Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
miny kite soaring and reef herons on the rocks. Twelve species of bat live here, most no-
ticeably the tree-dwelling fruit bats (also known as flying foxes).
A rough-and-ready
walking trail
winds 2km along the coast, through forest and back
down to the beach at
Ao Mai Ngam
, which has camping facilities and its own canteen. At
low tide it's easy to walk along the coast between the two campsites.
Sleeping & Eating
Park accommodation is decent, but because of the island's short, narrow beaches it can
feel seriously crowded when full (around 300 people). Book online at
www.dnp.go.th
or
with the mainland national park office (
Click here
)
in Khuraburi. The clientele is mostly
Thai, giving the place a lively holiday-camp feel. You can camp on both Ao Chong Khad
and Ao Mai Ngam. The former has the more spectacular beach; the latter fills up last, is
more secluded and, with its narrow white-sand shallow bay, feels a bit wilder.
Bungalows
(weekday/weekend 1400/2000B)
on Ao Chong Khad have wooden floors and private
terraces, as well as private terracotta bathrooms and fans that run all night. There are no
bungalows on Ao Mai Ngam.
Tents
(2-/4-person 300/450B, bedding per person 60B)
are available for
rent at both beaches or you can pitch your own tent
(per night 80B)
. There's generator power
until 10pm.
A park
restaurant
(dishes from 80B, set menus 170-200B)
serves decent Thai food. Change your
cash for camp coupons at the activities desk, then head to the canteen to place your order.
Getting There & Away
Tour operators now use speedboats (return 1700-1900B, 60-75 minutes) exclusively.
They leave around 9am and honour open tickets. Return whenever you please, but ask
the park office to confirm your ticket the night before.
Several tour operators also run day tours (2900B including food and park lodging) to
the park. The best in safety, service and value is
Greenview
( 0 7640 1400; Khuraburi Pier)
.
Agencies in Hat Khao Lak, Phuket and Ranong are the most convenient booking options
for live-aboard dive trips. Transfers from the place of purchase are always included.
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