What to Do in Bangtao 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 Thai restaurants and beach clubs right on the beach and eat or drink with your feet in the sand.
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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 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 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.
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WHAT 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 three 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 water park, 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, 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 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
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-hole miniature classic championship golf course is surrounded by palm and bamboo trees and has a large restaurant to enjoy food and drinks after the game. Read more
Address: 72/44 Moo 3, Bangtao Beach Road, Soi 2 Cherngtalay, Talang Phuket, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am – 11 pm
Phone: 076 314 345
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.
Location: Cherngtalay (not far from Bangtao Beach)
Address: 310/51 M.1 Baandon-Cherngtalay Road Thalang District, Phuket
Open: 11 am – 10 pm
Phone: 063 593 9939
Price: Affordable
There are more things to do in Bang Tao Beach and around, and we keep adding them as we explore:
WHERE TO STAY IN BANG TAO BEACH?
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-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
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
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:
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. Read our Hilton Garden Inn Phuket full review.
Check the rates:
WHERE TO EAT IN BANG TAO BEACH?
There are three distinct areas to eat in Bang Tao, each has a different style of food and restaurants, and you can find something delicious to eat for every budget.
Restaurants 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.
Location: Next to Saii Laguna Phuket
La Marée Restaurant
La Marée is an excellent restaurant run by Head Chef Andrey, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Paris and honed his skills in numerous restaurants worldwide. La Marée blends the elegance of French cuisine with the bold flavours of Italy and the Mediterranean. Enjoy fresh seafood and classic European dishes like salmon tartare, octopus carpaccio, grilled scallops, risottos, and pasta. Read more
Address: Cherngtalay, 8 Lagoon Rd, Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 8 am – 12 am
Phone: 062 714 7600
The Farmer and the Fisherman
The Farmer and The Fisherman is an excellent new restaurant recently opened at the popular Porto de Phuket shopping village in Bang Tao Beach, just next to Boat Avenue. We stopped for a casual dinner and were pleased with the food and service, which is an important factor in a great dining experience.
Location: Porto de Phuket
Address: 19/1 – 19/6 Bandon-Cherngtalay Rd, Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am – 11 pm
Phone: 098 869 0514
Nanami Yakiniku
Nanami Yakiniku is a Japanese BBQ run by a Japanese owner on 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 cosy and inviting, with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is nicely presented and features a great selection of Wagyu 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
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
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
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
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!).
Read our list of restaurants in Bang Tao: click on the link below!
WHAT TO DO AT NIGHT?
Bangtao’s nightlife is rather quiet but very enjoyable. Most people enjoy having drinks at the small, old-fashioned bamboo bars on the beach or at one of the three beach clubs along the bay.
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 small, simple shacks are inexpensive and add a tropical touch to your holiday. Several of them are just outside the Outrigger Resort.
BEACH CLUBS
NORA Beach Club
Sponsored
Located on the beachfront of Amora Beach Resort Phuket, NORA Beach Club offers a modern beach club experience all day long. It is set against the vibrant backdrop of Bang Tao Beach on the west coast of Phuket Island. The Beach Club has a unique vibe inspired by the energy of Ibiza with the beauty of Phuket as a background.
Location: Bang Tao Beach, Amora Beach Resort Phuket
Address: Cherngtalay, 322, Moo 2, Srisoonthorn Rd, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 11 am - 11 pm
Phone: 061 653 2232
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.
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
Tichuca Phuket Beach Club
Tichuca Phuket, the newest addition to Phuket’s beach club scene, offers a fantastic tropical ambience with excellent music and the iconic decor of the illuminated roof at the Tichuca Rooftop Bar in Bangkok.
What sets Tichuca Phuket apart is its unique location on the sand of Bang Tao Beach. Kick off your shoes and walk on the soft sand to admire the sunset and dance to the tunes of the talented DJ.
Open: 3 pm – 12 am
Phone: 063 713 7755
Tichuca Phuket is open until June 2024 and might become permanent in 2025
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.
Address: 99/1 Bangtao Beach Road, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 12 pm – 11 pm
Phone: 065 058 5388
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.
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
Beach Pig Bar
Beach Pig is a cool beach bar on Bang Tao Beach that serves tacos, nachos, Thai food, and cocktails. It is 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
WHERE TO SHOP IN BANG TAO 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
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 alcohols.
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.
Technogym
A new era of wellness lifestyle is now available at the Technogym Showroom Phuket, located in the heart of the Laguna area, which has become the trendiest part of Phuket Island. With its unique interior design spanning two floors, you can discover cutting-edge equipment and benefit from the expertise of Technogym Experts for an exceptional wellness experience.
Location: Bang Tao Beach
Address: 335, 1 Lagoon Rd, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm (closed Sundays)
Phone: 02 381 6146
BANG TAO BEACH DIRECTORY
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 MAP
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BANG TAO BEACH PHOTOS
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