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Koh Lanta Yai ... |
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Ko Lanta Yai, the main island in the park, is where the National Park's Office is situated and is also home to sea gypsies. The mountains in the northern part and southern tip of the island are covered with virgin rain forests. Several beautiful beaches are along the north and the south of its west coast, i.e. Khlong Dao beach, Khlong Nin beach, Phra Ae beach and Khlong Khong beach, where various styles of accommodations are available. There are coral reefs along some parts of the western side and Laem (cape) Kho Kwang at the northern tip.
Saladan pier at the northern tip of the island is where tour operators, shops and banks are situated. The peak tourist season is from November to April.
Getting there
By boat from Krabi: During the high season, two ferries depart from Chao Fa pier on Uttarakit Road daily at 10.00 and 13.00 hrs. The trip takes about 2 hours to reach Saladan pier.
By boat from Ko Phi Phi: During the high season there are two daily departures from Tonsai pier on Ko Phi Phi Don, at 09.00 and 13.30 hrs.
By road: Minibuses to Ko Lanta leave Krabi town at 11.00 and 13.00 hrs, taking about 2 hours. There is a vehicle ferry between Ban Hua Hin on the mainland and Ban Saladan on Ko Lanta Yai. |
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| Noppharat Thara Beach - Phi Phi Islands Marine National Park |
• Susan Hoi (Shell Fossil Cemetery)
• Noppharat Thara Beach
• Phranang Bay (or Au Nang)
• Tham Phra Nang Beach
• Phra Nang Cave
• Miracle Beach
• Phi Phi Islands |
For information, please contact the Forestry Department in Bangkok, tel. 0 2579 7223, 0 2579 5734 or the office of Hat Noppharat Thara National Park, tel. 0 7563 4743.
| Susan Hoi (Shell Fossil Cemetery) |
| Located at Ban Laem Pho cape some 17 km. from town, it is a huge rock slab evolved from uncountable shell fossils of some 35 million years. This shell graveyard was once a large freshwater swamp populated by millions of snails. Over aeons, the dead snails gradually formed a layer of fossils, which is about 40 cm. thick. This wonderful site of nature has become one of the most popular attractions of Krabi and one of the three in the world. |
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Located about 18 km. northwest of Krabi town, it is a 3-km long scenic beach lined with casuarina trees and coconut groves. Local people call Noppharat Thara Beach as had khlong haeng or dry beach. This is because during the low-tide periods, the beach will entirely emerge from water so that one can even walk to the offshore islets as seen in the pictures above.
| Phranang Bay (or Au Nang) |
 Located 6 km. from Noppharat Thara Beach, this is a large bay with several scenic beaches and 83 islands of various sizes and shapes. Due to its unspoilt natural beauty both on land and in the surrounding waters and easy accessibility, Au Nang has gradually developed to be Krabi's most popular tourist attraction after Phi Phi Islands, with a growing number of accommodations and tour operators. Some famous beaches in the area are Tham Phra Nang, East Rai Le, West Rai Le, and Ton Sai. |
 This beach is said to be the most beautiful beach in the area, while West Rai Le is quieter and more peaceful. These beaches can only be reached by boat from Au Nang. Noppharat Thara Beach and Au Nang can be reached easily by songthaeo (minibus) from Krabi town. The trip takes about 30-40 minutes. From Au Nang, tourists may hire a boat to visit nearby offshore islets such as Ko Poda, Ko Kai (Dam Khwan), Ko Mo and Ko Thap. These places are ideal for snorkelling, diving and sea canoeing. |
The entrance to
Phra Nang Cave |
Phallic Symbol of
Shiva in Phra Nang Cave |
This cave on the east side of the bay is famous for its wonderful stalactites and stalagmites. Since the old time up to the present day, Phra Nang Cave is where fishermen have made oblation to phallic symbol of Shiva, one of the trinity in Hindu theology before starting navigation in order to bless them with success and safety. The steep cliffs around Au Nang have recently become a paradise for rock-climbers from all over the world. With its special hard rock feature, the cliff area here is a safer place for rock climbing. it is also very convenient to obtain equipment, maps and instructions from bungalows on Au Nang and Rai Le beaches. Besides rock climbing, a good number of bays, islands and caves around Au Nang make it an ideal place for snorkelling, diving, paddling and sailing. Shops operating activities are available.
