| East and S.East of Phuket Island - Phang Nga
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One could cruise here for many months exploring the creeks, going up the rivers and drying out in the mangrove swamps. A typical feature are the hongs, high limestone islands which have collapsed in the middle leaving a landlocked lagoon. Several of these lagoons are accessible by dinghy or kayak at low tide via a cave. |
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Phang Nga Bay is 30 miles NE of Phuket with 220sq miles of breathtaking surroundings. Here you will find numerous limestone formations rising vertically up from the seabed to as high as 350 m (1150 ft) make up scenery that is unique in the world.
Several of the pinnacles shaped islands feature hongs (Thai for room). A Hong is a large space inside, such an island with a chimney -like opening to the sky. Try to imagine being inside the crater of a long-dead volcano.
Access to hongs is mostly by kayak or dinghy at certain heights of the tide. The atmosphere inside a Hong is one of a strange tranquility and sheer beauty Phang Nga Bay's limestone islands and cliffs are riddled with caves, many of which can be safely explored on foot or again by kayak or dinghy.
On the shores you'll find prolific flora and fauna. In the late afternoons you will often see and hear crab-eating macaques (monkeys) on the beaches hunting their favourite prey.
Also read this article about Phang Nga Bay
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Charts courtesy of Andaman Sea Pilot |
