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 Lanta Islands National Park
Covers
152 square Kilometers of Lanta Islands. This island forms
the most southern district of Krabi province. It was
known long ago by its name in the Malay language, Pulao
Satak, which means Long Beach Island. Later, so many
Thais, both Buddhist and Muslim, came to live on the island
that there seemed to be a million eyes, which is what some
people think Lanta means in Thai.
Others hold that the name is corrupted from Javanese "lan-tas",
and means a fish grill (which is built of wood with a square
grill on top where the fish are set in a circle).
Several islands are in the National Park:
Lanta Yai Island
is
where the District & National Park offices are located.
The island geography is mountainous and rugged, especially
near the southern tip; some beaches are gravelly, others
have fine white sands. A clan of Chao Ley, or "Sea
Gypsies" are resident on Koh Yao Yai and they preserve
many of their ancient customs and ceremonies; e.g. the setting
of ceremonial boats adrift to bring good luck and prosperity
on the full moon nights of the sixth and eleventh month
This
and other features of their lives are open to view. To visit
the island take a regularly scheduled ferry from Ban Hua
Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Klahng, Bor Muang Pier in Tambon
Sai Kao or Jao Fah Pier in Krabi Town.
Taleng Beng Island
This
island is in some ways a smaller version of Phi Phi Ley;
made of Limestone, honeycombed with caves, inhabited by
the same swifts whose nests are made into soup.
Small beaches and caves appear where the tide ebbs.
Hah
Island
A
group of five islands. Hai Yai island has a field of grass
on its ridgeline. Another island resembles in shape
a sailboat; one has water that passes from one side to another
beneath it. There are some corals in shallow waters.
Ngai
Island
A
fine sandy beach and coral reef run down the east side of
this island. It is perfect for diving. Regular
ferries and charter craft are available from Pak Meng Beach
in Trang Province.
Rok
Nai Island
is
composed largely of formidable cliffs. On the east
side are a fine sandy beach and coral gardens growing around
sea rocks. On the northern side are San Jao Bay and
Tohng Bay.
Rok
Nok Island
The southeast and southern ends of this island have fine
sand beaches and shallow water corals. Also not to
be missed are Man Sai Bay and Talu beach. Transport
to the island is via charter from either Pak Meng Beach
in Trang Province or from Lanta Yai Island. There
are tents for rent, contact Lanta National Park Tel.: +66
(075) 629018-9.
Hin
Dang
This
submerged open water reef in the Andaman features a multiplicity
of colorful corals to attract serious scuba divers.
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