| "Thailand Most Beautiful Beaches |
Bang Tao Beaches Beautiful Beaches
Is a 8 km long sweeping
crescent shaped bay with a gentle slope and absolutely pure white sand and is
fringed with rows of casuarina trees. The constant but gentle breeze on this bay
has made Bangtao Beach very popular with windsurfers and it plays host to several
international competitions each year. The main entrance to Bangtao beach is 2
km north of Surin Village and marked with large signs from the sprawling Laguna
Phuket complex that takes up most of the middle of the bay.
This remarkable
complex of five luxury resort hotels integrated into one into what appears to
be small city by the sea.
The Banyan Tree Phuket, The Allamanda, Dusit
Laguna, and the Sheraton Phuket all employ the same low rise village style architecture
that are uniquely designed to blend with the vastness of the old tin mine which
is what this area used to be. The old tin mining lake is now a beautifully landscaped
lagoon that serves as a watersports center.
This is a classic example of the modern one-stop all-inclusive tourist location.
Your entire holiday can be spent here without leaving the complex. Guests can
charge their meals to their hotel rooms at any of the 28 restaurants and bars
throughout the complex. The adjourning Banyan Tree Golf Club course, the beach,
blooming flowers everywhere, rock gardens, manmade waterfalls everything is tastefully
designed and organized to give their guests a serene and happy environment for
their carefree holiday. As Bangtao Beach is 40 minutes from town and the restaurants
and entertainment centers on the island most of the guests staying here have bought
themselves a package deal from their travel agents.
Bang Tao is a large
open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. The Laguna Phuket complex, containing
five luxury hotels and an 18-hole golf course, dominates a large area of Bang
Tao. However, it is not difficult to find a quiet spot to enjoy the crystal clear
water and stunning white sand.
The southern end of the beach is more
developed and is where most of the accommodation is located, so if you want the
beach to yourself, walk to the northern end where its much quieter.
There
are a number of shops, restaurants and bars near the entrance to Laguna Phuket,
as well as those within the resort complex. The nearby town of Cherng Talay has
a few shops as well as a fresh market. Canal Village within Laguna Phuket comprises
about 30 shops, mostly selling handicrafts and clothing items.
Accommodation
The Laguna Phuket resort complex as it dominates a large area of Bang Tao. However,
there are many resorts outside of the Laguna, as well as a few small hotels between
Bang Tao and Surin beach to choose from.
Activities
There
is an huge array of facilities available at the Laguna Resort available to guests
staying at any of the five hotels, including many that cater specially to children.
As well as an 18-hole golf course, there is a driving range, elephant trekking,
horseback riding, rock-climbing to name but a few activities. A number of the
facilities are also open to non-guests.
If you feel like pampering yourself
silly, there are five spas within the Laguna complex to choose from. Each offers
a bewildering array of massages and body and facial treatments. You could easily
spend your whole holiday in one of these spas.
To the northern end of
the beach are some fine reefs that are good for snorkelling, while the steady
breeze makes Bang Tao an excellent place to windsurf
Dining
There are over 30 bars and restaurants located within the Laguna Phuket. However,
there is also a growing number of good restaurants around the Bang Tao and Cherng
Talay area. Although located nearby to the Laguna to cater to guests of the hotels,
they are proving to be popular with the expats and locals as well. |
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Top Beaches |
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 Kata
Beachs  |
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Just a few minutes south of Karon, Kata has a cosier
feel about it, with headlands at each end and calmer waters. A place for families
and couples to relax, snorkel, body surf and enjoy the fine sands. Good surfing
conditions during the monsoon season of May-October |
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| Kata
Noi Beach |
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This small bay of stunning white sand, separated from
Kata by a headland, is a quiet and peaceful retreat. The Kata Thani resort complex
dominates the area, while a few shops, small hotels and restaurants line the beach
road. A nice place for a relaxing snorkel or swim. |
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| Kamala Beach |
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This well-enclosed bay and fishing village has developed
rapidly in recent years yet it still retains a small-town feel. Popular with families,
Kamala Beach is lined with casual restaurants and food stalls, with good snorkelling
at the rocky north end |
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| Laem Singh Beach |
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This small,
hidden gem of a beach just south of Surin is accessible only by walking down a
fairly steep path from the road. Even so, it can get busy in the high season so
get there early for a beach chair. A few rustic restaurants offer cold drinks
and food. A pretty, quiet place to wile away an afternoon.. |
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| Surin Beach |
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This 900-meter
stretch of sand is packed with food stalls, beachfront bars and restaurants yet