This miracle beach is a beach that appears temporarily about five days around the full moon day period, from December to May. When the sea water between Thap Island and Kai Island drops to the lowest level, this miracle white beach will appear linking the two islands together and visitors can rest, sunbath or do other activities on it as well as enjoy the breathtaking view of the islands around there.
 Famed as among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular tourist attractions of Thailand. It was here that the well-known movie "The Beach" featured by Leonardo DiCaprio was shot.
Phi Phi Islands consist of six islets situated about 40 km from Krabi, Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Yung, Mai Phai (Bamboo), Bida Nok and Bida Nai.
Many people think that the islands are part of Phuket, but actually they belong to Krabi province. |
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| Ko Lanta Marine National Park |
Covering a total area of 152 sq.km., this marine park consists of 15 offshore islands, most surrounded by coral reefs. Some major islands are Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta Noi, Ko Talengbeng, Ko Ha, Ko Rok and Ko Ngai.
Ko Lanta Yai, the main island in the park, is where the National Park's Office is situated and is also home to sea gypsies. The mountains in the northern part and southern tip of the island are covered with virgin rain forests. Several beautiful beaches are along the north and the south of its west coast, i.e. Khlong Dao beach, Khlong Nin beach, Phra Ae beach and Khlong Khong beach, where various styles of accommodations are available. There are coral reefs along some parts of the western side and Laem (cape) Kho Kwang at the northern tip.
Saladan pier at the northern tip of the island is where tour operators, shops and banks are situated. The peak tourist season is from November to April.
Getting there
By boat from Krabi: During the high season, two ferries depart from Chao Fa pier on Uttarakit Road daily at 10.00 and 13.00 hrs. The trip takes about 2 hours to reach Saladan pier.
By boat from Ko Phi Phi: During the high season there are two daily departures from Tonsai pier on Ko Phi Phi Don, at 09.00 and 13.30 hrs.
By road: Minibuses to Ko Lanta leave Krabi town at 11.00 and 13.00 hrs, taking about 2 hours. There is a vehicle ferry between Ban Hua Hin on the mainland and Ban Saladan on Ko Lanta Yai.
The snorkelling site at Ko Rok Nok
(Picture by courtesy of TAT) |
The scenic view of Ko Rok Nai
(Picture by courtesy of TAT) |
Ko Rok Nok to the south of Ko Lanta Yai, has a lovely curved bay with a white sand beach and a lot of coral reefs to the southeast and the south of the island. Tourists can contact tour operators on Ko Lanta Yai for an excursion to Ko Rok Nok by speedboat.
Ko Rok Nai connecting to Ko Rok Nok is an island that is mostly steep cliffs. It offers superb beach and plentiful unspoiled coral reefs among rocks.
This small island has white fine sandy beaches in the east and plentiful coral reefs lying along most parts of the coast. It is easily accessible from Trang province. Boats leave Pak Meng pier in Trang for Ko Ngai daily at 10.00 and 14.00 hrs. These islands are best visited during the non-monsoon months from November to April.
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| Ko Lanta Marine National Park |
Covering a total area of 152 sq.km., this marine park consists of 15 offshore islands, most surrounded by coral reefs. Some major islands are Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta Noi, Ko Talengbeng, Ko Ha, Ko Rok and Ko Ngai.
Ko Lanta Yai, the main island in the park, is where the National Park's Office is situated and is also home to sea gypsies. The mountains in the northern part and southern tip of the island are covered with virgin rain forests. Several beautiful beaches are along the north and the south of its west coast, i.e. Khlong Dao beach, Khlong Nin beach, Phra Ae beach and Khlong Khong beach, where various styles of accommodations are available. There are coral reefs along some parts of the western side and Laem (cape) Kho Kwang at the northern tip.
Saladan pier at the northern tip of the island is where tour operators, shops and banks are situated. The peak tourist season is from November to April.
Getting there
By boat from Krabi: During the high season, two ferries depart from Chao Fa pier on Uttarakit Road daily at 10.00 and 13.00 hrs. The trip takes about 2 hours to reach Saladan pier.
By boat from Ko Phi Phi: During the high season there are two daily departures from Tonsai pier on Ko Phi Phi Don, at 09.00 and 13.30 hrs.
