Although a holiday in Phuket offers warm waters, sunshine, good food and friendly people, there are also ladyboys, bar girls, and traffic to contend with. If you do feel the need to escape the island then take a short boat trip to discover one of the greatest wonders of Southeast Asia, Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park. A destination that should be at the top of everyone’s must see list as there’s plenty to see and do in this area, but here I am going to tell you about the hidden caves and magical karsts.
Ancient Limestone Karsts
Phang Nga National Park is huge – 400 sqm! The bay is famous for its mangrove forests and sparkling green sea, but nobody forgets the sky-high limestone karsts that rise dramatically from the bottom of the ocean. Millions of years old these limestone islands stand metres high as they reach towards the sky, and each one is unique.
Hidden Sea Caves
Hidden ancient caves can be explored at the base of these karsts and a trip through one is magical. Fun to explore they can be a little scary too, as you enter there is silence disturbed only by the echoes of dripping water and the sounds of the bats that roost here. Look out for the unusual rock formations and stalactites and stalagmites, they are stunning!
Cave Wildlife
Take a trip through the caves for a memorable experience, never to be forgotten. Some of the caves lead into a large inner space, known as hongs in the Thai language. You can only go into them when the tide is out but the experience can be breathtaking. These caves are open to the skies above which have created lush lagoons and white-sand beaches. You can actually walk through the larger ones or take a kayak or canoe. You might even spot kingfishers, water monitors and sea eagles.
Scenic Boat Tours
The best way to experience the real beauty of this area is to take a sailing boat, kayak, or traditional longtail boat, and lose yourself amongst the soaring cliffs and deserted islands. You can stop at one of the empty beaches and make believe it’s yours if you feel like it. Or peer inside a sea cave and imagine what strange creatures are hiding inside.
Although Phang Nga Bay can get busy at times it is a charming and unique place to explore. There’s nothing that can beat the thrill you get when you first set eyes on this remarkable place of beauty.
