5.14 The Islands

• Koh Lanta remains a largely undeveloped island popular with honeymooners and families. A string of resorts are found along its west coast beaches and inland is a national park. It makes a good diving base from which to explore the Hin Daeng and Hin Muang sites and the wreck of the King Cruiser.
• Koh Phi Phi offers a vibrant nightlife in its main town and secluded resorts further out. Visitors can also visit its sister island Koh Phi Phi Le’s famous Maya Bay where The Beach was filmed.
• Koh Lanta and Phi Phi can be reached by ferry from Krabi.
• Visitors can learn about Muslim fishing culture with a boat trip to Koh Panyi village or a homestay on laid-back Koh Yao Noi.
• Ko Yao Yai is halfway between Phuket and Krabi and is characterised by sandy shores, mangroves, rubber plantations and fishing villages. Beaches include Loh Paret and Loh Jark. The surrounding waters are rich in coral and dotted with dive sites, like the King Cruiser Wreck near Anemone Reef, and the pinnacles of Shark Point.
• Ko Yao Noi (Small Long Island), is in the middle of Phang Nga Bay a 30-minute speedboat trip away from Phuket. Yao Noi’s tight-knit local Muslim community leads a low-impact, peaceful development path.
• The Racha Islands (or Raya Islands) are around 12 km south of Phuket and are best-known for excellent diving and snorkelling daytrips.

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