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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.
Thai Name : เกาะเฮ |
| 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.
Thai Name : เกาะสิเหร่ |
| 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.
Thai Name : เกาะราชาใหญ่
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| 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.
Thai Name : เกาะนาคา
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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.
Thai Name : หมู่เกาะพีพี
See more information in Phi
Phi Islands in Krabi Section.
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.
Thai Name : อ่าวพังงา
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.
Thai Name : เกาะตะปู |
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| 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.
Thai Name : เขาพิงกัน |
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| 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.
Thai Name : เกาะปันหยี |
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| 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.
Thai Name : เกาะยาว |
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. |
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