Bang Tao Beach, #Phuket

Bang Tao Beach (or Bangtao)

is one of the longest Beach in Phuket,

half way between airport and Patong.

Beach on the west coast of the island, where all the beaches are

with its beautiful stretch of sand, Bangtao is always associated

with the gigantic resort complex known as ‘Laguna Phuket’.

This area was one of the tin mines that made the fortune of Phuket long ago,

but was abandoned later as the land was consider worthless.

Laguna Phuket managed to transform it in an very profitable

award winning ‘eco project’ with international resorts

such as Banyan Tree Resort, Dusit Thani Resort and Laguna Beach Resort.

In the recent years, an incredible amount of luxury villas

and properties were built in the back of the Bangtao Beach hotels.

Laguna used to be the ‘high-end’ part of the island, but the shine has slightly faded

and it feels more of a mass tourism complex, you just have to look at the size

and amount of the ‘local restaurants’ on the beach to get the picture.

The high-end seems to have moved to Mai Khao Beach 

with the JW Marriott, Sala Phuket and Renaissance Phuket Resort.

Thinking of it, it’s obviously all benefit for the hotel group,

everything is far, so guests can basically spend all their holiday

money right there! Of course, locals wanted their share of this tourist gold mine

and unfortunately, the beach access of most resort

became blocked by one row or more of shops and shacks.

Resorts couldn’t do anything about it but on the other hand

you have more choice to buy drinks, snacks, souvenirs and tours.

Several seafood restaurants, ranging from small to huge like the ‘Lotus Seafood’,

serve a good choice of live seafood at a more affordable price than resorts,

but more expensive than any other local restaurants on the island.

Paradise Beach, #Phuket

‘Paradise Beach’ sounds good, doesn’t it?  With such name, people expect

to discover another ‘beautiful-secret-hard-to-find-beach’ located near Patong.

And yes, to its credit, the sea is very blue, sand is powdery

and cute little boats are gently bobbing in the bay. Yes, it is small, remote and not easy to find.

But there is a catch. It ‘used’ to be impossible to find,

and I suspect that the concrete road had somehow changed everything.

The reality is deceptive and I would not recommend this place during the high season,

and I think the photos will tell better than the words: I’m still trying to understand why do people

would pack themselves so close to each other when they actually passed by a nicer beach.

Once you reach there, surprise! the beach entrance if not free, it is 100 baht per person.

Ok, they could argue that they give you a beach chair at that price,

and at the end it is the price you would pay for a chair anywhere on the island.

But I don’t want a chair, I just want to take some photos (and run away).

Sorry sir, it’s 100 baht. Well OK, at that price, at least I’ll get some photo to show you the situation,

that’s a a small price to pay for readers to know.

The area consists of two tiny bays. The first one, surrounded by restaurants and Salas, is larger

and the beach more sandy. At the end of it, a small concrete path leads to the second beach,

less popular because clearly not as attractive. The path continues uphill to a very small bar

with a bit of a view where some of the photos were taken, then few more steps

will take you to an inaccessible rocky bay in the back.  n their way (Tri Trang Beach).

When in Patong Beach, drive south to the bridge leading

to the well known ‘Amari Coral Beach Resort’, and turn left right after the bridge.

Then follow for few kilometers until you reach

the ‘Merlin Beach Resort’ on your left and the nice Tri Trang Beach on your right.

A sign pointing to ‘Paradise Beach’ a the bottom of the hill will indicate you to continue further

for another 2 or 3 kilometers. The road is quite narrow, but nicely paved

which makes it fairly easy (too easy). You will arrive on a large parking which

can accommodate about twenty cars and a lot of bikes.

http://rentcarphuket.com/paradise-beach-phuket/

For the Best #Hotels & Resorts

We help you with your bookings

http://thailand-besthotels.com/

http://phuket-besthotels.com/

http://hotels-patong.com/

http://thailandrentcar.com/

Beaches made in Heaven

Patong Beach, Charm is not perhaps the first would that springs to mind when describing Patong,

but the miles of perfect turquoise seas and powdery sand, right next to all the razzmatazz,

manages to absorb hundreds of sun-worshippers, strollers, joggers, volleyballers etc.

without getting crowded. When the sun tan lotion is no longer needed,

Patong’s night life offer the best dining on the island, shops galore and the occasional bar – well to be honest,

quite a lot of bars. No holiday would be complete without a visit

to the pulsating glitz of Soi Bangla road– where it all happen.

 Paradise Beach, It is open from 9 am until 6 pm and is never crowded.

The waters are crystal-clear and the pure white sandy beach is framed by a lush green backdrop of coconut palms.

Only 150 metres long, Paradise is a jewel in a perfect serene setting.

There’s a small restaurant, which also rents beach chairs, snorkeling gear etc.

If you are actively inclined why not try sea kayaking among the rocky coves.

Nai Yang Beach, Right at the top of the island, just south of  Sarasin Bridge, is Nai Yang.

The beach has been declared a National park, but the public still have free access.

There would be an uproar if this were to change, for this deserted stretch of fine sand fringed

with giant casuarinas is where Thai residents come to picnic and get away from it all.

Near the bridge there are some small seafood restaurants. Between November and February,

this is where the sea turtles struggle up the beach to lay their eggs.

 Laem Sing ( Sing Cape), Continuing south, intrepid beachcombers will encounter this delightful, bijou bay,

Nesting between stony headlands, Laem Sing features sandy coves

and rock pools which bear close inspection. Its unique charm attracts many visitors in high season. 

Bangtao Beach, About 2 Km. north of Surin village, is Bangtao,

home to the exclusive Laguna hotel complex.

The north part of the beach is quiet with a few scattered, laid back beach bar/restaurants

and has some fine coral for snorkeling. There you’ll find a lagoon

and a small river estuary, which gives on to the beautiful,

tranquil Layan beach – also a national park. 

Banana Beach, Also known as Haad Hin Gluai or Banana Rock Beach,

has everything a beach lover would ever need: a small bay or soft sand,

rocks offshore, water as clear as glass for snorkeling and just a smattering of sun bed.

Aside from the stretch of sand, there’s a single restaurant serving slightly overpriced seafood dishes

with five plastic tables that sink into the sand.

 Ya Nui Beach, If you seek still more tranquility and privacy,

there’s another small and white powdery-sand beach, located next to Paradise.

Just continue south down the small path through the rocks.

Follow the same track up the hill and you will reach a quiet and peaceful viewpoint

offering wonderful vistas of sea and surf; the darker blue of the deep waters

contrasting with the azure surf effervescing on the dark.