Islands around Phuket
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From a few minutes by speedboat to a day’s sailing away,
Phuket is surrounded by so many tropical islands, of such
outstanding natural beauty, that literally weeks can be
spent exploring. |
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At the far north of Phuket’s cruising grounds lie the nine
islands of the Similans-noted for their magnificent dive
sites-to the south, the brooding intensity of Taratao- a
prison colony during World War II and now part of the fiftyone
island Taratao National Park-and in between dozens
of isles offering pristine beaches, spectacular scenery and
a peace and serenity unique to the Andaman. |
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Perhaps the most popular of the islands off Phuket are the
twins, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley. The latter of these
was the stage for the recent Hollywood movie-The
Beach, while the former has become a busy tourist destination,
offering a range of accommodation andwater sport
activities. 20km southeast of Phuket, the Phi Phi islands
also afford visitors some excellent diving and snorkelling
opportunities-the nearby islets of Bida Ley and Bida Nok
of particular note. |
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The sheltered waters of Phangnga Bay have their own gifts
of nature peculiar to this region alone. Scattered around
the bay, craggy, hollow limestone escarpments thrust up
from the sea like primordial fortresses. Caves, cut through
the friable rock by salt water and usually only accessible
at certain times of the tide, allow access to remarkable
microcosms of nature. These lost worlds are havens for
rare forms of flora and fauna and are also home to the
swiftlets whose nests are considered great delicacies by
the Chinese. |
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It was in this region that part of the James Bond movie,
The Man with the Golden Gun, was filmed, and the gravity
defying Raya Ring Island is now one of the bay’s busiest
tourist sites. |
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Best explored by yacht, charters and day cruises around
Phangnga Bay are readily available from Phuket, while
ferry services and dive trips run to Phi Phi daily. If time is
of the essence, high speed motor launches can be hired
from several locations around the island. |
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Of the two islands, Phi Phi Don is the larger and more developed. The smaller, Phi Phi Le, took the title role in the film adaptation of The Beach
starring opposite Leonardo Di Caprio .. read more |
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This island, 10 km from Raya Yai, is the result of coral reef build up, and there
are more rocks than beaches. In a small bay on the west is a boat anchorage.The waters at Raya Noi are emerald green, and the fishing there is famous, but
swimming is not recommended .. read more |
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The clean, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Raya Yai are a major
attraction for daytrippers from Phuket. On the west coast of Raya Yai is a fine
beach, closed in by a horseshoe-shaped hillside .. read more |
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This tiny island off Phuket’s southeast coast is highly prized for its still
perfect natural environment, including fine white beaches and crystal waters; ideal
for swimming, diving, or fishing .. read more |
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