Phuket Island and the famous Phang Nga bay with its limestone monoliths is variously described as the yachtsman playground and sailing here in the North East Trades amply meets this description.

Often overlooked the finest beaches, anchorages, snorkeling and natural sights lie a few miles further south.

The Phuket – Langkawi Trail

Just to the south is the Island Group of Langkawi with its special type of scenery and cruising within the narrow channels and waterways made up by the steep sided islands; even the rocks are eye catching.

The coastal region between these two centres is studded with small islands each having a unique charm. Lanta Island has, arguably, the best beaches in the area, great swimming and lined with small restaurants with local character and superb Thai cuisine, a trip to the nearby village provides an interesting insight to the culture of the local people.

Only a short sail to the Ngai and Muk islands which have small hotels and beach restaurants with irresistible atmosphere as well as the best cave and tunnel exploration in the region, the ‘Emerald’ is an essential experience and the largest hong in the area. 

Further south is the Nature Reserve of Turatao – virtually uninhabited, this dramatic forest clad island has numerous bays and impressive waterfalls along jungle trails. The Butang Group is the most remote and only Lipe, a small island on the SE of the group, is populated, the remainder of the mountainous islands deserve several days of attention with deserted beaches, great drift diving and snorkeling. The scenic variety from palm studded sand bars to granite rocks interspersed with jungle foliage provide a perfect backdrop to mirror calm anchorages. 

Some islands proffer tranquility; some have small beaches with sunshades whilst those like the Dam Group are limestone cliffs undercut by years of tidal wear where stalactites still dripping form on the under edges has the most astounding peaceful anchorages and the well known Chicken Head rock formation but a mere 2 km away is the bazaar style town of Ao Nang with its grand selection of restaurants and jostling nightlife. 

Local fisherman find some amazing real estate on which to build their houses whilst fishing is by the traditional wooden built 'longtails' powered by small economical diesel engines.  

Many islands are dotted with caves whilst some have internal lakes surrounded by limestone cliffs. Some large 'open' hongs may be accessed via dinghy and once inside the tranquility is all invading. Some can only be entered by a tunnel though, as the Emerald Cave and usually by swimming or paddling the small dinghy through.

Other small islands have a more popular beach front with sun shades and local entrepreneurs providing cold drinks and lunches after a snorkel on the fringing reef.