Chalong Bay
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Understand
This is Phuket's principal boat anchorage and the island's largest bay, 11 km south of the town. It is picturesque, but not suitable for swimming. Boats can be chartered to go to some small islands south of Phuket. A number of restaurants and bars dot the road leading to the bay.
The centre of Chalong is the Chalong Circle, a roundabout two-thirds of the way from Phuket town to Rawai. Five roads converge here. From here:
The centre of Chalong is the Chalong Circle, a roundabout two-thirds of the way from Phuket town to Rawai. Five roads converge here. From here:
- head south to Rawai on Rte 4024
- head west to Kata/Karon on Rte 4028
- NNW to Patong on Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd
- NNE to Phuket town on Chao Fah Tawan Ok Rd
- east to the Chalong Pier on Sunrise Rd, less than 1 km in length, locus of Chalong's night life.
Get in
Numerous boats sail out from Chalong to nearby islands, including Ko Hae (Coral Island), Ko Racha, (Ko Raya) and more.
Get around
Do yourself a favour and rent and learn to ride a motorbike if you're staying in the area for more than a day or so. Otherwise various types of taxis are your best bet, but they're not easy to find.
See
Big BuddhaHuge white marble Buddha image visible from much of the island. 45 m tall and nearly as wide, it's one of the larger seated Buddhas in Thailand, if not the world. Seated on the highest point on the island it commands spectacular views and is accessible via a fun 6 km drive up the mountain.
Wat ChalongA beautiful Buddhist temple between Chalong and Phuket town. This is where stands the cast statue of Luang Pho Cham, who helped the people of Phuket put down the Angyee, or Chinese Coolie Rebellion, in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are also statues of Luang Pho Chuang, and Luang Pho Cham, abbots of the temple during later times.
Do
As the main boat harbour for Phuket Island, many diving companies have now relocated here from other areas. Most of Phuket's speed boat, fishing boats, snorkelling companies, and yacht charters are also located here. Destinations include Coral Island, Phi Phi Island, and Ko Racha for day trips, snorkelling, diving, and deep sea fishing.
Chalong has a shooting range, elephant rides, go kart track, paint ball, and horse riding. One "must-do" is to drive up to the famous Big Buddha which overlooks Phuket town, Chalong Bay, numerous islands. On a clear day even Phi Phi Island, 60 km distant, can be seen.
Chalong has a shooting range, elephant rides, go kart track, paint ball, and horse riding. One "must-do" is to drive up to the famous Big Buddha which overlooks Phuket town, Chalong Bay, numerous islands. On a clear day even Phi Phi Island, 60 km distant, can be seen.
Learn
Chalong and Rawai especially is home to almost a dozen muay Thai gyms. If you're interested in a one day lesson or a six month training stint, it's a good place to look. Two gyms below, but there are at least half a dozen more within a 4 km radius.
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address: 15 Moo 1, Chao Fah Rd, ChalongSomewhat smaller and cosier gym, very family feel. The gym can host about 40-50 students. Trainers are solid, all of the direct training is 1 on 1. The place is very cheap relative to many gyms and has a lot of perks including a private swimming pool, and a muay Thai stadium that hosts weekly matches which students can watch for free. In-camp restaurant is very good and affordable. Motorbike rentals are also available to students.
Tiger Muay ThaiMuch larger gym, caters more heavily to foreigners. Facility is massive and very new.
Buy
In Chalong it's possible to buy scuba equipment at wholesale prices if you're a registered Thai company. Diving professionals will get good deals on equipment from the local distributors. Scuba and freediving day trips to the islands, and fishing trips and boat charters are available.
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address: 43/60 Moo 5, Soi DivingPolish-run diving centre.
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Home Pro Village Chalong
address: 10 Chao Fah Tawan Tok RdSmall shopping mall in Chalong including Villa Market which specialises in Western foodstuffs. -
We Freedive (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
phone: +66 83 1857289address: Patak RdA specialty shop of high quality freediving equipment, some of which they produce themselves. Come here for custom freediving wetsuits, freediving fins and fin bags, masks, noseclips, floats, lanyards.
Eat
Chalong has just about every type of restaurant. Delicious and cheap local Thai food is available as well as Italian, Mexican, burgers, Indian, fish and chips, MK hot pot and Kentucky Fried Chicken and fresh bakeries. The area features some of the very best Thai seafood waterfront restaurants.
Most of the better places to get food are local spots. They tend to be cheaper and better than anything geared towards Westerners. However, there are several cheap guest house/restaurants along Ta Lat Rd just off Rte 4021.
Most of the better places to get food are local spots. They tend to be cheaper and better than anything geared towards Westerners. However, there are several cheap guest house/restaurants along Ta Lat Rd just off Rte 4021.
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phone: +66 76 381212Upscale, very expensive restaurant serving Thai and Japanese food, mostly seafood. No Western food. Perennially ranked among Ko Phuket's great restaurants. Gorgeous setting on the water, a great place for a romantic dinner except that the place has screw-ups: cheap paper napkins and floodlights in trees instead of candles or table lighting. Caesar salad served here bears no resemblance to the real thing. Vegetarians should avoid this place. Sister restauranat Kan Eng 2 is about 3 km up the bay in the direction of Phuket town on the bay front.
Momma'sOpen-air restaurant, not too crowded usually. Prices/portions are good, the Thai food is better than the Western food.
Mr. IndiaBest Indian food in Phuket. Patak Rd, going towards the Chalong Pier.
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Sabai Sabai Restaurant and Cooking School
phone: +66 89 6486843address: Patak RdSabai Sabai has traditional Thai dishes and some favourites like the roast duck pancakes and the best burger on the island. Ton, the owner, used to work as a chef in the UK before coming back to Thailand, where she now runs this very friendly and welcoming restaurant that has become a favourite with the local expats. Tony's PlaceOpen-air restaurant that gets very busy due to the large number of muay Thai gyms in the area. Prices are affordable, the Thai food is better than the Western food.
Drink
Chalong now has numerous beach front bars and street bars, mostly centred on Sunrise Rd between Chalong Circle and the pier. Many beer bars with ladies, but the scene is sedate and you would not be remiss taking your family there.
Sleep
Mostly a stepping-stone for heading elsewhere, accommodation in Chalong ranges from 200 baht to luxury resorts. Chalong is a very good spot to stay before going diving or out on the water as it is only a short walk to the boats instead of travelling from the better known tourist areas up to one hour away.