You’ll find in this post a sample of amazing locations to visit South of Thailand, between Phuket and Krabi, and around the world-famous Phang Nga Bay.
I need to disclose that, despite careful planning to be there during the sunny and dry season, the weather during my stay was challenging (really crap 😢 ) so my pictures might not all give justice to some of the gorgeous beaches there. But cloudy weather can bring magic as well…
Due to weather, I shorten my stay and did not visit all the of the spots so the post is missing some major areas (around Phi phi island and some places in Krabi and Phuket) but you’ll find already some great spots with a travel photography bias
So not in a specific order but traveling clockwise from Phuket to Krabi, here are some of my recommended places…
PHUKET
Thaland Road Old Town Phuket
The Old Town of Phuket with its Portuguese colonial style colorful houses is a fantastic place to visit
The best time to go is sunset-twilight, as you’ll get both amazing photography opportunities and a very vibrant market with delicious street food in Thaland Road
The houses have been nicely renovated, making that place a paradise for photographers and travel addict tourists
Keep watching as well for the beautiful street art in the neighborhood
Soi Romane
One of the most famous streets is the tiny Soi Romane (perpendicular to Thaland road)
Jui Tui Shrine
There are a couple of Chinese small temples and shrines around the old town area. The most beautiful in my view is Jui Tui, south of Thaland Road
The richness of the decorations are really mind-blowing
That place is as well a paradise for photographers …
Wat Mongkhon Nimit
Above the old town of Phuket, the Mongkhon Nimit temple is a spot not to miss
If you’re lucky enough to be around when monks are praying, this is really cool …
Of course, observe and shoot without disturbing the prayers…
Patong beach
Patong is a good base camp to explore Phuket island, with many hotels, restaurants, and as well a gorgeous beach…
Despite crap weather, the sunset magic still happens here most days …
Patong mountain
If you’re looking for a nice spot to watch the sunset with a beer over Patong beach, get up to Patong Mountain bar -or a few equivalents- (very steep road to get there) …
Big Buddha
This is probably one of the most iconic landmarks of Phuket Island, even if the massive sculpture is still under construction (waiting for donations from tourists (and locals) to come back in masses post covid)
The best time to visit is sunrise or sunset. If you get a bit of rain before (that I was clearly not short of), watch for cool reflections…
Wat Chalong temple
Wat Chalong (between Patong and Phuket town) is a large complex that is really worth a visit
The huge pagoda with its rich decorations is really a piece of art
You’ll find inside countless Buddhas and amazing paintings on several levels in the building
Wat Sri Sunthon
The temple of the Reclining Buddha situated north of Phuket town is another must-see spot
The scale of that huge recline buddha can only be felt in comparison to other statues and buildings
In rainy circumstances, early morning twilight can transform the rain pain into a competitive edge for reflections 🤩
That reclining Buddha is really huge and impressive!
Sunrise will eventually come and provide some reward for the early wake up for a (wet) twilight
PHANG-NGA
Phang Nga province has a lot to offer and is most famous for the Ao Phang Nga National Park and bay in the Strait of Malacca between Phuket and the mainland of the Kra Isthmus of southern Thailand.
There are an endless list of islands with gorgeous limestone cliffs, beach, caves systems, archaeological sites, fishing villages, and much more so the first couple of spots give a sample of some of the famous places to explore (renting a longtail boat is the best option)
Chang wat village
West of James Bond Island, in one of the many river arms, that place is a good example of some of the (unknown) fishing villages around
Some of those less touristic places (vs Panyee for example) have kept an authentic feel, so far
Panyee seaside village
One of the most famous spots in the bay is Koh Panyee village (or Ko Panyi)
Yes, during the high season, there might before tourists than locals but this is still a great place to see
The colorful houses are providing amazing photography, under the blue sky or in my case during a dark storm and shower 😢🤩
Keep going around with your boat for perspective and views on the amazing limestone rocks
Lod Cave
That place is famous for canoeing around Koh Thalu Island with nice views of the limestone formations
James Bond Island
Of course, the most famous spot in the bay is Khao-Phing Kan, commonly known as James bond island (from The Man with the Golden Gun movie in the seventies)
The place is small and can obviously become pretty busy (outside of unfortunate covid reduction of mass tourism)
The little cave formation is, as well, a nice spot!
Honk Island
Honk is another famous small island nearby, accessible only with a canoe (at low tide)
Panak Island
The nearby Panak island offers opportunities to explore some of the cave systems
The bath cave is quite popular, but you can get in at low tide only (make sure your boat captain knows but he should normally 👀)
The view around that island offers endless opportunities and the light is changing constantly (especially end afternoon)
Keep exploring the area, and the other countless islands…
Samet Nangshe viewpoint
The historic viewpoint is likely one of the most famous and beautiful views on Phang Nga bay for sunset You need to pay a small fee to get up there with a truck on a very steep concrete road. A nice bar waits for you up there to comfortably watch and shoot the sunset.
