Underworld in Trang - Diving with Clownfish in the Trang Sea

This trip aims to explore the underwater world of Trang. I booked a promotional ticket from AirAsia, allowing me to visit Trang again. The main goal of this trip is to snorkel, find clownfish, and visit the beautiful Emerald Cave. Since I was staying near Trang Railway Station, I decided to walk and purchase a diving tour from a nearby tour desk. The tour cost around 800 baht and included visits to four locations: Muk Island, Kradan Island, Cheuk Island, and Emerald Cave. The price also covered diving equipment, lunch, and transportation. It was a reasonable price for Thai people.

The starting point is Pak Meng Beach.

Located approximately 35 kilometers from Trang city center, this crescent-shaped beach borders the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. At low tide, the beach expands to a width of 500 meters, allowing vehicles to drive onto the sand due to its high density. A notable landmark is a hill resembling a giant lying on its back, known as "Khao Meng" or "Koh Meng," named after a local folktale about an old fisherman named Meng who was about to marry his daughter, Muk, to the powerful Phraya Lanta. The beach boasts stunning sunsets and a 5-kilometer stretch of coastal pine trees. Further along towards Hat Chao Mai National Park, two concrete bridges serve as popular fishing spots.

Furthermore, it is the location of Pak Meng Pier, which serves as a port for tourists traveling to various islands in the Trang Sea, such as Koh Muk, Emerald Cave, and Koh Hai, which I will be visiting today.

Ready to board the ship, everyone.

The guide explained the importance of wearing a life jacket. We must listen carefully.

My younger sibling is experiencing significant stress. They are truly putting in a lot of effort.

Let me take a look at the front of the boat. There are a lot of people gathered taking pictures.

Let me take a picture.

Our first stop is the rocky islands of Koh Chueak and Koh Ma. These islands are characterized by steep cliffs and lack beaches or settlements. The only inhabitants are fishermen and caretakers of the bird's nest huts scattered around the islands. The surrounding waters offer excellent diving opportunities, with diverse coral reefs, including both shallow and deep-water varieties. The area is teeming with colorful marine life, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and tigerfish.

Plunging into the warm seawater, a truly peculiar experience.

And my younger siblings jumped in after me.

We have been here for about half an hour.

The team then continued on to Muk Island.

Pearl Island

The third largest island in Trang Sea, divided into two sides: the west coast, home to the stunning Emerald Cave, with no beaches or accommodation, and the east coast, home to a fishing village, resorts, restaurants, amenities, beautiful beaches, and multiple swimming areas. The atmosphere is relatively peaceful, with fewer tourists, making it ideal for a relaxing getaway.

May I take a selfie?

We spent about 20 minutes on Koh Muk before boarding the next boat.

Due to the storm, we had to change course and head to a nearby island. During the journey, we enjoyed a meal on board while admiring the scenery and the sky.

No text provided for translation.

We will be arriving shortly.

We had approximately 30 minutes to walk around Ko Kradan.

**Koh Kradan** is the most beautiful island in Trang Sea, located west of Koh Muk and Koh Libong. It covers an area of 600 rai, of which 5/6 is under the responsibility of Hat Chao Mai National Park, and the rest is privately owned. Koh Kradan has a beach with fine white sand and crystal-clear water, offering views of shallow coral reefs and diverse marine life. The highlight of Koh Kradan is its beach with powdery white sand and clear water, revealing coral reefs stretching from the northern beach to the back coast. The island has small bays with large rolling waves, making it ideal for surfing.

Ko Kradan has four beaches.

Ko Kradan Beach: A Tranquil Paradise

Ko Kradan Beach, situated on the eastern side of the island, is home to the National Park Ranger Station. This pristine stretch of white sand extends for approximately 2 kilometers, offering a serene escape for visitors. The crystal-clear waters surrounding the beach are a haven for snorkeling enthusiasts, with vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. From the shore, one can admire the breathtaking views of neighboring islands, including Ko Libong, Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Muk, and Ko Chueak. Ko Kradan Beach also presents a spectacular vantage point to witness the mesmerizing sunrise.

02. Ao Chong Lom Beach is located on the west side of the island, north of the park ranger station, approximately 800 meters away. Visitors can hike up the hill to watch the sunset and enjoy a clear view of Koh Rok.

03. Ao Niang Beach is located south of the park ranger station. It is a white sand beach approximately 800 meters long. In front of the beach, tourists enjoy snorkeling, which is available along the entire beach. From this beach, you can see Libong Island.

04. The final beach, Ao Phai, is located north of the park ranger station. It is a white sand beach approximately 200 meters long. The front of the beach has no coral reefs. You can see Koh Chueak, Koh Whan, and Koh Muk. You can admire the beautiful sunset.

Take a picture as evidence.

The atmosphere was pleasant despite the occasional light rain showers.

I really like this point.

This spot is a popular photo destination.

It's time to say goodbye to Koh Kradan. It's a shame, the time was really short.

Next, we headed to the Emerald Cave, which was the highlight of the day.

The boat did not sail for long before it reached the mouth of the cave.

The entrance to the cave is quite intimidating.

The officer will have us grab the rope and then use our legs to pedal like a bicycle to enter the cave. Keep both hands on the life jacket.

It takes about 10 minutes to reach the inside of the cave.

The interior of the cave resembles a small beach, making it hard to believe that just beyond its opening lies the vast ocean.

History of Emerald Cave

Emerald Cave, also known locally as "Tham Nam" (meaning "Water Cave"), is a unique sea cave with an entrance that opens and closes with the changing tides. Visiting the cave at the wrong time can make swimming in and out difficult. The cave's more common name, "Emerald Cave," is derived from the stunning emerald-green light that illuminates the water and cave walls as sunlight filters through the crystal-clear water.

Emerald Cave was first discovered by local residents who swam into the cave to find swiftlet nests. Later, the cave was used as a hiding place for treasures looted by pirates for a period of time. As more and more people became aware of Emerald Cave, the pirates decided to move their hidden treasures to another location. Eventually, Emerald Cave became an Unseen Thailand tourist destination, as we know it today.

Let's take a picture as a souvenir.

It was not easy to get in.

We were only able to stay for 20 minutes before the guide called us back to the boat. It was a shame that the time was so short.

We have arrived at the ship.

After approximately 1.30 hours of sailing, we arrived at Pak Meng Pier. A van then transported us to our hotel.

That evening, I met up with an old friend and took a ride on a tuk-tuk, a unique three-wheeled vehicle found in Trang province.

It's very colorful.

The next day, it was time to fly back to Bangkok. I had to return to work to earn money for my next trip.

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