What to do in Bangtao Beach?
Contents
- What to do in Bangtao Beach?
- Video of Bangtao Beach
- Overview
- What to Do in Bang Tao Beach?
- The Beach of Bangtao, of course
- Layan Beach
- Blue Tree Water Park
- Spas and Wellness
- Phuket Adventure Mini Golf
- Wat Choeng Thale
- Where to eat in Bang Tao Beach?
- Restaurants and Bars on the beach
- Palm Seaside Restaurant
- Benny’s Cocktails & Grill
- TAKÉ Japanese restaurant
- The Beach Cuisine
- Nanami Yakiniku
- Maison Napoleon
- Siam Supper Club
- Boat Avenue
- Tinlay Place
- What to do at Night?
- Beach Pig Bar
- Beach Bars
- Beach Clubs
- Catch Beach Club
- Xana Beach Club
- Carpe Diem Beach Club
- Where to shop in Bangtao Beach
- Fun Friday Avenue
- Villa Market
- Porto de Phuket Mall
- Canal Village
- Where to stay in Bang Tao?
- Banyan Tree Phuket
- SAii Laguna Phuket
- Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Resort
- Angsana Laguna Phuket
- Hilton Garden Inn Phuket
- Cassia Phuket
- More photos
- Bangtao Beach Map
- – Your Bang Tao Beach Travel Guide –
- FAQs about 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 why Bangtao has become the home of some of the largest and most luxurious resorts on the island, 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 restaurants and beach clubs right on the beach and eat or drink with your feet in the sand.
Video of Bangtao Beach
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 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 with 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 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.
What to Do in Bang Tao Beach?
Guests staying at any of the Laguna Complex resorts can enjoy many activities proposed by the hotels: sailing, kayaking, archery, immense swimming pools, massages, and amazing spas. Usually, if you are a guest of one of the 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 four. Those beach clubs are also a great way to spend the day and party at night.
The Beach of Bangtao, of course
The beach is one the main reason why travellers book their hotels here. The beach is narrower, and the sand 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 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.
Blue Tree Water Park
Blue Tree is the most recent and largest water park in Phuket. It includes water slides (Slip’n’Fly’), a zipline over the water, many water activities, and several restaurants.
Address: 4/2 Srisoonthorn, Cherntalay, Phuket 83110
Open: 10 am – 6 pm
Phone: 076 602 435
Price: 950 baht for adults, 350 Baht for kids
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueTreePhuket/
Spas and Wellness
The Laguna complex has always been home to Phuket’s best spa resorts and wellness centres, including Banyan Tree Spa and Angsana Spa. If a hotel’s spa treatment is above your budget, there are several good massage huts available right on the beach for about 300 baht!
Phuket Adventure Mini Golf
This 18 holes miniature classic championship golf course is surrounded by palm and bamboo trees and a large restaurant.
Address: 72/44 Moo 3, Bangtao Beach Road, Soi 2 Cherngtalay, Talang Phuket, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am – 11 pm
Phone: 076 314 345
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phuketadventureminigolf/
Wat Choeng Thale
Wat Choeng Thale (or Wat Cherngtalay) is a little far from the beach, but it is a beautifully decorated temple to photograph, especially if this is your first visit to Thailand.
Where to eat in Bang Tao Beach?
There are three distinct areas to eat in Bangtao, each has a different style of food and restaurants, and you can find something delicious to eat for every budget.
Restaurants and Bars on the beach
Just south of 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 slightly 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.
Palm Seaside Restaurant
Palm Seaside is a trendy seafront restaurant set at the southern end of Bangtao Beach. Open for lunch, dinner and beyond, Palm Seaside is an excellent place for a relaxed meal and turns more into a lounge venue in the evening. Read more
Address: 110/2 Moo 3, Cherng Talay, Thalang, South Bangtao Beach, Phuket
Open: Lunch: 12 noon – 4 pm, Dinner: 6 pm – 11 pm (last order)
Phone: 094 480 0883
Price: High
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/palmseaside/
Benny’s Cocktails & Grill
Benny’s Cocktail and Grill is an understated gem hidden by the roadside in Bangtao Beach, specialising in meats but with many other options.
Address: 5/6 Soi Had Bangtao Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm (Monday closed)
Phone: 080 700 1509
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bennysphuket/
TAKÉ Japanese restaurant
TAKÉ (pronounced ‘takeh’ is an excellent Japanese restaurant often recommended by the Japanese expat community. We tried it, which was as good as described, with very reasonable prices. The restaurant is at the busy intersection near Boat Avenue. While lunchtime is not usually busy, booking in advance for dinner is recommended.
Address: 55, 1 Bandon-Cherngtalay Rd, Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 9.30 pm
Phone: 088 415 9451
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takerestaurant2017/
The Beach Cuisine
The Beach Cuisine is a seaside restaurant hard to find on Bang Tao Beach, open for lunch and dinner and serving excellent western and Thai food. The French chef proposes some unique specialities.
Address: Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: 093 668 5182
Price: a little expensive
Nanami Yakiniku
Nanami Yakiniku is a Japanese BBQ run by a Japanese owner in Boat Avenue close to Bang Tao Beach in Phuket. They offer a wide variety of meats, including imported and local options, as well as sushi and sashimi. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is nicely presented, and features a great selection of Waguy beef sets starting at 900 baht, which is very reasonably priced.
