Khao Lak is a pretty stretch of sand studded with granite boulders. An off shore coral reef, suitable for snorkeling is 45 min away by long-tail boat. Khao Lak-Lamru National Park immediately south of Khao Lak is a stretch of 125 sq km where there is a vast collection of cliffs, mountains, beaches, estuaries, forest valleys and mangroves. Wildlife in the area includes hornbills, tigers, tapirs, gibbons, monkeys and the Asiatic black bear among others.

Two islands that are becoming increasingly popular with travellers to the area are those of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. Here the islands are very un-developed and the lifestyle hardly touched by modernisation (electricity having only been linked to the islands since the 1990's, before that everything was run off generators).

Accessible from Phuket Island , Krabi and Ao Luk, Koh Yao Noi is the more commercial of the two islands, having a hospital and post office as well as a high school and a reasonably stocked village for basic shopping needs.

There are no banks or ATM machines on either islands therefore visitors are advised to ensure they have enough money for their stay.

Although the beaches are only swim-able at high tide, the popularity of these two islands is their accessibility to the other islands of the Phang Nga area and the excellent mountain bike and trekking areas available.