Koh Tabu - Phang Nga

Koh Tabu - Phang Nga

The island of Khao Tapu is located in the Phang Nga Bay national park, Thailand.

This now famous landmark first found its way onto the international map through its starring role in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun - for this reason, it is also often referred to as James Bond island. The entire
area surrounding this island with its signature rocky pinnacle is indeed spectacular, but most of the tours bus visitors up the main highway for an hour on the same well-worn itinerary. An integral part of most tours is lunch at Koh Panyee.

There is a bus boat that moves around the islands and ends up at James Bond Island but by far the largest number
of people do this trip via a tour from Phuket, Thailand that takes people through some of the major sites on the way. Alternatively, take a boat cruise from the north of Phuket Island, Thailand – less crowds and a bit quieter.

James Bond locations - James Bond Island is just one of dozens of famous and exotic locations at which filming for the James Bond series of movies has taken place.

Koh Rang - Trat

Koh Rang - Trat

It is the western most island in the Koh Chang archipelago on the south eastern edge of the Gulf of Thailand. The island rises up out of 60m of water in most places and has few beaches. Thesoutheastern corner of the island offers a reasonable anchorage and the Thai Coast Guard has deployed several mooring buoys in this area for dive boats. There is a small Buddhist shrine on the beach adorned with phallic fertility statues. The small island of Koh Tun lies across a narrow channel to the south where fishing boats take shelter from the southwest monsoon.

Phi Phi Islands

Mu Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands)

Regarded by travelers from all walks of life as being among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Phi Phi Islands have become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. In addition, the islands are famous as the location where the movie "The Beach" featuring Leonardo Di Caprio was shot. The islands, together with the nearby Noppharat Thara Beach, a total area of 390 square kilometers, were recently established as a national park. Phi Phi Islands are located just 40 kilometers away from both Krabi and Phuket. Thus, despite the fact that both Noppharat Thara Beach and Phi Phi administratively are a part of Krabi Province, most tourists think that Ko Phi Phi is part of Phuket Province.

The islands and the coastal hills are composed mainly of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in Phang-Nga Province. The main characteristics of these mountains and islands are their steep cliffs, large caves and dwarf trees growing out of the rock crevices, like those in Phang-Nga Bay.

The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. Phi Phi Don, the larger islet to the north, is well known for its fine beaches and coral formations. Above average tourist facilities and accommodations are available along two beautiful curved bays, namely Ton Sai Bay and Lodalam Bay. Several shops at Ton Sai can arrange diving and snorkeling trips around the island or the nearby islands - Koh Phi Phi Le,
Koh Yung and Koh Mai Phai.

About 2 kilometers to the south is Phi Phi Le. Contrary to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited as there is no beach area as the island descends abruptly into the sea on all sides and it is prohibited by the administrative body. The main attraction is a large cave about 3.2 square kilometers in size known as Viking Cave derived from one of the numerous drawings on the wall which resembles a Viking ship. The cave has a 10 to 15-metre high ceiling which contains many
ledges inhabited by thousands of swallows, thus a bird's nest collection demonstration is a regular feature of guided tours.

Ao Maya and Ao Lo Sama - Phi Phi Islands scenic coves are favorite snorkeling places while the sea around the islands, especially the southern part, which are deep and full of coral formations are popular diving spots. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman Sea. The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands is from November to April, when the sea is calm.

Koh Yung, an island to the north of Koh Phi Phi Don, has a stone beach on the east and small sandy beaches amid valleys. In addition, the island is teeming with diverse colorful coral reefs. Koh Phai, another island to the north of Koh Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung, has spectacular beaches in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs comprised mainly of antler corals stretches from the north to the south of the island.

Getting to Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi Islands which are equidistant to Phuket and Krabi Provinces can be reached by boat.

From Krabi
Chao Fa Pier: Passenger boats leave Chao Fa Pier twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The trip takes about 2.30 hours.Ao Nang: There is one express boat trip leaving daily at 9 p.m. taking 40 min.

Koh Mak - Trat

Koh Mak - Trat

This is a large island to the south of Koh Chang that is blessed with several beautiful bays and beaches and coral reefs nearby that are still in perfect condition. The islanders make their living by growing rubber and coconut trees. The best time to visit is from November until late April. There are a number of accommodations and tourist facilities available. A passenger boat departs Laem Ngob daily at 3.00 p.m. and returns from Ko Mak at 7.00 a.m., traveling time is 3.5 hours.

Koh Mak has 27 km coastline, many nice and long sand beaches, a few hills and it is about 16 km² large. On low tide, it is possible to walk to Ko Kham, which is a smaller island less than 1 km northwest from Koh Mak. Ko Phi, also north west from Koh Mak but southwest from Koh Kham, is not occupied. There are about 12 resorts on Ko Mak. Activities include sea kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and motorbiking, also on low season.