life never feels too hurried here. A good place to meet friends for a relaxed
afternoon of snorkelling, swimming or touch football. Kayaks, surf and boogie
boards available for rent. |
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| Bang Tao Beach |
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Bang Tao is
beautiful wide beach of fine sand that up until the mid 1980s was a virtual moonscape
following extensive tin mining activity. Much of the area has now been converted
into the lush and lovely lagoon-dotted grounds of the 5-resort complex of Laguna
Phuket - a stunning ecological feat. |
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| Pansea Beach |
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Pansea is a tiny
cove of glittering white sand - but only accessible to the rich and famous guests
of The Chedi and Amanpuri Resorts |
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| Cape Panwa |
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The exquisite Cape Panwa, just south of the eventful Phuket Town, remains a calm, untouched gem of a place. Its blossoming hills, sandy coves, mangroves and tidal flats offer a settle down place to walk around away from the crowds. |
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| Nai Thon Beach |
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One of Phuket's
best-kept secrets. Approaching this quiet beach of silky white sand is spectacular
in itself - a drive on the coastal road from the south takes you through forested
hills while the northern approach winds through a lovely valley and small village.
Once you arrive, swim, sunbathe and marvel at how few people have discovered this
little piece of paradise. |
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| Nai Yang Beach |
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The casuarina-fringed
Nai Yang, together with Mai Khao in the north, forms the longest and most secluded
stretch of beach in Phuket, about 10-km altogether. Two hotels sit on the south
end of Nai Yang, while the north enters into Sirinath National Park, a protected
marine and coastal area. A good spot to rent a beach chair or gorge on barbecued
seafood. |
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| Mai Khao Beach |
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An endless
stretch of fine sand; the only real getaway on the west coast of Phuket. Aside
from the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa, the area is largely undeveloped with
only a few bungalow operations and a campground on the beach. Take a stroll and
watch the crabs scuttle, swing on a hammock under the trees or enjoy a refreshing
swim. |
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| Nai Harn Beach |
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With most of
its beachfront land occupied by a temple, Nai Harn has been spared from over-development,
with only Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club and another resort nestled into
the hill at its north end. The soft sands and clear waters make Nai Harn an ideal
swimming and sunbathing spot, though conditions can be dangerous in the monsoon
season of May-October. |
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| Ao Sane Beach |
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A little beach
reached via a dirt road that runs through the car park of Le Meridien Phuket Yacht
Club in Nai Harn. Sometimes called "Jungle Beach". Usually a quiet and
peaceful place, with decent coral outcroppings off its mostly rocky shore. Just
one very inobtrusive resort here, the Baan Krating. |
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| Ya Nui Beach |
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A little sandy
beach found between Nai Harn and Laem Promthep, with some fairly good snorkelling.
Also a launch point for divers. Getting busier in recent years and now lined with
beach chairs for rent, but it's still quite relaxed here. There's one small, informal
restaurant with friendly staff. |
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| Rawai Beach |
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Rawai is Phuket's longest-established beach resort,
though the sea-gypsy village at its north end probably hasn't changed much over
the years. The beach is lined with open-air seafood stalls and restaurants for
casual dining under the shade of the casuarina trees. A popular launching point
for boat trips to Racha, Coral and other islands. |
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| Chalong Beach |
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This bustling
bay, a major launch area for boat and dive trips, is filled with bobbing vessels
of all shapes and sizes throughout the year. Plenty of casual restaurants, dive
shops, fishing charter and tour operators, watersports equipment suppliers, Internet
shops and even yoga and Reiki centres are packed into the short street leading
to the pier. |
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| Patong Beach |
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Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous
- beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong
is an ideal place to party and play. Patong's 3,000 metres of soft sand is a great
place to people-watch as you soak up the sun on a beach chair |
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| Karon Beach |
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Karon, featuring an incredibly long stretch of squeaky
white sand, is less hectic than Patong but it still offers a full range of facilities,
dining and activities. While it's a fast-growing area, Karon is nicely spread
out and rarely feels crowded |
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