The Islands of Phang-Nga Bay
Phang-Nga Bay is one of Thailand’s most jaw-droppingly beautiful seascapes. Covering some 400 sq km (154 sq mi) tucked in between Phuket and Krabi, the bay, edged with mangrove forests, is home to hundreds of limestone formations. Some of these are tiny spires, some are large and bizarrely shaped, reaching up to 300 m (1,000 ft) in height, and all covered in tangled rain forest vegetation
Formed some 12,000 years ago when the sea rose dramatically flooding a limestone range that had already been eroded, some of the islands have been hollowed out by the forces of nature, leaving hidden lagoons known as hangs in their centres. Invisible from the outside, the hangs are accessible by sea canoe, but it’s only during certain tides that the channels beneath the seemingly impenetrable rock face are navigable.
These secret lagoons are tidal, supporting their own ecosystems, while the enclosing circle of cliff walls are covered with extraordinary vegetation, reminiscent of a prehistoric world.
The central area of the bay boasts fantastically sculpted karst islands, including the famous `James Bond’ island, where The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. A stop here, of course, is part of every itinerary and the souvenir sellers are all there, waiting to pounce. Very few of these islands are inhabited, and even fewer have anywhere to stay.
Ko Panvi is an exception, a Muslim fishing village, mainly built on stilts, it teems with visitors during the daytime, but after they have gone it reverts to relative normality.
Here you can rent your own sea canoe, and explore the bay at your leisure. It really is quite something, the cliffs are coloured with red and orange sponges close to the water line, and the scenery is awe-inspiring. Apart from rock climbing, most people come here for water-based activities including sea kayaking, sailing and, above all, fishing.
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