Mu Koh Surin

Mu Ko Surin

Mu Koh Surin Marine National Park is located 80 km. Due west of Ranong Province along Thailand's west coast.

The largest island is Koh Surin Nua which has an area of 19 sq. km. and a highest point 240m above sea level. To its immediate southwest lies the slightly smaller Koh Surin Tai between the two is a strait only 200m which can be crossed on foot during low waters. The only residents on Koh Surin  Nua are the park officials although Koh Surin Tai has small communities of Chao Ley sea gypsies on some of its eastern beaches.

Diving around Surin

Sites follow along fringing  reefs that slope gently to the sea-bed and in contrast along the walls of sheer pinnacles. The reefs and their inhabitants are thankfully now protected but this hasn't always been the case. Sadly there are isolated areas of damage which have restricted the selection of listed sites. However the jurisdiction extends to include Richelieu Rock which remain in pristine condition.

The sites are dived as both multi-day live aboard excursions from Koh Phuket and Khao Lak as well as daily dive trips from Khao Lak.

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Khao Lak

Khao Lak

Khao Lak Marine National Park boast 12 km of casuarinas and palm fringed coastline. Behind the glorious beaches are palm and rubber plantations which continue to meet green foothills and mountainous terrain divided by cascading waterfalls. One thing that sets Khao Lak aside from many other seaside destination is that you don't have to cross a road to reach the beach Tourism is slowly but surely taking off here particularly for divers which is hardly surprising as some of the county's best diving is right on its doorstep.

Diving around Khao Lak

The majority of diving offered visits the sites around the Mu Koh Similan and Surin Marine National Park. However there are a few local sites including a newly discovered reef which is still to be properly explored. There are also a couple of wrecks of tin mining boats the "Boonsong" lies just off the coast and can  be a real treat to dive. All manners of marine life can be encountered from tiny and endemic nudibranchs up to on the odd occasion whale sharks. The second wreck the "Premchai" lies upside down but remains in one piece allowing penetration. 

How to get there 

Khao Lak is a 90 minutes drive from Koh Phuket which is the main gateway to the area. It is possible to directly access Phuket International airport from a number of neighbouring countries or via Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

By bus: VIP air conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily to the bus terminal in Phuket City. Trip time is around 14 hrs. At Phuket City bus terminal visitors may continue their journeys by taxi or local bus unless a pick-up by  their dive operator has been arranged. For further information on bus services contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal Tel: +66(0)2 435 1199, (0)2 4351200  

  

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Krabi

Had Nopparat Marine National Park

Krabi Province is 940 km south of Bangkok and has long been a popular destination for budget travellers. The addition of an international airport and high end resorts now attract a much broader spectrum of visitors to the area particularly families.

The area features some of Thailand's most stunning landscape. Sheer limestone cliffs are crowned with elevates jungles beaches. The rugged cliff-faces are scarred with numerous caves and crevice many of which are climbed by adventurous sports climbers.

Diving around Krabi

Directly off Ao Nang are two islands Koh Podah Nai and Nok and handful of limestone outcrops. The area's local diving concentrates around these as well as the sites at Koh Phi Phi, Shark  point Marine Sanctuary and Hin Daeng and Mouang. Divers can enjoy an abundance of radiant soft corals and a tremendous diversity of marine lift. There are gently sloping reefs caves and exciting swim-throughs.

The shallow reefs also offer opportunities for some tremendous snorkelling. The local sites are accessed in around 20 minutes whilst those further afield take over an hour.

How to get there

By boat: Longtail boat to Ao Nang Railae and Had Nopparat Thara from Krabi Town take 40 minutes to reach Railae and another 5 minutes to Ao Nang followed by another 5 to Had Nopparat Thara. Boats also provide a regular service between the three beaches. Large passenger boats depart daily from Ao Nang Railae and Krabi. Town to Koh Phi Phi and ti Koh Lanta from Krabi Town.

By bus: VIP air - conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily. The local bus terminal is just outside Krabi Town and takes 12 hrs to reach. For further information regarding any bus service contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal Tel +66(0)2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200

By air: Daily flights depart Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Flight time is 80 minutes. On arrival at Krabi airport a connection to Krabi Town or one of the beaches will be necessary. For further information contact Thai Airways International , Tel:Bangkok +66(0)2 280 0060 (Krabi) +66(0) 75 620070-1 or booking online

Flight information is provided by FlightStats, and is subject to the FlightStats Terms of Use.

