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Phi
Phi Islands | Coral Island | Maiton
Island | Racha Island | Rang
Yai Island
Koh Yao Islands | Khai
Nok | Similan Islands | Phang
Nga Bay | Lanta Island
Phi
Phi Islands....
If you want picture postcard perfect, classic white sandy beaches,
lapped by sunlit crystal water, Phi Phi is the place. Actually
two islands, Phi Phi Don (the larger island) has the beaches and
Phi Phi Ley has the wonderful snorkelling areas. Head for Tonsai
Bay (the main beach where the boats dock) for accommodation and
transport to the adjoining beaches. No roads in Phi Phi, so any
beaches which aren't within walking distance of Tonsai, can be
reached by local boat. Many of the more secluded resorts are located
north of Tonsai along the east coast. Boat transfer is usually
included, allowing a great view of the coastline before you even
arrive.....
Where
to Stay? Check out our location guide.
Coral Island (Ko Hey) ....
 Located
9 km off the south east coast of Phuket, Coral Island, known as
Koh Hae, is one of the most popular destinations from the southern
end of Phuket Island. Colourful coral reefs surrounding the island,
and crystal clear water make it perfect for water activities,
especially snorkelling, water-skiing, sailing, para-sailing and
scuba diving. Particularly good for novice snorkellers and children
as you can swim to the shallow reef straight from the main beach.
Accommodation available.
How to Get There
You can take a day tour which includes snorkelling equipment or
hire a local "longtail" boat from Chalong or Rawai at
the southern end of Phuket. Can be busy during the day, especially
in high season, but very quiet when the day-trippers leave around
3.30pm.
Ko
Lanta...
One of southern Thailand's new destinations away from the main
tourist areas. Lanta island offers mangroves, spectacular coral
rimmed beaches and coves surrounded by rugged mountains. Located
in the Andaman sea between Krabi and Phuket,and reached via Phi
Phi island, means it's not as easily accessible as some of the
more well-known islands - but this is part of the attraction....
Apart from peace and quiet, Lanta offers snorkelling, scuba diving,
jungle walks, elephant trekking, horse riding or kayaking - all
the facilities without the crowds.
Home to a community of ethnic sea gypsies who still live in the
old ways and follow traditional customs and beliefs, Lanta is
part of marine national park which consists of hundreds of small
islands. Some are uninhabited, others provide shelter for small
fishing villages and local inhabitants, while others have unique
eco-systems of mangroves and limestone caves.
Over the last few years, Lanta has been quietly developing its
tourist industry, resulting in around 100 new resorts with more
under construction. Accommodation ranges from basic bamboo huts
(no bathroom) to bungalow resorts with pools, and at the top end,
4 -5-star resorts. Best visited during November to April (high
season) when the weather is good and the sea calm, local "longtail
boats can be rented for island hopping to neighbouring islands
like Bubu, Ngai, Muuk or Kradan. From May to October the boats
from Krabi Town and Phi Phi Island do not operate due to strong
winds and high waves in the monsoon season. Two car ferries operate
until 19:00 hours in high season only. Short stay packages are
available from Phuket. Click
here for details.
Maiton Island....
 A
green and beautiful island with the Maiton Resort as the
only occupant. The resort boasts not just a long fantastic
beach, but the whole island to itself and, there are no
day trips operating to this island. If you want to be in
a world of your own, with no this is the perfect choice.
The resort operates a transfer service.
Ko
Yao Yai and Ko Yai Noi....
Ko Yao consists of 2 long islands - Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai,
close to Phuket. Both are covered by forests, beaches and rocky
headlands with views over the surrounding limestone island scenery
similar to Phang Nga Bay and Krabi province. Ko Yao Noi is the
most popular of the two islands and has the best beaches.
Forgotten in the tourist boom, Khao Yao has seen gradual development
with small basic bungalows and more sophisticated resorts now
being featured as island getaways in travel magazines. The islands
"dirt roads" are gradually being replaced by tarmac,
but many are still single track and traffic is minimal with the
odd 'tuk tuk" and a few motorcycles the only vehicles. The
best way to enjoy the island is to bring along a mountain bike
or walk. Not a great deal of nightlife, but Ko Yao is one of the
most relaxing places on the coastline.
How to Get There.
