A two-day journey into the lost world of Phuket is one of the most unforgettable adventures in Thailand. Where else but in this country can you see cliffs rising from the water, primitive jungles, caves filled with the chirping of bats, and caves adorned with stalactites that seem edible; wild monkeys eagerly snatching bananas from you, and, of course, the most beautiful beach in the world.
Kayaking around the Panak Islands.
There’s nothing quite like sailing on a yacht in the seas of Thailand. Breathtaking views, a scattering of rocky islands. Thank you, Thai God, for your existence!
From a distance, you can see how the mountains extend into the sea, and as you approach the island, kayakers immediately paddle towards you. The diligent sea has sculpted numerous bays, caves, and grottoes into these green-covered rocks, which now extend deep into the hidden sea depths. The sea has preserved these sedimentary rocks in its gray depths for so long that over thousands of years, the coastal cliffs have transformed into unprecedented beauty.
A good morning in Phuket goes like this: kayaking in the clearest water through the most beautiful places. In those moments, you realize how beautiful life is and how beautiful the world is around you.
Koh Panak is a unique place. Inside the island, there are lakes that can only be reached through a secret passage under these rocks, and only during low tide. Wow! How low these rocks are here. Only by canoe can you enter, sometimes assuming a horizontal position to avoid hitting the hanging stalactites. Emerging from the cave, you enter a lost world, and it seems like Tarzan is watching you from the jungles behind.
You can paddle through the lakes for a long time, just be careful not to miss when the water starts rising and closes the exit. There are nine such lakes, all connected to the sea by narrow passages through caves. These caves have their names: Bat cave, Diamond cave, Oyster cave, and Mangrove cave. We were able to enter one of them.
Want to know more about the Phuket Islands? Click here to read a post about the Similan Islands.
Diamond Cave.
This cave really resembles a favorite dessert. When the light from flashlights hits it, it shimmers like a diamond, and you want to taste it. And indeed, you think it’s made of ice.
Seeing Panak for the first time, you are simply stunned by how beautiful and unimaginable it is. With every meter, your imagination plays more and more. And, really, down there in the sea, two huge wooden shoes stand – coastal rocks. A little further, a view opens to dark solid protrusions sinking into the water. They resemble the paws of an immobile dinosaur that seems to have stepped on the transparent waves and forever frozen in them. Here, you feel like an explorer, and it seems that this dinosaur will come to life any moment. Everything around seems wonderful!
Emerald water on Hong Island.
Next, we headed to Hong Island with its pristine beaches. Approaching the island, I noticed many colorful boats adorned with ribbons. These boats are called Longtail and are a symbol of Krabi province. Hong’s main attraction is the beach, surrounded by towering cliffs.
Laguna Pile.
Stop after stop, island after island. Each place is more beautiful than the previous one. Laguna Pile is located on Phi Phi Island. They say it is the deepest lagoon in Thailand. And, as a secret, the locals call it the “Fountain of Youth Lagoon.” Long ago, forty million years ago, a rupture in the Earth’s crust formed here, and now beneficial substances emerge that can rejuvenate the body. The water here is rich in microelements and minerals, and much saltier than the sea. The boat stops here for diving.
If you are planning to visit Phuket, here is a list of the most beautiful places that I highly recommend you not to miss!
Emeralds in the Morakot Cave.
The official name of the emerald grotto is Morakot Cave or Tham Nam. Why is it called emerald? The turquoise water of this cave and the special structure of the rocks can shimmer in the sun, like a precious emerald. Such radiance can only be seen at certain times of the day, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Only at this time can the sun reflect glints on the water with indescribable splendor. The cave’s highlight is a small beach inside the rock. Here, nature is untouched by humans, and there’s a deserted atmosphere. During the dry season, when the water subsides, you can even walk overland through the cave to the beach.
The legend of Morakot says that it was a favorite place for pirates of the Andaman Sea. There are also rumors that the book “The Beach” was written by the author after visiting the Emerald Cave. It inspired me too!
Railay Island in Krabi Province.
Krabi Province is considered the most beautiful province in Thailand, home to Railay Island and the Phang Nga Cave – the cave of fertility.
Viking Cave.
Sailing through the bays of the Andaman Sea, you can reach the Viking Cave, where access is possible only through a bamboo bridge. This cave is famous for hosting families of swifts, often mistaken for swallows. These nests are collected, and a soup is made from them that the strong half of China is crazy about. It is believed that such soup enhances male potency. Locals here build peculiar altars in honor of spirits. Spending a lot of time meditating here.
Chicken Island.
This island got its amusing name due to an unusual rock formation. The most powerful impression is when the island just begins to emerge from the haze on the horizon. The chicken’s neck indeed produces a surreal impression when it appears above the sea surface.
Phang Nga National Marine Park and James Bond Island.
As you kayak further, you reach the most famous island in the park, known worldwide as James Bond Island, which had a completely different name before the filming of the movie – Tapu – Koh Tapu (literally “Nail Island”). The entire park consists of limestone formations, like coins from a chest, which nature generously spread in the Andaman Sea. Within the park’s territory, there are 42 islands of various sizes and colorfulness.
Perfect Maya Bay Beach.
The famous Maya Bay Beach is located on Phi Phi Island. Until 1999, no one visited this island except for locals and fishermen, but everything changed with the movie “The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, filmed in Maya Bay. And now, this island has even surpassed the fame of James Bond. A debatable question: what played a bigger role? DiCaprio or Maya Bay itself? Years have passed, and the beach is the most popular place in Asia for tourists to visit. And now, thousands of tourists land on this beach daily.
The twin islands Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are among the top ten most beautiful islands on the planet. Of course, where else can you find such emerald crystal-clear water, rocks, fine white sand, an underwater world, and lots of sunshine!
Read my post about the most beautiful Thavorn Beach Village and Spa hotel in Phuket.
Monkey Beach.
This place is very popular in Thailand. All excursions must stop at this tiny, completely empty island. But why? Why look at an empty piece of beach? Literally, after two minutes, a monkey comes here and looks at you with pleading eyes. You give her a banana, and then another one comes. You give a banana to her too. And then it begins… crazy monkeys, in a crowd, jump off the cliffs and start begging for fruits. The consequence of such lunches is chronic overeating, and some become so round that they turn into balls. There are also advantages in this: thanks to good lunches, they have lost aggressiveness, and you don’t have to fear bites and scratches at Monkey Beach.
Set a course for the legendary islands of Phang Nga and Phi Phi and explore the hidden world of Phuket. Become James Bond for a while. Canoeing to the most coveted corners of the “hideouts”: limestone cliffs rising from the sea floor high into the sky; blue lagoons; valleys where precious stones are mined, stalagmites and stalactites grow, will be remembered for a lifetime.
Click here for information on organized excursions in Phuket.
Check Aviasales to find the cheapest flights to Phuket if you’re traveling from another country.
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