Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In the mangrove forests and on some of the larger islands reside over 200 species of
mammals, including white-handed gibbons, serows, dusky langurs and crab-eating
macaques.
Sights & Activities
JOHN GRAY'S SEACANOE
( 0 7622 6077;
www.johngray-seacanoe.com
)
John Gray was the first kayak outfit-
ter in the bay and remains the most ecologically minded. He's constantly clamour-
ing for more protection for his beloved
hôrngs
among local national park rangers
and their supervisors in Bangkok. His
Hong By Starlight day trip
(per person
3950B)
dodges the crowds, involves plenty of sunset paddling and will introduce
you to Ao Phang-Nga's famed bioluminescence once night falls. See also
Click
here
.
Kayaking
KO NOK & KO KLUI
Set halfway between Phuket and Krabi, these two islands are far enough from tour
epicentres that you'll usually have them to yourself. Ko Klui, the big island north of
Ko Yao Noi, has tidal access to a huge
hôrng,
which some call the
Blue Room
,
and a pristine white-sand beach with plenty of hornbills and monkeys.
Island
KO PHING KAN (JAMES BOND ISLAND)
The biggest tourist drawcard in the park is the so-called 'James Bond Island',
known to Thais as
Ko Phing Kan
(literally 'Leaning on Itself Island'). Used as a loc-
ation setting for
The Man with the Golden Gun,
the island is now full of vendors
hawking coral and shells that should have stayed in the sea.
Island
Getting There & Around
From the centre of Ao Phang-Nga drive about 6km south on Hwy 4, turn left onto
Rte 4144 (the road to Tha Dan) and travel 2.6km to the park headquarters. Without
your own transport you'll need to take a
sŏrng·tăa·ou
to Tha Dan (30B).
From the park office, you can hire a boat (1500B, maximum four passengers) for a
three-hour tour of the surrounding islands.
