The national parks near Khao Lak are a marvel of lush rainforests, granite mountain peaks, wildlife and waterfalls, offering hours of hiking and sightseeing.
There are enough opportunities to keep visitors busy for days, but here are three of the best:
The Surin Islands, located about 40 miles off Phang-Nga Province, are a diving paradise (also snorkeling). North Island and South Island areas are the main bodies in the five-island chain.
A speedboat can get to the islands from Phang-Nga in about 90 minutes, though it can be a full day from Phuket on a slower boat. The islands have long been a national park and are spectacularly unspoiled.
Covering more than 125 square kilometers, Khao Lak/Lamru offers exotic plants and wildlife in a landscape that ranges from beaches to mangroves to mountains. One major feature is the Kao Lak Mountain, which borders the sea.