Lying in the Strait of Malacca surrounded by the colours of the Andaman Sea is the famous Phang Nga Bay. Its extraordinary limestone cliffs, the main attraction here, draw in many tourists both local and foreign. The bay is an exciting boat-ride away from northern Phuket and houses archaeological sites and collapsed caves all of which are quite intriguing. Although the bay has many beautiful islands most tourists prefer to seek accommodation on the mainland. The southern side of Phuket too is a must-visit especially because of its accommodation options like COMO Point Yamu, Phuket and many other establishments.

The bay is a great addition to the island’s range of attractions including beaches, rainforests and hotels. Not forgetting each Phuket restaurant which offers guests unique experiences too. It was in the year 1981 that a large part of the bay was secured as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. A shallow bay, Phang Nga Bay has 42 islands and consists a total of 28 species of mangroves. In 2002, Phang Nga Bay was declared a Ramsar Site; a site which is categorized as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention. Many of the bay’s archaeological sites also feature thousand-year-old paintings. Local communities in the area thrive on fisheries and on harvesting Nypa palm fronds for commercial use.

The tropical marine climate of the bay makes it conducive for numerous exotic aquatic life and other species inhabiting its islands. Most of its islands too are laden with evergreen trees and deciduous limestone shrubland. The bay’s islands boast a range of reptile species and many other species of fish, shrimp, crab, sharks, and the famous manta ray.

The bay is also home to the famous ‘James Bond Island’ which was used to shoot the film ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ in a movie James Bond in 1974. Incidentally, this very island was hardly visited and even considered an indigenous area before it was featured in the movie. A boat tour to the Phang Nga Bay is always more soothing as it offers visitors the opportunity to cruise through dramatic islands full of limestone while feasting their eyes on scenic beaches that one may encounter.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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