Bang Tao Beach on Phuket’s west coast is the Pearl of the Andaman’s second longest beach, measuring more than eight kilometers in length.

The popular golden sandy beach is home to a variety of resorts, featuring the Best Western hotel at its southernmost point and the collection of luxurious five-star resorts of Laguna, including the Dusit Thani and the Banyan Tree to the north and plenty more in between.

Because of the length of its beachfront, Bang Tao Beach is home to a myriad of different resorts and, as a result, it has plenty to offer for travelers of all budgets and during the high season months of November to April.

During this period, the beach is full of life both during the day, when people can be found relaxing on the golden sand, soaking up the sun, and at night when many venture out to enjoy a meal at one of Bang Tao Beach’s many sea front restaurants.

The beach is home to the same colourful hawkers and touts you would expect to find on any beach in Thailand, selling anything from barbecued corn and spicy papaya salad (som tam), to sarongs and bandanas.

They tend to congregate around the middle and the southern end of the golden strip of Bang Tao Beach sand, which comes as no surprise as that is where the majority of the beach’s sun bed’s lie.

The northern end of the beach, close to Layan Beach is significantly quieter and is a good place to go to escape the masses if you wish to enjoy a couple of hours well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Bang Tao Beach is also a popular exercise spot for a number of locals and Thais alike you take advantage of its size, running or walking up and down just as the sun is rising or setting when the temperatures are a little more bearable.

As you would expect, the sea off Bang Tao Beach is warm all year round and is perfect for swimming in during the high season when the west coast is protected from the wind.

There are a number of water sports available on the beach, including kayaking, windsurfing and scuba diving.

Sitting on Phuket’s west coast, Bang Tao Beach affords its visitors some truly stunning sunsets which can be enjoyed from any number of establishments while sampling a thirst quenching cocktail or a fresh coconut juice.