Crystal Bay Yacht Club Beach Resort, Silver Beach Resort & Restaurant and Crystal Bay Resort are the names of three hotels situated on the steep slopes of a mountain around Tong Takian bay.
Due to the fact that on the internet Tongtakian beach is called by all four names, confusion and unnecessary arguments often arise on forums. The correct way to say it is “Tongtakian” with emphasis on the last “a”.
Beach Overview
Tongtakian Beach (Thongtakian Beach) is small in size and has a very cosy location in one of the hard-to-reach areas of Koh Samui. The beach is about 1000 feet (300 m) long, and the shoreline stretches from northwest to southeast.
On both sides, Tongtakian beach is protected by steep, round rocks, and access to the sea is only possible through the territory of one of the two hotels: Crystal Bay Yacht Club and Silver Beach Resort.
The sand at Tongtakian is light yellow, almost white with a mixture of coral fragments and shells. On the main beach, the sand is finer and cleaner, while closer to the southeastern edge there are deposits of wave-worn corals. The width of the beach is almost 100 feet (30 meters), uniform along the entire length of Tong Takian.
The cleanliness on the beach is maintained perfectly, there’s even some division of boundaries between Crystal Bay Yacht Club and Silver Beach Resort – the staff of the latter smooth out the sand every morning with a special tool, showing increased attention to the comfort of their clients.
Despite the isolation and apparent inaccessibility from the Ring Road, tourists have long figured out what’s what, constantly come here to relax and actively share their impressions of the neat, beautiful Tongtakian beach on the internet.
Even in the low season, the popularity of this place makes itself known in the form of a full car park at Silver Beach hotel and a large number of holidaymakers on the beach.
In case anyone is interested in reading about other places, I have a brief overview of all Samui beaches which will help you decide which beach to choose.
Swimming
Tongtakian’s depth is comfortable for holidays with children, because the even, gentle shore slowly descends without abrupt changes over 328 feet (100 meters). Fifty steps from the surf line, the depth reaches 3 feet (one meter), which is chest-deep for an average-height adult. The beach bottom is sandy, pleasant, with clear water and clean entry.
About 16 feet (5 meters) after entering, your feet begin to get tangled in unpleasant seaweed thickets, which are often washed ashore during good wave action. High waves, on normal days, are relatively rare at Tongtakian.
Sunbeds and Shade
The beach is separated from the territory of all three hotels by a low stone border, which outsiders are forbidden to climb. All sun loungers and beach umbrellas are on private property and inaccessible to visiting tourists. Therefore, you should bring everything of your own, though you can limit yourself to just a beach mat.
At Tongtakian there are several huge, sprawling trees under which about twenty people can easily fit. There’s no shade from rocks and stones on the beach, but there are paths on the slopes of the mountain which you can climb to take an excellent panoramic shot of the entire beach.
Beach Photos
Amenities
The area where Tongtakian beach is located is off the beaten track from the bustling Lamai. Immediately around these three hotels there is nothing except a few commercial organisations and a couple of mini-markets.
Hotel guests are provided with a full range of services, and if you wish to participate in the island life – you can take a car ride towards Lamai. After three minutes of leisurely driving, all its joys will be available: from grocery shops to the red light district.
If you go towards Chaweng, after 1000 feet (300 meters) there’s a decent restaurant on the rocks called “The Cliff”. On the beach there are several bamboo gazebos where they do massages at prices slightly higher than usual.
Bars and restaurants are located on hotel grounds; there is no rental of water equipment or gear at Tongtakian. The nearest accessible attractions, within ten minutes’ drive from the beach:
- Elephant Rock;
- Viewpoint at the pass between Lamai and Chaweng;
- Royal Samui Golf & Country Club.
Accommodation
The local beaches are entirely bordered by posh hotels and villas. Tongtakian itself is occupied by the three aforementioned establishments, and within 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometres) around there isn’t a single reasonably budget private rental accommodation.
Only hotels and villas. After driving around the area, looking at luxurious buildings and fences, you’ll eventually come to a simple conclusion – it’s an expensive area. If you want to book a hotel here in advance or look for accommodation on other beaches, I have a selection of hotels on Samui with good ratings and reviews.
UPDATE from February 2018: in addition to the hotels mentioned at the beginning of the article, two more resorts have appeared on the beach, and now there are five hotels in total at Tong Takian. I’m giving you links to all establishments, open them in additional tabs so you don’t forget:
- Crystal Bay Yacht Club 3
- Silver Beach Resort 3
- Crystal Bay Beach Resort 3
- Promtsuk Buri 3
- Thongtakian Resort 3
How to Find the Beach
The main thing when looking for the turnoff to the car park of one of the two hotels (Crystal Bay Yacht Club 3, Silver Beach Resort 3) is not to rush. For people who have never been to Thailand and aren’t used to the landscapes and scale, it will be difficult to navigate at high speed.
The island is small, everything is very close here and appears suddenly. The landmark for those coming from Chaweng is “The Cliff” restaurant, after which, on the same side, the sign for Crystal Bay Beach Resort 3 will appear. You pass it and after 100 feet (30 meters) there will be the Silver Beach hotel car park.
And for those who are driving from Lamai – the landmark is “IT Complex Samui”, after which 650 feet (200 meters) later before starting the climb uphill you need to turn right, onto the territory of Crystal Bay Yacht Club. Then – follow your nose towards the sea with your things and drinks.
