Khao Lak Attractions - Top Sightseeing and things to see

This is the largest island with a long curving bay and fine sandy beach. At the northern part, there are large stones of different shapes, including one looking like a boat and another like a sailboat. It is suitable for diving to look at coral reefs and colourful fish.

• Ko Ba Ngu
  Looking like a skull, it is also called
  
  
• Ko Hua Kalok or Skull Island. The island is renowned for its wonderful underwater scenery with corals, aquatic plants and many schools of fish.
  
  

• Ko Similan
  This is the largest island with a long curving bay and fine sandy beach. At the northern part, there are large stones of different shapes, including one looking like a boat and another like a sailboat. It is suitable for diving to look at coral reefs and colourful fish.
  
  
• Ko Miang
  is the second largest island where the office and the guesthouses of the national park are located. The island also has beautiful beaches and coral reefs.
  
  
• Ko Hu Yong
  has the longest stretch of white sandy beach where sea turtles lay eggs from November to February.
  

The Surin Islands are located about 70 km. northwest of Khura Buri county and close to Thailand's marine border with Myanmar. Consisting of five islands, the Surin is famous for the beautiful coral reefs in shallow water and so they are excellent for snorkeling.

Two main islands are Ko Surin Nua (North Surin Island) and Ko Surin Tai (South Surin Island). The park office is located at Mae Yai Bay of Ko Surin Nua, but Ao Luek or Deep Bay is famous for its dark green water and most beautiful coral reefs and aquatic plants.

Another interesting feature of the islands is the village of sea gypsies of the Sing tribe which is on Sai En beach of Ko Surin Nua. The sea gypsies here are the last group which still maintain their traditional way of living. About 1.30 hours away from the islands are Richelieu Rocks, a spot for viewing whale sharks.

Like Similan Islands, Surin Islands are open from 16 November to 15 May and the best time to visit the islands is from December to March.
The dive operators in Phuket also have diving excursions to the Surin archipelago, but the prices are rather high due to longer distances compared to the Similans.

It consists of two main islands, Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi. Both of them retain the pleasant simple life style of their Muslim islanders. Though the former is larger than the latter, they both offer several magnificent secluded beaches.

Ko Yao Noi, the main population centre, has several beautiful beaches including:

• Pa Sai Beach, a clean white sandy beach with shady trees, is good for swimming. Several islands of Krabi can be seen from the beach.
• Tha Khao Beach is a rocky beach covered with colourful rocks and gravels. Just a little distance offshore is Ko Nok, a tiny island that can be reached on foot at low tide.

• Phung Chang Cave (Elephant Belly Cave) is located within the precinct of Wat Praphat Prachimkhet, which is behind the Provincial Hall.
  
• Rusisawan and Luk Suea Caves
  These two connecting caves are in Phra Si Nakarin Park on Phetkasem Highway obliquely opposite to the Provincial Court. Rusisawan Cave is in front of Luk Seua Cave. There are stalagmites and stalactites and meandering streams.
  
• Sa Nang Manora Forest Park is located in Nop Pring Subdistrict. To go to the park, you have to follow Phang-nga - Krabi Route (Highway No.4) about 3 hours, then turn right at the intersection next to the power station.
  
• Ao Phang-nga National Park Ao Phang-nga or Phang-nga Bay is one of the most frequently visited marine national parks of Thailand. With an area of 40,000 sq.km., it comprises more than 40 islands, large and small, located to the northeast of Phuket. It is almost like an inland lake with its east, north and west sealed off by land and its south partly enclosed, too.

• Bang Sak Beach Bang Sak Beach is situated in Bang Muang Subcounty off Phetkasem Highway at Km.75.
  
• Khao Lak - Lamru National Park This national park is emerging as a new star appealing to those who love tranquility amidst the pristine nature. With an area of about 150 sq.km. covering four counties of Thai Muang, Kapong, Takua Pa and Muang, it boasts virgin forests with abundant flora and fauna and waterfalls. The cream of the park lies on Khao Lak Hill, 25 km. from Amphoe Takua Pa. The mountain is not only a border landmark of Takua Pa and Thai Muang counties, but also forms a scenic background for a serene long golden beach, which is an ideal place for relaxation and a nice viewpoint for watching the sunset.

• Khao Lak Beach There is a pretty curve in the 10-km beach running parallel with Khao Lak Mountain. The beach is naturally decorated with granite boulders with an offshore coral reef suitable for snorkeling, about 40 minutes away by boat. Here is a nice viewpoint for an impressive panorama of the Andaman Sea. The sunset here forms a very spectacular scene and creates a romantic atmosphere.
  
• Lamru Waterfall Take Highway 4090 to enter Lamru Village, cross the Kapong canal, turn left and go ahead for 1 km. to reach a forest protection unit. Not far from here, you will find a 5-leap waterfall. The most impressive beauty lies in the fifth leap with a height of 30 meters. The trees are so thick that little sunlight is allowed through.

• Wat Suwan Khuha This temple is situated in Krasom subcounty, about 7 km. from Phang-nga town. Take the Phang-nga -- Khok Kloy Road (Route 4) until arrive at Km. 31, then turn to the right. The temple is about 1 km. down the road. Called Wat Tham (Cave Temple) by the local people, this is an important temple for its being an archaeological site of the province. In the vicinity of the temple, there is a limestone mountain riddled with caves large and small.The most important one is Tham Yai or Big Cave which is located at the lowest level and serves as the entrance to other caves. It is about 20 metres wide and 40 metres long. The cave walls are decorated with earthenwares of various colours, sizes and designs. Inside the cave are stucco Buddha images and a splendid 15-metre-long reclining Buddha.
  
• Raman Waterfall Located 6 km. away from Wat Suwan Khuha, this is a medium-sized year-round waterfall surrounded by thick forest.
  
• Thanun Beach This beach is located at Pak Phra channel separating Phang-nga from Phuket Island. Sea turtles come to lay eggs on this quiet beach yearly from November to February.

• Khao Lampi - Hat Thai Muang National Park
  
  • Lampi Waterfall is in Thai Muang Subcounty off Phetkasem Highway (Route 4) near Km. 32. This medium sized waterfall has three levels, each about 100 metres high, and flows all year round.
    
  • Ton Phrai Waterfall To go to the fall, drive along Phetkasem Highway until reaching Km. 28-29, turn left to the gravel side road and go ahead about 7 kilometres. This is a large waterfall with water flowing all year round.
    
  • Thai Muang Beach Located in Thai Muang Subcounty, it is a 13 kilometre clean sandy beach parallel to the highway. From November to February, sea turtles come up to lay eggs on the beach. During this period, local people usually go to observe the turtles on moonlit nights.
    
  • Bo Dan Hot Springs Located on a sideroad about 6 km. from Khok Kloi Intersection amidst the green garden, the water here contains many kinds of minerals which are good for relief of arthritis, beriberi, mental and physical stress.
    
  • Phang-nga Naval Base This is an important place for sea turtles breeding on the Andaman coast.
    
  • Chulabhorn Marine Park Conservatory Center The center is located in Phang-nga Naval Base. The exhibition room displays a varied collection of fish and marine lives - much like the real underwater world.