|
LEISURE
ISLANDS - KOH CHANG
KOH KHAM
Just 1 km northwest of Koh Mak is Koh Kham, a small island with
clear seawater, coral reefs and coconut-fringed sandy beaches
that are excellent for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and angling
for squids. The island is almost within swimming distance from
Koh Maak's Ao Suan Yai beach. Aged lava exists on the island
which means a volcano existed in prehistoric times. Big boulders
believed to be volcano rocks are seen on its pristine beaches.
During low tide a sand dune practically links the island to
Koh Mak.
MOO KOH RANG
To the west of Koh Mak is a group of 12 islands known as the
Moo Koh Rang. Of these, Koh Rang Yai is the largest. It is covered
with tropical virgin rainforests and boasts the longest and
most beautiful beach in the area, the Had San Chao or San Chao
Beach. The sand here is powdery white and crystal clear water.
Divers can enjoy its scenic underwater beauty up to 25 meters
deep.
Koh Rang Yai has a hilly terrain. Its only low-lying area is
at the shores. Birds and reptiles are the main wildlife. Northwards
from San Chao is Had Ao Cho or the Ao Cho Beach which is the
site of a Marine National Park Ranger Unit. Here, the water
is transparent and swimming safe. Camping is allowed at a small
fee and with the approval of the officer in charge but you have
to prepare your own food. Water supply and toilets are available.
In front of the Ranger office is a bridge made by dropping rocks
and stones into the sea. The bridge was built to help transport
supplies from the International Red Cross Organization to the
Vietnamese refugees in the past.
Further south of Koh Rang Yai is Koh Rang
Lek which is the main freshwater supplier to the former. There
is a bird's nest concession in Koh Rang Lek and it is also a
major source of bat's dung, which is known to be great fertilizers.
Lucky visitors may see sea-turtles laying eggs on Koh Rang Lek
and other nearby islets as they are chosen nesting grounds.
The locals call them Jaramed eggs. The other well-known asset
of Koh Rang Lek is its beautiful oval-shaped stones which has
very smooth textures.
The islands of Koh Kra, Koh Thong Lang and Koh Thian on the
northeast of Koh Rang Yai are great sites for skin diving. An
array of varied corals and fishes abound. Of these islands,
Ko h
Kra has the longest beach, although only 20 meters long. Swimming
is not recommended here as the seabed is carpeted with corals.
These three islands are only walking distances apart and the
seawater is so shallow that it is possible to do so during low
tide, but you should float with a life jacket or buoy to avoid
stepping on some of the healthy corals.
The last coral island you should not forget is Koh Yak where
you will virtually swim with the fishes while you snorkel. However,
Koh Yak is a rock island with no beach. It is off the shores
of San Chao Beach.
Page 1
l 2 l 3
l 4 l 5
Provided by Tourism Authority
of Thailand
|
