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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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