Susan Hoi or Fossils Shell Beach Situated at Ban Laem Pho, 17 kilometres from town. The area was once a large freshwater swamp, home to a kind of snail. Over eons dating from the Tertiary Age, about 40 million years ago, these snails lived and died by the million. Eventually, weather changes caused the swamp's disappearance, but by then the layer of fossilised snail shells was forty centimeters thick, resting on ten centimeters of lignite below which is the subsoil. Because of geographic upheaval, the fossilised shells are now distributed in great broken sheets of impressive magnitude on the seashore at Laem Pho.

         Ao Nang This bay is situated some 20 kilometres from town. Its white sandy beach stretches to the foot of a conspicuously prominent limestone range. Accommodation is available along the beachfront. Other facilities include diving shops, boats for rent and sightseeing by canoe. From Ao Nang, tourists may hire boats to visit nearby attractions such as Hat Rai Le, Tham Phra Nang located on the land to the east of Ao Nang, as well as other offshore isles such as Ko Poda, Ko Kai, Ko Mo and Ko Thap.

         Hat Rai Le This beach is generally divided into two sections, east and west. West Rai Le offers a broad sandy beach. Although it has less facilities to offer than Ao Nang, West Rai Le is quieter and more peaceful.

         Across the peninsula from West Rai Le is East Rai Le, which varies from the other beaches in the area. It could actually be classified as a mud flat, especially during low tide. Even so, it does offer some rather remarkable views. One end of the beach is covered with mangroves.

         Hat Tham Phra Nang Accessible only by boat, this sweeping beach offers fine-grained white sand and crystalline waters, as well as magnificent jagged karsts. Although visitors flock to this beach year-round, it is still extremely pristine, and considered to be the most attractive in the area.

         The Inner and Outer Phra Nang Caves, and Phra Nang Lagoon are close by, and offer some truly spectacular views. Accommodation is available over a wide price range. Despite the fact that it is reachable only by boat, this area offers plenty of recreational activities.

           Than Bok Khorani National Park The park office is situated 46 kilometres from town or 1 kilometre from Ao Luek Nuea Market. Near the park office there are several natural ponds of emerald water in a shady forested area. Tourists can enjoy swimming in these ponds. Admission is 200 baht per person. Camping in the park can be done but tourists have to bring their own tents.Other attractions in the park include several caves in limestone mountains, verdant mangrove forests, and beautiful islands which can be reached only by boat.

         Tham Lot can be reached by boat from Bo Tho Pier. The pier is located 2 kilometres from Amphoe Ao Luek on the way to Laem Sak. Ride a long-tail boat along a canal passing through mangrove forests for 15 minutes. Tham Lot is a tunnel under a limestone mountain where a natural stream runs through a small tunnel and charming stalactite and stalagmite formations are found. The cave can be visited only during low tide.

         Tham Phi Hua To is 500 metres from Tham Lot and can be visited by boat from Bo Tho Pier. The cave is in Phi Hua To Mountain which is surrounded by mangrove swamps. There are 2 split paths inside the cave. On the left lies the shortcut the back of the cave where sunbeams can shine through, and on the right is a path to a natural hall believed to have been once a shelter for prehistoric people. The prehistoric paintings of men, animals and human organs including numerous seashells, can be seen in the cave. Big human skulls had been discovered in the cave, thus giving the cave its present name.

         Tham Chao Le is located in the west of Laem Sak in the bay where mountains and picturesque islands surround it. It is accessible by taking a boat from Laem Sak. The trip takes 10 to 15 minutes. In the cave, there are prehistoric paintings featuring men, animals and geometric symbols including stalactite and stalagmite formations. It is assumed that the paintings may have been painted after those of Tham Phi Hua To.

         Mu Ko Hong is a group of limestone islands including Ko Lao or Ko Sa Ka, Ko Lao Riam, Ko Pakka and Ko Lao La Ding. Most of them are limestone islands with fine beaches, coral reefs in both deep and shallow water, and various kinds of fish. Ko Hong or Ko Lao Li Pe is the biggest island in the south. There is a 400-metre hiking trial around the island. This area also suitable for sea-canoeing. Mu Ko Hong is located at the edge of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, and is accessible by boat from Ao Nang. The trip takes about an hour. The park charges 200 baht for entrance and 20 baht for camping on the island.

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         Canoeing One of several eco-tourism activities available in Krabi is sea-canoeing, and there are few better ways to thoroughly enjoy the spectacular scenery than by drifting leisurely amongst the limestone karsts. This is perhaps the best way to explore Krabi's countless inlets and deserted beaches, allowing travellers to discover the true magic of the area at their own pace.

         Kayaking Kayaking is available in the waters off Krabi and Phang-nga provinces, which boast some of the most spectacular seascapes and marine life anywhere. The sport is accessible to beginners and veterans alike, since operators offer training at the start of the trip. The sea-kayaking centre is at Ao Nang, which blends the rugged appeal of rocky outcrops with the serene beauty of beaches and crystal-clear water. Off its shore lie limestone outcrops honeycombed with caves and hollows and fringed by mangrove forests.

         Canoe and kayak rentals are available at many of the guesthouses in the Ao Nang area, and guides are also available to lead you through the myriad of small, deserted islands.

         Snorkelling & Diving Dive shops provide mask, snorkel and fins for hire at around 150 baht a set per day. You will probably have to pay a deposit of around 500 baht. They also offer you dive trips to, and education about, some of the most spectacular destinations in Southern Thailand.

         Biking Mountain bikes cost around 80 baht per day to hire and can be found around Ao Nang. The terrain is spectacular and this is a great, and healthy, way to take in the most spectacular scenery.

         Rock Climbing Every year literally thousands of climbers come to Krabi specifically to challenge themselves on the famous limestone karsts, and most will agree that it was well worth the trip. There are over 150 challenging pegged routes, concentrated primarily on the Phranang peninsula, between Hat Tham Phranang and Hat Rai Le. These routes are typically in the mid to high difficulty range, with numerous overhangs, and sheer limestone faces. However, there are also several beginner climbs, so that even the novice climber can experience the thrill of climbing. Equipment rentals, instruction, and guides are all available.

Excursion
         Travel shops in Ao Nang sell island tour tickets which pool strangers into the one boat. This has brought two daytrips within reach of most pockets.

         The Tham Phranang and Ko Poda daytrip costs 200 baht per person, and the Ko Hong daytrip costs 250 baht per person. The price usually includes snorkel, mask, lunch of fried rice, water and fruit. Each boat leaves around 9a.m. and returns about 4 p.m. Booking is available at most bungalows and at travel counters. The Ko Poda group of islands is recommended with a stay at Ko Kai, to relax, snorkel and sunbathe. At low tide on Ko Kai a powdery white land bridge forms linking three islands.

         The Phi Phi daytrip by boat leaving Ao Nang at 9 a.m. daily and returns at 5 p.m. A roundtrip ticket costs around 700 baht including a simple lunch, touring the Viking Cave and snorkelling in Maya Bay.

         The Khlong Thom Hot Spring & Forest Hiking costs 500 baht per person.

         The Ao Luek daytrip (to see waterfalls and caves) costs around 500 baht

Note: These are guideline prices, which may vary slightly between travel agents.

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