Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

Phang Nga Bay rests between Krabi, on the Malay Peninsula of Thailand, and the island of Phuket.  Easily accessible from Krabi, Phi Phi and Phuket, Phang Nga Bay boasts one of the most stunning landscapes in the world.

Phang Nga Bay is most widely known for its limestone cliffs, which seem to jet straight out of the emerald green water.

A large portion of the Bay known as Ao Phang Nga National Park has been a protected site since 1981.

There are several small and relatively private beaches throughout the Bay.  Below, a long tail boat is docked in Krabi.

The water really is that green.

Phang Nga Bay is also home to several collapsed cave systems.

If you climb through the caves, be careful where you walk, as it’s easy to hit your head.

Inside the caves are sparkling stalactites, also known as dripstone, a mineral that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves.  Crawling through the caves often reveals hidden areas of the Bay inaccessible by boat.

Mangrove trees grow throughout Phang Nga Bay.  Mangrove trees are unique in that they are able to survive in salt water and in soil with poor oxygen.  Be careful of the mud surrounding the Mangrove trees – it can be quite deep and, like quicksand, you’ll quickly sink and lose possession of your shoes.

Do yourself a favor and skip the tour.  Tours do allow you to cover a lot of ground in a short time, but they also keep you on a rigid schedule and can make you feel rushed.  Most tours will take you to James Bond Island, which is incredibly touristy and, in my opinion, cheapens the beauty of the rest of the Bay.  I tend to like to wander, to take in a sight peacefully and at my own pace, so if you’re anything like me, a tour of the Bay won’t do.  Also, the idea of floating around in a sea canoe surrounded by tourists is unappealing.  Once you’re in Thailand, everything is cheaper, and it’s fairly easy to charter a long tail boat from Krabi, especially if you’re traveling with other people.