Daytrips to Phi Phi, Phang Nga, Krabi...
Phuket
Island Guide, Thailand
Daytrips from Phuket
Phuket, an island as large as Singapore,
offers a wealth of facilities and a complete range of accommodation.
At the same time, it is a base for exploring the hundreds of islands
and mainland beaches of the Andaman Sea, including many within a
day trip of Phuket.
The stunning beauty of the two Phi
Phi Islands have made them world famous, and they are now the
top day trip destination out of Phuket. Sheer cliffs stained with
earth colours soar from calm, clear seas. Phi Phi Don, the largest
of the two, also has idyllic tropical beaches lining its southern
and eastern shores. Ton Sai Bay is the main tourist centre, a bustling
village with a boat landing, many bungalows and a string of shops
and seafood restaurants. Although Phi Phi is no longer isolated,
welcoming as it does up to 50 boatloads of tourists every day, the
spectacular beauty of the place remains. The northern end is quiet
and beautiful, with a few small resorts.
"James Bond Island" and Koh Pannyi (so-called "Sea
Gypsy Island", really a Muslim community) are just two of the
famous spots in this bay. The way to avoid the tourist crowds and
enjoy the spectacular scenery is to take one of the boat trips from
the northern end of Phuket. A leisurely daytrip cruising past dramatic
limestone islands and stopping to enjoy quiet beaches is far more
rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour. Call Siam Exclusive Tours
at (076) 340 910. For more information, read "Phang Nga Booklet"
and "Sailing Phang Nga" from Artasia Press.
 A highly recommended daytrip involves taking tough inflatable canoes
into caves inside the spectacular limestone islands of Phang Nga
Bay. Some of these caves lead to the so-called hong ("rooms"),
collapsed cave systems open to the sky -- hidden worlds preserved
untouched for millennia. Lunch is provided on the "mother boat"
from which the canoes are launched. Overnight trips in Krabi are
also available. This is ecotourism at its finest. Try Sea
Cave Canoe or Sea Canoe Thailand
Rang Yai Island
In harmony with nature, Rang Yai Island provides a unique setting
for those who value personal freedom and privacy. Spend a day on
Rang Yai Island and enjoy your time relaxing on the beautiful beach
or trying the many different activities. The owners operate it as
a day resort and will pick you up from your hotel by bus or car
and take you to the Phuket Boat Lagoon. From there, the journey
to Rang Yai island takes about 15 minutes by speed-boat
Krabi
Krabi Province offers a mix of stunningly beautiful beaches, cave
temples hidden away in green forest, and dramatic limestone mountains
towering over all the rest. Krabi Town, meanwhile, is a quaint old
seaport town with an easy-going atmosphere. At present it is one
of the "in" places for backpack tourists, although new
resort developments are introducing up-market accommodation as well.
To get to spots that many visitors have described as the world's
most spectacular beach scenery, you take a boat past the soaring
cliffs that block the peninsula of Ao Nang off from all land access.
At present, this peninsula offers both basic thatched bungalows
and one luxury resort, the Dusit Rayavadee.
Khao Sok National Park
This is Thailand's largest virgin rain forest, with many rare animal
and plant species, some of them still unidentified. Just 2.5 hours
away by car, you'll find simple accommodations at eight bungalow
complexes, including tree houses and raft bungalows on mammoth Chieo
Lan Lake (Rachabrapah Reservoir), which forms the park's eastern
border. Enjoy the seven waterfalls, the giant rafflesia (which grow
during the rainy season, blooming to 80 centimetres in December
and January), the "langkow" palm, found only in Khao Sok
and Phuket, and the stunning scenery. Rafting, fishing, trekking,
caving, canoeing, drifting downriver in rubber tyres -- it's all
worth a couple of days. Rent a car or go with Adventure Safaris.
Tel (076) 441 988; fax (076) 340 292
Koh Raya Yai and Raya Noi (sometimes spelled "Racha")
These islands lie directly south of Phuket. Raya Yai, the closer,
has two beaches, a few bungalows and some food stalls. A small village
of Muslim fishermen are increasingly turning to tourism for their
high-season living. Colourful coral gardens fringe the island. Along
with the exceptionally clear waters, they make this a popular destination
for day trip divers. Inland, the green hills and coconut plantations
offer pleasant walks. To get there, rent a longtail boat on Rawai
Beach (normally 1,000-1,500 baht).
Exploring Other Islands
There are scores of other island daytrip destinations from Phuket.
Many of them are uninhabited, and they offer swimming, snorkelling,
hiking or just lying in the sun feeling good. Look in Phuket
Magazine for maps and suggestions.
Spectacular scenery and pristine beaches abound among the many
offshore islands. Beginners or those intent on simply relaxing to
the max can book onto a "joining cruise", while there
are crewed or skippered charters for those who want more hands-on
sailing. If you're sufficiently experienced, you can simply hire
a "bareboat" - much as though you were renting a car --
and just sail away.
Sail Thailand (Bangkok: Artasia Press, 2nd ed. 1995) is
an excellent source of charts, itineraries and information on anchorages.
All types of vessels, including luxury sailing or motor yachts,
are available through Sunsail 239 057, fax (076) 238 940, and Thai
Marine Leisure Tel 344 261, fax (076) 344 262. Off-season discounts.
With some of the calmest, warmest waters, and some of the most
vivid coral reefs to be found anywhere, the Andaman Sea is perfect
for diving. Such conditions also make the area ideal for learning
to dive, the more so since Phuket offers first-rate training in
a number of languages by qualified local and international instructors.
A large number of local companies run daytrips and overnighters
to great sites around Phuket and neighbouring islands.
The Similan Islands
Ninety kilometres Northwest of Phuket, the nine Similan Islands
are washed by the deep, clear waters of the Andaman Sea. Water clarity
can be amazing, making this a favourite destination for divers.
The coral and reef fish are exceptionally colourful, and divers
often encounter mantas and whale sharks as well. Above water, the
islands aren't as spectacular as Koh Phi Phi or some other island
groups in the region. There are no coconut palms, and only a few
good beaches throughout the nine islands, so there's not so much
for non-divers to see or do. The real beauty is underwater. This
area is a paradise for scuba divers.
Phuket is becoming internationally known as a major player in the
world of gamefishing. Mahi mahi (dorado), tuna, sailfish, marlin
and other species abound in the blue waters of the Andaman. Depending
on the tides, you can test your skills against marlin at the Drop-Off,
near the Similan Islands. For information on available boats, call
the Phuket Sportsfishing Centre at (076) 214 713 or Suk Chai Game
Fishing at (076) 282 084.
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