SIMILAN ISLAND

SIMILAN ISLAND ; group of 9 small islands 50 kms. off the west coast of Phang-Nga in the Andaman Sea. The National Park covers an area of 80,000 rai. Skin Diving Magazine rated them among the ten loveliest places on Earth, because of the great natural beauty found on the islands themselves and also because of the extensive surrounding coral gardens beneath the waves. The islands are undeveloped and unspoiled; numerous species of fish, crustaceans, and other forms of sea-life abound; water clarity and diving are excellent. Similan is corrupted from the Malay Sembilan and means nine. From north to south in order the islands are: Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Pahyoo, Koh Miang (two islands), Koh Pahyan, Koh Payahng andKoh Hu Yong.
Koh Ba Ngu is also called Hua Gah Lok or Skull Island. Beneath the waters, a field of grass and coral appear to be growing in a deep valley. Schools of fish are everywhere.
Koh Similan is the largest island. It has a long curving bay, and beneath the waters coral reefs remain pristine. The beach is composed of fine grain sand. Diving to look at the fishes and corals is strongly recommended. At the island's northend are bizarrely shaped big boulders; one looks like a soldier's boot, another is shaped like a sailboat. Here also is an excellent view.
Koh Miang is actually two islands connected and forms the second largest land mass in the group after Koh Similan. The National Park Office is here, and there is a fine beach where visitors can stay.
KohHu Yong has the Similans longest white sandy beach. From November till February sea turtles come up to lay eggs and their tracks may be seen in the sand.
Travel to the Similans is easy from either Phang-Nga or Phuket. Chartered boats leave from Lap Lamu Pier in Tai Meuang District of Phang-Nga and take about 3 hours to reach the islands. Here is also the office of National Park located. Alternatively, trips to the Similans can be arranged in Phuket. A boat trip from Patong Beach takes 4 hours. Divers, however, go to the islands on boats that leave from Patong Beach and also take 4 hours by diving companies. Moreover, visitors can leave from Chalong Bay on scuba diving excursions. These leave in the evenings and take about 7 hours. A typical dive trip lasts 4 nights and 3 days, and includes 10 dives. Prices range from 9,000 to 25,000 baht, depending on the level of luxury, and include food, and accommodations. The Similans are regarded as mainly "deep water" diving.
For those wishing to stay a shorttime on the Similans: basic accommodations are available at the National Park Office on Koh Miang and can be reserved by contacting: the Similan Islands National Park Office, Moo 1, Tambon Lam Kaen, Tai Meuang District, Phang-Nga. Tel. (076)411913-4.
The best time to visit the Similan islands is from December through April, March being the best month, when the winds are lowest and the water clearest.
http://www.andamanonline.com/phang-nga/similan.php

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As far as excitement is concerned, Patong Beach is hard to beat and although prices have risen considerably in the last few years, Patong is certainly a lot cheaper and more fun than equivalent beaches in Europe. Lying midway down the west coast of the island, Patong is also the most accessible and closest beach to Phuket town. The beach area has been totally cleared since the 2004 tsunami and the beach life, nightlife, shopping and dining is as hectic as ever.Phuket’s second most popular beach is Karon, just to the south of Patong. This beach has really taken off in recent years and now sports many upmarket resort-type hives and a superb long stretch of sand. As with Patong, though, the beach is in front of a busy road and can be a pain to cross. Karon has a fair number of bars and restaurants, yet not as ‘in your face’ as Patong.In the other direction from Patong, Kamala Beach is also an up and coming alternative. Families with children looking for a quieter holiday would do well to head here; you’d no doubt appreciate the peace.Kata Beach lies south of Karon and can be described as a midrange beach in terms of noise and amenities. It is fast becoming more popular and built up and is certainly a lot prettier and laid back than the likes of Patong and Karon. The beach here is set in a sweeping bay and is very attractive with a tree-lined promenade and a small road. The main part of the town is set back 100m from the sands and comes with loads of restaurants, a fair amount of bars and many cute shops. Kata has a few well-positioned upmarket hotels on the southern end of the beach and also has Phuket’s best surf.Kata Noi, arguably the most relaxing, picturesque and tidy looking beach on Phuket, is just south of Kata and is fortunate in having a no-through road and a distinct lack of a ‘built-up’ feel. The wide beach here is simply a delight and those staying at the Kata Thani hotel have the advantage of cooling off via a series of refreshing pools and wonderful, lush landscaped grounds which overlook the beach. Unfortunately, though, Kata Noi has not escaped the interest of the jet-ski, paragliding crowd. If this irks you, head farther south to Nai Harn Beach where water sports aren’t as popular and the locals easily outnumber tourists. Weekends on Nai Harn do get very busy; however, with tribes of fun-loving locals letting their hair down, yet the atmosphere is always one of calm. Rawai Beach lies at the bottom of the island and although not an attractive beach when compared with many others in Phuket, it is nonetheless picturesque and has some great seafood restaurants. Rawai is particularly favoured by locals and expats.Although you may have the urge to go right around the island, if beaches are your thing, stick to the west coast. There’s not much to see in the way of beaches and sea views past Rawai. Chalong Bay is the next significant stop, but the beach here is non-existent and there’s not much in the way of tourist facilities. If you have a car or bike however, you could carry on round from Rawai to Chalong and then take the road directly back over to Kata from Chalong Circle making sure you stop off at the much vaunted Green Man pub.If you have extra time, it may be worth visiting some of the northern beaches, of which Laem Sing, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang are the main ones. Laem Sing is next to Kamala Beach which is itself just north of Patong. A steep climb down to the beach from the cliff road is all that separates you from one of Phuket’s prettiest beaches.Surin and Bang Tao are farther north; the former a popular residential beach for the millionaire club where views from the exclusive villas on the hill behind are probably worth the hefty price tag for a home or hotel room. Bang Tao is the longest beach on the island and is dotted with many exclusive hotels and resorts. The beach is great for strolling and there are several picturesque lagoons in the area.Nai Yang is the northernmost of Phuket’s major beaches and within earshot of Phuket International Airport. Prices here are very reasonable and if its peace and quiet you seek, take the first stop on you way south.

About the author:Adventurous travel writer Andy B. knows fabulous Phuket inside out. The English columnist advises the following websites for providing the most complete info on “The Pearl of the Andaman”. For planning his journeys online Andy makes use of;Phuket tourist factsPhuket beaches and attractions
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