Choose from 44 Fun Things to Do in Southern Thailand And Andaman Coast
Phang Nga Bay
- Boat trips and other tours visit the bay from several locations, including Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands.
- Boat, kayak, and snorkel tours are best suited for active travelers and families.
- Remember to wear suitable water-friendly footwear and bring plenty of sunscreen for boat or kayak excursions.
- Tours often provide a lunchtime meal and refreshments.
Simon Cabaret Show
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Phi Phi Islands
From the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, the jungle-shrouded limestone cliffs of Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands rise majestically, giving way to white-sand beaches and lush green jungles further inland. Longtail boats putter between the islands, surrounded by the turquoise waters and colorful marine life.
Where to Go Around the Phi Phi Islands
Uninhabited Phi Phi Leh, whose beauty was brought to attention when Maya Bay starred in the 2000 film The Beach, is the smaller of the two main islands and boasts coral reefs abundant with tropical fish, making it a popular diving and swimming spot. There are no hotels on Phi Phi Leh, and camping is prohibited, meaning it’s only accessible by day trip.
Phi Phi Don is a thriving hub of activity—by day, a coastal paradise typified by bobbing longtail boats and sparkling white sand; by night, a beating, hedonistic heart with beaches that pulsate with loud music and fire parties. Ao Ton Sai, the island’s principal dock, houses a promenade lined with shops, bars, and restaurants fragrant with the aromas of Thai food. Activities such as snorkeling, rock climbing, Thai boxing, and cooking classes keep travelers entertained throughout their stay on Thailand’s Shangri-La.
How to Visit with Viator
The unbridled popularity of the Phi Phi Islands means that travelers enjoy a wide range of visiting options. Day trips are available from Phuket, Ko Lanta, and Krabi via either a speedboat or express ferry, and typically cover Phi Phi highlights such as Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach, Viking Cave, and James Bond Island in Phang Nga National Park. Island tours generally include a helpful tour guide, hotel pickup and dropoff, a buffet lunch, and free time to enjoy some of Asia’s best beaches.
Best Ways to Enjoy Marine Life Around the Phi Phi Islands
Take a Phi Phi island tour by speed boat charter or cruise boat to spend time swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water. Island-hopping adventure tours also allow for exploring the underwater world around some of the area’s smaller islands.
Insider Tips
- If you want to avoid Ko Phi Phi Don’s increasingly popular party scene, head to the island’s more secluded eastern coast, where white-sand beaches play host to rustic bungalows and five-star resorts away from the revelers.
- For a more immersive experience, choose to visit the Phi Phi Islands as part of a three-night sailing cruise, or on a deluxe six-island tour that also takes in Koh Khai, Koh Yao, Mosquito Island, and Bamboo Island.
Wareerak Hot Spring Spa
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Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park
The Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park protects 15 islands in the Koh Lanta island group, including the southern tip of Koh Lanta Yai. Perhaps the most beautiful island is Koh Rok Nai, with its cliff-backed crescent bay, gorgeous beach and great reef diving.
There are limestone caves to explore at Koh Talabeng, a popular destination for sea-kayaking tours.
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The Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park surrounds the island of Koh Lanta Yai in the southern tip of Krabi province.
Ferries run from Krabi to Ban Sala Dan on the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai, taking around 1.5 hours. Marine park excursions leave from Ban Sala Dan.
Phra Nang Beach
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Koh Yao Yai
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James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan)
The Basics
The lush vegetation, turquoise water, and secluded caves of Phang Nga Bay, home to James Bond Island, make Ao Phang Nga National Park one of Thailand's top destinations. Visitors should spend a full day exploring the islands on a boat tour — opt to get around in a luxurious speed boat, a traditional junk ship, a longtail boat, or in less intrusive sea canoes and kayaks.
- Tours of the bay are generally 8 to 10 hours long, so be sure to bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and a sun hat.
- Given that Khao Phing Kan is one of south Thailand's most popular attractions, tour boats can sell out quickly. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Due to the protected nature of the national park, visiting the islands independently is nearly impossible, unless you have a permit and a personal boat. There are a number of tours to the area, however, most of which depart from the marinas in Phuket and Krabi Noi. If you're traveling down from northern Thailand, save time by taking a tour from Phang Nga town.
Similan Islands National Park
- The Similan Islands are a must visit for scuba divers, snorkelers, and nature lovers.
- The islands are quite remote and do not have many facilities, so it is best to be prepared with reef-safe sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a towel.
- Tours include snorkeling equipment and lifejackets for swimmers of all skill levels and ages to enjoy.
Tachai Island
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Phromthep Cape
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Phuket FantaSea Show
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Wat Chalong
- If you plan to enter the temple, wear clothing that covers your legs, chest, and shoulders.
- Make sure you remove your shoes before entering the temple.
- Photography is allowed inside the temple; however, mobile phones must be in silent mode.
- If you want to cool down, head to the air-conditioned exhibition hall that features life-size wax models of Buddhist figures.
- The temple is free to enter, but donations are encouraged.
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
Thailand has plenty of wats (temples), but the Tiger Cave Temple - or Wat Tham Seua - is a standout.
In a forest setting, the wat’s main hall is built into a long limestone cave and surrounded by monastic cells built into the cliffs and caves. Underscoring the brevity of life, the temple is decorated with skulls, skeletons and graphic pictures of human entrails.
A lighter note is struck by the troop of monkeys living around the temple. Walks through the temple grounds lead to 1,200 steps climbing to the summit of a 600 meter (1,968 foot) peak topped with a gilded Buddha statue. If the sky is clear, you can see the sea from here. Another set of steps leads to a second network of limestone caves.
Practical Info
The Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Seua) is 8 kilometers (5 miles) northeast of Krabi.
Wat Suwan Kuha
- The Cave Temple is a must-see for those who want to travel off the beaten path.
- Guests generally spend about an hour exploring the cave system.
- Mischievous monkeys are known to reside in the area, so guard your belongings and any food you have with you.
- The only way to access the temple is via a small set of stairs, which makes it inaccessible to wheelchairs.
Tup Island
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Kata Beach
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Patong Beach
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Nai Harn Beach
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Wat Phra Thong
Wat Phra Thong is perhaps not the most impressive of Phuket's temples, but it surely has the best story behind it. And once you know the story, the 'half image' that forms the center of the temple will have way greater resonance.
According to lore, a boy was out watering a buffalo and tied it to some metal protruding out of the ground. In quick order, both boy and buffalo died, but the boy appeared to his father in a dream and told him to investigate the object.
When the father dug around the place, he found the tip of a golden Buddha sitting buried in the ground. All attempts to excavate it over the ensuing centuries failed, and there are stories of attacks by hornets when locals tried to dig it out in the 18th century!
Eventually it was decided to leave the exposed top of the Eventually it was decided to leave the exposed top of the Buddha statue where it was - it so obviously resisted being dug up! - and build a protective layer and a temple over it. That is what you can see today.
Practical Info
Wat Phra Thong is in the center of Phuket - its position away from the beaches is what keeps it so quiet! It's located in Thalang, on the right side of the road as you head to the airport.