Visitors heading to Thailand in search of a desert island paradise may be one step closer to fulfilling that dream if they venture towards Krabi and the secluded Tubkaek Beach, where one resort, Banyan Tree Krabi, has unveiled a luxurious new longtail boat, manned and ready for those who seek serenity upon a sapphire sea.
The White Pearl was built by local craftsmen using materials sourced from around Krabi Province, and with specific modifications to enhance luxury and comfort on board. The boat will cater to day trips and island hopping, not only for guests at Banyan Tree Krabi but for private bookings. The White Pearl is ideal for a romantic getaway for two, but can take up to eight passengers.
Visitors can choose from either a half-day longtail boat trip to nearby Koh Hong or a full-day (eight-hour) “4 Islands Tour” among the tranquil islets of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.
While few travellers will recognise the name of the national marine park, most will recognize the iconic picture postcard of the limestone cliffs that jut majestically from the Andaman Sea, popularised in the 1970s’ James Bond movie, The Man With the Golden Gun, and more recently in The Beach, starring Leonardo di Caprio.
However, while locations such as Maya Beach and Ko Phi Phi have become inundated with tourists in recent years, the 4 Islands have eluded the crowds. Uninhabited but for sea birds, monkeys and monitor lizards, it is in these bays that The White Pearl anchors, allowing guests the opportunity to swim and snorkel in serene undisturbed clear waters.
Perhaps the best known of the four islands is Koh Hong, which faces Tubkaek Beach, and is famed for its volcanic lagoon in the centre of the island, providing Instagrammers and influencers with some of the most idyllic and celebrated beach snaps of all time. All day trips on The White Pearl include fresh coconut, fruit and soft drinks, snorkelling equipment, life vests, toilets, and an English-speaking Boat Host.
