Surroundings, Krabi

Koh LantaThe Koh Lanta islands are about 50 km (30 mi.) south of Krabi in the Indian Ocean.Boats to Koh Lanta Noi leave from the pier at Ban Hua Hin (bus from Krabi), where small boats carry on to Ban Saladan, the largest settlement on Koh Lanta Yai (about 2 hours). Another option is to cross from Ban Bo Muang (about an hour) which is on the bus route from Krabi to Trang. There is no fixed timetable, the boats simply leave when they have enough passengers. Don't try and get to Koh Lanta in the rainy season, the crossing is too dangerous.Not long ago Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai, like the Phi Phi Islands, were still a paradise for the solitary globetrotter, but a number of bungalow complexes - with simple comforts and no electricity - have since been built on the west coast. The Thai government's plan to make Koh Lanta a nature reserve was thwarted by the resistance of its 18,000 or so inhabitants, mostly Muslims, who saw tourism as a welcome way of supplementing their living, sustained mostly by fishing and growing coconuts. For the islanders their rejection of the government plan was probably a mistake, since the expansion of tourism has meant that little of the land remains in local ownership. The two islands have no sights as such, but are a great place for anyone in search of rest and relaxation.

Koh Hong is a limestone oasis, part of a larger group of islands, with a beautiful white sandy beach. The clear waters are a looking glass into the vast array of tropical fish that swim below.Visitors feel like they are entering a desert island 'room' when they travel through the limestone rock formations which is home to the beach and a large lake.