Luanching of boats at Palien
The long sandy beach at Palien is very beautiful compared with the beaches in other areas. The beginning of the journey is from Palien Port, 47 kms from town, as know as “Takam”
Patterned Rocks at Yongstar Cape
About three kilometers from Takam. along the road, turning on the way to Yongstar Cape , there is a beach that welcomes all visitors. Relax at the cape or walk on rocks at the rim of the sea. The rocks have strange appearance – as they contain many “holes” which have come from the constant rattling of the waves over hundreds of years.
Samran Beach (Had Samran)
From the town along the Palien Route about 29 kilometers, turn left at the 22 kilometers mark. A pleasant experience is waiting ahead.
Visitors resting on the soft sandy beach, listening to the pine trees along the shore blowing in the wind. When the tide is low, one can walk along the beach and reach the islands ahead…Koh Mu, Koh Petra, Laorieng and Libong are not very far. If you are lucky, you will see schools of dolphins jumping in the water in the morning. For swimmers, swimming is most pleasurable at high-tide.
Petra and Laorieng
Out of middle of the blue water, the steep cliffs and mountains spring up. On the left hand side, far away, is Petra Island, and on the right hand side is Laorieng. You can board the boats both in Kantang and Palien. On the west end of each island along the steep cliffs residing swallows. The beaches of each of the three islands face the east so along the front of them lies a lot of corals in the shallow water. Some appear up out of water to reveal their beauty. The water is full of big fishes for those who love fishing.
Good watermelon on Sukorn Island (Koh Mu, Koh Sukorn)
Koh Sukorn is the official name while Koh Mu is the local one. Despite the fact that the name of the island mean “pig”, majority of people of this island are Muslims. To get to Sukorn Island, one-hour boats set out every morning from Ta-seh Pier. Walking is still necessary to get from one place to another on the island. According to what Dick Te Brake, the owner of Sukorn Beach Bungalow, told us, there are only 4 cars on the island! The sand here is fine like powder, and the colour is light yellow. The water is very clear. Watermelon here is sweet and has a unique taste. During March and April becomes glorious time as this is the watermelon season. To stay on the island, you have choices of either Sukorn Beach Bungalow or Sukorn Island Resort. Sukorn Island is a good choice if you want to spend the nights on the island. Dick Te Brake at Sukorn Beach Bungalow will be happy to assist you of his excellent “Island Hopping Tour” program.
Chaomai National Park – beautiful beaches, caves and high mountains
Chaomai is a 50 kms from town. From Trang town to Sikao, turn left to Pakmeng Beach and turn left again at Pakmeng about 9kms, you will arrive the office of Chaomai National Park at Changlang Beach. The Choamai National Park covers 230 square kilometers of land and sea. “Chaomai” is the name of pier, cave, beach, village, and national park as the villagers have known. Beyond that Chaomai beach has a long line of Casuarina Equistifolia, clear-blue water that attracts more visitors to visit Trang again and again.
Among beaches and islands in the park are Pakmeng Beach, Changlang Beach, Had Yao (Long Beach), Yongling Beach or Haad San (Short Beach), Haad Chaomai (Chaomai Beach), Koh Mook (Mook Island), Koh Kradan (Kradan Island), Koh Wan (Wan Island), Koh Chuek (Chuek Island), Chaomai Island, Koh Meng (Meng Island) and Pling Island
Between Febuary and May is the peak season because of the suitable climate and between December and May is good too because there is not monsoon. There are 3 guesthouses at Changlang Beach, each which can accomodate of 15 people. There are also 40 tents available for rent. It cost 600 Baht for a guesthouse and 50 baht for a tent.
Pakmeng — never loses its charms
Pakmeng is the closest beach, only 38 km from town. Going along the road you will reach Pakmeng in a very short time.
The mountain in the middle of the sea is outstanding because its shape is like a man lying down. Children enjoy collecting the variety of shells which can be found here during their weekends and holidays. Hoi Tapao (a kind of sweet and delicious Oyster) Collecting Festival is held here around the beginning of November.