By road: Minibuses to Ko Lanta leave Krabi town at 11.00 and 13.00 hrs, taking about 2 hours. There is a vehicle ferry between Ban Hua Hin on the mainland and Ban Saladan on Ko Lanta Yai.
The snorkelling site at Ko Rok Nok
(Picture by courtesy of TAT) |
The scenic view of Ko Rok Nai
(Picture by courtesy of TAT) |
Ko Rok Nok to the south of Ko Lanta Yai, has a lovely curved bay with a white sand beach and a lot of coral reefs to the southeast and the south of the island. Tourists can contact tour operators on Ko Lanta Yai for an excursion to Ko Rok Nok by speedboat.
Ko Rok Nai connecting to Ko Rok Nok is an island that is mostly steep cliffs. It offers superb beach and plentiful unspoiled coral reefs among rocks.
This small island has white fine sandy beaches in the east and plentiful coral reefs lying along most parts of the coast. It is easily accessible from Trang province. Boats leave Pak Meng pier in Trang for Ko Ngai daily at 10.00 and 14.00 hrs. These islands are best visited during the non-monsoon months from November to April.
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| Phi Phi Island
Famed as among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular tourist attractions of Thailand. It was here that the well-known movie "The Beach" featured by Leonardo DiCaprio was shot. The islands, together with the nearby Noppharat Thara Beach, were recently established as a national park with a total area of 390 sq.km.
As most visitors to Phi Phi Islands come from Phuket some 40 km. away, many of them think that the islands are part of Phuket. In fact, both Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi belong to Krabi province, though the distance from Krabi to Phi Phi is about the same as that between Phuket and Phi Phi.
Also, it is usually misunderstood that the island group of Phi Phi Islands is composed of only 2 islets, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. But actually, the area of Phi Phi Islands covers 6 islets altogether, namely Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Mai Phai (Bamboo), Yung, Bida Nok and Bida Nai. The islands and the coastal hills are mostly composed of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in Phang-nga province. Some of the characteristics of such mountains and islands are their steep cliffs, large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the crevices in the rocks, like those in Phang-nga Bay.
 Phi Phi Don |
Phi Phi Don |
Among the islets of Phi Phi Islands, Phi Phi Don, the larger one which lies in the north, is well known for its fine beaches and coral formations around the island and is provided with an assortment of accommodation facilities along the two beautiful curved bays, Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam Bay, in the south and others at the northern end of the island. Several shops at Ton Sai can arrange diving and snorkelling trips around the island or the nearby islands -- Phi Phi Le Island, Yung Island and Mai Phai (Bamboo) Island.
Phi Phi Le |
Phi Phi Le |
About 2 km. to the south is Phi Phi Le Island. Contrary to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited, not only because this is banned, but also because there is no beach around it. The island descends abruptly into the sea on all sides. Au Maya and Au Lo Sama among the scenic coves of the island are favourite places for snorkellers. The sea around the island is deep, especially the southern part, which is over 30 metres deep and is full of coral formations and so is a popular diving spot.
Mai Phai (Bamboo) Island |
Mai Phai (Bamboo) Island |
Au Maya |
Au Maya |
Yung Island is situated in the north of Phi Phi Don. The island has a stone beach in the east and small sandy beaches amidst valleys. It is teeming with various kinds of colourful coral reefs. Not far from Yung is Mai Phai (Bamboo) Island. There are marvellous beaches in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs with antler corals, in particular, streches from north to south of the island, making it a paradise for diving. Other two islets located in the South of Phi Phi Le are Bida Nok Island and Bida Nai Island. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, wooded cliffed mountains, colourful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman. The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands is from November to April, when the sea is calm.
Phi Phi Islands can be reached by boat from either Phuket or Krabi at about the same distance.
From Krabi
Tourists can take a boat at Chao Fa Pier or Klong Jilad Pier. There are several trips departing for Phi Phi daily. The trip takes about 1.30 – 2.30 hours, depending on whether it is an express boat or standard boat. Boat tickets are available at the pier or from travel agents.
Boat services from Ao Nang to Ko Phi Phi are also available during high season, from November to May.
From Phuket
Boat services to Phi Phi are available at Rasada Pier. Many tour companies in Phuket organize one-day trips to Phi Phi Islands. Tickets can be obtained either from tour agents or hotels. |
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