T.I.C.D.: Ao Phang Nga (Part II: Ko Tapu, Ko Phanak, Ko Chong Lat & other upper islands)
All of the islands that dot the upper part of Thailand's largest bay, condensed.
Welcome back to the Thai Island & Coastal Directory, a book-in-progress that promises to be the most complete guide to coastal Thailand ever written in English, covering more than 800 islands and all 24 coastal provinces. Subscribe for $5 USD monthly to get the T.I.C.D. and an archive of other in-depth articles.
T.I.C.D. ticker: So far, we’ve covered 650 islands and 181 notable mainland areas in 37 sections, including this one. (To view all previously published sections, see the welcome page or the working Table of Contents.)
Resuming Ao Phang Nga…
At least 86 islands are found in the upper portion of Phang Nga Bay, between the estuaries / coastlines and the island groups of Mu Ko Yao and Mu Ko Hong a little further S. Most of Ao Phang Nga’s upper islands are chunks of limestone karst with perhaps a beach, cave or settlement hidden amid the cliffs. A handful are more sizable, though the ruggedness makes inhabitation scarce.
One of these upper islands is a geographical outlier with a landscape of rolling farmland rather than dramatic cliffs — and that is Ko Mak Noi. Its overlooked Thai Muslim village offers at least one homestay, even if most travelers seeking a night in the bay opt for the estuary island of Ko Panyi further NW, often hitting Ko Tapu or “James Bond Island” on the same excursion. Tapu joins rugged and uninhabited small islands like Ko Phanak and Ko Raya Ring to form a dashing chain on the Takua Thung (W) side of the bay that Ao Phang Nga NP fully controls. Similarly rugged but less visited are isles on the bay’s E side, such as Ko Chong Lat and Ko Thon, which joins the lengthy cape of Khao Karot in Ao Luek district.
Boat trips to Ao Phang Nga’s upper islands can be launched from many places, with popular starting points including An Pao Pier on Ko Yao Noi, Laem Sak Pier in Ao Luek, Tha Dan Pier in Mueang Phang Nga, Surakul Pier in Takua Thung, and Hin Rom Pier near Samet Nangshe Viewpoint. Day-tour companies pick up as far away as Khao Lak, Krabi town and Patong in Phuket, but travelers can usually show up at any of these pier and arrange a private longtail boat on the spot.
Islands below are arranged roughly from E to W.
Resuming Krabi province…