Chalong Bay 
Chalong's muddy East Coast shoreline makes it rather unsuitable
for swimming but it's an ideal and natural spot for yacht mooring.
As well as the Boat Lagoon, Yacht Haven and Royal Phuket Marina,
Chalong is a centre for intense boating
activity. Early mornings and late afternoons are the busiest times
at Chalong, when diving and day trip groups are bundled on and off
boats. The Ao Chalong Yacht Club, which organises regular sailing
races, makes its base here, and its bar is a favourite spot for
sailors to swap yarns and party.
Chalong's most noticeable feature is its 720-metre long, seven-metre
wide jetty, which replaced the rickety old wooden pier in 2001.
A parking area and a number of restaurants, shops, tourist information
kiosks and open-air waiting areas have been built to serve the many
visitors passing through. There's also a one-stop customs, immigration
and harbour master service to assist visiting vessels, as well as
a new marine rescue centre.
Chalong's many informal restaurants, bars and cafes are worth exploring,
particularly the two Kan Eang restaurants, notable for their
fresh seafood and attentive service. Another well known seafood
restaurant is 'Palai Seafood' past the Phuket Zoo. Another
favourite spot is Jimmy's Lighthouse, where a sundowner is
not just a drink - it's an event.
Yachties, divers and water sports enthusiasts are well served by
Chalong's many amenities, ranging from motor repair services to
maritime equipment sales and rentals, to fishing and charter tour
companies, all found along and around the road leading to the pier.
For accommodation,
there are a few bungalow and apartment-style spots to stay right
in Chalong and further inland as well as B&B's along nearby
Chao Fa (East) Rd.
Chalong Nightlife
Chalong has grown over the past few years from a sleepy little
port to a bustling and vibrant centre of activity and its nightlife
reflects these changes. Once there were shophouse bars, seedy karaoke
'clubs' and cheap fly-by-night restaurants; now there are quality
eateries, bar strips and the biggest English pub in the south of
Thailand.
The range of nightlife in Chalong is surprising, given its size.
On the waterfront alone the visitor can enjoy early evening drinks
at Jimmy's Lighthouse - one of the area's most recognizable
spots - eat fresh seafood at Kan
Eang@Pier, drink beer with expats at the Tamarind Bar and
finish the evening off in the newly built beer bars just up the
road.
Only a few hundred metres inland there are French, German and Swiss
restaurants, any number of friendly establishments to choose from.
The Green Man is an authentic British Pub with great food
and a fine selection of imported beers, including draught Guinness.
Well known and loved by people from all over the island, the Green
Man plays host to all kinds of special events, including a Thursday
night pub quiz, Friday curry nights and Sunday roasts. The owner,
Howard, is a sparkling conversationalist and is often around to
chat with his guests.
With a strong police presence Chalong is a safe place to party
but this also means that its watering holes close on time (with
the occasional exception of the beer bars near the pier). See also our clickable Chalong
Map or our Phuket
Photo Tour. |
