Chalong Beach

Chalong Beach

Chalong, located on the east-central side of Phuket, is a colourful combination of a port, residential area and shopping hub. Here, you will find the spiritual centre of the island with the striking hilltop Big Buddha and the beautifully ornate Wat Chalong. Chalong Bay is also a departure point for the many surrounding islands such as Coral Island with its sensational diving and snorkeling opportunities.

Chalong's muddy East Coast shoreline makes it rather unsuitable for swimming but it's an ideal and natural spot for yacht mooring. As well as the Boat Lagoon, Yacht Haven and Royal Phuket Marina, Chalong is a centre for intense boating activity. Early mornings and late afternoons are the busiest times at Chalong, when diving and day trip groups are bundled on and off boats. The Ao Chalong Yacht Club, which organises regular sailing races, makes its base here, and its bar is a favourite spot for sailors to swap yarns and party.

Chalong's most noticeable feature is its 720-metre long, seven-metre wide jetty, which replaced the rickety old wooden pier in 2001. A parking area and a number of restaurants, shops, tourist information kiosks and open-air waiting areas have been built to serve the many visitors passing through. There's also a one-stop customs, immigration and harbour master service to assist visiting vessels, as well as a new marine rescue centre. 

Chalong is the main centre of water activities in Phuket and is conveniently close by nearby islands where many people enjoy taking day trips to. One of these is Koh Hae (aka Coral Island) about four kilometres southeast of Phuket. This lovely island is home to many hard corals (i.e. brain, boulder and table corals) and a rocky sea bed. It is a good spot to view many interesting types of tropical marine life such as parrot fish, groupers and butterfly fish. Koh Hae is quite small, only 800 metres from north to south, and about three kilometres from east to west. The island’s two beautiful white sandy beaches are ideal to relax on after swimming and snorkeling. 

Seafood and Restaurants on Chalong Beach

Chalong Beach has become a popular place for unpretentious, economically priced dining. Two of the most famous restaurants on Phuket Island are located here, the two Kan Eang restaurants, which primarily serve seafood. Indeed, seafood is the main focus of the restaurants of Chalong Beach, but many people say that the Thai food here is the best on Phuket Island.

A Chalong institution, Jimmy's Bar and Grill serves Thai and American food at reasonable prices. Other places receiving good recommendations are Mr. India Restaurant, Dos Passos (Mexican food), and Happy Days (British and Thai food).

Accommodation on Chalong Bay

Chalong Beach also has plenty of accommodation, much of it in the budget category. These are being found on Ao Chalong Road. In the under 600 baht a night category are Happy Days and Ao Chalong Mansion, and in the southern part of Chalong Beach, also known as Freedom Beach, Darrin Bungalows.

In the 600 baht to 1,500 baht a night range are Ao Chalong Inn, Jimmy's Lighthouse and the Shanti Lodge.

There are several places for the midrange traveler and for those desiring luxury, there is the Evason, a "bastion of unparalleled lushness and luxury" in Friendship Beach.

Nightlife & Shopping

Chalong Beach has a relatively active nightlife. It does not have go-go bars, but has a fair number of karaoke clubs, open air bars and beach bars. They are concentrated around the Chalong traffic circle and extend outward from there.

Shopping in Chalong is satisfactory. There are plenty of small shops, even if their products tend to be similar. There is also a Lotus Tesco 100 meters from the Chalong traffic circle. For those who want more opportunity, Phuket town, with its malls and specialty shops, is only a 10 minute drive away.

From Phuket Town to Chalong Beach

Being so close to Phuket town, it is not too difficult for those in Chalong to take advantage of the island's poor public transportation system. Sangthaews, or public buses, run regularly between Chalong and Phuket town during the daylight hours, so transportation between Phuket town and Chalong is fairly easy, as is transportation to points south of Chalong.

From Phuket town, one can catch sangtheaws to any part of Phuket Island. At least during the daylight hours. Phuket town has metered taxis, so it is possible to return to Chalong Beach at night for a small taxi fee.