Bang Tao Beach
Bang Tao Beach - Phuket, is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. Bang Tao Beach is a study in contrasts, with the luxurious resorts and villas along its 8-kilometre stretch of beach just a few minutes' away from the town of Cherng Talay, where many villagers still make their living as their ancestors did - by fishing, farming and rubber tapping.
Bang Tao was once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna Beach Resort, containing five luxury hotels set around six picturesque lagoons.
With facilities including an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, spa, water park and one of Asia's biggest swimming pool.
The southern end of the beach is more developed and is where most of the accommodation is located, so if you want the beach to yourself, walk to the northern end where its much quieter.
There are a number of shops, restaurants and bars near the entrance to Laguna Phuket, as well as those within the resort complex. The nearby town of Cherng Talay has a few shops as well as a fresh market. Canal Village within Laguna Phuket comprises about 30 shops, mostly selling handicrafts and clothing items.
A wide range of activities - including a ropes course and rock climbing, windsurfing, elephant riding and kids' sports - is available for guests of Laguna's Sheraton Grande, Dusit Laguna, Laguna Beach, Allamanda and Banyan Tree Phuket resorts, and some are open to outside visitors as well. Play a round of golf at the Laguna Phuket course, practise your swing on the driving range nearby or go horseback riding along the beach Afterwards, indulge in a massage and spa treatment at the world renowned Banyan Tree spa or at other retreats nearby.
Some of the island's best finds for antiques and other treasures can be found at Laguna's Canal Village and in the rows of shops just outside the Laguna entrance. The open-air village markets are also worth visiting, if only to take in the sights and sounds of a typical Thai bazaar. While there are many fine dining options within Laguna's resorts, a decent range of bars and restaurants have also sprung up down the road in recent years to cater to the increasing number of visitors to the area.
The northern end of the beach is very quiet with a small restaurant on the beach. Together with a few sunbeds this is a good spot to get away from the crowd so long you don't mind that only the beach along the restaurant is cleaned. Aside from the Laguna Phuket resorts, a variety of bungalows, resorts and villas are available for short- or long-term stays.
Most of the upmarket and luxury hotels on Phuket are located around Bang Tao Beach creating a more distinct and low key nightlife.
