# Bang Tao Beach, Phuket > Bang Tao Beach is one of Phuket's longest beaches — about 6 km of pale sand in the north-west of the island, in Cherng Talay, backed by the Laguna Phuket resort. Entry is free. Swim from November to April; from May to October there can be big waves and currents. It's about 25 km from the airport, 35–40 minutes. Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/bang-tao-beach - City: [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket), Thailand - YesGo score: 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 3 h - Opening hours: Open 24 hours; lifeguards by day - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free — a public beach - Length: About 6 km — one of Phuket's longest beaches - Best time: November–April: calm sea - May–October: Monsoon season: waves and currents, watch the flags - Where: North-west coast, Cherng Talay; the Laguna Phuket resort behind the beach - Distances: ≈ 25 km from the airport, ≈ 20 km from Patong, ≈ 23 km from Old Town - Coordinates: 8.00811, 98.29223 - Facts checked: 08.11.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 6 km** — long — one of the island's longest beaches (source: Thai Wikipedia; travel guides) - **Tin** — was once mined here; resorts now stand on the old mine site (source: Thai Wikipedia) - **1984** — Laguna Phuket's founders bought 222 ha of the abandoned mine (source: lagunaphuket.com) - **7 years** — of rehabilitating the polluted land came before the resort was built (source: lagunaphuket.com) - **1,000 acres** — of parkland, lagoons and beach make up Laguna Phuket (source: lagunaphuket.com) - **White** — sand — pale, though coarser than on other beaches (source: Thai Wikipedia) - **≈ 25 km** — by road from Phuket Airport, 35–40 minutes (source: OSRM route) - **Red flag** — means 'no swimming' (source: Phuket lifeguards) > **Watch the flags** From May to October the south-west monsoon hits Phuket's west coast, bringing big waves and rip currents to Bang Tao. A red flag means swimming is forbidden. Swim only between the paired red-and-yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty, and don't go out far on rough days. ## What is Bang Tao Beach? **Bang Tao** is a beach in **north-west Phuket**, in the Cherng Talay area. It's one of the **island's longest beaches** — about **6 km** of pale sand around a wide bay. The sand is white, though coarser than at Karon or Kata. **Tin** was once mined here. In **1984** the founders of the **Laguna Phuket** resort bought 222 ha of polluted land from an abandoned mine and spent **seven years** restoring it. Today a thousand acres of parks and lagoons with hotels, a golf course and restaurants lie behind the beach. That's why Bang Tao is **quieter and pricier** than Patong, and the middle of the beach is uncrowded even in high season. ## When to go and what to expect **November to April** brings a calm, clear sea — the best time to swim. **May to October** brings stronger waves and currents and frequent red flags, but fewer people. The beach is **public and free**, and you don't have to go through a hotel to reach it. Sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports and beach clubs are spread along it; ask prices on the spot. ## Things to do at Bang Tao - **Swimming and sunbathing** — in the dry season, between the lifeguard flags. - **A long walk around the bay** — 6 km of sand. - **Water sports** — jet skis, parasailing and paddleboards in season. - **Beach clubs and restaurants** by the water. - **The Laguna Phuket lagoons** — walks and water sports on calm water. - **Sunset** over the Andaman Sea. ## How to get to Bang Tao Beach 1. **From Phuket Airport (HKT)** it's about 25 km south — 35–40 minutes by taxi or transfer. 2. **From Patong** it's about 20 km north — 25–30 minutes by Grab or taxi. 3. **From Phuket Old Town** it's about 23 km, around 30 minutes. 4. **From Kamala Beach** it's 10–15 minutes north via Surin. 5. Reach the sea through Cherng Talay lanes and public paths beside the hotels. ## How long do you need? Plan **half a day or a day**: a long strip of sand, lunch by the sea and sunset. If you're staying around Laguna or Cherng Talay, this is your everyday beach. **Kamala** beach and its headland viewpoints are nearby. It's also handy for the airport — closer than the southern beaches. ## Is Bang Tao Beach worth it? Yes, if you want a long, roomy, calm beach without Patong's crowds, with good restaurants and beach clubs. The YesGo take: the area is expensive, with less entertainment and street food, and it's awkward to get around without a car or taxi. In monsoon season, swim only by the lifeguards. For nightlife, head to Patong. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Flags checked: red means no swimming - [ ] Sunscreen and water - [ ] Know a public path to the sea - [ ] Cash for sunbeds and food - [ ] Sunset on the beach ## Phuket beaches: compare and choose Phuket beaches and bays rated by YesGo. - [Phi Phi Islands](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/phi-phi-islands) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200 - [Karon Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/karon-beach) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free - [Bang Tao Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/bang-tao-beach) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free - [Kamala Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/kamala-beach) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free - [James Bond Island](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/james-bond-island) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · park fee ≈ 300 baht ## Western Phuket in a day Bang Tao Beach in the morning, Kamala Beach in the afternoon, and Bangla Road in Patong in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Bang Tao Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/bang-tao-beach) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free 2. [Kamala Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/kamala-beach) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free 3. [Bangla Road](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/bangla-road) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free (street) ## Good to know Bang Tao Beach is in north-west Phuket. Laguna Phuket is the resort complex behind the beach, not a separate beach. It's also spelled Bang Thao — the same place. ## Tips - The quietest stretch is the middle of the beach, away from the clubs. - The calmest sea is from December to March. - On windy days, walk along the water but don't wade in deep. - Of the popular beaches, this one is closest to the airport. - Nearby: [Kamala Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/kamala-beach), 10–15 minutes south. ## Questions ### Can you swim at Bang Tao Beach? Yes, from November to April; from May to October only between the lifeguard flags. ### How long is Bang Tao Beach? About 6 km. ### Is Bang Tao a public beach? Yes, entry is free and you don't have to go through a hotel. ### How do I get to Bang Tao from the airport? About 25 km, 35–40 minutes by taxi. ### How do I get there from Patong? About 20 km north, 25–30 minutes by Grab or taxi. ### What is Laguna Phuket? The resort complex behind the beach, built on a former tin mine. ### Bang Tao or Patong? Bang Tao is quieter and roomier; Patong is for nightlife. ### When is the best time to visit Bang Tao? November to April. ## How we checked There are no English or Russian Wikipedia articles. Length: guides give 6–8 km, Thai Wikipedia says 'one of the longest' without a figure; we use about 6 km. The former tin mine is from Thai Wikipedia and the official Laguna Phuket website, which also gives 1984, 222 ha, seven years and 1,000 acres. Flag rules are from Phuket lifeguards; in line with YesGo policy we don't list incidents. Sunbed and beach club prices are left out. Distances are OSRM routes from the airport (25.4 km), Patong (19.5 km) and Old Town (23.4 km). ## Sources - Thai Wikipedia — Bang Tao Beach: length, sand, distance from town, former tin mines - Official Laguna Phuket website — resort history: 1984, 222 ha, seven years of rehabilitation, 1,000 acres - Phuket lifeguards and tourist police (local press, 2024–2025) — flags, current season - Wikidata Q16306319 — coordinates; OSRM route — distances --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.