Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Detour:
Tham Khao Maikaeo
Monsoon rains pounding away at limestone cracks and crevices for millions of years have
created this complex of forest caverns and tunnels. There are chambers as large as
cathedrals, dripping with stalactites and stalagmites, and tiny passages that you have to
squeeze through on hands and knees. There's even a subterranean pool you can take a
chilly swim in. Sensible shoes are essential and getting totally covered in mud is almost
guaranteed.
Tham Khao Maikaeo is reached via a guided trek through the jungle. A local family runs
treks to the caves (with torches) for around 200B. The best way to get here is by rented
motorcycle, or most resorts can arrange transport.
Close by, but reached by a separate track from the dirt road leading to the marine na-
tional park headquarters,
Tham Seua
(Tiger Cave) also has interesting tunnels to explore;
elephant treks run up here from Hat Nui.
Activities
Diving & Snorkelling
Some of Thailand's top spots are within arm's reach of Ko Lanta. The best diving
can be found at the undersea pinnacles called
Hin Muang
and
Hin Daeng
, about
45 minutes away. Hin Daeng is considered by many to be Thailand's second-best
dive site after Richelieu Rock, near the Burmese border (
Click here
).
Trips out to Hin Daeng/Hin Muang cost around 5000B to 6000B, while trips to Ko
Haa tend to be around 3500B to 4500B.
Numerous tour agencies in the main tourist areas can organise snorkelling trips
out to Ko Rok Nok, Ko Phi-Phi and other nearby islands.
SCUBAFISH
( 0 7566 5095;
www.scuba-fish.com
)
One of the best dive operations on the is-
land is located at Baan Laanta Resort on Ao Kantiang; there's also a small second
office at the Narima resort.
Diving
