The islands of Phuket attract not only diving enthusiasts, but also tourists who have “wanderlust” in their blood. You can feel like a real navigator, discover new places, sunbathe and swim in the solitude "worthy" of Robinson, and return to comfort and civilization in the evening.
Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi
The twin islands of Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi are located 12 km south of Phuket and are famous for their excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling.
The white sandy beaches of Ko Racha Yai can be reached by speedboat or boat from Chalong and Rawai piers. Traveling by boat will take 45 minutes, by boat from one and a half to three hours. It is best to move around the island on foot, along the roads winding among the coconut trees, watching the lazily grazing buffaloes, or go around the coast of the island by boat.
The beach here is relatively sparsely populated, and diving is possible at any time of the year and in any weather - there is no excitement in the bays of the island. There are two good restaurants on the island, as well as bungalows offering snacks and drinks on the beach.
Ko Racha Noi, located 10 kilometers from Ko Racha Yai, rests on the base of coral reefs, and therefore the coast here is more rocky. In the emerald waters of the island, according to experts, just great fishing. Diving here is more difficult because the bottom is covered with huge granite boulders.
Naka Yai and Naka Noi Islands
Naka Yai Island is not yet very explored by tourists. The eastern part of the island is almost deserted, and there is a small village on the western side, but there are plans to turn the island into an exclusive resort town.
You can get to Naka Yai by hiring a boat on the east coast of Phuket. You can also buy a one-day tour for diving enthusiasts. Most of Naka Yai's beaches are sandy and wide, and the views from its east coast are simply breathtaking.
Neighboring Naka Noi is known as the "pearl island", here is a pearl farm, to which all the tourist routes of the island inevitably lead.
Ko Yao Islands
Ko Yao is a group of islands between Phuket and Krabi. Ferries depart here daily from Bangrong Pier on the east coast of Phuket. The fare is 50 THB per hour. Ko Yao Noi, a 50 square kilometer island, is mountainous in the center and surrounded by beaches to the east and mangroves to the west. You can get here by boat. The main road encircles the entire island. You can travel around the island by tuk-tuk (it is especially convenient to climb the mountain in this way), but if you decide to stay here, it is better to hire a scooter for 250-300 THB per day.
Prices on the page are for April 2016.
From entertainment, Ko Yao offers boat trips, cruises to neighboring islands. Near the beaches there are several good fish restaurants, there is Internet access, several shops, including the new Seven-Eleven. Life on the island is quite traditional, so if possible, avoid revealing outfits and drinking alcohol outside of restaurants.
On Ko Yao Noi, you can see exotic hornbills.
Ko Yao Yai is much larger than its neighbor Ko Yao Noi, but preserved in its original beauty. There is practically no infrastructure on the island. On the rocks of the island you can find prehistoric drawings of the ancient natives, many of which are several thousand years old.
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Koh Pani Island
Ko Pani is a 20-minute boat ride from Surakul Pier in Phang Nga Province. You could see this island from the window of the plane heading to Phuket. From above, it seems that the village magically appeared in the middle of the bay. Most of the island is vertical limestone cliffs, and hundreds of huts, restaurants and other buildings are built on stilts above the bay. This small Muslim community has its own school, mosque, many souvenir shops and several restaurants overlooking the sea, as well as bungalows where you can spend the night for 350 THB.
Ko Hae Island
Koh Hae Island is located southeast of Phuket. The island, surrounded by coral reefs and having two magnificent beaches, Long Beach and Banana Beach, boats sail from Rawai and Chalong and one-day organized excursions. The island attracts diving enthusiasts - about a hundred meters from the shore there is a huge cluster of coral reefs surrounded by amazingly clear water. Parasailing, banana boating, kayaking, BBQ and overnight camping are available on Koh Hae.