Had Yao (Long Beach)
Had Yao is 5 kms in length. Here there are wide beaches, food stores and public water wells for all visitors. Schools often take children to spend the nights in the tents there. The water here is very deep and the waves are very strong. There are villages on the mouth of the canal. Here you can see small children and women busy taking the flesh off the crabs surrounded by fishing equipment. This is the picture of every day life. Every morning, if the weather is good, men take their boats to the shores and let the visitors buy the fresh sea food.
Yongling to Hadsan (Short Beach)
A kilometer along there is another beach called Had San or “short beach”. The outstanding sight here are the steep cliffs and the strange appearance of the trees. The place is quite isolated but for the nature lovers it is perfect.
At Chaomai there are lots of guesthouses. Along the Chaomai canal, is another beautiful cave named Chaomai as well. On the lower floor of Chaomai, there is a large area with rocks coming down like big posts. There are many floors in the Chaomai Caves. The most beautiful feature of the cave are the rock formations-creating the effect of a theatre-a high overhead wall strectched out like a roof over the “stage”, and at the sides there are layers and layers of “curtains”.
Morakot Cave and Koh Mook
Hired boats from Pakmeng, Changlang, and Chaomai will all carry passengers to the same destination, Koh Mook.
Morakot Cave, or “Tam Nam”, a local name, has an entrance which is narrow but wide enough for boats to pass through during the low tide. However, going by boat is not recommended. Tourists should enter the cave by swimming or canoeing rather than to go by long tail boat. The exciting moment happens when one passes through the winding cave into darkness, a distance of 80 meters. As soon as the mouth of the cave is reached, you will say the effort was worthwhile, because you will be fasinated by the emerald-coloured water and delicate, white sand beach, located between steep cliffs. The bright blue sky is like a roof. everyone should ensure they are out of the cave before the tide comes in or they won’t be able to get out until next day.
Land of coral – around Kradan Island
From Chaomai or Pakmeng which is about one hour by boat, one can visit another island – Koh Kradan – the most beautiful island of Trang. Its charms are the delicate, white sandy beaches and clear water – so clear that the coral under the sea can be seen. Colourful fish happily swim in the water. Koh Chueak, Koh Ma. and Koh Wan are other choices for diving. These islands are all five star diving site.. If you choose to stay in this area, Kradan Island Resort or Koh Ngai Resort (in Krabi) are recommended.
Libong – Land of sea birds
Libong is the biggest island in Trang. Passenqers can board a ferry at Kantang Port or at Chaomai. It’s about 45 kms from Trang, only 30 minutes by boat. Libong, an island of 40 sq. kms, is named by Talibong Tree which cannot see nowaday. There are three villages on the island; BanNakhao, Ban Koh Libong, and Ban Langkhao (or Ban Paduputoh) which is the largest one. Of the total population, 95% are muslim. They are fishermen and gardeners who plant rubber trees and coconut.
Haad Toob and Juhoy Cape
Haad Toob, Juhoy Cape is an interesting point during the months of November and December as Thousands of birds from Siberia and the North Pole getting away from the cold, come to stay in Juhoy Cape. Visitors often come here to have a look at the various kinds of birds. The most popular bird is the “Crab Plover”, which once used to be a bird of the Royal Family in England. Presently, there are of them which have never returned to the North, and have become part of the Juhoy Cape!!
Here, visitors need not worry about places to stay if they want to spend the night. The wildlife preservation center of the Libong Regional Department provides guesthouses for 80 guests. And those who enjoy sleeping in tents the wildlife preservation center have enough space for upto 160 people! The Department can be contacted in Kantang. Mailing address – The Wildlife Preservation Center of Libong Island P0. Box 5, Kantanq, Tranq 92110.
On the other side of Libong is Tohkae Bay. The beautiful beaches with clear water are very suitable for swimmers. Next to the beach there is a small waterfall called “Nam Tok Thung Yaka”. It is good for swimmers who wish to rinse off the salty water to come fro fresh water here. On the mountain slope, locating the office of Forestry division. And here also has guest house for up to 80 peoples and unlimited amount of tents.
There are two resorts on Libong, Libong Beach Resort and Libong Resort. Libong Island is another good choice if you want to spend the night on the island and hop around the other islands