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PHUKET to LANGKAWI [Malaysia] ("Visa run")
We've been in this area now for nearly
a year, but the first thing that struck us when we first arrived
was the 3 dimensional quality to the Islands. After seeing only
flat Islands with palm-trees, the high limestone outcrops of the South
Andaman sea are fascinating. Since you only get a 30 day visa in
Thailand, you have to leave every month to re-new your visa - most
yachts seem to see this as a nuisance and tend to hang around Malaysia
instead, where you get 2 months. We find it a great opportunity to
force us to explore new islands, hidden lagoons and to spend time in the
crystal clear waters and abundant coral gardens you don't find this
close to Phuket. Some of our favorite places are on the 'visa
run', so we always look forward it!!!!
KOH LANTA
 Most people are familiar with the
beaches on the West Coast of Lanta, but few visit the small muslim
floating fishing village on the south east corner of this Island.
It is a really beautiful floating village, full of flowers and complete
with inland banana plantation. The people are really friendly, and
a walk through the village to buy a fresh chicken, the catch of the day
(fish that is), or to just watch the children playing, can be most
enlightening.
KOH MUK
 This is the most incredible hong (Thai
for 'room'), accessed through a beautiful cave, given the name 'emerald
cave' because of the way the sun reflects on the water inside the cave
'lighting' it upwards and giving the appearance of 'glowing' bodies when
you swim through it!!! The cave itself has amazing stalactites and
stalagmites dripping from the ceiling and walls, shimmering apricots,
greens, yellows and amber. The light is at it's best when the sun
is low (and the tourist have already gone home). Swim through the
tunnel and as you approach the bend to the left everything goes
completely black - you cannot see your hand in front of your face - keep
swimming!!!! Only a few seconds of darkness and then you see the
bright light of the hong right in front of you. Swim to the exit
cave and welcome to the lost land of Jurassic Park - at least that's
what it looks like!!! This enclosed lagoon has a white sand beach
and gigantic vegetation which belongs in a completely different
era.
KOH ROK NOK & NAI
 These are actually two islands, which
you anchor in between. The water is crystal clear and the coral is
quite diverse, particularly with strange polyps which reminded me of the
little multi-coloured wombles you use to display around your
computer!!! They are all very bright colours like orange, red,
neon blue and have little 'jewels' which make them sparkle!!! We
usually get a really good deal from the fisherman here, last time
landing a large bucket of tiger prawns, squid and 2 large coral trout
for 100 bht!!!!
KOH BULON
Is a small island with one very small
bungalow development and not a lot else!!! Lovely beaches, white
sand and clear waters. There is very little ambient light from the
shore so it is a great place to go night snorkeling in the phosphorous -
with no moon, the whole sea sparkles as you swim in the dark water -
best to take a snorkel and swim in the stars!!!!! We have been
known to 'speed snorkel' by dragging you with a rope behind the dinghy
whilst you snorkel in the sparkling water!!!!
KOH BUTANG - Tarautao National
Marine Park
Koh Butang is a tiny island which
doesn't seem to get any visitors, has no inhabitants, and has the most
incredible coral gardens I have ever seen. The variety of coral is
the most diverse I have seen in the Indian ocean - I can only describe
snorkeling off this island as flying over a rich rain forest with
visibility so clear you can see the forest floor itself. The coral
is so high in places, with visibility up to 30m that you feel you are
viewing a mountain range, and every way you turn discovering a new
plant, species, and of course, surrounded by colourful fish.
Close to this island is KOH LIPI,
which has a couple of small bungalow  developments right on the beach,
with a choice of 3 or 4 restaurants which put their tables on the white
sand beaches to watch the sun go down and eat under the stars.
It's a nice laid-back relaxed island with clear water and bright white
sand. You can take a walk over to the other side of the island and
walk around the traditional Chao Ley village (sea gypsies) and watch
them build wooden long-tail boats for fishing, and weaving traps or
mending nets.
KOH ADANG is the neighboring
island, and if you are energetic enough, can  climb a beautiful forest
walk up to the cliff view point - breathtaking views of the Butang
atoll. You can also take a forest trial up to Pirates falls -
which used to be really beautiful until they dammed it to provide fresh
water to KOH LIPI (That's progress for you). On the West coast,
the beaches are pure white sand, completely empty accept for large
boulders which dominate the beach - they are quite spectacular to see
and clamber over! The scenery here is very similar to the Similan
Islands which are dominated by their gigantic boulders.
TARUTAO. This is the largest island of the 51 island
national park archipelago. The densely forested, former penal
colony, has many walking trials leading to streams, pools and
lookouts. The scenery is breathtaking in the rainforest, with many
strangler vines hanging in twisted shapes. There are many species
of wildlife, but this is the only place in Thailand we've come face to
face with a large aggressive wild boar!!!!! From here exploring the
other islands, particularly the 'butang' group, live up to their
national park status, with stunning coral reefs which look like forests
from the surface.
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