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Thailand’s Maya Bay – made well-known because of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Hollywood smash The Beach – is closed at current to permit ecosystems on the scenic cove an opportunity to get better. The bay had solely simply reopened this yr after greater than three years of being closed to the general public following important degradation to the native surroundings, with fierce debate presently brewing between native teams about whether or not or not the closure of one of many nation’s main tourism points of interest must be made everlasting or seasonal.
However, no matter whether or not the bay is ready to reopen or shut for good, there’s no purpose for vacationers to concern as Thailand has lots extra stunning seashores, cozy coves and idyllic islands to get pleasure from. Here’s a have a look at 5 of essentially the most stunning options to Maya Bay, and why vacationers trying to go to the Land of Smiles over the subsequent few months ought to add them to their journey itineraries as quickly as doable.
Railay
For vacationers in search of a substitute for Maya Bay, the place higher arguably the nation’s most stunning seashore situated in the identical province? Situated in coastal Krabi between the principle city and Ao Nang, Railay is a exceptional peninsula surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs that present a few of the world’s finest mountaineering routes. Home to 4 distinct seashores, together with a community of caves, tiny islands inside swimming distance and mangroves which can be wealthy in biodiversity, Railay offers beautiful island views which can be finest loved from its comfortable seashores, temperate seas or below the shadow of its looming karsts. Less developed than Koh Phi Phi however with a wholesome provide of cafes and eateries, Railay is the right place to spend a day or two, and is well accessible from Ao Nang by way of a 10-minute longtail boat experience.
(*5*)Ko Similan
Also situated on the nation’s Andaman coast, Ko Similan – higher often called the Similan Islands – are a Mecca for diving lovers, however there’s extra than simply life beneath the waves to get pleasure from. Reachable by way of a ship journey from Phang Nga’s resort city of Khao Lak, the Similan Islands are all the things a tropical island paradise must be. The water is remarkably clear, the sand is comfortable and powdery while a big selection of wildlife could be noticed – from beautiful monitor lizards on the islands themselves to manta rays, sharks and sea turtles round them. Whilst diving will give vacationers the complete Similan Island expertise, most excursions additionally present snorkeling tools, which offers a window into the underwater world that helped put this vacation spot on the map.
James Bond Island
Maya Bay isn’t the one vacation spot in Thailand to have welcomed Hollywood to its shores. Khao Phing Kan served as a villain’s hideout within the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, and has been known as James Bond Island by vacationers ever since. Also situated in Phang-Nga province within the nation’s south, the island is immediately recognizable attributable to its singular limestone column erupting from the ocean in a perpendicular style and lovely, remoted seashores and islands close by. The location is generally underdeveloped, with your complete province of Phang-Nga offering far more native vibes than its tourism-heavy neighbors Phuket and Krabi, offering an genuine slice of life in rural Thailand. Tour tickets to the island usually additionally embrace a visit to Koh Panyi, a well known fishing village on stilts famed for its floating soccer pitch.
Freedom Beach
Phuket is filled with seashores, however few share the quiet, effortlessly stunning qualities that carry vacationers to Maya Bay of their droves. Freedom Beach, nevertheless, is among the few exceptions. Despite being geographically near the rowdy seashores of Patong, Freedom Beach couldn’t be extra totally different. Accessible courtesy of a longtail boat or a dangerous descent down a treacherous filth observe, Freedom Beach boasts powdery, white sand, turquoise seas and an abundance of coves, bays and inlets to discover close by. Tropical coconut timber and palms present shade and a typical seashore environment, and the night-time delights, eating places and sights of Patong are simply across the nook when you’ve had sufficient of this paradise.
Koh Hong
Another superb location in Krabi Province, Koh Hong is arguably essentially the most aesthetically-similar vacation spot to Maya Bay within the nation. Like Maya Bay, Koh Hong options seashores surrounded by sheer cliffs, with views out into the Andaman Sea. However, Koh Hong has hidden delights that many vacationers declare exceed even these of The Beach. The island is dwelling to a secluded lagoon, surrounded by cliffs in a means that offers it it’s identify – hong means “room” in Thai, and rooms don’t come significantly better than this, the place the water turns from emerald to turquoise because it shimmers within the solar. Whether kayaking within the lagoon, snorkeling off the seashore or taking in your complete island from its elevated viewpoint, Koh Hong is among the most stunning islands within the nation and is well accessible by boat from varied factors on Krabi’s mainland.
Controversy is rarely removed from Maya Bay, as Thailand’s court yesterday ordered twentieth Century Fox to pay for damages incurred throughout filming The Beach. Whilst it is perhaps scheduled to reopen on the finish of the month, closure as soon as extra may very well be simply across the nook – significantly if native surroundings teams get their means – however these locations ought to present vacationers with greater than sufficient recollections to make up for lacking it.
Read More:
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This article initially appeared on Travel Off Path. For the most recent breaking information that can have an effect on your subsequent journey, please go to: Traveloffpath.com
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