Phuket
Information
|
When arriving
in Thailand ask for free copies of Thaiways magazine and Thaiways
maps from the information counter at airports or hotels.
|
|
Besides all those beautiful beaches in Phuket, this famous tourist province
also boasts many attractive and worth-visiting islands. So it is no exaggeration
to say that if any visitor would like to cover all sightseeing places
in Phuket and nearby islands, he needs to stay at least two weeks here.
Phuket has a total of 39 satellite islands, most of which are off the
eastern coast. Those of special interest include:
| Coral Island (Ko
He) |
| Located about 5 km. from Rawai Beach, this is one of the most popular
destinations for a one-day tour from Phuket. Boats to the island can
be hired at either Rawai Beach or Chalong Bay. The island is surrounded
by colourful coral reefs perfect for all kinds of aquatic sports.
You can engage in these activities all year round because not only
is the weather always warm, but the island is not much affected by
the monsoon, being located off the east coast. If you plan to stay
overnight, there are air-conditioned bungalows available. |
| Si-re
Islet |
|
Cut off from the main island by the small
canal Tha Chin and located 4 km. southeast of Phuket town, Sire Islet
is interesting as the biggest "sea-gypsy" village in Phuket. Also,
there is a big reclining Buddha on a hilltop from where a good view
of Phuket town can be obtained. |
| Ko Racha Yai |
About 2 hours by boat south of Phuket, this island is a favourite
place for divers and snorkellers for its beautiful coral reefs. The
inhabitants of the island are Muslim people who mainly do fishing
and coconut farming for a living. Accommodations are available at
several resorts. Passenger boats run from Phuket port to Ko Racha
Yai daily at 8.30 hours. You can also charter a long-tail boat from
Chalong Bay or Rawai Beach.
Top |
| Nakha Island |
Located at Po Bay, 25 km. northeast of town, it offers unspoilt
natural beauty with a large famous cultured pearl farm on it. Boats
leave for the island from Bang Rong pier in Phuket frequently.
Top |
Other small islets
around Phuket such as Ko Mai Thon, Ko Dok Mai, Ko Lone, Ko Kaeo,
etc. are enchanting for their fantastic underwater
world, good for snorkeling, diving and fishing. To really enjoy these
small islands, you should rent a long-tail boat or a speedboat for the
day. Chalong Bay and Rawai Beach are two places where such boats can be
found in abundance.
Besides, there are many other islets which are under the administration
of Phang-nga or Krabi provinces. However, off-shore trips and diving excursions
are offered in a wide variety and quantity by numerous tour operators
in Phuket, making it the tourism centre of the Andaman Sea. Here are some
well-known destinations, which can also be covered in a one-day trip.
| Phi
Phi Islands |
|
One of the world's most beautiful tourist destinations, it is
part of Krabi province, 1.20 hours by modern ferry or 2.30 hours
by conventional boat from Phuket ports. It is composed of two rocky,
tree-covered islets -- Phi Phi Don & Phi Phi Le -- lying in the
Andaman Sea about 45 km. to the southeast of Phuket.
|
Of the two islands, Phi Phi Don is the bigger with an area
of 28 sq.km. It boasts a few beautiful beaches with clear turquoise
seawater and colourful underwater scenes. Hotel accommodations of
different grades are available. About two kilometres to the south
is Phi Phi Le, which is a huge rock with sheer cliffs and no
beaches. It is visited on account of its Viking Cave, where visitors
can view two special scenes -- the ancient drawings on the walls and
the gathering of bird's nests from the shelves under its high ceiling.
See more information in Phi Phi
Islands in Krabi section.
Top
|
| Phang-nga
Bay |
| Because of its fascinating seascape and its short distance (75 km.
by road or 3 hours by boat) from Phuket, Phang-nga Bay is usually
visited by tourists of Phuket. The bay is attractive for its numerous
weird limestone outcrops and cliffed islets rising from the sea. |
|
|
| These small islands, which feature many caves and collapsed cave
systems, are best explored aboard inflatable sea canoes. Phang-nga
Bay became more famous after the James Bond adventure, The Man
with the Golden Gun, was partly filmed here. Some interesting
islands in the bay include: |
| Ko Tapu or
James Bond Island |
| Standing strikingly about 200 metres from Khao Phingkan, this is
the most photographed object in Phang-nga Bay. |
|
|
| |
| Khao Phingkan
|
| This unique islet is cut in two from top to bottom by natural forces
with the breakaway part leaning against the main one. There
are stalls of souvenirs lining on the small beach of this islet where
most tour groups drop by for photographing. |
|
|
| |
| Ko Panyi |
| Here is a Muslim village which boasts several good seafood restaurants
and thus has become a popular stopover for lunch break for Phang-nga
Bay excursion. |
|
|
| Ko Yao |
About one hour by boat from Phuket, it consists of two islands --
Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi. Despite its smaller size, the latter is
more populated and has more beautiful secluded beaches. From this
island, you can have breathtaking views of the surrounding limestone
formations in Phang-nga Bay. Bungalows are available, but not many.
Ferry boats leave Bang Rong pier for Ko Yao Noi at 08.00 and 11.00
hours daily. Or you can charter a long-tail boat at the cost of about
500 baht.
Top |
See more information in Phang-nga
attractions section.
| For your personal safety and protection
by law, please use the services of travel agencies holding a TAT license
only. |
|
|
