Chalong Bay is rigidly associated with all things nautical. The muddy shoreline makes it unsuitable for recreational swimming but the Ao Chalong Yacht Club makes its base here. Many depart from Chalong Pier to visit beautiful Phang Nga Bay, island hop or go on diving and snorkelling excursions. The area also hosts activities such as golf, go-karting, climbing, shooting and paintball. Our Chalong villas are a perfect choice to enjoy this lovely location.
Chalong is located in the southern east coast of Phuket and its sheltered bay is a popular spot for yachts to drop anchor, they are welcomed by the two beachfront yacht clubs.
A one stop shop of Immigration, Customs and Harbour has been established in an office on Chalong Pier where all visiting yachts to Phuket now have to check in and register on arrival. There is also a commercial port for a re-supply to the small islands to the south. Chalong is the main departure point for many of the boat trips to the islands of Phang Nga bay and the diving and fishing tours to the various island locations closer to the Phuket mainland.
There are twin jetties serving the various boats with the smaller one for long tail boats and the larger and longer 800m pier for the speedboats and larger tour boats. This is served by a shuttle bus service. There is a scene of much activity in the morning and evening as the tours depart and return.
The town itself is behind the bay - it is busy and has a couple of shopping malls and supermarkets which supply everything you need for every day living without having to venture outside the area. Many expat foreigners from Europe choosing Phuket to live or to spend the winter months have chosen this area to make their home, rather than the more expensive tourist areas of the west coast further north.
Beaches
Chalong Beach
The main Chalong beach by the pier is mainly taken up with boats and commercial activity, the sand is yellow and grittier and tides cover any beach completely at high tide.
Friendship Beach
This beach is a continuation of Chalong beach in the bay,it is further south away from the pier and apart from walking along to it at low tide is only accessible through the hotel resorts that it borders. The tides are very low and the wide expanse of sand to the sea is a few hundred meters away. There is little beach left when the tide is high.
Spa and Wellbeing
Spa 42
Chalong's main destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether for massage, reflexology, or beauty treatments, Spa 42 offers a great place to spend an hour or the whole day
www.pierfortytwo.com
The Atmanjai Wellness Spa & Detox Center
Located within the Friendship Beach Resort resort compound, Atmanjai is an internationally known healing and detox center hosting clients from all over the world. Guests can choose from a variety of different spa treatments. Atmanjai also offers full intensive detox, cleansing and healing programmes that feature some of Phuket's premier therapists and health practitioners.
There is a host of activities and attractions in Chalong
Big Buddha
The Big Buddha is one of Phuket's newest attractions standing 45metres high and situated on top of Nakkerd Hill looking over the south west and southern bays of Chalong, Rawai and Kata. This is an amazing spiritual and respectful place with fantastic views.
Wat Chalong
This temple is located near Chalong and is the most important of the 29 Buddhust temples in Phuket, it is set in a large area and consists of a main temple and a few other temples in the grounds. Whilst tourists admire the ornate buildings, life for the monks continues with their daily rituals.
Private Boat Charter
There are many boat charter companies now based in Chalong Bay for you to have private trips to the many islands in Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea. Recommended by our villa owners are the following companies
www.offsprayleisure.com
www.coralseekers.com
Coral Island
A 15 minute boat trip will take you to this compact little island which has sensational diving and snorkelling opportunities. It also has 2 beautiful beaches namely Long Beach and Banana beach where you will see people standing in the crystal clear water feeding breadcrumbs to hundreds of teeming fish!
Kiteboarding
The wide expansive sands and shallow waters make this an ideal location for kiteboarding in Chalong Bay
Kiteboardin Asia (KBA)
www.kiteboardingasia.com
Kite Zone
www.kitesurfingphuket.com
Deep Sea Fishing Trips
Enjoy one of the worlds most rewarding pursuits of deep sea fishing, Chalong is only 1 - 1 1/2 hours away from the main fishing "hotspots" of Koh Racha, The Pinnacles and the Drop Off. By far the most popular destination is Koh Racha, as the beautiful island trips offer a great chance for a swim and snorkel to cool off during lunch.
www.wahoo.ws
www.chalongseasport.com
Diving and Snorkelling trips
There are many Diving/Snorkelling trip operators to the islands to the south of Phuket. See the amazing marine life in crystal clear waters.
Phuket Bird Park
A beautifully arranged plot of hillside land has exotic flora, winding paths, odd memorabilia, no less than three cafés, a souvenir shop and of course hundreds of beautiful birds from all around the tropical world.
Shopping
Chalong is not a major shopping destination, but it does have 2 shopping malls with supermarkets in or close to the town. It is sufficient for everyday needs, you'll only need to travel to Phuket Town or the west coast towns and villages to have more choice for souvenir hunting.
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 Kentuky Fried Chicken. More importantly the area features some of the very best Thai Seafood waterfront restaurants.
Due to the large foreign expat community the restaurants here live off these regular customers and the prices in the Chalong restaurants are reasonable with the owners wishing to protect their reputation with both Thai's and the expats. Tourist visiting from the more popular west coast towns experience a higher standard of cuisine at lower prices and a different face of the island of Phuket.
Kan Eang@Pier
A restaurant favoured by local Thai and visitors for more than 30 years, serving fresh seafood, Thai specialities, BBQ and select Japanese dishes.
www.kaneang-pier.com
Vset
VSET, which in Thai means 'extraordinary', to be a place of superlative food, in addition it has quaint décor and a warm atmosphere.
http://www.vsetrestaurant.com/
O2 Beach Club
The East coast's only beachclub has a restaurant serving International and Thai food, bar, swimming pool, volleyball court and a kiddies play area.
The Green Man Pub & Restaurant
A family style restaurant and pub.The kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items. International, Thai food and of course pub food are available - something for everyone's liking. The venue has a wine cellar and cigar room for the adults and a playground for the children.
Chalong Bay features a sizzling nightlife with its several English style pubs. The bars in Chalong rarely stray from the ubiquitous combination of bar stools, darts board and/or pool table, fairy lights and bar hostesses. They are mostly frequented by local expats. At night the road that leads to the pier lights up with local bars, cafes and restaurants.
Thailand Retreats Ltd Trading as Thailand Retreats. Company No. 84649 4 Warwick House, St. Saviour, Jersey, Channel Islands
