Whilst most tourists flock to Phuket’s Golden Beaches on the west coast, the island’s opposite coastline, the Phang Nga Bay east coast, offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, tranquility and authentic cultural experiences. We showcase some of its treasures
By Roger Osbourne
The east coast stretches for about 50 kms, from the Sarasin Bridge in the north, all the way down to Cape Panwa in the south.
Perhaps the most stunning characteristic of the coast line is its scenic views of Phang Nga Bay, with its dramatic limestone karsts, puncturing the calm emerald-green waters of the bay. Sheltered from the eroding westerly onshore winds, this coastline has mangroves, inlets and fishing villages, making it perfect for boating kayaking and exploring hidden caves and lagoons. There are local companies who provide mangrove and bird watching tours.
Compared to the bustling west, Andaman Sea, beaches, the east coast is quieter and less commercialised, ideal if you are interested in serenity and nature. Inland there are thickly vegetated hillsides, vast sanctuaries offering elephants a home for undisturbed retirement and dramatic waterfalls, such as the Bang Pae Falls, which is great for swimming and visiting the nearby Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
The east coast is home to traditional fishing villages and local communities, many of them muslim, which provide visitors with an authentic Thai cultural experience, where you can see ancient practices followed, including drying fish in the hot sunshine.
Another advantage the east coast has over the west is its proximity to Phuket’s offshore islands, and there are hundreds of them. From small deserted islands to larger populated islands, with major resorts, such as Ko Yao Noi. To service these islands the east coast has many small ports and yachting marinas. The most southerly of the marinas is Royal Phuket Marina, which is a popular hopping off point for island tours, which we feature later in this article.
The waters around Phang Nga are sheltered from the westerly winds and therefore accessible throughout the year, whereas the west coast can be very choppy between June and October, with more boats tied up in harbour than out on the ocean.
All in all the east coast is definitely worth exploring during your holiday. In the pages that follow we highlight some of the best quality providers around, from luxury villas and resorts, to elephant sanctuaries, and island hopping tours to a round of golf.