What to Do in Bang Tao Beach?
Bang Tao Beach (or Bangtao) is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, halfway between Phuket airport and Patong Beach on the island’s west coast and part of the Cherngtalay area.
With such a beautiful stretch of sand, it’s no surprise that Bangtao has become the home of some of the largest and most luxurious resorts on the island of Phuket, such as Banyan Tree Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Angsana Phuket Resort, and SAii Laguna Phuket Resort. Bangtao is also where you can find dozens of local Thai restaurants and beach clubs right on the beach, and eat or drink with your feet in the sand.
Bang Tao Travel Guide
Overview
Bangtao was one of the tin mines that made the fortune of Phuket long ago. They abandoned it later, and the land was considered worthless. Laguna Phuket managed to transform it into a very profitable, award-winning Eco-project. Laguna started as a luxurious complex in the first years, but it was a little isolated. Guests of the resorts had little choice outside the resort restaurants and facilities, so prices were always on the high side.
In recent years, Laguna has built many luxury villas and properties in the back area of Bang Tao Beach and Layan Beach. Laguna has always been the ‘high-end’ part of the island, and you can see the difference between tourist and resident markets in Patong when looking at the shops, villas, and even cars around the area.
However, it is still an affordable place to go for lunch or drinks on the beach. In conclusion, Bangtao has changed a lot, and it has become one of the most versatile beaches in Phuket with an incredible choice of restaurants, shopping, and even beach clubs, and it is becoming one of the best places to live.
Considering the south coast instead? See how Bang Tao compares to Karon Beach.
Things to Do in Bang Tao Beach?
Guests staying at any of the Laguna Complex resorts or in hotels in the Cherngtalay area can enjoy a wide range of things to do on Bang Tao and around. Many activities are available at the Laguna hotels: sailing, kayaking, archery, immense swimming pools, massages, and amazing spas.
Usually, if you are a guest of one of these resorts, you can use the facilities of any other hotel in the group. Besides, beach clubs are back in Phuket, and Bangtao has no less than five now. Those beach clubs are also a great way to spend the day and party at night. More inland, you can have fun at the golf course, the mini golf or even rock climbing.
The Beach of Bangtao, of course
The beach is one of the main reasons why travellers book their hotels here. The beach is narrower, the sand is a little less powdery than in Patong or Kata, and the water is not as shallow, but it is superb and never gets crowded. Visitors can enjoy the rare luxury of eating at local restaurants or drinking at small bamboo bars on the beach.
Layan Beach
There are no real boundaries between Bangtao and the more laid-back Layan Beach. Just look to the right, and you will see the iconic island of Layan Beach. Here, you can enjoy peaceful and inexpensive local restaurants in the shade of immense. It’s just next to Bang Tao, but it offers a much different atmosphere that hasn’t changed much since the old days of Phuket.
Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA
Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA is a martial arts and fitness gym on Phuket’s North West Coast. It caters to martial arts and fitness enthusiasts seeking training and accommodations, suitable for both recreational and serious training. The gym offers various martial arts disciplines, including Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ, Kickboxing, Boxing, and Wrestling. Fitness classes in Strength & Conditioning, Mobility, Kettlebells, and Yoga are also available throughout the week.
Phone: 076 604 229
Address: 72/46 Moo 3 Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Website: bangtaomuaythai.com
Ma Doo Bua Cafe
Ma Doo Bua Phuket is a restaurant and cafe situated on the eastern side of the well-known Bang Tao Beach. Its primary appeal lies in the presence of an artificial lake covered in unique, large circular leaves known as Victoria Amazonica, the most substantial water lilies from the Nymphaeaceae family. The spot has become popular with the new generation of photo enthusiasts and Instagram users, who are drawn to its picturesque background.
Where to Stay in Bang Tao Beach?
Bang Tao Beach has become one of the most upmarket areas in Phuket, especially around the Laguna Complex. This large, self-contained development includes several well-established beachfront resorts like SAii Laguna Phuket, Angsana, and Outrigger. Guests can enjoy shared access to pools, restaurants, spas, and even the Laguna Golf Course. Inland, there’s now a growing number of more affordable hotels and boutique resorts, catering to travellers who want to stay near the beach without the high price tag. The area has also seen a rise in luxury villas, especially around Boat Avenue and Cherngtalay, attracting long-stay visitors and families with higher budgets.
Issara Real Estate
Featured
Planning a stay in Bang Tao? There is no better way to experience the area than from your own private pool villa.
