Bang Rak · Beaches
Bang Rak Beach
Big Buddha Beach
The long bay below the golden Big Buddha on the northeast coast. About 4 km of relaxed, uncrowded sand with ferry piers for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Very tidal: narrow at high tide, huge and shallow at low tide. Swimming is mediocre - convenience and views are the draw.
- Free
- Bang Rak
- about 2 hours
Insider tips
- Direct views of the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) from the sand; the east end by Bang Rak pier is busy with Koh Phangan ferry traffic, so swim west of the pier.
The story
Bang Rak - usually called Big Buddha Beach because the 12-metre golden Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) stands on the headland above it - is a long bay of about 4 kilometres on the northeast coast. The beach has two faces: the water shelves very shallowly, so at high tide the sand strip is narrow, while at low tide a huge flat opens up and you walk a long way to wet your knees. The water is often murky, and proper swimming is only comfortable in the central section near the piers; guides rate it as one of the weaker swimming beaches, though fine for children splashing.
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The sand is fine and grey-white in the east, coarser and reddish in the busier west. Two piers (including the Bangrak/Lomlahk Khirin high-speed pier) run ferries and speedboats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, making this the most convenient beach for island-hopping. The atmosphere is relaxed and local, never truly crowded.
You can watch planes take off over the bay from the nearby airport. Access is free along the beach road; the Big Buddha temple and the colourful Wat Plai Laem are a few minutes away and both free.
Good to know
- Open 24 hours
- Free
- about 2 hours
- High tide for water; late afternoon for Big Buddha views; matched to ferry times if island-hopping
- Fully weather dependent
- Family friendly: Yes
- Good for couples: Yes
- Good for groups: Yes
- Scooter access: Yes
- Car access: Yes
Live view
The Sunset Bar - Bang Rak beach
Plan a visit
Free route: you go by your own scooter, car or on foot and we work out the order. Private tour: a local driver picks you up and takes you.
Researched, not yet checked on site · 7 sources
Sources and last check
- Last checked
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Official sources
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Plus 7 other references and local research.
