Ao Phang Nga Bay
Ao Phang Nga Bay
- Ao Phang Nga Bay is a short drive north east of Phuket
and comprises an area of 400 square kilometres of which the 40 islands
cover 53 square kilometres [ 20 square miles ] and the surrounding
turquoise water covers 350 square kilometres [ 135 square miles ]. It
is located in the Province of Phang Nga on the west side of the Malay
Penninsula. Tours by boat or Chinese junks can be arranged at most hotels in Phuket.
- The Phang Nga Province includes both Phang Nga Bay and surrounding land. Between Phanga Bay and the Andaman Sea is the Island of Phuket. A large portion of the Phanga Bay comprises the Ao Phanga National Park.
- This is one of the most spectacular locations in South East Asia. The Islands comprise limestone Karsk formed of Permian limestone, thrust up high millions of years ago to form today a bewildering array of shapes, some reaching 400 metres high [ 1,315 feet ]. There is abundant plant life and a vast array of fauna. The coast line of the park is extensively covered by mangrove forests.
- Within the Bay are numerous Islands, the most well known being James Bond Island so named after the filming there of its location for the James Bond series film '' The man with the Golden Gun ''. Within the Bay the major two Island groups are Ko Yao Yai [ big Island ] and Ko Yao Noi [ small Island ].
- Ao Phanga Bay is a huge shallow bay fringed with extensive mangrove swamps, extending north from Phuket Island eastwards along the mainland coast past the mouths of six river systems to the mouth of the Mae Nam Marui. The eastern boundary of the site is delimited by the large promontory of Khao Ao Muang, which separates the site from another major mangrove inlet, Ao Luk in Krabi Province.
- A great many limestone pillars and islands rise sheer from the coastal flats, and there are extensive shallows offshore, only 1 to 4 meters deep at mean low water. The site encompasses the two offshore islands of Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi together with a great many smaller islets. The tidal amplitude at Ao Nang, Krabi, varies from l meter at neap tides to 3 meter at spring tides. The tidal regime is complex and the usual pattern is two high tides per day, but there are many irregularities.
Ao Phang Nga Bay
Ao Phang Nga Bay Weather
- Ao Phang Nga Bay has two seasons, the rainy season between May to December inclusive and the hot dry season from January to April inclusive. For tourists the weather and tidal information is very important.
- The tides influence when you can and can not boat tour to some locations. The tides also influence whether the seas are rough thus influencing if to go out and whether to use speed boats. The tides and weather also determine the clarity of the sea water for diving and fishing.
- During the wet season it is cloudy thus not good for photography and when it is raining it is not the best time for sight seeing. Hotels charge a premium for the good weather season as this is because people who know the region understand this is the time to be here and they compete for bookings.
Ao Phang Nga National Park
Chartered boats around Phang Nga Bay are available at the following piers:
[1] Customs Pier or Tha Dan, located at nearby
Phang-nga Bay Resort. There are various sizes of chartered boats.
Prices range from 600-3,500 baht per boat.
[2] Ao Phang Nga National Parks pier, speedboats and long-tail boats available.
[3] Surakun or Kasom Pier, located in Takua Thung.
For more information contact Ao Phang-nga National Park at 80 Mu 1, Tambon Ko Panyi, Amphoe Mueang, Phang-nga 82000 or tel. 0 7641 1136, 0 7641 2188.
Ao Phang Nga Bay Sunset
Ko Panyi. This is a limestone karsk formed island with some plains. It is the home for some 200 Muslim households and its community. This is a tourist stop over where boats take tourists for lunch at the numerous restuarants there and later to shop in the many tourist souvenir style shops on the piers.
Ko Phanak. This is a smal and beautiful island with caves in which are stalactite and stalagmite formations as well as cascade formations of several tiers.
Khao Phing Kan. This is named because
of its nature of being split into two halves. The smaller rock slid
down, with its foundation stuck under the ground and the upper parts
still leaning against each other. Behind the mountain is a superb
scenery. Looking to the sea one sees Khao Tapu, a solitary pillar in the sea. It is the most remarkable
attraction of Ao Phang Nga National Park.
Khao Machu. This is a striking appearance rock formation which is located on the way to Ko Panyi.
Khao Khian. This is on the way to Panyi Island. On the cliff which stands above the sea, there are pre-historic paintings featuring various kinds of animals. A study by the Department of Fine Arts has indicated that these paintings are over 3,000 years old. They are assumed to have been painted by seamen who used this place to escape from the monsoon.
Tham Lot. This is a lofty limestone
cave with a giant hollow whereby boats can pass through. In the hollow are numerous stalactite formations on its ceiling, beyond the
hollow is a beautiful sight of the mangroves.
Ko Hong, This is an island with big and small mountains. Sailing to this
island gives you an immense feeling of the power of nature's
creation.
How to Get To These Islands
[1] Ao Phang Nga National Park is situated 12
kilometres from Phang Nga town. Travel 8 kilometres from the town via
Highway No. 4, then turn left into Highway No. 4114 and continue for 4
kilometres to the Ao Phang Nga National Parks headquarters where
visitors can obtain tourist information. The trip can also be made by
riding a local bus from Phang Nga town. Several tour operators in
Phang Nga and Phuket organise a day trip to Phang Nga Bay.
[2] Alternatively tourists can book on one of many tours whereby you will be picked up at your hotel or resort and given a comprehensive travel program for the day. Be careful to first define exactly where such a tour will take you. Often the agents selling these tours know little of the actual tour details.
Ao Phang Nga Bay has two seasons, the rainy season between May to December inclusive and the hot dry season from January to April inclusive. We recommend you look at the weather links on thailandsworld.com to better understand the tidal and weather conditions when making a tour of Ao Phang Nga Bay. The effect of tides, particularly on the east coast of Phuket is important in planning when and where to go as access to and from Phuket is prevented at low tides and boating and tours on boats must schedule their programs and timing to meet the effect of changing tide levels.