Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea and is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves, and rubber plantations, with a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Phuket is a holiday paradise with the lively area of Patong providing the up-beat resort life with its many shops, restaurants, and bars, leaving the rest of the island to show off her natural beauty and unspoiled culture.

Ko Surin is an island known for its spectacular marine life. Whale sharks are often spotted in its waters as well as angel fish, butterfly fish, moray, and sea turtles. This is why it is considered to be one of Asia's best diving and snorkeling destinations. It also has an abundance of plants and wildlife. Ko Surin is a center for the Moken sea gypsies who are a nomadic people speaking a unique language. You may visit their village to see their thatched roof boats and mystical wooden pillar statues.

The Similan Islands, or Nine Islands as they are also known because of their number, nestle in the Andaman Sea to the north of Phuket and are world-renowned among diving enthusiasts for underwater sightseeing. Accessible only by sea, the Similan Islands are stunningly beautiful with scenes straight out of your dreams of a tropical paradise.

Hin Daeng, which you visit in the early morning, is one of the most dramatic dive sites in Thailand. It consists of three small rocks visible at the surface, then plunging down to a depth of over 50 meters.

One of the 15 islands that make up the Lanta group, just off the East Coast of Thailand, these islands are part of a National Marine Park.

The breathtaking Malaysian island of Langkawi is one of a group of 104 islands scattered in the calm seas off the northern-most tip of Malaysia. The clear, tropical waters here provide some of the most spectacular swimming and diving in the world, while scenes of paddy fields contoured into limestone hillsides, lush tropical forests, and high tumbling waterfalls entrance nature lovers on land. Kuah Town, its capital, is a fascinating city of cross-cultures and offers duty-free shopping.

Ko Kradan has a beautiful coral-sand beach nestling between lush green hills and the crystal Andaman Sea. It's a tiny island with no roads, villages, or convenience stores. This and the fact that 90% of its terrain is protected under Hat Chao Mai National Park helps to preserve its peace and beauty. This is another fantastic snorkeling destination but if this is not for you then pack a book and relax in a hammock for a few hours, it's what many other visitors are happy to do.

The sheer-sided sea mountains that rise vertically out of Phang Nga Bay form some of Thailand’s most spectacular scenery. The islands in this region feature wonderful white sandy beaches and superb coral reefs.

Ko Hong (“hong meaning room”), part of the Ko Hong archipelago, is so named because of its large internal lagoon. One of the prettiest bays in the area, huge monolithic rocks provide shade all day long on a beautiful white silica sand beach.

Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent trip back home.