First inaugurated in 1981; Ao Phang Nga National Park covers an area of about 400 sq km and is comprised mainly of karst rocks and islands; towering cliffs and the clear waters of the Sea of Phuket. Although home to a wide variety of marine and coastal creatures; including the two-meter long water monitor; most people visit the park to marvel at and sail through and around the many looming karst towers.

Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics - mainly between latitudes 25?N and 25?S.