer clothes.
Restaurants on the beach
"Laguna Resort" occupies the central territory of Bang Tao. North of Angsana Laguna Resort is home to several excellent restaurants. The establishments are among the best, the prices are reasonable since they are not associated with hotels, and the food is a gastronomic delight.
Therefore, if your path passes through Bang Tao beach, then tourist reviews recommend visiting the restaurants located to the north of the Laguna resort.
Preeda's Kitchen is one of the favorite establishments for vacationers who want to have a meal right on the sand. And judging by the reviews, there is no better place in Bang Tao. The restaurant offers seafood and For children, you can order a large hamburger with cheese and chicken fillet with crispy crust.
A little north of Preeda's Kitchen is a famous restaurant Lotus, which has been operating for 20 years and was recognized as the best fish establishment on Bang Tao Beach. Here you can taste seafood such as shrimp, sea bass, and lobster. In addition to Thai cuisine, the menu of the establishment also includes European cuisine. The relaxed atmosphere and stunning sunset views are ideal for a romantic dinner, where the main dish is the BBQ Tiger Prawns with Garlic and Olive Sauce.
A good selection of restaurants, which are also desirable to visit, are located along the route to the Laguna Resort.
For example, you can taste new Asian and European cuisines in a restaurant DeDos Restaurant. The establishment is open from 6 am to 10 pm.
If you like Indian cuisine, be sure to check out Kargo Kurry. And next door to it there is a restaurant offering international cuisine.
As you can see, Bang Tao Beach is not a place where you can go hungry.
and weddings
The Laguna Phuket complex has a very beautiful chapel offering a magnificent panoramic view of Bang Tao Beach (photo taken during the wedding ceremony of a European couple). Perhaps this is the ideal place for a romantic wedding ceremony.
As for nightlife, it mainly thrives in luxury 5* hotels, which have their own bars and restaurants offering guests daily entertainment programs.
But to spend an unforgettable evening that smoothly flows into the night, you don’t have to live in a five-star hotel. Bars and restaurants located along the coastline are ideal for this idea. By the way, food and drinks here are inexpensive, and as a bonus you get a breathtaking view of the night sea.
A popular place for both locals and tourists is the establishment Siam Supper Club. Here you can enjoy a delicious cocktail and listen to jazz music.
IN Tinlay Place is a bar Pepper. In this establishment you can watch the games of your favorite teams on the big screen, as well as play billiards.
Entertainment
Between November and April, Bang Tao Beach provides a wide range of services, including banana boat rides, water skiing, paragliding, and kitesurfing. But it is better to do windsurfing in the northern part.
On the beach you can enjoy a relaxing Thai massage (cost 1 hour - 350 baht) and get a manicure.
Children's entertainment: riding along the beach on elephants and horses are located on the territory of the Phuket Laguna Riding Club, located at the entrance to the Laguna complex.
Swimming on Bang Tao Beach can be dangerous between May and October. Therefore, always check for a red flag indicating danger. As a rule, it is installed at the exit from the Angsana Laguna Resort complex.
Hotels on Bang Tao Beach
A selection of the 5 best places to stay on Bang Tao Beach includes the most popular hotels with quality service, pristine nature and undeniable comfort in the rooms.
- Sunwing Resort & Spa Bangtao Beach 4* - located in a paradise, presents its advantage exclusively in a favorable light. The apartments are equipped with a kitchen, a children's entertainment area, a small green garden and a swimming pool - ideal for a young family.
- Outrigger From the lobby to the rooms, everything is created in a neoclassical style. The area of the spacious apartments ranges from 43 to 53 square meters. m. Most have breathtaking views of the lagoon and ocean.
- Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket is comparable in level to a royal hotel. The view from the windows offers a breathtaking panorama of the sea, a multi-hectare garden and Bang Tao beach. Reviews from tourists say that each room amazes with the beauty of its elegantly decorated interior. In addition, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket offers accommodation in one of 27 exclusive villas.
- Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort - located in the heart of the tropical flora of Laguna Phuket. There are golf courses nearby. The 5* hotel offers accommodation in one of 79 comfortable rooms ranging from 65 to 113 sq. m. m.
- Angsana Laguna Phuket 4* - for those who are looking for convenience. The hotel is located on an island surrounded by water and has direct access to Bang Tao Beach. In addition, hotel guests can enjoy all the unlimited possibilities of the Laguna resort complex for free.
