Island Guide
Bang Tao Beach, Phuket: The Complete Guide to the Bay, Its Markets and Where to Stay
Phuket's longest beach, section by section: where the water is calm, when the markets run, which beach clubs are which, and why it is the best base on the island.
Bang Tao is a six-kilometre bay on Phuket's north-west coast, 35 minutes from the airport, and the best all-round base on the island: flat, swimmable water from November to April, beach clubs and quiet stretches along the same sand, the Laguna resort estate with its golf course and lagoons at the south end, Boat Avenue's restaurants and supermarkets ten minutes inland, and the villages of Cherng Talay and Layan behind it, where most of the private pool villas are. This is our home turf; here is the bay from north to south, and how to use it.
The bay, section by section
| Section | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Layan, north end | Casuarina trees, a national-park feel, calmest water, one or two restaurants, Nikki Beach on the headland | Quiet swims, sunsets, families in high season |
| Middle of the bay | Wide, open, sparsely used; some surf in green season; a few small beach bars | Long walks, a towel and a book, space |
| Laguna beachfront | The resort stretch: Banyan Tree, Angsana, Dusit Thani, Cassia; loungers and water sports for hotel guests, beach clubs open to all | Beach clubs, water sports, a resort day |
| Bang Tao village, south end | The original fishing village, seafood restaurants, longtail boats, a Muslim community with its own rhythm | Cheap seafood, local life, the night market |
The whole bay faces west, so every section gets the sunset. Walk it end to end at low tide; it takes about an hour and a half and you will pass fewer people than on 500 metres of Patong.
Swimming and the sea
From November to April the sea is flat and clear, and shallow for a long way out at the Layan end, which is why families settle there. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings swell; on rough days lifeguards fly red flags along the middle and south of the bay, and rip currents are the real danger. Layan stays calmer than the rest. Our month-by-month weather guide has the detail.
Beach clubs
- Catch Beach Club on the Laguna stretch is the island's best-known: loungers, a pool area (Lazy Coconut) by day, DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, a famous Sunday brunch. Book at weekends in high season.
- Rava Beach Club further south: a calmer pool-and-restaurant club with a day pass that includes a lounger and a food-and-drink credit. The shuttle from Shambhala Grand Villa stops here.
- Nikki Beach Phuket at Layan: the international brand's Phuket outpost on the north headland, all-day pool parties and a sunset crowd.
- The Laguna hotel beach restaurants (the Italian Azzurra among them) serve non-guests for lunch and sunset drinks.
Our restaurant and beach club guide has the full list with what to order.
Markets: which day is which
- Friday: the Boat Avenue Fun Friday Market, 4 p.m. to about 10 p.m., ten minutes inland. Street food, craft stalls, wine by the glass, live music and children on the lawn. The one to plan around.
- Monday and Thursday: Bang Tao Night Market near the beach road, a smaller, local food market from late afternoon.
- Daily: Cherng Talay fresh market, mornings, for fruit, vegetables and the island's cheapest breakfast.
- Weekends: Naka Market in Phuket Town (Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m.) and the Old Town walking street (Sunday from 4 p.m.), both 45 minutes away and worth the drive once.
Market days shift with the season and holidays; the concierge will confirm the week you are here.
Laguna
Laguna Phuket is a gated estate of five resorts built around lagoons on the south of the bay, with an 18-hole golf course, a shuttle boat between hotels, and Canal Village for shops. You do not need to be a hotel guest to play golf, eat or use the beach clubs. Our golf guide covers the course and its rivals.
Getting around
Everything in this guide is within ten minutes of the villas in Cherng Talay and Layan. Grab works reliably by day (80 to 150 baht for hops around the area); a rented car makes the day trips easier; scooters are cheap but the accident statistics are real and we do not recommend them for first-timers. The airport is 35 to 40 minutes; see the transfer guide.
Where to stay on Bang Tao
Beachfront means the Laguna hotels, at resort prices. Almost everyone who wants a private pool stays a few minutes inland in Cherng Talay, Layan or the lanes behind Boat Avenue, where the modern villas are: Shambhala Grand Villa, Anchan Villas and Riverhouse are all in Cherng Talay, our Skypark apartment is inside Laguna itself. You get more space and your own pool for less than a resort room, and the beach is a ten-minute drive or a twenty-minute walk. See the villas and our wider Phuket area guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bang Tao Beach good for swimming?
Yes, from November to April, when the water is flat and clear along the whole bay and shallow at the Layan end. From May to October watch for red flags; the middle of the bay gets surf and rip currents, while Layan stays calmer.
How long is Bang Tao Beach?
About six kilometres, from Layan in the north to Bang Tao village in the south, making it one of Phuket's longest beaches.
What days are the markets near Bang Tao?
The Boat Avenue Fun Friday Market runs Fridays from 4 p.m.; the Bang Tao Night Market runs Mondays and Thursdays; the Cherng Talay fresh market runs every morning.
How far is Bang Tao from the airport and from Patong?
35 to 40 minutes from Phuket International Airport (23 km) and 30 to 40 minutes from Patong (20 km).
Is Bang Tao better than Patong?
For a beach, food and a private pool villa, yes. Patong is better only if you want nightlife within walking distance. Bang Tao is quiet after 11 p.m., and Patong is a 40-minute drive when you want it.
