Ban Tai on Koh Phangan is an average beach for those who want to stay close to civilization and don’t plan to spend most of their vacation on the beach. It’s packed with budget accommodations, has good infrastructure, and is close to Thong Sala, with a supermarket and hospital nearby.
Ban Tai looks pretty in good weather, especially from a distance—the views make for fantastic photos. Up close, though, the beauty is a bit more mixed: coarse sand with rocks in the surf, broken shells, a rocky seabed, shallow water, and parts of the shore reinforced with stone walls to prevent erosion.
When the sky is overcast, the beach loses its tropical paradise vibe and can feel a bit dull. I visited Ban Tai during the rainy season, so my photos were lacking in color, but in the sunny season, the landscapes are much more vibrant and appealing.
Beach Overview
Ban Tai is located on the southwest side of Koh Phangan. It’s one of the longest beaches on the island, stretching roughly 1.2 miles (2 km). However, it’s hard to pinpoint its exact length since it blends seamlessly with Ban Kai to the south and Ao Ban Charu to the west.
There’s no clear boundary between these beaches in terms of geography or infrastructure. The coastline forms one continuous curving line, with no headlands or rocky sections.
A road runs along the beach, lined with commercial and residential buildings, occasionally broken up by empty lots and palm groves. You can drive from Thong Sala and pass half of Ban Tai without even realizing where one area ends and the other begins.
The beach itself is relatively narrow, with the width ranging from 10 to 30 feet (3 to 10 meters) depending on the section. The sand is mostly coarse and dark, mixed with fragments of shells, coral, and who knows what else—especially noticeable just above the waterline.
Swimming
Although the shoreline has a decent slope, just 10 feet (3 meters) from the water’s edge, the seabed becomes extremely shallow. This makes it difficult for those who enjoy a full swim, as you’ll need to wade out anywhere from 160 to 650 feet (50 to 200 meters), depending on which part of Ban Tai you’re at, to find proper swimming depth.
If not for the trash on the beach, the murky water, and the rocks beneath the surface, Ban Tai could be a paradise for kids. On the bright side, it’s perfect for photoshoots. At midday, the sunlight reflects off the shallow water, creating stunning colors that are breathtaking.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture any sunny photos, but during the right weather, it’s a beautiful sight.Due to the shallowness, at high tide, many sections of the beach are completely submerged.
In areas where restaurants or resorts are close to the sea, you won’t be able to walk past them along the beach. Fortunately, the waves are calm during the high season.
Sunbeds and Shade
There are plenty of sunbeds on Ban Tai, though I didn’t see any formal rental spots. Most of the loungers belong to the resorts and hotels, but you’ll also find some grouped near bars. So, if a sunbed is essential for your beach day, you’ll be able to find one without too much trouble.
As for shade, the entire coastline is lined with trees, so it’s easy to find a spot under a palm tree. However, the shade only lasts until midday. As you can imagine, the west side of any island has this challenge.
By noon, the heat becomes intense, and it’s the perfect time to head for the pool and grab a cold cocktail.
Beach Photos
Amenities
As mentioned earlier, Ban Tai’s infrastructure gradually merges with that of Thong Sala, Koh Phangan’s main port and administrative center. In the middle of Ban Tai (closer to Ban Kai and Haad Rin), the infrastructure becomes more sparse.
Near Thong Sala, you’ll find everything from ATMs to supermarkets on both sides of the main road, while the other end of Ban Tai feels more like a tourist village. Most of the development is along the beachfront and the road.
Near the sea, you’ll find tourist accommodations, while commercial businesses are clustered around the road. In the center of Ban Tai, there’s a stadium and a branch of Bangkok Hospital, and towards Ban Kai, there’s a small marina for boats. Ban Tai also has Big C and Makro supermarkets, as well as several 7-Eleven stores.
Accommodation
Ban Tai has a wide variety of hotels and resorts, ranging from high-end options to budget guesthouses. Whether it’s high season or Full Moon Party time, you’ll always find somewhere to stay on this beach.
Speaking of the Full Moon Party, it’s only about a 20-minute ride by scooter or songthaew (pickup truck taxi) to Haad Rin, making Ban Tai a great alternative if you can’t find a room or don’t like the prices at Haad Rin.
I stayed in a hotel on Ban Tai that offered a great balance of price and quality. It was also a perfect base for exploring the island, as you can reach any part of Koh Phangan within 30 minutes by scooter.
I personally loved being close to Thong Sala and its food market, just a 5-minute ride to all the eateries and coffee shops. What’s characteristic of Ban Tai is that there’s a wide stretch of land between the main road and the beach, so most of the accommodation is on the beachfront, while there are plenty of empty lots behind the road. Since the beach is quite long, I’ve divided some great hotel options into sections for your convenience:
West, closer to Thong Sala. The beach is not as nice, but prices are lower:
- Sea Gate Beach Resort
- Coco Garden Resort
- The Nidhra
Center, the best part of the beach, except for the section near the river:
- Summer Luxury Beach Resort & Spa
- Rung Arun Resort
- First Villa Beach Resort
South, more authentic and farther from civilization:
- Sunshine Residence
- House on the Beach
- Papillon Bungalows
Hotels on Ban Tai Koh Phangan →
How to Find the Beach
Since I didn’t plan to explore all 1.2 miles (2 km) of Ban Tai, I headed to the beach at its northern end (coming from Thong Sala), near Beach Resort Hacienda. In fact, the hotel I stayed at was located close by.
At the moment, the density of development along the coastline still allows for easy access to the beach without worrying about private areas or security guards. I parked at Hacienda’s lot, checked out their gym and grounds, and then walked straight to the beach. You can find the resort’s location on the map below.
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