Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
jet-black infinity pool, is attractive, but serves an overpriced mix of middling Western
and Thai dishes. Pricey? Sure. But the amazing staff more than make up for it.
Getting There & Away
Daily boats to Kuantungku leave at 9am and noon; tickets include the connecting
minibus all the way to Trang (450B). A chartered long-tail from Kuantungku will cost
around 800B to 1000B one-way (45 minutes to one hour); you can also charter boats
from Kradan to other islands within the archipelago.
Tigerline
( 08 1092 8800;
www.tigerlinetravel.com
)
connects Kradan with Ko Lanta (850B, 1½
hours) and Hat Yao (1050B, one hour).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Hat Yao
A scruffy fishing hamlet just south of Hat Yong Ling, Hat Yao is sandwiched between the
sea and imposing limestone cliffs, and sits at the mouth of a thick mangrove estuary. A
rocky headland at the southern end of Hat Yao is pocked with caves and there's good
snorkelling around the island immediately offshore. The best beach in the area is tiny
Hat
Apo
, hidden away among the cliffs.
Tham Chao Mai
is a vast cave full of crystal cascades
and impressive stalactites and stalagmites that can be explored on a kayak tour (650B).
Just south of the headland is the Yao pier, the main departure point for Ko Libong and
the midpoint in the Tigerline ferry route that connects Lipe to Lanta.
Sleeping
Haad Yao Nature Resort
( 08 1894 6936;
www.natureresortsgroup.com
; r with fan/air-con 800/1200B; )
Set in the harbour,
this place offers a variety of environmentally focused tours in the Hat Yao area. It has
large cottages with wide terraces, TV and DVD, simpler motel-style rooms and a few
overwater bungalows.
GUEST HOUSE
$
Getting There & Around