Address: 21/8 Lagoon Rd., Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm
Phone: 095 086 1555
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nanamiyakiniku/
Maison Napoleon
Maison Napoleon is a new modern restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Laguna Phuket’s entrance in Bangtao Beach. The cuisine is mostly casual French but also from Mexico and Latin America. The venue is already trendy and busy with customers, even during these difficult times. The atmosphere is very welcoming, with the lively background buzz of people having a good time with family and friends. Read more
Address: 19/2 Lagoon Rd, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Open: 7.30 am – 12 am (Closed on Monday)
Phone: 091 164 9799
Siam Supper Club
The Siam Supper Club is a long-established cosy restaurant near Bangtao Beach, on the west coast of Phuket. The restaurant is mostly a steakhouse that also serves an excellent choice of European comfort food. The warm interior of varnished wood may look a little intimidating as you enter the restaurant. Still, the atmosphere is very casual and easy-going, and the prices are surprisingly affordable.
Address: 36 40 Lagoon Rd, Tambon Cherngtalay Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Open: 6 pm – 1 am
Phone: 076 270 936
Boat Avenue
You can’t miss the new and growing Boat Avenue if you stay in the Laguna area. Boat Avenue is the new heart of Bangtao, with trendy shops and restaurants and even an immense Villa Market where you find a lot of imported food (and an extensive wine cellar, too!).
Tinlay Place
At the entrance of Bangtao is Tinlay place, offering dining alternatives to the many restaurants found inside the resorts of Laguna. Tatonka, Siam Supper Club, and Black Cat have been successful for over a decade. Still, the new generation of restaurants is adding a fresh breeze to Bangtao, and the most noticeable are Mrs B Bar & Table and Maison Napoleon.
Read our list of restaurants in Bang Tao, click on the link below!
What to do at Night?
Bangtao nightlife is rather quiet but very enjoyable. Most people enjoy having drinks at those small old-fashioned bamboo bars on the beach or even at one of the three beach clubs along the bay.
Beach Pig Bar
Beach Pig is a cool beach bar on Bang Tao Beach serving tacos, nachos, Thai food and cocktails; a perfect spot to end your beach day with a sunset over the Andaman Sea.
Location: in front of SAii Laguna Resort
Address: 323/11 Moo 2, Bang Tao Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 8 am – 12 am
Phone: 081 270 1610
Beach Bars
There are also a handful of old-fashioned tiny reggae bars consisting of a bamboo shack, five stools and blasting Bob’s reggae music! These little 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. In its original location on the nearby Surin Beach, it was also the first in Phuket and is still the favourite among locals and residents.
Address: 202/88, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Open: 9 am – 2 am
Phone: 065 348 201
Price: High – 2,000 baht for a couple of beach chairs and 4,000 to play in the tiny pool
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catchbeachclub/
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 and comfortable beach sofas and order drinks and food at any time. There are regular DJ events and parties on the beach.
Location: Angsana Laguna Phuket, Bangtao Beach
Address: 10 Moo 4 Srisoonthorn Road, Choeng Thale, Phuket 83110
Open: Daily 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: 076 324 101
Price: High
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/XanaBeachClub/
Carpe Diem Beach Club
Carpe Diem on Bangtao Beach is the latest Beach Club in Phuket, serving some appetising Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with creative cocktails and a long list of fine wines.
Address: 99/1 Bangtao Beach Road, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 12 pm – 11 pm
Phone: 065 058 5388
Where to shop in Bangtao Beach
Bangtao has evolved a lot, and there are plenty of shopping opportunities. Most are centralised at the entrance of Laguna Phuket.
Fun Friday Avenue
There is a night market every Friday night on the same Boat Avenue street. Fun Friday Avenue Market is fun, colourful, and a chance to try some 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. You can find a wide range of local and imported products, fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, lots of excellent meats, wines and alcohols.
Porto de Phuket Mall
Porto de Phuket is the latest mall in Phuket by Central Group. 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 a little too quiet. Anyway, have a look at the Jim Thompson outlet. A shuttle boat permanently circles the five resorts and marks a stop at Canal Village.
Where to stay in Bang Tao?
The Laguna Complex is very self-contained, and guests from any of the main resorts are welcome to use other resort facilities: restaurants, of course, pools, spas, and the Laguna Golf. Newcomers are Angsana Laguna Phuket and Outrigger Laguna Phuket, and SAii Laguna Phuket.
Banyan Tree Phuket
Banyan Tree Phuket Resort, with its world-renown 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.
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 1 main pool
Restaurants and bars: 5 restaurants and 2 bars
Distance to the closest beach: 100 m
SAii Laguna Phuket
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.
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 2 pools
Restaurants and bars: 4
Distance to the beach: on the beach
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket Resort
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.
Range: 5-star
Swimming pool: 1
Restaurants and bars: 5
Distance to the beach: on the beach!
Angsana Laguna Phuket
Angsana Laguna Phuket (used to be Sheraton Phuket) is an immense integrated luxury resort built around a vast lagoon. The resort has direct beach access and a beach club where guests can enjoy a beach pool and oversized sofas on the sand. Read more
Range: 5-star
Swimming pools: 2
Restaurants and bars: 4 restaurants and 2 bars
Distance to the closest beach: on the beach
Hilton Garden Inn Phuket
Hilton Garden Inn Phuket is a well-designed contemporary 4-star hotel in Laguna Complex in Bang Tao, an area growing in popularity with travellers preferring a more relaxed and refined holiday than in the crowded beaches of the south of the island. The hotel will please budget travellers who need the convenience of a modern hotel at a fair price.
Cassia Phuket
Cassia Phuket is a large contemporary hotel and a service apartment with a unique creative concept by the famous Banyan Tree. This affordable 4-star hotel stands above a large lagoon in the Bang Tao Beach area and is part of the Laguna Complex. The hotel is very different from any hotel we visited in Phuket: the place is young, vibrant and colourful, and the team is very friendly and ensures your holiday is as comfortable and fun as possible.
Read our list of Hotels in Bang Tao: click on the link below!
More photos
Bangtao Beach Map
If you are on mobile, add the map here: https://goo.gl/maps/h6KK9WoMvLocoQxs5.