Bang Tao Beach (Phuket): reviews from tourists
Despite the fact that the resort is far from cheap, reviews about it are extremely enthusiastic. Tourists noted that Bang Tao Beach combines everything you need for a good holiday: entertainment, quality service, delicious and varied food, a clean beach, comfortable weather conditions for swimming and sunbathing.
Bang Tao Beach, located in the northwest of Phuket, looks uncrowded even at the height of the holiday season. The coastal strip, about 5 km long, curved in the shape of a crescent, is covered with fine beige sand, the texture and color reminiscent of rye flour. Transparent water in sunny weather takes on a bright turquoise hue.
Casuarina groves, providing abundant shade, and rare palm trees grow along the entire coast. Casuarina, which in Europe is called an aeolian tree (Aeolus is the god of wind and storms in ancient Greek mythology), resembles a pine tree, but with soft needles and without a pine aroma. The crowns allow wind flow to pass freely and, due to the absence of leaves, do not break during tropical hurricanes. In Southeast Asia, it is believed that the horsetail branches are similar to the feathers of the cassowary - the Australian ostrich, which gave the name to the species of this evergreen plant, widespread in Thailand. In the shady park, locals have picnics on weekends, sitting on mats and hanging hammocks.
There are few Russian tourists on Bangtao Beach; mostly guests of respectable luxury hotels and independent travelers who prefer to lead a quiet and measured lifestyle relax here. Expats and winterers from Russia prefer to live in busier and less expensive places in Phuket.
Hotels on Bang Tao Beach
The Bangtao Beach hotel sector is one of the most luxurious on the island. The largest hotel complex on the shore is the five-star Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort with golf courses and villas. The elite Laguna area, built up with townhouses and multi-storey buildings, borders on Boat Avenue on one side and Layan Beach on the other. Guests are transported by free shuttles, not only by land, but also by lakes - artificial reservoirs are connected by canals. The equestrian club provides the chance to ride horses.
Popular accommodation options also include:
- Sunwing Bangtao - Sunwing Bangtao Beach 4*
- Chivatara Resort Bangtao - Chivatara Resort Bang Tao 3*
- "Arinara Bangtao Beach" - Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort 4*
- Amora Beach Resort - Amora Beach Resort Phuket 4*
- "Diamond Resort Phuket" - Diamond Resort Phuket 3*
Despite the abundance of fashionable residences, tourists with a modest budget can also find accommodation. Prices for a room in guesthouses start from 600 baht per day, studios in condos are rented for 10-15 thousand baht per month, with a six-month contract the cost is reduced.
Reviews of Bang Tao Beach
Among the advantages, vacationers note the spaciousness and cleanliness of the coastline, picturesque landscape, developed infrastructure and proximity to the airport. It is safe for children and people who cannot swim to swim in shallow water. The entrance to the water is gentle, the depth increases gradually. There are no stones, corals or algae at the bottom. Household and organic waste is removed regularly. The main disadvantage of Bang Tao Beach is the lack of tuk-tuks and the high cost of traveling by taxi. Many hostels offer free bicycle rentals. Renting a motorbike costs 200-300 baht per day. Fans of active evening leisure are disappointed that the nearest go-go bars and affordable entertainment venues are located in Patong. More information and photos will be provided by reviews of Bang Tao beach and hotels on Tourist. RU .
Weather in Bang Tao
The water area is usually calm and a refreshing breeze blows. Large waves occur during the monsoon period, which lasts from May to October, but storms in the bay are extremely rare, and the water surface remains calm, even when the sea is rough on other Phuket beaches. The width of the coastal strip at high tide narrows to 20-30 m; at low tide, the surf edge retreats by tens of meters. In summer the thermometer rises to +35°C, the sea warms up to +30°C. During the high season, the air temperature stays around +28°C.
Service and prices
Near the beach area there are chain stores 7/11 and Family Mart, tour desks, exchange offices, massage parlors, bars and pharmacies, and fruit mini-markets. Vendors sell food, chilled fruit, ice cream, drinks and grilled corn for 50 baht per cob. In makashnitsa, a portion of rice or noodles with meat or seafood costs 80-100 baht. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent (200 baht for the whole day). After sunset the coast becomes deserted.
