Chalong Bay

Chalong Bay

Chalong Bay or Ao Chalong is bay located on the east coast of Phuket. It is the largest bay of Phuket and the principal boat anchorage. The bay is 11 kilometres south of the town. Chalong bay is very picturesque but not suitable for swimming. Boats can be chartered to go to some small island south of Phuket. A number of restaurants are on the road leading to the bay.

Numerous boats span out from Chalong to nearby islands, including Koh Racha (Ko Raya),Koh Hae (Coral Island), and more.

Attractions aroung Chalong Bay

Wat Chalong is a beautiful Buddhist temple located on the southern end of the island. 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. Wat Chalong is about 8 kilometres outside town. Take Wichit Songkram Road to the bypass and turn left, and drive for about 10 minutes. Wat Chalong is on the left.

Accommodations

Mostly a stepping-stone for heading elsewhere, accommodation in Chalong is limited. Here are some recommended accommodations with detail;

• Boomerang Bungalow 58/16 Mu 10, Patak Road (Tel: 0 7628 1068-9, 0 7638 1690 Fax: 0 7628 1070), 10 rooms: 600-1,500 baht

• Father Bungalow 46/46 Tambon Chalong (Tel: 0 7628 1282 Fax: 0 7628 0975) 16 rooms: 600-900 baht

• Ao Chalong Bungalow 9/1 Mu 9, Ao Chalong (Tel: 0 7628 2175, 0 7638 1190), 20 rooms: 250 baht

• Big A Resort 67/18 Mu 4, Soi Suksan, Wiset Road (Tel: 0 7628 0786, 0 7638 3080 E-mail: bigasail@samart.co.th), 18 rooms: 700-1,000 baht