Haad Chao Phao is a small stretch of shoreline on the west coast which is located just after Sri Thanu beach (also known as Srithanu) if you’re driving along the main road from Thong Sala towards the north of the island. The main feature that makes it different from many beaches in this part of Phangan is its seclusion from prying eyes.
Between the road and the sea lies a green mass of palm grove and the beach isn’t visible at all through the trees. The entire beachfront at Chao Phao is occupied by several resorts and bungalow complexes and their guests are essentially the only visitors to the beach.
Beach Overview
Chao Phao beach is very short – it stretches for just about 330 feet (hundred metres) but it’s a very charming 330 feet with very few people around. The reason for the low number of visitors I think is that tourists who aren’t aware of the beach’s existence simply pass it by. Let’s face it I myself constantly zoomed past it on my scooter without paying attention to the small patch of forest near the road.
It was only later at the hotel while looking at the map that I realised there was a tiny unknown beach right under my nose. Exploring the area showed that the sand at Chao Phao is fine light-coloured and often contains small stones and shells especially in the area where the waves stop rolling onto the sand.
Overall I’d say that Chaopao’s location is very convenient for a beach holiday. If that’s your main goal and you’ve settled right here then you’ll have three beaches within walking distance: Chao Phao itself as well as Sri Thanu (also known as Srithanu) and Ao Niad (also known as Zenbeach). There’s a catch: you can’t walk directly along the shore to reach them – Chaopao is bordered by treacherous rocks on both sides.
Also these beaches are on the same level as the main road meaning they’re not on slopes. If you walk along the main road there are no descents or ascents which is important when you’re on foot. If you stand on Chaopao facing the sea Zen and Srithanu will be to your left and to your right behind a hill hides Haad Son beach and its Secret Beach but it’s a bit tricky to walk there through the hills on foot and there’s not much point in running there every day.
Swimming
The water entry is a downside of Chao Phao beach but I wouldn’t say that other beaches on the west of Phangan can boast anything different. The shore slopes gently under the water creating a very shallow bottom and the entrance to the sea is long and shallow. You won’t be able to find a spot 10 feet (three metres) from the shore with a normal depth where your feet wouldn’t touch the bottom while swimming.
Notably the situation doesn’t improve even at high tide – at low tide you’ll need to walk towards the horizon for about 30 feet (8-10 metres) and only then will the depth allow the sea to rise to the level of your shoulders but no more. Simply put the depth here is standard for the entire western Phangan and is perfect for holidaymakers who come with small children – it’s a paradise and blessing for them.
Sunbeds and Shade
I noticed sun loungers on the resort grounds near the bungalows and as for shade – there are loads of trees on the beach and plenty of spots where you can hide from the sun. Although it should be noted that the forest doesn’t grow as a solid wall so there are gaps in places where there’s nowhere to hide.
Let me remind you that the shade issue will bother you at most until lunchtime and then the sun will reach its zenith and begin to set facing you – Chaopao is on the west remember?
Beach Photos
Amenities
The beach infrastructure includes resorts for accommodation and several beachside cafes and massage huts geared towards the laziest guests (with corresponding prices) while more facilities and services are located further away on the main road.
In principle if you haven’t come here for a long-term stay but for a short holiday the resort and beach infrastructure is quite enough to spend all two weeks in one place without leaving. Beach, sea, cocktails and massage – all this is available at Chao Pao.
There are no shops on Chao Pao beach itself although for such a short beach that would be more of a nonsense than a norm. All the commercial infrastructure is either on the main road opposite the beach or on the same road but closer to Sri Thanu beach.
Near Sri Thanu there’s absolutely everything you need for independent living even if you’re staying in a rented house with your own kitchen: bike rentals, shops, currency exchanges, a 7-Eleven convenience store, fruit and vegetable stalls, two yoga centres and more. Time-wise it’s about a 10-minute walk from Chao Pao no more.
Chao Pao’s attractions are the same as those at Srithanu or Ao Niad: Sweet Water Lake (a former tin mine that was flooded with fresh water) and the Srithanu Buddhist temple although walking there is quite a distance. For all other attractions and interesting places on Phangan you’ll need to use transport.
Accommodation
Chao Pao beach is a world of its own. Short, secret and uncrowded with decent resorts occupying the entire coastline. Here for example are two main ones with excellent ratings:
- Paragon Resort & Spa
- Seaflower Bungalows
By and large there’s no difference where to stay in the Chao Pao beach area. Whether on the road or on the beach itself because everything is so compact that the hotel location doesn’t make much difference. Except when it’s absolutely crucial for you to live right on the shore.
If you’re coming from Thong Sala then closer to the end of the beach on the road there will be a sign for Hut Sun Bungalow. It’s not worth staying any further as there’s a hill towards Had Son.
How to Find the Beach
FamilyMart can serve as a landmark near which there’s a road leading straight to the beach through the Paragon Resort & Spa. Generally walking to beaches through private resort territories is a normal situation for Phangan.