Beach services:
- banana boat rides and water skiing;
- parasailing;
- rental of jet skis, boats and canoes;
- boat trips;
- fishing.
Cafes and restaurants offer a varied menu with Thai and European cuisine, but the price tag is 1.5-2 times higher than in neighboring island locations. Those who want to save on food can buy groceries at Tesco Lotus supermarket. Prepared packaged meals sold at 7 Eleven will be heated in the microwave at your request by the seller.
Night markets in Bang Tao are located at a considerable distance from the sea, and their schedules are different: near Tesco Lotus is open on Monday and Thursday, at the police station in the village of Cherngtalay (Bandon-Cherngtalay Road) - on Wednesday and Sunday, and the so-called “Muslim » market - on Tuesday and Friday. You can have a hearty and tasty meal for 100-200 baht and at the same time do some shopping, as there are a lot of souvenirs, cosmetics and swimwear on the shelves.
The best place to snorkel is near the rocky headland at the southern end of the beach. Schools of colorful exotic fish scurry about in the coral reefs; mollusks and starfish can be found on the bottom soil. Bangtao Dive Center offers diving courses for beginners and the opportunity to rent diving and snorkeling equipment. Bangtao Beach will suit those who prefer a serene pastime and do not need entertainment.
How to get there
Bang Tao is located 20 minutes from Patong Beach and 40 minutes from the airport. You can get there from Phuket Town for 35 baht on a regular songthaew bus, which is a windowless van with two benches on the edges and one in the middle. There is no bus service between the beaches (with the exception of Kata and Karon), therefore, in order to travel with the least financial costs, you will first need to go to the city, and from there get to your destination by transferring to another route. To exit at the right place, you need to press the call button.
Buses with the inscription “Phuket - Bangtao - Surin - Kamala” start their journey from the market on Ranong Street. The driving interval is unpredictable. Travel time will be about an hour, despite the short distance, as the driver makes frequent stops to pick up and drop off passengers. In addition, speed is limited by heavy traffic and difficult terrain. The last flight departs around 16:00. From the road to the beach you have to walk 15-20 minutes.
Fast and comfortable travel will be ensured by calling a taxi online using the GrabTaxi mobile application. You can pay either in cash or by credit card.
A 20-minute walk from nearby Surin Beach.
For an independent trip to Bang Tao, you can order a transfer from KiwiTaxi:
Search for transfers in Bang Tao Beach
Show transfers from Bang Tao Beach
Where | Where | Price | ||
Bang Tao Beach | Phuket Airport | from 1700 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Mai Khao District Phuket | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Surin Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Bang Rong Pier | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Phuket | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Kata Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Chalong Pier | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Rassada Pier | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Karon Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Phuket Bus Station 2 | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Kamala Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Nai Thon Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Thalang District Phuket | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Patong | from 1837 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Rawai | from 1973 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Nai Harn Beach | from 2041 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Ao Sein Beach | from 2585 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Khao Lak | from 5986 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Krabi | from 6801 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Krabi Airport | from 6801 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Ao Nang Pier | from 6802 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Ao Nang Beach | from 6802 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Ao Nammao Pier | from 6802 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Klong Mueang Beach | from 8095 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Khao Sok | from 9795 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Ranong Pier | from 13605 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Pak Meng | from 14489 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Pier Donsak | from 14625 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Don-Sak | from 15305 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Pak Bara Pier La Ngu District | from 18843 p. | show | |
Bang Tao Beach | Koh Samui city | from 29794 p. | show | |
Where | Where | Price | ||
Phuket Airport | Bang Tao Beach | from 1700 p. | show | |
Phuket Bus Station 2 | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Kamala Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Rassada Pier | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Nai Thon Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Thalang District Phuket | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Mai Khao District Phuket | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Karon Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Bang Rong Pier | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Kata Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Surin Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Phuket | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Chalong Pier | Bang Tao Beach | from 1701 p. | show | |
Patong | Bang Tao Beach | from 1837 p. | show | |
Rawai | Bang Tao Beach | from 1973 p. | show | |
Nai Harn Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 2041 p. | show | |
Ao Sein Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 2585 p. | show | |
Khao Lak | Bang Tao Beach | from 5986 p. | show | |
Krabi | Bang Tao Beach | from 6801 p. | show | |
Krabi Airport | Bang Tao Beach | from 6801 p. | show | |
Ao Nang Pier | Bang Tao Beach | from 6802 p. | show | |
Ao Nang Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 6802 p. | show | |
Ao Nammao Pier | Bang Tao Beach | from 6802 p. | show | |
Klong Mueang Beach | Bang Tao Beach | from 8095 p. | show | |
Khao Sok | Bang Tao Beach | from 9795 p. | show | |
Ranong Pier | Bang Tao Beach | from 13605 p. | show | |
Pak Meng | Bang Tao Beach | from 14489 p. | show | |
Pier Donsak | Bang Tao Beach | from 14625 p. | show | |
Don-Sak | Bang Tao Beach | from 15305 p. | show | |
Pak Bara Pier La Ngu District | Bang Tao Beach | from 18843 p. | show | |
Koh Samui city | Bang Tao Beach | from 29794 p. | show | |
South Bang Tao has package hotels, several condo-aparthotels, one residence, several homestays and villas.
