Day 77 - PHUKET, THAILAND

 Date: 3/22/2024     Day 77                       Port: PHUKET, THAILAND

Description: With a land area of 215 square miles, Phuket Island is about the same size as Singapore, making it Thailand's largest island. Known as the "Pearl of Thailand," this beautiful retreat offers pristine beaches, lush vegetation, traditional villages, and seascapes of huge limestone pillars that tower over the turquoise waters of Phang-Nga Bay. Apart from tourism, much of the province's wealth derives from tin production, which started back in the 16th century.

Planned Excursion: SNORKELING AT KOH KHAI (Ed)

5.5 Hours                           Strenuous Activity                           # HKT-007: $109.00

Zip through the Andaman Sea to the island Koh Khai on a speedboat.  Relax on the beach rimming the island and snorkel whenever you please.  Cruise to another island and snorkel its crystal-clear waters for a different perspective.

Planned Excursion: SPECTACULAR PHANG NGA BAY (Cathy)

8.5 Hours                           Moderate Activity                           # HKT-003: Free

Cruise through the staggeringly beautiful landscape of Phang Nga National Park.  Pass towering limestone columns rising from the sea and near-vertical cliffs.  Ease through mangrove forests and into small grottoes carved out of the limestone.  Stop at an isolated fishing village built on stilts that lacks most modern conveniences.

Morning Update: As you can see from Cruise Mapper we are not in Phuket but on the other side of the island.  This could be a change to rather miss another port due to sea conditions, we are here.  This is a tendering at anchor port.  To get ashore we usually take our lifeboats.  However, they have bought alongside a barge platform to set the gain way.  They are not deploying the lifeboats but we have these large two deck excursion boats to take us ashore.  Please check back for my next evening update to this post. 

Evening Update: Yes indeed they did change ports due to high sea conditions at the originally planned port.  All were pleased with the change in that our own tenders were not used.  We rode buses to the other side of the island to embark on our excursions.  With my excursion, the first stop to jump off the back of the boat to go snorkeling I decided to remain onboard.  It just look to unsafe due to the very small rear ladder getting into and out of the water.  It was a good decision.  Those that did get in the water were soon back out.  Many jelly fish were around and some got bit.  Others reported bleached coral and few fish.  Once everyone was back onboard we proceeded to the beach.  We had a private beach to relax and do more swimming and snorkeling.  I found no jelly fish, healthy coral and fish.  I really enjoyed the second opportunity to go snorkeling.   Cathy also enjoy her excursion.  

Videos

Click Here --> SNORKELING AT KOH KHAI - Part 1 (snorkeling areas from the speedboat and beach)

Click Here --> SNORKELING AT KOH KHAI - Part 2 (underwater)

Click Here --> SNORKELING AT KOH KHAI - Part 3 (underwater)

Click Here --> SNORKELING AT KOH KHAI - Part 4 (Return speedboat trip)