Krabi: Southern Thailand's alluring natural beauty

The emerald waters around these islands are ideal for snorkeling and the sandy beaches that spill into the sea beneath the limestone monoliths have an Eden-like appeal.

Tourists often book the “Five Island Tour” which includes Koh Hong with its wide beach on one side and a lagoon only reachable at high tide on the other. Koh Ladin (above) is better known as Paradise Island with a beach that feels like a secret no matter how many longtail boats moor in the little cove.

You can snorkel in and out of the shade beneath rocky overhangs that look like cake frosting melting in the sun. And then lunch with your boat captain on the beach. Tours depart the mainland from Ao Nang or Ao Thalane.