There is a second new viewpoint a few hundred meters away that I visited for sunrise the next morning.
The view is slightly more open and higher than the historical viewpoint with, as well, access with a jeep on a very steep road 😅.
All artifacts for locals and foreign tourists (and Instagram lovers) start to be there, and they are even building bungalows on the hill …
Wat Kaew Manee
A few kilometers from Samet Nangshe in the direction of Krabi, you’ll find o the main road the Wat Kaew Mane temple that is worth a stop. You can’t miss it with its gigantic sculpture
The decorations of that temple are really stunning
And it is always amazing to find such a large complex, literally in the middle of nowhere
Temple Cave
Close to the main road between Phuket and Krabi (still in the Phang Nga province) is the famous temple cave (Wat Suwan Khuha)
You’ll be welcomed by a large herd of monkeys. They look cute but beware that they can bite badly (with some diseases much worse than Covid 😰)…
It is fun to watch and photograph them playing (or Praying ?) with the Buddha
That temple in a cave is famous for its reclining Buddha
This is another paradise for photographers, with many perspectives …
great details…
… and very colorful statues
Walk to the end of the first cave to get up to a much larger cave …
It got a bit of Indiana Jones feeling especially if you get some luck to be alone (covid helps, unfortunately)
Wat Rat Uppatham
If you’re not yet tired of temples (or a crazy photographer) take a little detour on the way to Krabi to explore Wat Bang Riang (Wat Rat) in the mountains
The massive golden Buddha in the middle of the jungle forest is something to see …
The main temple offers as well great photography opportunities …
.. and amazing pieces of art
Explore the alleys …
And then walk up to the big buddha to say Hi
KRABI
Krabi offers as well a great blend of natural wonders, beaches, and monuments to explore. Here is my little sample in the area, not in a specific order
Nong Thale Lake
A few kilometers north of Krabi, Nong Thale lake is a fantastic spot for sunrise
Try to arrive early enough to enjoy the light changing during twilight, with your feet in the warm lake
The spot is not easy to find (especially in the dark in the morning 😂) so go and have a look the day before. If not, as I’m a good boy, here is the GPS point: 8.09333, 98.82148
There is as well a nice pond a few hundred feet’s from there (back in direction of the main road) that gives a different perspective and foreground
Tiger Cave Temple
Wat Tham Suea Tiger Cave temple is a must-see spot on top of a hill, 45 minutes drive away from Ao Nang.
You however need to deserve the view, climbing first the 2300 ish high steps to get there (should be 30 to 40 min tough hike)
The best time is sunset or sunrise. Sunrise means a very early start from Krabi and a climb in the dark. Quite fun under the rain, but take a torch lamp …
You should get that amazing site for yourself almost …
The view from up there is as beautiful as peaceful
And the panorama on the limestone mountains is amazing, regardless of the weather
Like for Phang Nga, a longtail boat is the best (and often only) way to explore some of the natural wonders around Krabi at the seaside. Here is a sample:
Tonsai Bay
This is the first beach and bay east of Ao Nang, surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs
Phra Nang Beach and Princess cave
If you keep going east, you’ll reach the famous Phra Nang Beach passing through its impressive cliffs
On the east side of the beach, you’ll find the famous princess cave
That cave, devoted to fertility, is as well known for its many strange artifacts…
Chicken island
Close to the coastline are a few beautiful islands that are worth hiring a long talk boat like Chicken Island on the picture below
Ao Nang Tombolo
Another popular spot is Ao nag Tombolo. Most boat tours will stop there for a nice swim, and you can walk on the Tombolo at low tide. We got a nice storm shower there ….
Railway beach
Last but not least, railway beach is probably one of the most famous beaches in Thailand, for good reasons.
There are actually two beaches on the east side and west side of a small piece of land covered with resorts and bars. Here is the east side beach at low tide without light (so can only look better when you’ll go 😢😊)
The west beach is the famous one for watching the sunset
The massive cliffs on both sides of the sandy beach make that place really special and gorgeous …
There are some cool activities like sunset paddle so a might be a good spot to visit or to stay in (even if you then need to go to the main cities by boat)
So again, due to bad weather for photography, I shorten my stay and the post is missing some great areas (around Phi Phi island and some places in Krabi and Phuket). A good reason to go back to that great part of the planet in the future I guess 😄…
