With more than 3,000 km of coastline and over 1,000 islands, it is surprising that Thailand is largely unknown to sea kayakers. The Andaman Sea, on the west coast, offers endless paddling possibilities and regardless of where you paddle, the people are friendly and accommodating.
The northernmost portion of the Andaman coast is Ranong Province. It is the most desolate coastal region in all of Thailand. To the south, Pha Nga Province stretches to Phuket Island. With the exception of the hyper-touristic Khao Lak area, this entire section of the Thai coast is noteworthy for miles of empty beach, punctuated by isolated fishing villages.
Remote Ranong is typified by the extensive mangrove estuaries of Ranong Biosphere Reserve and Khlong Kapoe. Offshore, a couple dozen islands are scattered along the coast and a large portion is designated national park. Access is difficult from land. From the sea, everything is possible and this is where you encounter virgin stretches of barren beach.
This coast is exposed and paddlers should have experience with surf launches and landings. There is often no margin for error. Additionally, tides can swing up to 12 feet and it is critical to make crossings at slack tide. Fighting a 1.5-knot current is just not fun. And there is nothing as disheartening as lugging your gear several hundred meters across a tidal flat or watching your kayak float away for failing to observe tide charts.
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