Bang Tao is widely regarded as Phuket’s most established luxury address. Centred around the Laguna complex, a long uncrowded beach, and a collection of private villa estates, it is one of the few areas on the island that appeals equally to first-time visitors, long-term residents, and serious property buyers.
For a short-term rental, a long-term base or something to call your own, Issara Real Estate specialises in luxury villa sales and rentals across Bang Tao and the surrounding areas.
Hotels and Resorts
Banyan Tree Phuket
Banyan Tree Phuket Resort, with its world-renowned spa, is as luxurious and exclusive as ever. The resort features a wide range of private pool villas with total privacy, several high-end restaurants and a golf course across the lobby. The hotel is a hundred meters from the beach. Read our Banyan Tree Phuket full review
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 1 main pool
Restaurants and bars: 5 restaurants and 2 bars
Distance to the closest beach: 100 m
Check the rates:
SAii Laguna Phuket
| On The Beach |
SAii Laguna Phuket is a large luxury resort set right on the sand of Bangtao Beach on the west coast of Phuket Island. The hotel was recently renovated, and the new design, which is mostly visible around the pool area, takes advantage of the amazing 300-meter-long direct beach access. With this new look and such a unique location, combined with the legendary Thai hospitality, a stay at SAii Laguna Phuket is a real treat. Read our Saii Laguna Phuket review.
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 2 pools
Restaurants and bars: 4
Distance to the beach: On the beach
Check the rates:
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Resort
| On The Beach |
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket resort is a beautiful classic hotel with superb rooms, including some almost on the beach. La Trattoria restaurant is superb and serves excellent Italian food in a beautiful setting. Read our Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket full review.
Range: 5-star
Swimming pool: 1
Restaurants and bars: 5
Distance to the beach: on the beach!
Check the rates:
Where to Eat in Bang Tao Beach?
Dining in Bang Tao has come a long way. While the resort restaurants are usually excellent, they tend to come with a higher price tag. Outside the hotels, the area has become a hotspot for food lovers, especially around Boat Avenue, Porto de Phuket, and the lakeside. There’s a mix of international cuisine, trendy bistros, and a few very good Thai restaurants. Prices are generally a bit higher than in other parts of Phuket, but the quality and setting often make up for it. You’ll still find some local restaurants on the beach, though they now mostly serve tourists and the food isn’t always as authentic as it used to be. Overall, it’s still easy to find great food for every budget.
Restaurants on the Beach
Just south of the SAii Laguna Resort, you will be surprised to find many seafood and Thai food restaurants on the beach. The road to reach them is well hidden, but there is a decent parking space. We tried the Green Leaf restaurant, which was not exceptional but good. The sea view and the beach setting made up for the growing touristy taste and atmosphere. There are many restaurants, and they all look the same with their bamboo tables and colourful umbrellas. They probably also taste similar, but that is fun to try more than one.
Bisou Phuket
Featured
Bisou Phuket is the island branch of Michelin Guide listed Bisou Bangkok, opened by chef Antoine and sommelier Théo. Both trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris before moving to Thailand. The cooking is modern French with subtle Japanese influences, built on proper technique but lighter and more inventive than traditional French dining. The menu changes with the seasons, and a serious wine list is a big part of the experience. The space is intimate and well designed, making it one of the better restaurants for a romantic dinner in the Bang Tao area. No stiffness, just good food and good wine.
Cuisine: Modern French
Address: No.4, Bandon-Cherngtalay Rd, Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 5.30 pm – 12 pm
Phone: 0963789668
Website: bisouphuket.com
What to Do at Night?
Nightlife in Bang Tao is quite laid-back but still enjoyable. Most people go for a casual drink at one of the small bamboo bars right on the sand, often with their feet in the sand and music playing softly in the background. A growing number of beach clubs along the bay stay open late with cocktails and DJs, but the mood is more relaxed than party-heavy. Some beachfront restaurants also serve drinks late, so it’s easy to end the night slowly, by the sea.
There is a handful of old-fashioned tiny reggae bars consisting of a bamboo shack, five stools and blasting Bob’s reggae music! These small, simple shacks are inexpensive and add a tropical touch to your holiday. Several of them are just outside the Outrigger Resort.
Beach Clubs
Catch Beach Club
Catch Beach Club by Twinpalms Phuket is one of the most famous beach clubs on the island. Located on the nearby Surin Beach, it was also the first in Phuket and is still a favourite among locals and residents.