Advantages of Southern Bang Tao
– developed tourist infrastructure: shops, restaurants, massage, beauty salons, pharmacies, excursion bureaus and Russian-speaking Thais.
– relative to other parts of Bang Tao – it’s the cheapest here.
– proximity to Surin Beach
Flaws
– many packagers from the CIS countries and Russia.
– there are few good restaurants.
– dense buildings.
– near the SunWing hotel, a river flows into the sea – essentially a sewage drain from a Thai village.
Prices in southern Bang Tao
However, the southern part of Bang Tao beach is the most affordable.
Here you can find affordable housing of good quality, and if you have a car/motorcycle, you can travel to a cleaner part of the beach to the north: in or on.
I can’t call the roads of Bang Tao wide avenues, but even with traffic jams you can get from the southern part of the beach to the northern in 15 minutes.
In the southern part of Bang Tao there is a Tesco Lotus supermarket, and if you drive a little north from it you can shop for quality food and wine in the supermarket.
Hotels in the southern part of Bang Tao Beach
Old but inexpensive villas with their own pool.
New villa BangTao Tara Villa Four.
There are good apartments near the beach.
Perhaps this is important for some - in the southern part of Bang Tao there is a beach club called Catch Beach. Reincarnation of this club from Surin Beach ()
Central part of Bang Tao + Phuket Lagoon
In the central part of Bang Tao is the site of old tin mining.
The place where they dug the ground to extract ore and where the system of lakes is now - since old mining filled the groundwater.
This is a concentration of good, expensive hotels, residences, apart-hotels and villas.
What is not included in the boundaries of the Lagoon is located on the “golden mile” - Boat Avenue or far from the sea, among the Thai settlements here.
Several apart-hotels have now been built on Boat Avenue where you can rent apartments.
For example, Zcape Condominium Bangtao Beach (not recommended) or Little Paris Phuket opposite the Villa Market supermarket.
A little further on is another Oceanstone apartment complex. But I got ahead of myself - I’ll write about housing here later. In the meantime, about the beach itself.
Bang Tao Beach (Phuket Laguna) reviews
Bang Tao Beach is located under the canopy of casuarinas - trees similar to conifers (pine). Casuarinas provide shade on the beach.
Their needles, soft to the touch, do not litter the area like deciduous trees: imagine how much dirt and silt there would be on the beach if birches or poplars grew there.
The beach is sandy and wide.
Entry into the sea is comfortable and smooth both during high tide and low tide.
When there are no waves, the sea is clean and transparent.
Since Bang Tao Beach is long, you can always find a place for privacy.
Near the beach hotels, the beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas.
Sun loungers and umbrellas can be found next to beach restaurants on the shore.
Beach restaurants are concentrated along the borders of Laguna Phuket.
And the boundaries are as follows: in the south the landmark is Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, in the north Banyan Tree Phuket.
The central part of Bang Tao is a developed and well-groomed part of Phuket.
Place Boat Avenue(Boat Avenue) on Bang Tao has become the center of European, familiar to many Russians, Western civilization.
Advantages of the central part of Bang Tao
– There are good shops with quality clothes here.
– Good supermarket – Villa Market with a good selection of European products.
– Good restaurants within a radius of 100-200 meters (very dense concentration).
Well, some kind of European gloss, or something - the concentration of Europeans here is higher than the average for Phuket.
