Happy New Year and welcome to the first Vista del Mar Phuket beach guide of 2014! To kick start the New Year we are introducing you to the delights of Chalong!

Chalong is on the east coast of Phuket and approximately 45 minutes drive from Naithon beach and Phuket Luxury real estate. It has a very beautiful shoreline with sparkling white sand and turquoise sea, but unusually  is also rather muddy. This means that it isn’t the best place for swimming or water sports, but as a yachting and boating destination it is one of the best in Phuket! Because of this Chalong has a vibrant sailing community with the Royal Phuket Marina, Boat Lagoon and Yacht Haven in the nearby vicinity, with a great social scene focused around like minded sailing enthusiasts!

As well as the sailing activities there are many other activities and sightseeing trips to undertake. Boat chartering is not just for skilled sailors but is a great family and social activities; and if you don’t fancy driving yourself, there are always plenty of businesses looking to take sightseers out on the waves, and to visit nearby hotspots, such as Coral Island.

Chalong has the only 720 meter long and 7 metre wide jetty in Phuket, which replaced the old wooden pier in 2001, and running alongside this there are numerous places to eat, drink and shop! There is also the Phuket Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, (the most important of 29 temples on the island) and the Chalong Bay Rum  experience within close driving distance.

All in all, a great place for a day trip from your Phuket luxury villa!