Scenic view across Evason, Ao Chalong, Phuket

Taken on: 7th April, 2011. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See travelfishery's page of Flickr

Read more about Ao Chalong

Unknowingly, many visitors find themselves briefly in Ao Chalong while they wait for a tour boat from the massive wharf that juts out into the sea. The broad waters of Chalong Bay overflow with speedboats, ferries, long-tails, and moored yachts. If you want to cut out the travel agency middle man, this is the place to hire a private boat for fishing or sightseeing trips off the south coast of Phuket.

While the multitude of boats is a bit unsightly, don't fret about missing out on any A-grade swimming — even if it weren't full of anchored boats, the beach isn't suitable for swimming, as the water here is shallow and murky. Come low tide, the water retreats significantly, leaving mud flats strewn with sharp oyster-covered rocks — it ain't pretty.

There is some swimming though, towards Ao Chalong's southern end, which is better known as Friendship Beach. It's still not great, but if you're desperate for a dip, this is the area to head to. For less ... Read our complete Ao Chalong travel guide

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