Phang Nga Bay: An Incredible Place in Thailand

Faraway exotic Thailand attracts numerous tourists with its warm weather, interesting history, and rich culture. But the kingdom’s most important attraction is its extraordinary, luxurious nature. Among its best decorations is the amazing Phang Nga Bay. 

General overview of Phang Nga Bay

Just one photo of Thailand, which shows a picturesque view of Phang Nga Bay, is enough to arouse the enthusiastic interest of those who are choosing a place to go on vacation. And it does not matter if the period falls on an unpopular time of year in Russia. In this paradise corner of the planet, rest is wonderful even in late autumn and winter.

The area of ​​the water surface of the bay occupies 400 square kilometers. It is framed by amazingly beautiful coastal cliffs. No less than 40 islands of bizarre shapes rise above the water. They are composed of limestone rocks that are easily subject to weathering processes. For thousands of years, water and wind have created the unusual shape of the islands. The land areas surrounded by the waters of the bay are full of caves, grottoes, and mysterious labyrinths. 

Fantastic labyrinths beckon with mystery, captivate with unprecedented beauty. But it is better to travel through their network with an experienced guide. It is no less exciting to admire the views of the bay and travel around the islands on a yacht, boat or canoe. Tourists get wonderful impressions from getting to know the sights of the outlandish bay. Before the real trip, let’s get acquainted with this amazing corner of our planet.

Geographical location and climate

The route to Phang Nga Bay is not close, but it is worth making this trip to see this real wonder of the world. First, you will have to cover a distance of more than 7,000 km from Moscow to Thailand and spend at least 9 hours in flight. The most convenient and least expensive route is to fly to Phuket Island. On its east coast, there are several piers from which boats and motorboats depart to Phang Nga Bay. The most convenient way is to book an excursion and go get acquainted with the most beautiful corner of Asia. In total, you can get from Moscow to Phang Nga in about 16 hours under favorable circumstances.

The beauty of the opening landscapes will conquer you immediately, and all the difficulties of the journey will fade into the background. Each island in the bay is created by nature and preserved in its original beauty. Communication with it in Phang Nga Bay will give you an abundance of colors, contemplation of incredible landscapes, the opportunity to get into the “lost worlds” that the Earth keeps.

Where is Phang Nga Bay

One of the most beautiful places in the world is part of the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean basin) and is located 15 km northeast of the famous island of Thailand Phuket. Territorially, the bay belongs to the province of the country with the same name. The region is located in the west of the Malay Peninsula. By the way, the capital of the province is also called Phang Nga. 

Climate and best time to visit

Thailand is located in the tropical humid climate zone, Phang Nga Bay is no exception. It is very hot and humid in summer, it is difficult for non-locals to be here. The best time to travel to Thailand and travel to Phang Nga Bay is considered to be the period from November to March. During these months, the thermometer does not rise above +30 degrees, rains are rare and short-lived.

The Uniqueness of Phang Nga Bay

The bay attracts with its incredible spectacle. The bizarreness of the islands, the charm of the lagoons, the mystery of the karst labyrinths are unique. Nature has given people a precious gift, not stingy with diversity.

Nature and biodiversity

The rocky islands visible above the emerald waters of the bay were once part of a giant coral reef. It stretched from Australia to the shores of Southeast Asia. Over time, the coral formations fossilized and rose above the surface of the water. A stunningly beautiful archipelago was formed with unique secluded lagoons, island caves and karst labyrinths washed out by water.

The fertile humid climate has created a rich flora. Dozens of bird species, reptiles, and amphibians thrive in the lush mangrove and reed thickets. The birds settle on numerous small islands that have no names. There is an abundance of fish in the shallow waters.

Pearls of the Gulf – Karst Islands

The most popular excursions from Phuket are trips to the islands of Phang Nga Bay. It is impossible to visit everything, but tourists are shown the most interesting ones:

• Koh Hong is a picturesque cliff with lagoons and caves rising above the waters of the bay;

• Koh Panyee is a small island represented by a sharp rock rising into the sky. Adjacent to it is a unique fishing village, whose houses are built on stilts. Local residents are called “sea gypsies”. After the increase in tourist flow, souvenir shops, bungalows, and good restaurants with delicious seafood cuisine opened in the village.
• Talu Nok is a high limestone island that is completely pierced by a huge cave 50 m long with low arches. Stalactites of incredible shapes hang from them, which tourists look at with interest.
• Koh Panak – the island has very beautiful views and a network of interconnected caves and grottoes. Bats live among the numerous hanging stalactites. They do not pose a danger to tourists, as they are convinced vegans and prefer local berries and fruits.
• Ko Tapu – it’s amazing how this island continues to rise above the bay! Its unusual shape resembles a bottle standing on its neck. Here it is called “nail” or “fingernail”. It is the most photographed and visited island in the bay, its main point. There is a reason for this, but more on that later.

Ao Phang Nga National Park

In order to preserve the unique nature, Phang Nga Bay was declared a protected marine park. The Royal Decree was issued in 1981, since then the marine area of ​​the bay and 40 islands have been under state protection. 

What can you see in the park?

The islands of the National Park are made up of limestone mountains and covered with sand. They are inhabited by:

• 120 species of birds;
• 30 species of reptiles;
• 27 species of mammals.

