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Lon Island
This large, mountainous
island is only 20 minutes by regular passenger boat from
Chalong
Bay, in the south of Phuket. The mainly Muslim inhabitants engage in
fishing, rubber and coconut planting. There is a long stretch of
beach on the northeast coast. Boats to Ko Lon leave daily in
 the
early morning from Chalong Pier.
Accommodation
map
Coral
Island or Hey Island
This island of
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.
Coral Island is part of a marine preserve, but
accommodations, restaurants,
various water sports and diving are all available. Boats leave from
Rawai and
Chalong. Package tours are also available. map
Mai
Ton Island
This tiny
island of 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. Those not
wishing to stay overnight may take a daytime excursion leaving from Ao Makham Deep Sea Port. For details contact (076) 214954-7.
map
Taphao Yai
Island
10 minutes from Phuket by ferry from Ao Makam on Phuket's southeast
coast. The island is home to the Bucerotes hornbill. To get there
from Phuket Town take Chao Fa Rd., to the Sakdidet Rd.,
intersection, turn left on Sakdidet and follow it 8 kms. to Ao
Makham. The road splits in the vicinity of oil storage facilities;
take the left fork about 200 meters to the Ko Taphao ferry pier.
Dining and accommodations are available on the island. For details
call Phuket Paradise, (076) 214917.
map
Raya (or Racha) Islands
Two islands running roughly northeast to southwest off Phuket's southern
coast.
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Raya Yai Island On the west coast is a fine beach closed in by the hill
that stretch away from it like to arms of a horseshoe called alternately Ao Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow. Clean sandy beach and crystal clear waters of
Raya Yai attract day trippers from Phuket. From the top of the hill to the
south of the bay is the viewpoint from which the whole island can be seen.
On the east, at Ao Kon Kae Bay, is an excellent site for diving.
Accommodation
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Raya Noi Island This island, 10
kms. 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 fishing is famous, but
swimming is not recommendable.
- To get there contact a
charter boat at Ao
Chalong or Rawai, or go to travel agent for details on
package tours to the islands. By long-tailed boat the travel time is about
two hours. Larger boats operated by tour companies will make the trip in
about one hour. Travel to Raya Islands is restricted to dry season and
periods when the monsoon is not blowing.
map
Rang Yai Island
Lying off Phuket's east coat, this small island has been developed for
out-of-doors minded 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. To travel to Rang Yai Island, boats
may be hired from Laem Hin Pier from Phuket Boat Lagoon. Package tours are
provided by Richy Island Tour, Tel. 238163, and other tour agencies.
map
Sire
Island
Separated from the
mainland of Phuket by the Khlong Tha Chin, a shallow mangrove swamp, this
twenty square kilometer island is connected by a causeway to the city. Wat
Ko Sire, on the hill, has a large Reclining Buddha and provides fine views
of the surroundings. Phuket's largest settlement of
Sea Gypsies, or
Chao
Ley, are on Ko Sire at Leam Tuk-kae. Swimming is not present because of
the muddy bottom. There are some popular seafood restaurants on
 the
eastern shore.
Nakha Island
This small, quiet island with fine
sandy beaches lies just off Phuket's northeast shore. Waters are suitable
for swimming. One item of interest at Ko Nakha Noi not found in many other
places is its pearl farm. Boats can be hired from Ao Po Pier, off Pa Khlok
Rd., for travel to Ko Nakha Noi, and package trips are available at tour
agencies, generally including lunch and a visit to the pearl farm.
map
Phi
Phi Island
Phi Phi Islands are located about 48 Km southeast from Phuket, 42 km south
from
Krabi Town and 40 km from
Ao Nang Beach and can be reached by boat In
between 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on the type of boat you take. Boats
leave from Phuket, Ao Nang and the Chao Far Pier in
Krabi Town everyday.
The characteristics of the islands are steep, lightly vegetated cliffs rising
vertically from the seabed and hidden bays concealing petite, pristine
beaches and calm clear waters.
read more
Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi, is one of
the largest islands surrounding Phuket and can be reached in one hour by
boat from Phuket. The island is situated within a very short distance to
the well-known destinations of Koh Bileh island s,
Krabi,
Phang Nga (James
Bond islands). The tourism has not
been developed on a large scale on the
island, Thai life style remained unchanged and peace and privacy abound.
South of Koh Yao Noi it has its twin island,
Koh Yao Yai,
which is even
bigger and wilder and offers wonderful spots for trekking.
Accommodation:
Koyao Island
Resort,
Paradise Koh Yao
Resort.
Similian Island
Similian Islands (Koh
Similian) is a group of islands located approximately 100 kilometers
north-west of Phuket. There are a total of nine granite islands covered
with tropical jungle and surrounded by chalk white beaches and crystal
clear blue water, that offers some of the best
diving in Thailand and the
world. There is a big variation in the underwater environment to be found
here that are not offered on any other places around the world.
read
more
Koh
Bon Island
Koh Bon is located north of
Similian Islands and offers world-class
diving. The dive site is on the
southwestern point and consists of a 33 meter wall facing the small cove,
and a step-down ridge that carries on to depths of over 45 meters. Koh Bon
is one of the better places to see manta rays, especially towards the end
of the season when there is more plankton in the water. In that area you
also have the islands
Koh Tachai, the
Surin Islands, and
Richelieu Rock.
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