Carpe Diem Beach Club
Carpe Diem on Bangtao Beach is the latest Beach Club in Phuket. It serves appetising Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, creative cocktails, and a long list of fine wines.
Casuarina Beach Club
Casuarina Beach Club is a new beach club at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket on Bang Tao Beach, with sunbeds and cabanas directly on the sand. The menu is Mediterranean-style shared plates, and cocktails run around 1,250 Baht each. Options include classics like Tequila Sunrise and signature drinks with gin, rum, or vodka bases. A DJ plays through the afternoon and evening, with sunset being the main draw. Open noon to midnight daily. Good for drinks and light bites rather than full meals.
Xana Beach Club
Xana Beach Club at Angsana Laguna Phuket is a trendy place to spend the day and the evening. You can use their unique beach pool or large, comfortable beach sofas and order drinks and food anytime. There are regular DJ events and parties on the beach.
Where to Shop in Bang Tao
Bang Tao has evolved a lot, and there are plenty of shopping opportunities. Most are centralised at the entrance of Laguna Phuket.
Fun Friday Avenue
Every Friday night, there is a night market on the same Boat Avenue street. Fun Friday Avenue Market is fun, colourful, and a chance to try food you might not have seen before. Be curious and try!
Villa Market
Villa Market is a vast and well-supplied supermarket on Boat Avenue. It offers a wide range of local and imported products, fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, excellent meats, wines, and alcohol.
Porto de Phuket Mall
Porto de Phuket is the latest mall by Central Group in Phuket. This lifestyle mall is a small complex offering a mix of restaurants, shops, and a Central Food Hall, a vast supermarket.
Address: Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: 076 368 291
Canal Village
You might also want to visit the Canal Village Shopping Plaza near the Dusit Thani resort, but it was never a real success and often looks quiet.
The Society by Sansiri
The Society is on Lagoon Road near Bang Tao Beach, a co-working and dining space developed by Sansiri. It’s their first project like this in Phuket. Inside, there’s a coffee roaster (BEANS) and a Spanish tapas restaurant (VAMOS), plus meeting rooms and a small gallery. We stopped by for coffee and ended up staying for lunch.
Address: 168 Lagoon Rd, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: Daily, 7 am – 12 am
How It Started
I first went to Bang Tao in 1994 to apply as a resort host at Banyan Tree Phuket. Back then, the Laguna Phuket complex was just five large hotels, a couple of restaurants around Tinlay Place (opposite what is now Boat Avenue), and not much else. Tatonka and Black Cat were the only real dining options outside the hotels, and both are still here today. People living in Patong and Kata looked down on Bang Tao at the time. It was too remote, too quiet, and the beach was not as wide or as attractive as it is now. The area was seen as a place to stay inside your hotel, almost all-inclusive in style, even though it was not. Guests at one resort could use the pools and restaurants of the four other hotels nearby, and that was basically the whole Bang Tao experience, plus the golf course. There were no villas, no beach clubs, no Boat Avenue.
My Take
Bang Tao has completely transformed. It is now the hi-so part of Phuket, as we say in Thailand. The dining scene is outstanding, with several Michelin-recognised restaurants, and there is a huge choice of luxury villas and condominiums that did not exist twenty years ago. Boat Avenue has become a proper neighbourhood with shops, bars, and a popular Friday night market. I still go to Bang Tao often because the restaurants are some of the best on the island. But the growth has come at a cost. The number of villas and condos has created a permanent traffic jam on the roads in and out. If you are staying in Bang Tao, that is fine. If you are driving in from another part of the island, be prepared.
Bang Tao Beach Directory
Lann Spa & Massage Phuket
Alanna Wellness & Spa
Black Cat Restaurant
Bang Tao Beach Fast Facts
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Good |
| ⛱️ Beach length: | 6 km |
| ⛱️ Other beach nearby: | Layan Beach |
| 📷 Thing to do: | Blue Tree Waterpark |
| 🍴 Best restaurant: | Nanami Japanese BBQ |
| 🍸 Best beach restaurant: | Carpe Diem |
| 🍹 Best beach club: | Catch Beach Club |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Banyan Tree Phuket |
| 🧳 Best mid range hotel: | SAii Laguna Phuket |
| 🚙 Distance to Patong Beach: | 18 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 22 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 17 km |
Bang Tao Beach Photos
Bang Tao Beach Map
If you are on mobile, add the map here: https://goo.gl/maps/h6KK9WoMvLocoQxs5.
FAQs about Bang Tao Beach
