FUN AT THE BEACH

ACTIVITIES AND GOOD THINGS
Kayaking in the bay Yoga master Thai massage Bird-watching in savannah

Our main beach faces west to the setting sun. Its fine sand is undisturbed as far as your toes can reach. The slope is gentle and relaxing, inviting you to dally in the water for hours enjoying the tropical scene. During the rainy season, however, waves can be strong enough for body-surfing. The second beach faces east to two gem-like islands. Part of a sheltered cove, the beach is gentle, shallow, and safe even for small children.

There are plenty of good-sized fish. Some members cast right off the beach. Others go by boat to the spots recommended by the local fishermen. Groupers, various varieties of snapper, and many others are caught there. Crabs are everywhere abundant.

A few hours away by boat are the world-class diving sites of Surin, Similans, and Richilieu Rock, with visibility up to 50 meters, a wide variety of fish and coral, white powder sand beaches, and jungle foliage reaching down to the beaches. At present, there are no dive facilities at Golden Buddha Beach, but one hour from the pier at Khao Lak is a major diving pier with several dive companies offering day and liveaboard trips.

Snorkeling equipment is available at the clubhouse, and just five minutes off of Golden Buddha Beach are two small uninhabited islands with a great variety of coral and aquatic life. In addition, between November and April there are daily trips by speed boat to Surin Marine National Park, considered Thailand's best snorkeling islands.

There are three fishing villages on Goh Phra Thong, with a total population of about 1,000 people. The population is about 90% Buddhist and about 10% Muslim. Many are descended from Chinese immigrants who sailed up from Malaysia 100 to 200 years ago. One of the villages is home to a sea gypsy village, a community of people who used to live on boats and trace their roots back hundreds of years.. A 400-yar old Chinese boat wreck lies imbedded in the sands of a neighboring island, and when it rains shards of ancient Ming "dinnerware" emerge from the sands.

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