Bangtao Beach - Phuket Travel Guide
Bangtao Beach stands second in the list of longest beaches in Phuket with the beach measuring 8kms in length. The beach is home to a variety of hotels and resorts of varying budgets ranging from super luxury Laguna Complex with five-star rating to medium-budget ones. The opulent Laguna Complex occupies most of the northern parts of the beach, with the others located in the south end.
The areas in and around Bangtao Beach were tin mines in the olden days. When the mines went dry, the place was deserted for years. The interest in the place was rekindled with the arrival of tourists. In the ensuing rush, developers grabbed most of the land, some even illegally. The grand artificial lakes of the Laguna Complex were originally mine pits, now filled up.
The dispute still exists regarding the ownership of some areas in Bangtao Beach and Khao Lak. Thailand’s vague land title laws were misused by some people in power, which led to this sorry state of affairs.
However, this need not deter tourists looking for sun-filled beaches and water sports. Bangtao Beach is the perfect holiday destination for all kinds of tourists.
How to reach
From Phuket International Airport, Bangtao is about 40 minutes away. Transportation charge is approximately 600 baht.
Getting around
Moving around the place is easy, with free shuttle buses between hotels and shopping centers. There are ferry services operating around the lagoon as well. However, if you are staying in Laguna Complex, the transportation will be costlier, as local cabs do not run in this route. The Complex offers chauffeured cars to their guests, which costs 600 baht one way to Phuket or Patong.
Places to see
Tourists come to Bangtao mainly for its beach. However, Bangtao has other entertainment options also. For avid golfers, there is the Laguna Phuket Golf Club with the international standard 18-hole golf course. For shopping enthusiasts there are local shops in the beach area as well as boutique shops near the Laguna Complex.
Things to do
Bangtao Beach is ideal for those looking for a calm and secluded beach. Its main attraction is that it is not overcrowded. When the water recedes in the afternoon, tourists can go fishing or swimming near the rocks on the left side of the beach.
The famous Thai massage is offered in stalls in and around the beach. The rates are fixed at 300 baht an hour.
The beach area is the right place for local food and local products. There are many simple food stalls serving delicious Thai food here. A few small shops in this area sell local wares. In the beach, you can see vendors selling sarongs to coconut juice.
You will find designer shops and modern boutiques near Laguna Complex area. There are a few high-end resorts, villas, restaurants and spas here catering to the rich clientele. This area has a cosmopolitan setup with restaurants serving Western cuisine, chic bars, English pubs and stylish cafes.
