Things to Do in Trang: Islands, Caves, and Authentic Andaman Coast

The Trang Islands

The main reason to visit the Trang area. A chain of small islands — Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai (Hay), Koh Cheuk, Koh Maa — runs along the coast, accessible by longtail from the Pak Meng pier (40km from Trang city) or the Hat Yao pier.

Koh Mook and the Emerald Cave

The most dramatic experience on the Trang coast. Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave) is a sea cave on the western coast of Koh Mook. To enter: swim (or kayak at low tide) through an 80-metre tunnel of complete darkness. At the far end, the tunnel opens into a hidden lagoon — a beach completely enclosed by cliff walls, with sunlight entering from above. The water inside the cave glows green from light reflected off the water.

• Only accessible at low tide (water level drops enough to swim through)
• Tours from Pak Meng include the Emerald Cave + snorkelling around Koh Mook: ฿800–1,200
• Best visited early morning before day-trip boats arrive
• Koh Mook also has a quiet west-coast beach (Hat Farang) — one of the better beaches accessible from the mainland

Koh Kradan

The most beautiful island in the Trang chain — clear water, good snorkelling directly off the beach (coral begins within 20 metres), and a limited number of guesthouses that keep the island from becoming crowded. The far end of the beach has the best snorkelling, particularly at the rocky point.

Day trip from Pak Meng pier: ฿1,000–1,500 including snorkelling and Koh Mook stop.

Koh Ngai (Hay Island)

The northernmost of the main islands, with calm shallow water and fine sand. Less dramatic than Koh Kradan but good for relaxed swimming. A handful of small resorts operate here — accommodation from ฿800–2,500/night.

Hat Chao Mai National Park

The protected area covering the southern Trang coast and the islands of Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, and Koh Cheuk. The park office is at Hat Chao Mai beach, 38km from the city.

Dugong: Hat Chao Mai is one of the last remaining dugong habitats in Thailand. Sightings from boats are possible but not reliable. The seagrass beds in the shallow bays between the islands support a small population.

Mangrove trails: Short boardwalk trails through mangrove forest at the Hat Chao Mai beach area. The mangrove system provides nursery habitat for the fish that sustain the reef ecosystems offshore.

Entry to the marine park: ฿200.

Trang City: Food and Markets

Trang has a distinct local food culture rooted in its Chinese-Hokkien immigrant community.

Dim sum (Tim sum in the local pronunciation): Trang claims to be the origin point of dim sum in southern Thailand. Dim sum restaurants open at 5am and serve until sold out — typically by 10am. The Rong Hae Market on Ratchadamnoen Road has the best concentration. Expect: char siu bao, har gow, turnip cake, and a range of steamed dumplings, all ฿15–30 per portion.

Trang coffee: The city has a traditional coffee-roasting culture — dark-roasted robusta beans served strong with condensed milk in glass cups. Trang-style coffee is a local institution. Coffeeshops on Ratchadamnoen Road open at 5:30am and are full of regulars by 6am.

Trang roast pork (moo yang Trang): A city speciality — slowly roasted pork with crispy skin, sold from vendors near the market and eaten over rice. Available from early morning.

Night market: The Trang Night Market on Ratchadamnoen Road (5pm–10pm daily) is a genuine local market — not tourist-oriented. Fresh seafood brought in from the coast, Isan grilled meats, and southern Thai curries.

Tham Le Khao Kob Cave

30km northeast of Trang city. A large cave system entered by rowing boat — guided tours in small wooden boats through illuminated cave chambers over an underground river. Not a professional caving experience but atmospheric and accessible. Tours: ฿200 per person including boat. Combine with the Huai Yot waterfall nearby.

Practical notes

• Getting there: Train from Bangkok (Hat Yai line) to Trang station: 14–16 hours overnight. Bus from Phuket: 4 hours. Flight: Trang Airport connects to Bangkok (AirAsia, Nok Air) — check seasonal schedules.
• Island transport: Longtail boats from Pak Meng pier (40km from city) to the islands. Minivans from Trang bus station to Pak Meng: ฿80.
• Low season: The Andaman-facing islands are affected by the southwest monsoon (May–October) — sea conditions can prevent boat trips. Koh Ngai (facing northeast) is more sheltered. Confirm boat availability before travelling.
• Onwards: Trang is 3.5 hours from Krabi (bus), 1.5 hours from Hat Yai (bus), and connected by ferry to Koh Lanta (2 hours via Pak Meng in high season).