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Koh Phi Phi

Mu Koh Phi Phi Marine National Park

50 km to the south west of Krabi the Phi Phi island  group has been drawing visitors from all four corners of the globe for over a decade.It is an extremely popular international destination and one that is well and truly established on Thailand's diving and snorkelling map.

The island's raw natural beauty fabulous beaches and ease of access all together add to the lure of this family destination which continues to flourish without the eyesore of high-rise development.

the topography of the larger and only inhabited island of Koh Phi Phi Don comprises two dramatic limestone outcrops divided by a narrow flat isthmus. This stretch of land is there the vast majority of the island's amenities and services are found of which there are plenty to choose from. 

Driving around Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi offers a splendid variety of different types of diving on its local reefs with abundant hard and soft corals and rich diversity of marine life - suitable for all levels of divers. Trip also visit Shark Point Marine Sanctuary Hin Daeng and Mouang. Snorkelling around Phi Phi is second to none with plenty of shallow coral gardens crowning the fringing reefs which are alive with colourful fish.

How to get there

There are daily boat transfers to and from Krabi Koh Lanta and Phuket. These are the only option apart from private boat Charter to get Koh Phi Phi.

Information on Koh Phi Phi contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand Tel +66(0)76 212213

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Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta Marine National Park

there are dozens of islands off the Krabi coast. Of these, 15 islands make up the Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park, which covers about 135 sq km. across four main island groups - Koh Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi, Koh Muk, Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai, and the Koh Ha group of islands.

the island with by far the most facilities is Koh Lanta Yai; there are numerous bungalow resorts and even a couple of luxury spa and resorts, and even more on the way. The island is around 25 km long, with a hilly central section and a string of the superb sandy beaches along its western coastline. The main hub of activity on the island remains at the northern port of Saladan. Here you will find a post office, clinic and banking facilities. There is also a nice selection of restaurants and of course a number of the island's dive operators.

Diving around Koh Lanta

The diving around Koh Lanta and adjacent islands is exceptionally good. This is regarded as one of the best areas in Thailand. There's great variety, with walls, fringing reefs caves and a wreck to explore around  the offshore islands islets and rocks. Marine life is abundant with a healthy cross-section of reef species and pelagics. Only the local operators and a few from krabi and the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Phuket currently utilise there sites, so they remain uncrowded.

How to get there

Koh Lanta Yai can be reached by scheduled boat services from Krabi town, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket and Ban Baw Muang pier northwest of Trang town. To reach the island via the town transfer by minibus or taxi to the pier at Ban Baw Muang around 40km north of town. The recommended way to access Koh Lanta Yai is to arrive at Krabi Town and transfer to the boat service or arrive at the airport and have the dive operator arrange the connecting road transfer.

To Trang Town from Bangkok

By bus: VIP air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal twice daily. Journey time is 17hrs. For information on the service contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal, Tel: +66(0) 2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200

By Boat:There are daily boat transfers to and from Krabi town, Koh Phi Phi Koh Phuket

By train: Three types of service run from Bangkok to Trang and as it is a 15hr journey it is advisable to travel sleeper class. Train can be booked up to 90 days in advance - recommended as they fill up quickly. For  information regarding train service contact Hua Lumphong Railway Station, Tel: +66(0)2 223 7010

By air: Koh Lanta can be reached from the nearby airports in Krabi and Trang. Whichever is used a transfer will need to be arranged to the island. This takes around an hour from either airport and best arranged in advance through one of the dive operators.

For more information on Koh Lanta contract the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel: +66(0)76 212213, (0)76 211036 

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Koh Tao

Koh Tao - or turtle island as it's affectionately referred to - is the northernmost and smallest in the chain of the three inhabited island in the Samui Archipelago, with an area of 21 sq km. The south and west coastlines are dotted with white sandy beaches: the north and east coasts have a couple of small sandy bays but are predominantly formed by large granite boulders stacked high above the water and rising to fringe the island's forest

The island's single town, Mae Haad, is located on the western coast. There's a bold selection of restaurants with international and local menus, and a post office, internet services, general provisions shop and a handful of driving centres and credible retail outlets purveying diving equipment and accessories.

