Bang Tao

Bang Tao is one of the longest beaches on the island, running roughly six kilometres up the northwest coast. Its northern half is occupied by Laguna Phuket, a l…Bang Tao is one of the longest beaches on the island, running roughly six kilometres up the northwest coast. Its northern half is occupied by Laguna Phuket, a large integrated resort complex built on reclaimed tin-mining land, with several hotels, a golf course and a lagoon system connecting them.

The southern end towards Surin has developed into the island's main beach-club stretch, with a run of large venues on the sand and a dense cluster of villas and condominium projects behind. The everyday centre of the area is inland at Cherng Talay and Boat Avenue, where the supermarkets, banks, restaurants, gyms and the Friday and weekend markets are.

Bang Tao has become the base for much of Phuket's long-stay and family trade, with international schools, clinics and serviced residences nearby. It is around twenty minutes from the airport, which makes it one of the easier arrivals on the island. Swimming is good in the high season; the monsoon brings surf and rip currents, and the beach-club stretch stays busy year round regardless.