Flaws
– outside Laguna Phuket in the center of Bang Tao there is a large community of locals, so the road traffic is quite dense, especially on days when the night markets are open.
– during the peak season it is difficult to find accommodation here.
– in Laguna Phuket housing is more expensive than in the southern part of Bang Tao.
Housing in the central part of Bang Tao
Very large selection.
Far from the beach, but very comfortable: Jewels Villas Phuket – you need to book very much in advance as these three villas are very decent.
You can read about restaurants in the central part of Bang Tao.
Northern part of Bang Tao and Layan beach
The continuation of northern Bang Tao is called the beach Layan ().
Let me clarify: these two beaches are located in the same bay - Bang Tao.
Perhaps historically there was a Muslim village of Bang Tao and a Muslim farm - Layan.
Layan Beach is a quiet place, the northern tip of Bang Tao.
The beach abuts a small island and the man-made Kala canal.
The northern part of northern Bang Tao is a recreation like a national park, but with other taxes and bribes (that is, you can build something here).
The park is a forest of casuarinas on the seashore.
The sea here is shallow, so this place is very popular with Thais who have picnics in the park:
– sitting on mats, they endlessly eat something.
– Thai children splashing in the shallow water.
Bangtao Beach is an arc of the beach about 7 kilometers long, in the south it ends with a small cape, where numerous windows and red roofs of villas can be seen on a hill of greenery. The opposite, that is, northern, part of the beach is also surrounded by green hills, but much less populated.
Almost along the entire length of the wide strip of the beach is framed by a casuarina grove. The overall atmosphere of the beach is relaxed and peaceful. Quiet, uncrowded, spacious. Compared to its neighbor, which is located further south, beyond the cape, Bangtao looks rustic and melancholic.
Near the cape in the south, fishing boats are usually anchored in the sea, and just under the hill there are rocks. The water near the boat parking area is not very clean. There are days before the start of the season when very small, match-head jellyfish appear in the water. They burn, but not much. It looks like a slight tingling sensation.
The sand on the beach is quite light, yellowish-gray. The bottom is a little muddy, so the water is somewhat cloudy, although it itself is clean.
Out of season, that is, in summer, it is quite trashy, since no one cleans, there are practically no people and the beach looks a little deserted. No sun loungers, no scooter rentals, no beach cafes. Around April, waves and bad weather arrive, the timid package tourist leaves and the beach plunges into its garbage melancholy, driving fragments of door frames and smaller debris along the waves.
Tourists and infrastructure in the form of sunbeds under umbrellas, beach vendors, small cafes and shops appear only towards the end of autumn. The sea becomes quiet and gentle.
In the mornings there is complete calm and grace. Closer to the New Year, the beach blooms, playing with all the colors of retail outlets with children's toys and colorful T-shirts. Food is served, drinks are poured - life is in full swing. Sometimes you find garbage in the water, but during the season this is the exception rather than the rule.
The beach is crowded near the clusters of hotels adjacent to the shore. The highest density is near the hotel and the Bliss Beach Club with a small pool, cozy sofas, green lawn and high prices for food and drinks.
If you move away from the hotels along the beach, you can easily find completely deserted places during the season. True, there will be no infrastructure either. Only casuarinas and sand.
Entering the water, depth and waves
The entry into the water is quite smooth, it becomes deep after about 10 meters. The bottom is quite flat and without stones, which is basically comfortable for children here. At low tide you can run in the shallow water.
The tide schedule here is quite complex. Towards the end of the season, in March-April, there are strong low tides in the evenings. But this doesn't happen every day. During the strongest low tide, you have to walk about 50 meters in water up to your knees, but there is still a wave, the sea is choppy and often windy.
Before the season, in August-September, low tides occur in the morning, but in this case the sea is usually calm. In the summer, out of season, it happens that the sea, on the contrary, tides so that from a beach that is quite wide on other days, only a thin edge remains. During the off-season, approximately all summer, swimming here is generally quite difficult - the waves are strong and large, and unexpected debris floats in the water.
One day in June we observed part of a boat being carried back and forth along the waves near the shore. But surfers love waves!
Sunbeds and shade
Near the Bliss Beach Club there are orderly rows of sun loungers under umbrellas. There are four rows during the season. At times closest to the sea, they sometimes charge 150 baht for a sunbed. For the rest - 100 baht.
