Mu Ko Similan National Park
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อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน |
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Similan is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of
nine islands. Similan is a small group of islands comprising
nine islands stretching from north to south, respectively,
namely: Koh Bon, Koh Bayu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Miang (two
adjoining islands), Koh Payan, Koh Payang, and Koh Huyong.
Occupying an area of 32,000 acres, it was declared as a national
park on September 1, 1982 and the park office is located on Koh
Miang. Similan is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both
onshore and underwater. It is situated 70 kilometers from
Phang-nga town. Best time to visit is between November and
April.
Interesting attractions in the National Park
include: - Koh Similan or Koh Paet is the largest island of
this group. It has a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay and the
average depth of the water is 60 feet. Underwater is full of
rock formations and coral reefs in several shapes and forms such
as deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom. The latter one is the most
unspoiled coral found in the country. Its white sand beach is
beautifully soft and very stunning. Diving around here is the
must as it allows you to touch the real underwater world that
full of fish and corals. To the north, lies a striking large
rock formation with astonishing shapes such as boot and Donald
Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal looKohut
point with a rock of a sailing boat shape. - Koh Ba-ngu is
the ninth island of the Similan group. Its strange shape can be
looked in different ways including a skull. Underwater scene is
as beautiful as a coral reefs valley with deep gorges and
various sizes of fish. - Koh Huyong, the island offers the
whitest and longest beach of all the nine islands. During
turtles’ egg laying season, from November to February, there
would be tracks on the beach made by turtles come onshore to lay
eggs, resembling centipede tracks. - Koh Miang is the second
largest island among the group. It is where the office of the
National Park is located. The island offers a scenic beach
suitable for camping. - Diving Spots: There are several
diving spots suited both snorkeling and scuba diving. The famous
scuba diving spots including rock formations that lie to the
west of Koh Tachai where whale sharks can be seen, Koh Bon,
Christmas Point rock formation, Fantasy rock formation, and Ao
Kwang En (to the east of Koh Paet), etc. - Snorkeling spots
are scattered around these islands. The suggesting spots are
sailing boat rock, Ao Kwang En, and behind Miang Island.
Accommodation: There are bungalows and tents as well as
restaurants available on the island. For reservation, contact Mu
Koh Similan National Park, tel: 0 2562 0760,
www.dnp.go.th
Opening
hours: 9am-5pm Admission: 500 baht for adult and 300 baht for
children
Contact: Mu Koh Similan National Park, Mu 1,
Thap Lamu, Tambon Lam Kaen, Amphoe Thai Mueang, Phang-nga 82120,
076-421-365, 076-595-045, 02-562-0760
Getting there: Thap
Lamu Pier, located 70 kilometers north of Phang-nga at Amphoe
Thai Mueang, is the nearest point to Similan. A boat trip takes
around 2 hours. There is no regular boat service for travelers
to the island. Boats leaving from Thap Lamu are suitable for
chartered with the rates range from 30,000-40,000 baht,
depending on various factors.
It is sometimes possible for individuals to hitch a ride
or pay a reasonable fraction of the rental cost on a boat
chartered by a group. This method is by no means certain and
should be an option only for the adventurous that have time to
spare. Visitors may contact the park office at Thap Lamu (Tel: 0
7659 5045) for further information.
A boat trip
from Patong Beach, Phuket takes around four hours. Visitors can
contact Seatran Travel Tel: 076-219-391/2. Diving companies in
Phuket also organize a three-day trip ranging from 9,000 to
25,000 baht depend on the level of luxury, food and
accommodations.
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Phang Nga |
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District |
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Khura Buri |
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City |
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Koh Pra Tong |
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Official Web: |
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Genre |
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National park |
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n/a |
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Entry fee |
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Boat
fee |
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Coordinates: |
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8.613516 N |
97.644665 E |
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