Phang-Nga Province

Jungle-shrouded mountains carved up by thick rivers leading to aqua bays sprinkled with sheer limestone karsts and, below, some of Thailand's finest underwater treasures. That's Phang-Nga.

This is national park territory, with four of Thailand's finest conservation areas in fairly close proximity here. Divers can head for the Similan and Surin Islands, where some of Thailand's most legendary dive sites await (good for snorkellers too), while on terra firma the Khao Sok National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in the world and home to many rare species, as well as caves and waterfalls. But if you just want to laze on the sand, there are the beaches around Khao Lak and some still little-visited nearby islands.

Phang-Nga is very seasonal. From mid-October to mid-April, visitors flood in for the clear waters, snow-white beaches and colourful reefs. But far fewer arrive during the May-to-October monsoon, leaving you plenty of space.

Explore Phang-Nga Province

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Phang-Nga Province.

  • National Park

    Similan Islands Marine National Park

    This beautiful 70-sq-km marine national park is known to divers the world over. Lying 70km offshore from Phang-Nga Province, it has smooth granite islands…

  • National Park

    Ao Phang-Nga National Park

    Established in 1981, 400-sq-km Ao Phang-Nga National Park is famous for its classic karst scenery. Huge vertical cliffs dominate its 42 islands, some with…

  • National Park

    Surin Islands Marine National Park

    Sitting 60km offshore, 5km from the Thailand–Myanmar marine border, are the five gorgeous isles of this marine national park. Healthy rainforest, pockets…

  • Island

    Ko Tachai

    Twin Peaks at Ko Tachai is one of the best dive sites on the Similans, although strong currents mean it is generally reserved for experienced divers…

  • Island

    Ko Bon

    In 1998, the Similan Islands Marine National Park was expanded from its original nine islands to include uninhabited Ko Bon and Ko Tachai. The west ridge…

  • Lake

    Chiaw Lan Lake

    This stunning 165-sq-km lake sits 65km east (an hour’s drive) of Khao Sok National Park Headquarters. It was created in 1982 by an enormous shale-clay dam…

  • National Park

    Khao Lak/Lam Ru National Park

    Immediately south of Hat Khao Lak, this vast 125-sq-km park is a collage of sea cliffs, 1000m-high hills, beaches, estuaries, waterfalls, forested valleys…

  • Buddhist Site

    Thamtapan Temple

    This unusual Buddhist complex (the name means 'Heaven and Hell' temple) has cave shrines, a dragon tunnel and a collection of grotesque figures…

  • Cave

    Tham Nam Thalu

    Reached on foot from the southwestern shore of Chiaw Lan Lake, Tham Nam Thalu contains striking limestone formations and subterranean streams. It is only…

  • National Park

    Khao Sok National Park

    Khao Sok National Park is close to the Andaman Sea, and possesses the classic Andaman topography: signature fern-covered limestone cliffs that shoot…

  • Cave

    Phung Chang Cave

    A dam at the mouth of this cave created an artificial river, which visitors can explore, first by kayak and then bamboo raft as the cave narrows…

  • Island

    Ko Panyi

    A stilted Muslim village clings to this small karst island, where most tours dock for lunch. It's busy, but Ao Phang-Nga tour operators can arrange for…

  • Viewpoint

    Sunset Point

    From the Similan Islands Marine National Park Visitors Centre, you can walk for 20 minutes through forest to this viewing point, a great place to catch…

  • Cave

    Tham Si Ru

    Tham Si Ru features four converging passageways used as a hideout by communist insurgents between 1975 and 1982. It can be accessed on foot from the…

  • Viewpoint

    Sail Rock

    On Ko Similan there’s a short, steep scramble off the main beach to the top of Sail Rock, though during daylight the path gets completely packed with day…

  • Viewpoint

    Similan Viewpoint

    For a brief taste of Ko Similan's jungly interior, there's an easy 2.5km hike through the forest to this viewpoint that offers ocean vistas.

  • Island

    Ko Similan

    The biggest of the Similan Islands has hikes to viewpoints; overnight stays are now banned.

  • Village

    Ban Moken

    Ban Moken on east Ko Surin Tai welcomes visitors. After the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, the Moken (from the sea gypsy ethnic group) resettled in this…

  • Waterfall

    Ton Chongfa Waterfall

    This tiered waterfall makes for a nice half-day trip away from the beach. You can reach the park entrance by travelling 5.3km from the main road. From the…

  • Memorial

    Tsunami Memorial Park

    The wave-shaped Tsunami Memorial Park in Ban Nam Khem, a squid-fishing village 26km north of Hat Khao Lak that was nearly wiped off the map in the 2004…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Phang-Nga Province.

  • Activities