Bang Tao & Cherngtalay Travel & City Guide

Ideal for couples or families, plenty of day time activities and a relaxed beach atmosphere.

Bang Tao lies on the northwest coast of Phuket, alongside the sub-district of Cherngtalay, and is the location of one of the longest beaches on the island. In addition, it boasts being an area full of luxurious resorts that can be found within the exclusive Laguna Phuket development and is still home to some of the remaining beach clubs on the island. Despite this modern touch to what was formerly one of the island’s largest tin mining sites, it still holds onto a relaxed beach town atmosphere with a wide choice of attractions, restaurants, and shops.

Lagoon Road is one of the most popular thoroughfares for visiting tourists where a treasure trove of art galleries and boutique shops await. There are also a range of restaurants along this street where a wide choice of cuisines are available for lunch and dinner.

Boat Avenue is a fairly new shopping complex in Cherngtalay where you can find a popular international grocery store full of international products to satisfy any cravings you might have for snacks from back home.

WHERE TO STAY

Since the development of Laguna, a system of lagoons that have been incorporated into resorts, this area is sometimes referred to as Laguna Beach. The resorts offer their guests an exclusive stay with beach access undisturbed by a beach-front road.

Smaller guesthouses are found in the back streets off and around the Soi Ao Bang Tao 2 area. Basic rooms for rent off the main road and a vast selection of private and estate villas, with prices ranging from affordable to ultimate luxury, are spread out all around the plains east of the beach in Cherngtalay.

WHAT TO DO

Being a beach town, you can expect a whole host of water-based activities. If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at stand-up paddle boarding then head to Layan Beach, which is on the north end of Bang Tao Beach and where you’ll come across a stand-up paddle boarding school. This is an ideal activity for those who want to explore the surrounding seas, and it’ll keep you fit. Back on land, horseback riding along the beach and through the greens of the nearby golf course is a great way to see the area. A horse riding club is positioned at the entrance of Laguna Phuket and is open daily.

Also in the area, Laguna Phuket Golf Club allows the avid golfer to practice their game. The course has been reduced to 9-holes while it is being revamped and is expected to open again fully at the beginning of 2015. Alternatively, you could opt for a less serious game and head to the nearby mini golf venue where you’ll find an 18-hole artificial grass course.

While you’re on holiday it’s almost expected that you should indulge in a spa treatment. Bang Tao offers a great choice at the various high-end hotels within Laguna where you can try one of their signature therapies or choose a cheaper option in one of the many privately owned massage shops dotted around the town.

Make sure to pay a visit to Wat Cherngtalay, a beautiful temple of intricate design, which is well-lit in the evening, making for a spectacular attraction day or night.

WHERE TO EAT

Bang Tao and Cherngtalay are not short on places to eat, some of which are quite exclusive and most of which have gained a high reputation on the island for serving delicious food. Tinlay Place is home to several such eateries, as well as chic bars & grills with warm, inviting atmospheres. Enjoy a variety of menus full of creative cocktails and delectable dishes in a road that is a must try when dining out in Bang Tao.

There are also plenty of restaurants with casual atmospheres in the area for those seeking something more laid-back where you can enjoy thirst quenching draft beers and eat mouth-watering pub grub. Many places serve breakfast and there are countless options when it comes to Thai food.

Other restaurants along Lagoon Road offer al-fresco dining, flavoursome fusion menus, and there are also a few fine-dining establishments. Whether you’re after French, Italian, Japanese or Thai cuisine, you’ll manage to find all of those and much more on this unassuming street.

If you go to Bandon-Cherngtalay Road you will come across super tasty Thai menus in a selection of little eateries, most of which are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. International options serving scrumptious pizzas, as well as other dishes are also available if you so wish.

There are a few beach clubs in Bang Tao that offer an eclectic mix of food, fashion, music and much more. Bars, swimming pools and terraces are some of the features you can expect in such establishments, as well as flavourful fare, creatively prepared cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere. Some of these beach clubs host parties with international DJs such as Matt Caseli, Sandy Rivera, Paul Oakenfold and Steve Aoki just to name a few.

NIGHTLIFE

Bang Tao’s nightlife offers both casual and classy venues. For the former, there are a range of restaurant and bars where you’re guaranteed to enjoy a fun night out. Many of them air major sporting events, have pool tables, or host live bands, and you can even come across the occasional lady-boy cabaret show if you’re lucky.

SHOPPING

There is a Tesco Lotus complex in the area where you’ll find reasonably priced groceries, as well as an optician and various fast-food outlets.

If you’re after high-end boutique shops, Surin Plaza is the place to go shopping. Situated between Cherngtalay and Surin, the three storey outlet sells designer clothing and footwear, as well as stylish home-furnishings and unique artworks.