Visit the magical islands of Koh Lanta National Park with Pimalai Resort & Spa

Southern Thailand’s beautiful Mu Ko Lanta National Park reopens to visitors on 15 October 2022 following its annual restoration. Nearby Pimalai Resort & Spa has announced immersive, small-scale excursions to two of the region’s most idyllic islands – Koh Haa and Koh Rok. 

Beautiful Koh Haa, in Koh Lanta National Park

Every year, this tropical wonderland is closed for six months to allow its delicate ecology to be refreshed and replenished. Pimalai Resort & Spa fully supports the closure and works with local authorities to protect and preserve the area.  

Mu Ko Lanta National Park is a breathtaking natural paradise – 134 square kilometres of turquoise waters, unspoiled islands, hidden coves and captivating coastlines in southern Thailand’s Krabi province. 

The Koh Haa Snorkelling & Sunset adventure transports travellers to Koh Haa (Five Islands) – a captivating collection of limestone islets that enclose an aquamarine lagoon, a vibrant coral reef and a white sandy beach. The perfect spot for an afternoon of swimming and snorkelling. On the leisurely boat ride back to Pimalai, passengers are served canapés and cool drinks, including wine and beer, as the sun sets over the Andaman Sea. 

The Fabulous Koh Rok tour is a scenic one-hour boat trip to Koh Rok, a pair of islands lined with sandy beaches lapped by warm, crystal-clear waters. Following an hour of swimming and snorkelling, guests are treated to a delicious onboard lunch before embarking on a sightseeing cruise around Koh Rok, with more opportunities to swim and explore the underwater world. 

“At Pimalai, we feel a deep connection with Mu Ko Lanta National Park and a deep responsibility to preserve it for future generations. That’s why we conduct regular coastal clean-up activities, do not allow motorised water sports and only permit small-scale, eco-sensitive excursions in the area. We are delighted to invite our conscientious guests to explore this pristine paradise when it reopens this October. Following five months of replenishing rains and no human interference, this idyllic area will be looking more breath-taking than ever,” said Charintip Tiyaphorn, Pimalai’s Owner Representative. 

Pimalai’s fleet of seven boats are all skippered by professional captains who have a deep knowledge of the local area. 

Pimalai is featuring Early Bird Promotions with discounts of 10 to 30 percent on bookings through to 31 October 2023. Rates commence at THB6652 (approximately AUD270) per night including daily breakfast and a roundtrip Krabi Airport transfer for two people.

For more information visit www.pimalai.com

Diving Thailand’s Andaman Sea

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The Andaman Sea is famous for its spectacular diving. The marine life and coral reefs surrounding the Similan and Surin islands have been attracting scuba divers from all over the world for years. But recently, more and more divers are discovering the underwater wonders both north and south of these well-known dive sites. To the south, the Phi Phi national Marine park and southern islands of Koh Ha, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, and to the north, Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.

Koh Ha diver and swim through with coral trout credit Pete McGee

NOW there are two new dive liveaboard boats that specialise in these emerging diving destinations. Based in Phuket, ‘The Phinisi’, a traditionally designed yacht runs dive trips to the southern islands, the Similan and Surin Islands and north into Myanmar. The ‘Smiling Seahorse’, based in Ranong on the Thailand and Myanmar border, offers dive cruises to the Similan and Surin Islands, and is a specialist in Myanmar’s remote Mergui Archipelago.

Koh Ha Jacks and soft coral credit Pete McGee

The South: from Phi Phi to Hin Muang

The Phi Phi National Marine Park and the southern islands of Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang offer pinnacles, incredible limestone walls covered in healthy soft corals and gorgonians, with caverns and swim-throughs with lots of macro life. There is a good chance of seeing large schools of barracuda, Jack fish and snapper, as well as, manta rays, leopard sharks, black tip sharks, if you’re lucky, maybe a whale shark.

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The Similans, Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock.

In the Marine National Parks of the Similan Islands and the Surin Islands you’ll see over 200 species of hard coral spread amongst walls, coral gardens and pinnacles, where turtles, giant trevallies, schools of Jack fish, barracudas, and many kinds of tropical fish, patrol. All this as well as one of the best dive sites in the world, Richelieu Rock – one of the few dive sites in the world so special it has its own website.

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Still relatively undiscovered and under-explored, Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago offers marine life for all kinds of underwater fauna lovers. From mantas, dogtooth tunas, and barracudas to frogfish, cuttlefish, and seahorses. Macro lovers can expect to see all kinds of crabs, shrimps and experience some rare macro interactions.

Many different kinds of sharks also populate the area. Its reefs are some of the most impressive, not just because of the beauty of the corals, gorgonians and table corals but also because of their size.

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The Phinisi

The Phinisi Liveaboard, which starts operating in November 2018, has three itineraries offering the very best diving in Thailand and Myanmar: in the south: the islands of Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang; in the north: the Similan Islands and Surin Islands (and the infamous Richelieu Rock); and in Myanmar: the Mergui Archipelago.

Koh Ha diver with whip coral credit Pete McGee

The Phinisi is a 34m custom built diving liveaboard yacht of traditional Indonesian gaft rigged Phinisi style with 7 sails. She hosts 18 guests in 7 en-suited cabins. The main deck features a large indoor salon with comfortable sofas and personal storage. There is an outside dining area with bench seating to the rear complete with full refreshment making facilities. Forward of the Salon is the dive deck, outdoor shaded relaxation area and camera charging station. Upstairs is the large half covered sun deck with cushioned loungers for après dive cocktails.

Koh Ha_soft coral credit Pete McGee

40% Discount

Celebrate the launch of The Phinisi with a 40% discount on all Thailand trips from November 2018 to January 2019. Choose from a 4-DAY Southern Trip: Koh Ha, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, or a 6-DAY Northern Trip. OR do the two itineraries back to back for a 10 night best of Thailand trip from just USD 1620 pp (quad-share). Find out more HERE.

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The Smiling Seahorse

The new MV Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard commenced operations in October 2018. With itineraries in Myanmar and Thailand, an experienced and knowledgeable crew, the MV Smiling Seahorse liveaboard presents the best opportunity to dive some of the region’s least explored dive sites in air-conditioned comfort.

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Dive Thailand’s Richelieu Rock, considered one of the Top Ten Best Dive sites in the world, or visit the Torres Islands or the Burma Banks for some exploratory diving to sites that have rarely been dived before. The Smiling Seahorse can also take you to Western Rocky in Myanmar, highlight of which is a tunnel/cave at 20m that goes right through the island, plus a dive in a volcano the very next day with some very rare marine species.

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Get the gang together.

To celebrate their launch, the MV Smiling Seahorse liveaboard every fifth diver goes for free. So find four friends to join you and you could cruise for FREE. This offer, effectively a 20% discount for a group of 5 is available on their first six Thailand trips, and also Trip 3 The Mergui Archipelago on the 7-12 December trip. Find out more HERE.