We came across Karst Caves on our 14-day Thailand and Cambodia trip itinerary to Thailand. We flew from Delhi to Bangkok. After a short trip to Cambodia, we headed to south Thailand. We stayed in Koh Tao for 5 days and then traveled to Phuket. While in Phuket we took a day tour of Phang Nga Bay. Here we came across some amazing Karst landscapes and caves. Ice Cream Cave particularly was spectacular.
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Koh Tao to Phuket was almost a day journey. We took a sleeper boat from Koh Tao to Surat Thani - Our memorable sleeper boat ride from Koh Tao to Surat Thani. At Surat Thani Pier, we got a bus to Phuket. |
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Phang Nga Bay tour was a day tour. We started early around 7:30 a.m. and came back around 5:00 p.m. We hopped a few islands in the bay and took a canoe ride to the Ice cream caves on Koh Panak Island |
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Phang Nga Bay has around 42 islands. The tour took us to Panak, Hong, and James Bond Island. The rest of the islands were cruised around |
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Phang Nga Bay Ice Cream Cave is a Karst formation. This Cave is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders of the world. When the Canoe entered the tiny cave, I did not for once imagine, it would eventually lead to an area open to the sky and surrounded by karst mountains covered in green foliage. It was a surreal experience |
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Cave entrance in front. It looked so tiny from the outside but the surprise inside was overwhelming. |
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The Sinkhole formation: Open to sky enclosed within tall karst mountains. My photos do not do justice but the experience is uncapturable |
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Phang Nga Bay islands: Of the 42+ islands in the bay, 14 are the most visited which include Khao Phing Kan (James Bond Island), Koh Panak, Koh Hong, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Kudu Yai, Koh Panyee, Koh Nom Sao, Koh Raya ring to name a few. 'Khao' in Thai means 'hill' and 'Koh' means 'Island'. |
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What is Karst Topography A Karst landscape is a formation in regions that have large deposits of limestone / or any calcium-rich stone, abundant water, and rich vegetation. Calcium-rich stone reacts with atmospheric CO2 and carbon dioxide released by plants and aquatic organisms to form porous layers through which water seeps into the ground creating underground subterranean rivers, lakes, and caves with stalactite and stalagmites. These natural wonders are like sculptures designed by nature. |
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Stalactite in Phang Nga Bay Cave: Water-dripped mineral deposits that form icicle-like formations hanging down the cave roofs are called stalactite |
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Stalagmite and karst columns at Panak Islands: Stalagmites are icicle-type water-dripped mineral deposits formed on floors of caves. These grow upward and form columns when joined with stalactites growing downwards. |
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Stalactites- A closer look - water droplets can be seen on the tips |
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Karst columns - a closer look |
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Green fluorescent light in the ice cream caves due to the reflection of light through green algae water |
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Khao Phing Kan, popularly known as James Bond Island after the shooting of the 007 Movie, The Man with the Golden Gun |
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Ko Hong Islands |
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Prominent Karst Regions in Thailnd. Doi Nang Non is the karst region in the north. It became famous when 12 junior football team members and their coach got trapped inside one of the caves and were rescued over a 12-day period. Karst landscape in Croatia |