Bang Tao Beach is the long sweep of sand on Phuket’s west coast, with the Laguna resorts behind it. Walking along it, you see one stretch at a time. From a helicopter the whole curve of the bay comes into view, with the resorts behind the sand, the hills rising inland and the Andaman Sea in front. It is the first sight on the shortest route on the Phuket hub, and it also appears on the west-coast flight.
The Phuket Laguna and East Coast 15-Minute Helicopter Tour is the natural choice. In about 15 minutes, the route passes Bang Tao Beach and the Laguna resorts, crosses the mountains to the marinas of the east coast, with their bays, mangroves and yachts, and returns over the interior of the island. A seat costs from THB 9,900. It is the shortest flight in this collection, and it shows both of Phuket’s coasts in a single loop.
The Phuket West Coast 30-Minute Helicopter Tour passes Bang Tao as well, near the start of a longer run down the coast. Its route begins with Surin, Kamala and Bang Tao, circles the Big Buddha and continues past Patong Bay, Karon and Kata to Phromthep Cape. It takes about 30 minutes and costs from THB 18,900 per seat.
The route is fixed, but weather or air traffic control can change it, and the pilot makes the final call on weather and safety, with a final weather check 2 to 3 hours before departure. On the short route, the beach comes up within minutes of take-off, so have your camera ready from the start, and look back along the coast as the helicopter turns inland.
Every tour starts and ends at the helipad near Phuket airport, where guests can use the helipad lounge, and your check-in time is confirmed after booking. Arrive at least 20 minutes before that time for the mandatory safety briefing. Hotel transfers are included only if listed in your booking confirmation. Tours allow no luggage beyond small personal items such as a handbag, and only bottled water is allowed on board; phones and cameras are welcome.
Each tour is sold by the seat, in a six-passenger helicopter with emergency floats and noise-cancelling headsets. On a shared flight you may fly with other guests, and the crew assigns the seats. To fly private, you book all 6 seats, and the whole helicopter is yours.
No minimum age is stated; children under 2 sit on a parent’s lap, children under 12 must fly with an adult, and pregnant passengers need a medical certificate. There is no free cancellation: cancelling more than 3 days before departure costs 25% of the fare, from 3 days to 3 hours before costs 50%, and later cancellations or no-shows pay the full fare. Rebooking is free more than 24 hours before departure. If the flight is cancelled for weather or safety, you can rebook free of charge or get a full refund (bank fees may be deducted).
Flights run all year, during daylight hours. In the rainy green season from about May, showers usually come in short bursts in the late afternoon, so morning flights are best, and the rain clears the haze for sharp views. To see the beach and both coasts on the shortest route, book the 15-minute Laguna and east coast tour.
Se Bang Tao Beach från luften: Phuket · Phuket Laguna and East Coast 15-Minute Helicopter Tour.