Both Koh Kham and Koh Phi can be easily reached with sea kayak from the resorts on north west coast of Koh Mak. Both little islands have nice places to snorkel, depending on the direction of wind. Speedboat service 2 trips everyday from LaemNgob 10.00 AM. and 04.00 PM. From Koh Mak 08.00 AM. and 01.00 PM. Takes about 50 minute travel time. A ferry from Laem Ngop district takes about three hours to Koh Mak and it goes there daily leaving on 15:00 (on August 2004). A ferry from the island leaves at 8:00 (on August 2004)

Koh Larn - Pattaya City

Koh Larn - Pattaya City

Lying about 7.5 kilometers off of Pattaya by a 45-minute ferry or 15 minutes by speed boat ride, the island measures 2 kilometers by 5 kilometers and offers several white sandy beaches, notably Hat Ta Waen, Hat Laem Thian and Hat Thong Long, the latter facing coral reefs. Visitors can choose either snorkeling or viewing the coral from glass bottom boats. Ferries to the island leave South Pattaya pier daily from10.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Cruises by sailing junks, with lunch provided are also available. Most of the people that live here also work and go to school on the island. Any of the everyday necessities are here including a police force and a small medical facility. There are about six beaches on the island that boast white sand and clear blue water. Koh Larn is a lush green tropical island which has an abundant amountof rain fall each year during monsoon. The terrain is mostly mountainous which is covered in most part with heavy vegetation, jungle if you will. Monkeys naturally inhabit the island as well as other wildlife. Infrastructure here in mostpart consist of narrow roadways covered with brick pavers.
There are many activities here for visitors to enjoy, some include para sailing, snorkeling, jet ski, banana boat, of course swimming in tropical waters, and there is even a shooting range located here. Because the island is mountainous there are also some spectacular views for those that like to take a few snapshots. Koh Larn is also very suited for bicycling andhiking, many bicycling events have been held here. Many movie production companies have used the island for movie shoots. There are many accommodations that will make you feel right at home here.
Then there are the places to eatmany right on the beach, serving up fresh, catch of the day sea food. Many visitors come to stay their entire vacation on Koh Larn and return year after year, kind of a home away from home for some.

Koh Laoya - Trat

Koh Laoya - Trat

This wonderful island which is less than 1 kilometer long and 300 meters wide with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and colorful corals lies about 3 kilometers west of the southeastern end of Koh Chang. Koh Laoya forms an island group with Koh Laoya Klang and Koh Laoya Nok and is connected to Koh Laoya Klang by a wooden bridge. Travel time from Laem Ngob to the island takes about 2.5 hours and only chartered boats can reach the island.
Accommodation is available but must be reserved well in advance.

Koh Kood - Trat

Koh Kood - Trat

This island is the farthest island from the coast of Trat. Its size ranks it as the fourth largest island in Thailand or thesecond largest island next to Koh Chang in Trat. The island, which is 25 kilometers long and 12 kilometers wide covers an area of approximately 105 square kilometers or 65,625 rai. Its natural features include mountains and plains where many streams originate and become waterfalls. One famous waterfall is Nam Tok Khlong Chao, which flows throughout the year and is an ideal place for swimming as it is comprised of 3 tiers; of which the upper two tiers are running streams and the lower one is a large pond. In 1911, King Rama VI paid a royal visit to this waterfall and named it 'Nam Tok Anam Kok' to commemorate Ong Chiang Su. In addition; there are beaches with crystal-clear
seas which are popular among visitorssuch as Taphao Beach, Khlong Chao Beach, Khlong Hin Beach, Phrao Beach, etc. Accommodations with a private atmosphere is available for visitors at the inner sea of Koh Kood, and the other two islands, Koh Rat and Ko Mai Si, opposite to Koh Kood. Package tours including accommodation (on Koh Kood, Koh Lao Yaand Ko Ngam) as well as return fares are usually offered. Those wishing to charter a boat can contact the Laem Ngop landing or make advance inquiries at the Koh Chang Centre Point.

Getting to Koh Kood
There are boats from Koh Chang to Koh Kut three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). Please ask for the departure times of the ferries from Laem-Ngop Pier to Koh Kut at the pier. Infrastructure on Koh Kood The island is rather flat compared to Koh Chang with the highest mountain on the island, Khao Phaenth, measuring 315 metres. It has a good number of wonderful beaches with crystal clear water (Ta Pho Beach, Khlong Chao Beach, Thakian Beach, Phrao Beach etc.). Inland, the island is very wild with a lot of coconut and rubber treeplantations located in the plains. Population on Koh Kood Most of the island inhabitants live off of the cultivation of coconut, rubber production or fishing. But meanwhile the expanding tourism industry gives more and more work to the less than 2,000 residents. The best time to go to
Koh Kood The best time for a visit to Koh Kood is between beginning of November and the end of February. At this time it is relatively cool, dry and mostly sunny. But until the end of May, when it is hotter than the cool season, a visit is still convenient. Even during monsoon season, Koh Kood is worth visiting for it doesnt rain every day and all day long.

Activities on Koh Kood
Besides lazing on the beach, snorkeling at the beautiful coral reefs or just watching stars at night; visitors can also visit nearby islands for snorkeling and other activities. Some of the more expensive Resorts on Koh Kood offer Banana-, Donut-boat-trips and water-skiing. In addition
visitors can do drop line fishing at the beaches and bays or rent a boat over night
(about 3000 Baht) in order to try night time fishing.