Diving around Koh Tao

The diving around Koh Tao is amongst the best in the  Gulf of Thailand with enough variety to satisfy all levels of divers. There are deep shipwrecks, (some only suitable for technical divers) and towering submerged pinnacles; with their craggy rock faces seemingly alive with various hard and soft coral species. There sites are constantly visited by large pelagics. In contrast are dives along gentle sloping coral reefs. These are good places to see many different species of laminate and foliaceous corals and a rich diversity of marine life. There's a few good snorkelling sites which can be reached off the beach of Nang Yuan island.

How to get there

By air and boat: There are no airports on Koh Tao but planes fly to neighbouring Koh Samui and to the north of Chumphon on the mainland, providing a relatively comfortable, though indirect, access to the island.

Bangkok Airways exclusively serves Koh Samui from Bangkok with up to 17 flights a day flights direct to and from Singapore. Flight times are 1 hr 20  mins and 2hr 20 min respectively. There are also daily domestic flights from Samui to Phuket. For further information contact Bangkok Airways, Tel: +66(0)2 265 5678

Transfer to the connecting boat services is by air-conditioned minibuses. Two high speed catamarans depart twice daily (weather permitting). Both boats stop off at Koh Phangan to pick up and drop off passengers en route. The overall trip takes around two hours and is the preferred way to reach Koh Tao from Koh Samui. The catamarans also sail between Chumphon and Koh Tao on a daily basis. For further information contact Lomprayah High Speed Catamarans, Tel: +66(0)2 77 247 401 or Seatran Discovery, Tel:+66(0)77 246086-8

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Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan, Thailand

As Koh Samui has gradually succumbed to mainstream tourism, Koh Phangan remains the most popular backpacker's island in the Gulf of thailand. Covering around 190 sq km, its mountainous terrain is covered in dense jungle, with granite outcrops scattered around the coast. There are plenty of nice beaches, many in small, picturesque bays. Most of the island's amenities are found in around the town of thong Sala and Haad Rin beaches.

it was not until the inauguration of the island's famous Full Moon parties in the 1980s that travellers began arriving in large numbers. Clubbers and ravers stayed on, earning Koh Phangan its reputation as the lbiza of the Orient but there is also a well established alternative scene, with Tai Chi, meditation, open-air yoga and other New age pursuits. Most of these activities are centred on the two Haad Rin beaches on the southeast coast.

Driving around Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan, like Koh Samui,is an ideal departure point for sites in the ang Thong Marine National Park, the Samran Pinnacles and Sail Rock. But as they are nearer, divers benefit from shorter journey times and being first to arrive at the sites. It also exclusively opens up night diving opportunities at Sail Rock! Two-day excursions run to the sites around Koh Tao. It takes about 3hrs to reach Koh tao's southern sites.

visibility around Koh Phangan averages only 4m; the highest expectancy is 25m. Marine life around the reefs is fair, particularly with small-medium sized fish, but sites are seldom visited by large pelagics. There are occasional sightings of small juvenile reef sharks, turtles and rays.

How to get there

Koh Phangan is reached by road, rail, air and sea.

By bus:  Daily VIP air-conditioned buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. The journey to Surat Thani takes 12 hours. Buses connect with the Express Boat in Surat Thani, or continue for information contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal, Tel: +66 (0)2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200

By boat: Express boats depart five times daily from Surat Thani pier, and there is a passenger ferry (day and night) from Donsak. The journey to Koh Phangan takes two and a half hours. All boats arrive at Thong Sala jetty. Express Boats leave Koh Samui's Nathon pier regularly between 07.00hrs and 17.00hrs and arrive at Thong Sala 45 minutes later. Boat also depart from the pier in Bophut and arrive at Haad Rin beach 30 minutes later. Two high speed catamarans depart Samui twice daily (weather permitting). For further information conract Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran, Tel +66(0)77 247401 or Seatran Discovery Tel: +66(0)77 246086-8.

By train: There are two train service from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The Express train leaves Bangkok Hua Lumphong Railway Station every hour or so and takes around twelve hours. The Sprinter train departs five times daily and takes around nine hours. For further information regarding train services contact Hua Lumphong Railway Station Tel: +66(0)2 223 7010

By air: There are no airports on Koh Phangan. The nearest airport is on the neighboring islands of Koh Samui. For further information contract Bangkok Airway, Tel: +66(0)2 265 5678

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Koh Samui

Koh Samui, Thailand

The fabulous beaches of koh Samui have been attracting visitors for decades. the island - third largest in Thailand - is now firmly on the international tourist map. Covering 247 sq km, the island lies 35 km off the coast of Surat Thani. Koh Samui's central region, comprising almost two-thirds of the island, consists of the thickly wooded mountainous terrain with coconut palms interspersed by gushing streams and waterfalls.

