Phuket’s secret beach

Phuket’s very own Bang Tao Beach has been named by Forbe’s as one of Asia’s Best Beaches.  To make the decision, Forbe’s assembled a panel of experts; Graham Uden, a photographer based in Hong Kong; John Borthwick, a Sydney based travel writer; Bart Kluskens, a marine Biologist and conservation advisor in Cambodia; Anchalika Kijkanakorn, who runs two hotels in Thailand; Robert Carmack, a food stylist, cookbook author and leader of Asian food tours; and Eliza Anderson of Intrepid Travel, an adventure tour operator for small groups.

Bang Tao Beach which is just a few minutes away from one of Phuket’s more popular tourist destinations, Surin Beach, is far quieter and has yet to be invaded by thousands of holiday makers.  Even with it’s numerous five star hotels, such as the prestigious Banyan Tree Phuket, dotted along it’s 9km length it is still possible to find deserted parts at most times of the year.

The length of Bang Tao Beach always means you can find your own private space away from the crowds, the northern end of the beach in particular being very quiet.

Graham Uden, who has captured scenes in countries from Oman to Laos, advises visitors to try Bang Tao Beach to get away from the crowds…”I like that it’s in the north [of Phuket Island], because it’s quiet and it has these little offshore islands…It hasn’t got thousands of European holiday makers lying on the beach.”

In fact, if you know where to look, there are many of these quiet, secluded beaches all over the west coast of Phuket.  These ‘secret beaches’ are mostly only known to the locals, but if you’re lucky you may meet someone willing to show you.