Local "longtail" boats offer a "ferry" service
from Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi. The easiest way is from Pa Khlok
in the north east of Phuket. Boats leave in the morning. Price:
40 baht per person (one way). Local longtail boats can be chartered
from Phuket or Ao Nang in Krabi for around 600-1,200 baht each
way. The trip takes about 1 hour. Speed boats from Phuket to Ko
Yao Noi can also be chartered for the day. Travel between Ko Yao
Noi and Ko Yao Yai is 20 baht. Boats leave from Ko Yao Noi's Manoh
Pier and take 15 minutes to cross the channel.
Where
to Stay? Check out our location guide and see Koyao
Island Resort .
Where can I go from Ko Yao? - Krabi,
Phuket, Phi
Phi islands
The Racha (Raya) Islands.......
 About
45 minutes by speedboat, south of Phuket. Clear water and close
offshore coral reefs make it a popular spot with divers and snorkellers.
A couple of bungalow resorts but not much accommodation with electricity
limited to the evenings only. Great place to read books, sleep
and relax. Food and drink relatively expensive compared to other
islands, but then everything has to be brought in (and taken away)
by boat. At certain times of the year, the island is full of butterflies.
During the day, the main beach gets quite busy, especially at
lunchtimes with diveboats and day-trippers, but this doesn't last
long and the tranquility at night is perfect.
Racha Yai has two main beaches, a few bungalows, a nice resort,
and some local restaurants. Racha Noi is a popular spot with divers
and fishermen but has no accommodation.
Where
to Stay? Check out our location guide
Rang Yai Island
 Located
close to Phuket's east coast. Recently this island has developed
into an "activity island" offering kayaking, windsurfing,
and mountain biking to tour groups. Easy to get to (only 15 minutes
by speedboat from Phuket's Boat Lagoon) it's a nice little excursion
for people who don't like long boat journeys. There is also a
restaurant which serves Thai and International food. No accommodation
at the moment but soon bungalows will be provided for overnight
stays.
The
Similan Islands......
Located north of Phuket close to the Burmese border, the Similan
Islands are rated among the world' Top 10 dive sites. These nine,
densely wooded islands fringed with rocky outcrops and gorgeous
beaches with fine talcum powder-like sand form the Similan Islands
National Park, but it's the underwater landscape that attracts
divers from all over the globe. Sloping hard coral reefs and shallow
coral gardens lie on the eastern side of the islands, while totally
different scenery - huge granite boulders, caverns and swim-throughs
fringe the west side. It's a great place for both diving and snorkelling
in a pristine aquatic environment.
How to get there
Touring by speedboat for the day is probably the best way
to go if you're short on time. It takes about 1 hour from Phuket
or Khao Lak and allows time to explore the underwater scenery
in one of the world's premier dive sites. Alternatively, to really
appreciate what these islands have to offer, you can take a liveaboard
dive trip which lasts about 4-5 days. While this is a top dive
site, you don't have to be a diver to join. Snorkellers are welcome.
Where to Stay?
Sorry, no accommodation on these pristine islands, except
government bungalows which tend to be reserved well in advance.
Check out the liveaboard divetrips which include accommodation
on board. (Click here for
details)
Koh Khai Nok
A fairly isolated island off the south coast of Phuket with only
one or two groups visiting a day. Uninhabited, the island has
a lovely shallow coral reef which is good for novice snorkellers.
A great place to spend a day. You can get there either by renting
a local "longtail" boat or go privately by chartering
a speedboat. Contact one of the tour companies which offer day
trips to many of the smaller islands near Phuket.
Phang Nga Bay
Located just north west of Phuket island, Phang Nga makes a
great day trip. The strange and beautiful limestone scenery consists
of many uninhabited islands which contain hidden caves, tunnels
and interior lagoons - known locally as "hongs." Many
of these can only be accessed via natural tunnels when the tide
is just right, revealing a hidden and unique natural environment.
This fascinating world of caves, tunnels and "hongs"
can be explored with minimum disturbance to the natural habitat,
by canoe. Special trips operate daily. No need to paddle, as licensed
guides take you through these mysterious caves, emerging suddenly
into a mystical interior lagoon, open to the sky. Click
here for details.
It's possible to stay on the mainland close to the bay, but not
on the islands in Phang Nga Bay itself.
Overview
| Phi
Phi Islands | Coral Island | Maiton
Island | Racha Island | Rang
Yai Island
Koh Yao Islands | Khai
Nok | Similan Islands
| Phang Nga Bay | Lanta
Island
|