The underwater world of Phang Nga Bay is diverse. The depth is only a few meters and there are no strong storms. Even in the unfavorable rainy season, the height of the waves does not exceed 1 m. The warm water is home to one and a half dozen species of crabs, the same number of varieties of shrimp, and many fish. The underwater inhabitants feed on plankton, which is abundant here.

The flora of the reserve is represented by three types of plants:

• aquatic plants;
• mangrove forests;
• evergreen plants.

Dense mangrove thickets cover the tidal areas. The plants preserve the shores, protecting them from the impact of waves, currents, and tidal energy. This is a special ecosystem and a habitat for reptiles and aquatic life.

The most famous local reptiles are striped and Bengal monitor lizards, various snakes: striped sea snakes, Malayan shield snakes, coastal pit vipers. Mammals are represented by otters and crab-eating monkeys.

There are many birds on the islands. Swift swallows fly here, and white-breasted sea eagles, hornbills and other feathered inhabitants live next to them.

Visiting rules

Before you set off on a trip to the National Park, which is the Phang Nga Bay, it is worthwhile to first theoretically get acquainted with the features and attractions of the park. If you go on an excursion on your own, such knowledge will be very useful.

The rules for visiting specially protected areas are similar, but Thailand has its own peculiarities. The main thing to remember while in Ao Phang Nga:

• do not deviate from the travel route;
• do not leave litter;
• Do not light fires on land;
• do not make inscriptions on rocks and cave vaults;
• treat plants with care;
• do not try to feed the monkeys on the islands;
• Feeding sea creatures is also prohibited;
• when walking on land, watch your step to avoid crushing rare insects or stepping on a snake;
• clothes and shoes should be comfortable;
• have a supply of drinking water;
• a hat and sunscreen are required;
• Always keep an eye on and listen to the instructions of your escort.

Tourist attractions

Phang Nga Bay will surprise even the most experienced tourists. Such outlandish sights cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The unique beauty and charm of the area are endlessly delightful.

Diamond and Ice Cream Caves 

The uniqueness of the local caves is due to the transparent mineral that covers their vaults. If you shine a flashlight on the vaults inside the natural room, they respond with a welcoming shine. Inside the cave there are many stalactites of bizarre shapes, different colors and sizes. Bats are permanent residents. If you turn off all the flashlights, you will hear the rustle of their wings.

James Bond Islands

One of them is the very same island of Ko Tapu, which looks like an inverted bottle, mentioned above. The picturesque rock became the main attraction of the bay after it served as a backdrop for the famous film about Agent 007. On the second island of Khao Ping Kan, tourists land to admire the amazing above-water rock.

Fans of James Bond films are happy to visit the filming locations of the movie. In advertising brochures and excursion programs, tourists are invited to the “James Bond Islands”, the mention of the famous blockbuster acts as a magnet.

Koh Panyi Island

The island of Koh Panyee is unsuitable for visiting, much less for living. The high, almost vertical rocky shores of the limestone island burst right out of the water. It is famous for the fact that at its foot is a village of so-called sea gypsies. Thai gypsies currently lead a sedentary lifestyle, but it takes place not on land, but on the water.

The territory of the unusual above-water settlement occupies 5 square kilometers. The houses stand on piles driven into the seabed. The depths here are small and the weather is always good without storms. The village is protected from waves and winds by the islands of the bay. The streets are made of knocked-together flooring and bridges, the means of transportation are boats. On a small section of the island land there is only a mosque, since the locals profess Islam. About 400 families live in Koh Panyee. Children go to school, men fish, women do housework. Everything is like people living on land.

The colorful village in the depths of the bay, adjacent to the rocky island of Koh Panyee, attracts the attention of many tourists. For them, souvenir shops and several good restaurants have opened, where you can enjoy fresh and well-cooked seafood.

Excursions and tours

For a general and detailed acquaintance with Phang Nga Bay, thematic excursions have been developed . Trips around the bay on high-speed motorboats or boats with a visit to the islands are very popular. During the day of travel, the most beautiful islands of the bay are visited. 

An individual excursion on a Thai long-tail boat will allow you to get to know the islands’ wonders better and visit the fabulous mangrove forests. It is interesting to ride along the green expanse of the bay in kayaks – narrow boats controlled by a two-bladed paddle. From them it is convenient to examine caves and grottoes. Tourists enjoy visiting the village of “sea gypsies”, built on piles, where a delicious lunch awaits them.

Local population and culture 

Thailand is home to different nationalities and people from neighboring countries. Their customs and culture are determined by the region of residence. The northern, southern and eastern regions are inhabited by residents of the same nationality, but their culture and even language differ from each other. The Phang Nga Bay area is part of southern Thailand. 40% of its inhabitants profess Islam and are bearers of Muslim culture. This explains the large number of mosques in the region, the mentality of the residents, their dietary habits and the presence of halal food establishments.

The population of Thailand has escaped the fate of colonial oppression, the Thai Kingdom has always been free. Partly for this reason, friendly people live here, smiling and hospitable. Balance is the main character trait of the Thais. The population of Thailand is constantly growing, currently it is approaching 23.5 million people.