National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago
If you have every considered visiting Thailand one of the country’s prominate attractions are its’ amazing vertical islands, called karsts, that dot the seas all around the coast of county. There are literally hundreds of them, and one of the most famous is called “James Bond Island”. It was featured in the movies “The Man with the Golden Gun” and “Tomorrow Never Dies”. The islands are made from the limestone that has been left behind after the softer rock eroded away over the eons. They’re magnificent structures, and as far as Susan was concerned they were the reason for our visit to Thailand.
The Setup: Unforeseen Events
Introduction: Planning for Thailand
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge SFO
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong
Review: The Pier, Hong Kong International Airport
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Hong Kong To Phuket
Review: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Deluxe Seaview Suite
Boat Transfer & Check-in: The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai – Ocean View Pool Villa Suite
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort
Day Trip: National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago
Final Thoughts & Monkey Business – Santhiya Koh Yao Yai
Review: Thai Royal Orchid Lounge – Phuket
Review: Lux Pay In Lounge – Phuket
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Phuket To Hong Kong
Review: Regal Airport Hotel – Superior Room
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago
Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Chicago
Review: American Airlines Domestic First Class – Chicago To San Francisco
Our day trip
Beautiful sights
After a couple of days of research and questioning we decided on visiting Koh Hong Archipelago in the National Marine Park. We negotiated with a local cabby named “Mr. Him” who was one of the sweetest gentlemen you could ever meet on Koa Yao Yai. We choose a private traditional Thai long boat for our journey and I don’t think I’ve had a more delightful experience on the water. The cost of our tour was 5,000 Thai Baht ($140.00 U.S.) and it included bottles of water, sliced fruit, and snorkel equipment. The excursion was 4 hours and we met Mr. Him’s associate Mr. O (and Capitan of the vessel) at 10:00am on Klong Hi Pier on the north side of the island.
Our ride for the day
Another pic of the boat
Captain Mr. O
After a couple formalities we pushed off and started our journey around the Andaman sea. The first island we visited was Hong Island Bay and Pelay Beach. Once you arrive at the island you pay a small national park fee in order to visit and your long boat docks with the rest of the long boats visiting the bay. The beach is beautiful and snorkeling was good.
Pelay Beach
Approaching dock
Dock to national park
Lots of long boats
Park sign
View from beach
Right after that we visited the interior lagoon of Hong Island (Hong Island Lagoon). This is a fairly dramatic enclosed water lagoon that has entry and exit through a tight opening. Other boats gather in the lagoon and relax and swim in the warm shallow waters.
On the way in
Coming around
Entry into the lagoon
Inside lagoon
Tranquil lagoon swimming
Exit lagoon
We then toured around several small Islands including Ko Lao Ka, Ko Pak Ka and Ko Lao Lading. These islands don’t have any large beaches, but do have dramatic cliffs and caves around their shores. Several of the caves have inhabitants that are local fishermen, and they would give you a friendly wave as you cruised on by.
Touring around
Vertical sides to the islands
Cliff caves
Dramatic features
At this point we visited and beached on Koh Phak Bia, which is a series of 1 main island and 2 smaller islets. There is small sandy beach/ land bridge that connects 2 of the islands and makes are a wonderful place to “dock” and spend some beach time. There was a monkey on this beach which Susan got very excited about. Upon seeing Susan’s reaction to the monkey Mr. O proceeded to take us around to the next island Ko Phakbia, which Mr. O called “Monkey Island”.
Around to Koh Phak Bia
Land bridge beach
Nice formations
National Park sign
Locals at the beach
There are no beaches on Monkey Island, but there was a small cove we visited. Mr. O had fruit and packaged noodles that he shared with the Monkey’s. Susan freaked out over this and absolutely enjoyed the show. At one point there were 20 to 30 monkeys, all sizes and ages, vying for their portion of the handouts. Susan had been on the search for monkeys the entire time in Thailand and the scene on Monkey Island was her favorite part of the trip.
Monkey Island
On our way back to Klong Hi Pier our final stop was Ko Nok, a small island with a large triangle beach. The sand was great and the water was shallow and warm. This island sits mostly by itself in the sea off the coast. It was a great way to finish a perfect day on the water exploring the beautiful islands of Thailand.
On way the home
More cool islands
Ko Nok Island
Thai long boats
Somebody setting up a picnic
In Summary:
Our day trip to the Koh Hong Archipelago was a highlight of the trip. It gave Susan one of her favorite memories, the visit to Monkey Island. Having your private Thai long boat and Capitan is an enchanting way to travel around the scenic Thai islands, and Mr. O really took care of us. For the cost of $140US it’s hard to beat this deal.