Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Ao Nang
Hat Noppharat Thara
North of Ao Nang, the golden beach goes a bit more
au naturel
as it curves around a
headland for 4km with limited development, until the sea eventually spills into a natural
lagoon at the Ko Phi-Phi Marine National Park headquarters. Here, scores of long-tails
mingle with fishing boats and speedboats against a stunning limestone backdrop. The
small visitors centre has displays on coral reefs and mangrove ecology, labelled in Thai
and English.
Several resorts here advertise a 'central Ao Nang' location - so if you don't like read-
ing fine print, you might end up sleeping out here (though you might prefer it anyway).
Sleeping & Eating
Around the national park headquarters there are several restaurants serving the usual Thai
snacks, such as fried chicken and papaya salad, and there's a handful of dining stalls and
seafood restaurants along the frontage road.
Government Bungalows
( 0 7563 7200; bungalows 1000B)
These wooden, fan-cooled bungalows across the street from
the beach are rustic yet well maintained and a terrific budget choice. Prices don't go up in
the high season, but you'd better book ahead. Check in at national park headquarters near
the harbour. Meals are no longer served on-site.
BUNGALOWS
$$
Sabai Resort
( 0 7563 7791;
www.sabairesort.com
;
bungalows 1300-1600B; )
The most professionally run
of the area's bungalow properties. The tiled-roof bungalows are fan cooled and have
pebbled concrete patios overlooking a palm-shaded swimming pool and a flower garden.
It offers massage and accepts credit cards.
HOTEL
$$
Kruthara
( 0 7563 7361; Hat Nopparat Thara; meals from 300B; 11am-10pm; )
This cavernous, tin-roof
delight is the best restaurant in the south Andaman, and one of the best seafood kitchens
in Thailand, which places it high in the running for best worldwide. There is no preten-
SEAFOOD
$$
