Island Hopping in the South

Island Hopping in the South for your Vacation Pleasure 

If you are truly searching for a glimpse of paradise, then perhaps a vacation of Island hopping in the south of Thailand is just the ticket for you. Southern Thailand is located on the Kra Isthmus. This allows for some of the most spectacular and stunning coastline you can imagine. The length of the coastline is littered with small islands that provide scenic and memorable retreats from the mainland as well as the real world. It is surrounded by the Andaman Sea to the west and to the east lays the Gulf of Thailand.

While the Southern Thailand may not be as culturally diverse as the north there is plenty to do for those who love nature and/or the sun. The scenery in the south can hardly be described as anything other than stunning. From waterfalls and rivers to elephant treks and wildlife watching, there is a little bit of everything for the nature lover in all of us to keep anyone busy for a week or two of island hopping adventures in Southern Thailand. Keep in mind that the Similan Islands are known as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, so there is excellent underwater adventure to be found here as well.

In addition to the many traditional tourism spots there are several 'eco-tourism' destinations in when island hopping in the south. Included in the list are: wildlife sanctuaries, marine and land based national park, canoe excursions, elephant trekking, and bird watching tours that try to have minimal impacts on the environment. This is a new form of tourism that is growing in popularity and this is an excellent location in which to experience all that eco-tourism has to offer.

The Andaman Sea

The Andaman Sea is home to many small and some not so small islands. Among them are the following: Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Coral Island, Racha Islands, Lanta Island, Krabi, Khao Lak, Semilan Islands, and Tarutao.

1) Phuket Island

This is one of the less primitive islands. In fact, there is a great deal of activity to be found on this island that doesn't involve Mother Nature and wildlife. There is a cinema as well as a bowling alley on these islands in addition to restaurants, dancing, and bars. There is so much to do on this island you'll almost forget it's an island, except for the fabulous scenery. There are tons of tours and cruises you can charter; there are the national parks, canoeing, snorkeling, and dozens of other adventures.

2) Phi Phi Islands

If you truly want to get away from it all and have a taste of paradise this is the place to do it. With beautiful waters tall cliffs, and plenty of sunshine, these islands offer a truly tropical island experience to those that dare visit. The trip is about 90 minutes by boat from Phuket. These tours leave every day but you should always check the schedule daily for departure times.

3) Krabi Province

When you consider the towering limestone cliffs, the sandy white beaches, the crystal clear gorgeous waters, and the mysterious caves, nooks, and crannies, there's no wonder that Krabi Province is growing in popularity as a destination for visitors seeking refuge from the world in this little slice of paradise. If you're looking for something to do here, you won't have to look very far. From snorkeling to kayaking and sun worshipping there is plenty to do here. Perhaps the best thing though is to stake out a little umbrella on the beach, turn off all electronic devices, slather on the sunscreen and grab that book you've been meaning to read for the last 3 years.

4) Tarutao

This land is for the most part unpopulated by humans and largely populated by wildlife of all shapes and varieties. The Tarutao National Park consists of 51 islands, many of which offer sanctuaries for the wildlife that call these islands home. In addition to the wildlife on land, if you care to go diving around the Adang-Rawi group of islands you will be in a prime position to see some excellent varieties of marine wildlife. If you're looking for an extreme vacation experience, you really should tackle the adventure that these islands have to offer.

The Gulf of Thailand

1) Koh Samui

This is the third largest of South Thailand's islands and has much more in the way of accommodations than some of the other islands I've mentioned so far. In fact, this island is fairly well developed with plenty of activities and entertainment for all. One of the great things about this island is that despite its growth, it still maintains some degree of the charm that it had before it became a popular destination for those on holiday. In addition to the many attractions you'll find on most of the islands you can also see The Snake Show (you're on your own for this one I can't bear to look), The Butterfly Garden, The Pearl Farm, and the Samui Crocodile Farm. Other neat things to do and see here include the Secret Buddha Garden, Hin Lad Falls, The Big Buddha, and the Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo. All of these great things to see and do should prove, if nothing else, that you do not high tech gadgets and gizmos in order to have a fabulous time.

2) Ko Phangan

This island is more budget friendly and down to earth than some of the other islands. It's also a wonderful quiet place in which to get away from it all and enjoy your time in the sun. The accommodations are quite affordable and the food is relatively cheap and plentiful, this makes Ko Phangan a very popular destination among young 'backpackers'. Don't let the relative quietness of the area scare you away, there is still plenty to see and do here. This island is famous for it's full moon parties. These parties have become so famous that they bring in crowds of nearly 7,000. Daytime activities include trekking, hiking, snorkeling, bicycling, and taking belly-dancing courses. There are also great things for those seeking more spiritual alternatives for their vacation. You can spend time at the International Meditation Centre, which is a Theravada Buddhist Monastery. You can also opt to spend time at "The Sanctuary" for healing powers of massage, meditation, Reiki, and other types of treatment.

3) Pattaya

This island is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand and is a top rated destination for those who are more interested in turning up the heat at night rather than fun in the sun. If you do plan to be out and about during the day there is plenty to keep you entertained. However, for those who prefer their entertainment after hours, this is the island you'll wish to spend your time enjoying. The nightlife is hopping and includes bars, clubs, and entertainment to suit almost any taste from the mildly wild to the decidedly naughty. There is also a healthy shopping industry on the island as well. Be sure to check out the Thai Handicraft Market, which is generally open well into thenight.

4) Ko Chang

This is the second largest island and is also referred to as "Elephant Island". This island is almost 75% covered by rain forests, which are considered by many to be the best preserved in South East Asia. This island is gradually moving into the modern age although it has traditionally had no electricity and been limited to rather primitive accommodations at best. It is beginning to come around however and even offers rentals of speed boats in addition to traditional hiking, fishing, kayaking, diving, elephant trekking, and massage-which seems to be a favorite.

5) Koh Tao

If you're looking for the best coral reef diving to be found in the area, then this is your island. The literal translation for Koh Tao is "Turtle Island". It is best known for its beautiful pristine beaches, the great coral and marine life in the area, and the overall natural beauty of this island. While it isn't quite as modernized as many of the islands, there are a couple of air-conditioned resorts that add to the comfort of island guests but manage to do so without taking away from the natural beauty of the island. Among the many things to do on this island are: diving and snorkeling (with the best coral in the area, this is a huge draw for those who are enthusiasts), kayaking, deep sea fishing, rock climbing, and traditional Thai massage. While the nightlife isn't as wild as that of Pattaya, there is still a night life that is very much alive and kicking on this island and plenty to keep you entertained during the day.

If you love fun in the sun, diving, watching nature, or simply time away from the hustle and bustle of life then you really might be interested in seeing how much fun you can have island hopping in the southern part of Thailand. One thing is for certain; there is plenty to do as well as the option to do nothing at all. I for one can think of few things I'd rather do than spend a few days reading on the beach and evenings getting the royal treatment at one of the many spas. Of course if that isn't exciting enough for me, I can go sailing for an afternoon or three, or simply explore the wonderful natural surroundings of each and every one of these islands. I mean really I could grow accustomed to such harsh treatment if only I were born lucky that is.