It often happens that the same people collect fees for sunbeds and sell drinks and simple food from small stands or in small beach cafes; with certain communication skills, you can triple your sunbed for free by buying a drink from them.
Casuarina trees grow almost along the entire beach, and in those places where large hotels adjoin the beach, there are also palm trees. The beach is located so that the sun rises just from behind the strip of tall trees growing along the beach. Some tourists at this time are just jogging on the dense sand along the coastline.
The water in the morning is cool, clean and calm, quiet and peaceful. True, to catch all this beauty, you will have to get up with the first rays of the sun, around 6-7 in the morning. By 10-11 o'clock in the morning it becomes very hot and crowded. The shadow from the trees almost disappears. At sunset, the sun sets into the sea, so from a certain moment the shadow from the umbrella also becomes very conditional.
Fortunately, this happens almost at sunset, when the sun is no longer hot. And then one of the most beautiful natural phenomena happens - sunset, one of the advantages of Bang Tao beach.
Beach photo
Bang Tao north
Bang Tao middle
Bang Tao south
Infrastructure
The southern part of the beach is the most developed. Behind the resorts there is a street with cafes and shops, there are also taxi stands, which for 100-200 baht take you to the Tesco supermarket and McDonald's, which are located on a busy road about one and a half kilometers from the shore.
Between this road and the beach is a Muslim village with the cries of muezzins and chickens, mixed with expensive villas and small hotels. Beyond the road there is a village and houses for rent. There are also a couple of 7/11s, a Superchip and a market off the main road.
Rows of shops and local cafes stretch along the road right up to. There are two markets. One is opposite Superchip, about a kilometer from McDonald's. Another one in the evening, just past Tesco towards the beach. They work twice a week each.
Massage on Bang Tao beach for 200-250 baht. There are longtail rides, scooters, and a dive center. In the evenings they walk an elephant along the beach.
Houses and hotels on the beach
Right on the beach there are either large expensive hotels or villas for 200 thousand per month. There are practically no ordinary houses for rent right by the water along its entire length. The reason for this is the 2004 tsunami, which washed away all small infrastructure.
Behind the casuarina grove near the beach there is a quiet and narrow road, behind which there are often fields with cows and vacant lots with bushes. Even further away are the villas and houses of local residents (mostly Muslim Thais).
The main development is in the southern part.
There are several condo hotels with rooms for 1000-1500 per night, not on the beach itself, from 200 to 500 m from it. Between the beach and the main road in the Muslim village there are many houses for rent or rooms in two-story houses. You can also rent a house behind the road, it will be cheaper, but it’s a long walk to the sea. On average, about 10-15 thousand per month at a distance of 1-2 km from the beach. Room from 7-9 thousand.
Approximately in the middle of the beach arc there is a lagoon along which there are houses:
A very large hotel complex with its own infrastructure and ponds, nearby is the Laguna Phuket golf club. There is almost no housing in the northern part, and in general it is quite deserted.
Be sure to check for discounts or special offers on a great service. It will quickly and easily show you discounts in all existing booking systems. In Asia, for example, there are a lot of offers on Agoda.com, which are much more profitable than the same hotels in the Booking.com system.
If you want to book a hotel here in advance or look for accommodation on other beaches, I have one with good ratings and reviews.
How to find the beach
From the airport you can take a taxi to the beach in 20-30 minutes and 600-1200 baht. From Phuket Town in about the same time. From other beaches it takes longer, from 40 minutes. Because you will have to drive not along the coast, but through the same Phuket Town. Taxi from Phuket Town 500-600 baht. You can take a motorcycle taxi, it is cheaper.
By public transport, songthaew, from and you can get there for 40 baht, from other beaches - with a change in Phuket Town, from Phuket Town for 80 baht. If you go to Songthaew, you need to get off at McDonald's.
Tesco is also located there, next to it there is a parking lot for tuk-tuks (a motorcycle with a trolley) where you can get to the beach in five minutes and 100 baht. Out of season you can negotiate for 50 baht, but in season they can ask for 150. By taxi - 200 baht. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the road where songthaews walk.
You can park your car at the beach by driving up to the Bliss Beach Club or on the beach street behind. You can stick the bike almost anywhere.