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Coral Island | Maiton Island | Phi Phi Islands | Rang
Yai Island | Raya Yai Island | Raya
Noi Island | Similan Islands | Si-Re
Island
 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.
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 fifty-one island Taratao National
Park - and in between dozens of isles offering pristine beaches,
spectacular scenery and a peace and serenity unique to the Andaman.
Perhaps the most popular - and populace - 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 and watersport 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.
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 swftlets
whose nests are considered great delicacies by the Chinese.
 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.
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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Koh Hey, off Phuket's south coast, is so well known for its coral
reef that it is often referred to simply as Coral Island. In addition
to the splendid reefs there are two fine beaches on the north and
west of the island.
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. The
only business of any kind is the plush Maiton Island Resort.
Lying off Phuket's east coast, this small island has been developed
for the soft adventure tourist. Among the many activities are snorkeling
on the coral reefs, sea kayaking, mountain-biking, playing miniature
golf, and visiting the island's pearl farm.
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.
The
clean, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Raya Yai are a
major attraction for daytrippers from Phuket.
Separated from the mainland of Phuket by the Khlong Tha Chin, a
shallow mangrove swamp, this twenty square km island is connected
by a causeway to the city. Wat Koh Si-Re, on the hill, has a large
Reclining Buddha and provides fine views of the surroundings.
