From Krabi south the snorkelling becomes ever more interesting, with beautiful corals and an abundance of small, colourful reef fish. The Phi Phi islands are again both beautiful and dramatic due to the combination of palm-lined beaches and vast rock faces rising directly from the sea. During the day the islands crawl with day-tripping tourists, though by evening they are relatively quiet again. The Phi Phi Islands are a must-see port of call in the common, circular route taking in the three provinces that enclose the bay of Phang Nga. This runs from Phuket to the northwest corner of Phang Nga Bay.
Anchorages here are plentiful, usually deserted and always beautiful.
If weather permits, these make a delightful overnight stop. Phra Nang, Krabi is the next overnight stop for most. South of Krabi it s an open sail to Phi Phi for another overnight stop or two, before completing the circle with a final leg back to Phuket. Another of the other major, but very different island attractions in the Andaman is the Similan group northwest of Phuket. These nine, low-lying islands are of completely different geological form to Phang Nga s sea mountains.