Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan

This is island fills the horizon north of Samui. It is far less developed than Samui, with only rough tracks for roads linking some of the beaches. There is only one small town on the southwest corner of the island, Thong Sala. This has a large jetty and a ferry service linking it to Samui and Surat Thani on the mainland. There is a large, interesting fishing village in a northern bay, Chalok Lam.

Budget-conscious travellers have switched allegiance to Koh Pha Ngan, and beach scenes are reminiscent of the laid-back Samui of the mid-1980's. bungalow accommodation is cheap, attracting the young party set from all corners of the globe, who make their way to the island via Surat Thani and Na Thon by ferry.

 

Cliffs of Phang Nga Bay The cliffs are streaked with hues of black, tan, ivory, gray and red. Where do the streaks of red come from? According to some geologists, these stains are the result of iron deposits leached by ground water from ancient river beds. The tops of those islands were once part of a continuous land mass covered with forested hills and carved streams. That would have been long before human beings appeared on the scene. But sea levels have fluctuated significantly in more recent times. Approximately 10,000 years ago, for example, you could have walked between Phuket, Phang Nga or Krabi. And still, at that time, you would have seen these cliffs streaked with red and, perhaps, wondered why.Limestone is calcium carbonate, which is generally white. Over millions of years, the skeletons from a constant rain of marine organisms, plus the chemical precipitation of yet more calcium carbonate build thick layers of sediment. Eventually, the heat and pressure of their own weight turn these strata, hundreds of metres thick, to stone. A variety of geological forces have then fractured the limestone beds and pushed up the 40 steep-sided islands that provide the exotic scenery for which this shallow bay is noted. Mineral oxides from various sources paint the vari-coloured streaks that characterise the cliffs of Phang Nga Bay.This area is a sailor's paradise. The fact that it's protected from both the Northeast and the Southwest monsoon seasons means that its waters remain calm year-round, which adds to the appeal of its scenic wonders and abundant wildlife.There are lost worlds awaiting discovery. It wasn't many years ago that aerial surveys first revealed the Hong, or "rooms", that lie inside some of Phang Nga's islands. These fabulous microcosms, hidden realms rich in unspoiled flora and fauna, are collapsed cave systems open to the sky and surrounded by towering limestone walls. Try sea-canoeing, where you paddle sturdy inflatable boats through caves into the mysterious hearts of islands such as Koh Panak and Koh Hong.

 

 

Facilities
Company	Contact	Address	Information
Lodgings
Koh Phangan
First Villa Bungalow
Golden Beach Resort
Ko Tao Trans Ltd.
Eating
Other

 

Pha Ngan Anchorages

Haad Nam Tok Anchor in 6 metres on a sandy bottom well offshore in the middle of the bay. This bay is named after the waterfall found about 500 metres behind the beach, which has pools big enough to bathe in. A two-inch pipe carries water to the beach, where you can fill your jerrycans for a nominal fee.

Haad Thong Tapan Anchor on a sandy bottom in 6-8 metres either side of the headland of boulders separating the beaches in the bay. This is one of the most beautiful anchorages on the island. The best resort on Pha Ngan sits up here, high between the beaches. A short trek will take you to another small waterfall.

Ao Chalok Lam Ao Mae Haad Anchor in about 10-15 metres of water, and stay well clear of the coral heads. These bays are only good as day anchorages because of the coral in front of the shore line and their exposure to the elements. Chalok Lam has a fermented fish sauce factory which is interesting for a short trip if you can handle the stench. Mae Haad offers several bungalows and restaurants.

Baan Thong Sa La Anchor in 10 metres west of the small offshore island. This is the island's main town, though it is little more than a large village. Most of the bigger passenger vessels arrive here, linking the island to Samui and the mainland. There are few roads and land transport on the island is limited, so it's easier to get to the other side by longtail boat or some other craft.

 

Other islands

James Bond Island This famous landmark first found its way onto the international map through its starring role in the James Bond movie "The Man With the Golden Gun". And this is where they seem to take all of the tourists - all at one time. The entire area surrounding this island with its signature rocky pinnacle is indeed spectacular.

Koh Pannyi (Sea Gypsy Island) This is a remarkable village, the whole of it built out over water on stilts and with a giant rock monolith guarding its rear. At lunch time, up to 3,000 tourists on the James Bond Island tours are brought in to eat and shop for handicrafts. As soon as the tourists leave, the community closes up its restaurants and trinket shops and transforms itself from a tourist trap into a quiet community of fishermen.