|  
Phang-nga Islands
Ao Phang-nga
Designated a marine national park in 1981, Ao Phang-nga
covers a coastal and offshore area. Mangrove forests are found
along the shoreline. However, the most striking feature is the
bay, which is dotted with more than 100 islands, weirdly shaped
limestone outcrops swathed in tangles of creepers, shrubs, and
mostly uninhabited. Some rise sheer from the water, others are
humped or jagged and all present a haunting aspect. Many have
notable features, such as Khao Khian, where prehistoric rock
paintings can be seen on the cliffs; Ko Panyi where there is a
Muslim fishing village built on stilts; Ko Phanak with beautiful
caves, and “James Bond Island” which is famous for the location
of the movie “ The Man with the Golden Gun.”
Several tour companies operate organised excursions to these
islands, departing either from the Customs Pier (Tha Dan) on
the Phang-nga mainland, or from Phuket.
Mu Ko Similan
Like Ao Phang-nga, Mu Ko Similan are also preserved as a national
marine park, extending over an area of 32,000 acres. Set
in the Andaman Sea about a 3-hour boat ride from the mainland,
the nine islands of the archipelago are quite distinct from those
of Phang-nga. The islands are of granite, not limestone which
makes them a rare beauty. The formations are also uniquely different.
Together with hiking trails and other onshore attractions,
however, Similan’s reputation is its 30 excellent and dissimilar
diving sites. Coral walls, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, rock
reefs, swim-throughs and other underwater features offer a wide
variety of opportunities for experiencing, while plenty of shallows
afford excellent conditions for snorkelling.
Mu Ko Surin
This National Marine Park, comprising five islands and covering
more than 33,000 acres, is located north of the Similans.
The islands are best reached from the Khura Buri Pier (125 km.
north of Phang-nga town), and takes 4 hours. Again the main
attractions are scuba-diving and snorkelling, as the coral formations
are spectacular. However, the two largest islands, Ko Surin
Nuea and Ko Surin Tai (North and South islands, respectively)
have good potential for exploring on land, with several hiking
trails and, on Ko Surin Tai, a Sea Gypsy village.
|
|
Mu Ko Similan |
Mu Ko Surin |
''Infomations and Images courtesy of TourismThailand.Org - The Official Website for Tourism in Thailand'' |
|