Finding somewhere to stay on the island couldn't be easier an you don't have to look far to find luxury hotels, boutique resort, villas and natural spas; unexpectedly most are reasonably pried. There's also all manner of major retail chains and fast food outlets nestled under a blaze of neon signs. Thankfully, that's not the case all around the island. In a nutshell, there changes have transformed Samui from a once backpacker haven't to a family friendly resort island.

Photo by www.kohsamui-hotels.org

Diving around Koh Samui

There are  several enjoyable dives to be had around Koh Samui itself, all but one of which are reached by 10-90 minutes boat trips. The best sites are further north, requiring long boat trips. More experienced divers can enjoy exciting and exhilarating deep wall-divers; divers of all levels can enjoy a variety of fringing reefs.

How to get there

Koh Samui can be reached by road, rail, air, sea.

By bus: VIP air-conditioned buses. from Bangkok leave Bangkok's Southern bus Terminal daily. The journey to Surat Thani takes 12 hours. Buses connect with boats services as described below. For further informational, Tel: +66 (0)2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200

By boat: Express boats depart five times daily from Surat Thani pier for the two and a half hour journey to Nathon on Koh Samui. The passenger ferry takes 90 minutes from Donsak to pier at Ban Na Sai. Both are met by local transfer buses. From Koh Phangan to Koh Samui there are regular  Express  Boat and speedboat services from Thong Sala ans Haad Rin Beach, and high speed catamarans from Thong Sala twice daily.

By train: There are two main train services from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The Express train leaves Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station every  hour or so and takes around 12 hours. The sprinter train departs five times daily and takes around nine hours. For further information regarding train services contact Hua Lumphong Railway Station Tel: +66 (0)2 223 7010

By air: Bangkok Airways Schedule up to 17 flight daily from the domestic terminal at Bangkok's Suwanabumi International Airport. Flight time is 70 minutes. For further information contact Bangkok Airway, Bangkok, Tel: +66 (0)2 265 5678 , Koh Samui Tel: +66 (0)77 425011-4

For more information on Koh Samui contact Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel: +66 (0)77 281828.

  

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Koh Chang, Thailand.

Koh Chang Marine National park

In the country's easternmost province of Trat, the Koh Chang Marine National Park comprises 52 islands scattered along the coastline close to the Kampuchean border. Established in 1982, it covers just overs 650 sq. km. and is one of Thailand's least visited national parks. Koh Chang is the second largest island in Thailand, with a footprint covering 240 sq. km.

Blanketed in almost impenetrable virgin rainforest, the hilly interior rises to a peak at Khao Jion Prasat, which climbs to reach 744m as it dominates the centre of the island. Although wildlife is sparse, there are wild boars, hornbills, parrots and sunbirds, all of which can be seen in the forest.

Most of the island's inhabitants still make their living from fishing. Tourism has just started to make its mark, and nowadays many of the once-familier small resorts of bungalows and bamboo huts are being replaced, or joined by, high-end hotels, resorts and spas.

The islands amenities mainly focus around the perimeter, particularly the larger beaches which are all easily accessed by road. Getting around the island is simple as there are plenty of pickup trucks and taxi, as well minibuses travelling to and from Trat airport. There are also tourist amenities and accommodation on the island of Koh Mak.

Diving around Koh Chang

The diving here still has an exciting exploratory feel to it. As it's spread over a large area, the sites are uncrowded Mu Koh Chang Marine National Park has a large selection of healthy fringing reefs, pinnacles and walls, as well as several very enjoyable snorkelling sites. In general, visibility averages around 10m, although it can be in excess of 20m, especially at the sites further south. Marine life is also more prolific in these areas. There plenty of giant clams. The waters also attract many large pelagics, rays and - quite regularly - whale sharks.

how to go koh chang

By bus: Air-conditioned buses leave daily from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal. The journey to Trat town takes around five hours. On arrival in Trat Town passengers transfer to the pier as Laem Ngop. For further information contact Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal, Tel +66 (0)2 391 4900

By air: Bangkok Airways fly to Trat airport on a daily basis, where taxis can be arranged for the transfer to the island. For further information contact Bangkok Airways, Tel: +66 (0)2 265 5678 or booking online

for further information on Koh Chang, contact Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel +66 (0)38 427 662.

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