Best Thailand Beaches: Ko Ngai Updated


Last visited Dec 2012
Last updated Apr 2014


Outlook from the primary eastern beach on Ngai is pretty sugariness – small-scale karst islands inward foreground, Ko Muk middle background, Ko Libong far correct background too mainland far far background. This is all reflected calorie-free at sunset – photographic idiot box camera is pointing eastward away from the sun. This shot volition belike expect pretty overnice if y'all click-expand.

After also long I finally got dorsum to Ko Ngai inward Apr 2012 too therefore took Lady Tezza at that spot inward Dec 2012. Things had sure changed with several novel resorts - too some older ones shifting position. However it remains ane of the to a greater extent than relaxed islands inward the Andaman with an attractive primary beach, reasonable snorkelling too an outlook to some pretty scenic landscape/seascape. It is small, hilly, rain-forested, has some walking tracks but no roads except for a mid-island ane associated with a farm. There is no village.


Ngai is ane of the Trang Islands too is virtually 15km southeast of Koh Lanta too less than 10km northwest of Ko Muk. Trang (top correct is) the primary regional town with a station too airport. If coming past times boat, the Trang isle daytrip boats too several daytrip longtails come upwardly downwards from Lanta each morning, Tigerline arrives from Phuket too via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the morning time too from Hat Yao (origin Langkawi via Ko Lipe) inward the afternoons. Some resort transfer boats come upwardly from the mainland pier at Pak Meng, others from the smaller pier at Kuan Thung Khu eastward of Ko Muk (modified Google globe image).

Ko Ngai is a fairly compact isle with a backbone of rainforested hills which are catching the clouds inward this image. Note that the reef drop-off is pretty clear at primary beach - at depression tide y'all tin wade correct out to the drop-off. There are trekking too accommodation maps downwards page.


BEACHES.

MAIN BEACH

Most of Ngai's resorts are located along this 2km long strip of sand on the eastward coast. I've modified this oblique Google globe icon to exhibit the best swimming expanse inward the southern one-half - conditions tin larn existent shallow lowest tide inward the northern half. - y'all tin take in the passes dug thru the coral next Ngai Cliff Beach Resort and Coco Hut/Thapwarin at that end. The best sand expanse starts a chip farther due north than the best swimming zone too goes to the close corner. Sand tin larn a chip skinny at highest tide inward the northern tertiary or so. BTW, don't live pose off staying at the far halt - it's just a thing of walking to the close one-half when the tide is down. And this is ane overnice beach to walk.


The Main Beach from the other side of the southern headland at Koh Ngai Resort’s jetty – peradventure 20% is hidden behind the rocks at left.  All but 2 of Ngai’s resorts are located along this 2 km strip of sand on the eastward coast. The easterly aspect too protective hills would brand this ane of the Andaman's meliorate moisture flavour beaches. Click to expand shot.


3 This is the SOUTHERN-MOST 900m OR SO OF MAIN BEACH from virtually 150m due north of Sea Food resort (adjacent longtail boats). You tin take in the H2O is getting shallow at lower tide levels to left of photographic idiot box camera but ane time y'all accomplish Sea Food swimming it’s okay at depression tide providing y'all wade out a fair bit. However at that spot are some rocks inward the H2O just off the beach at depression tide hither too off Hai Villa a chip farther southward - at high tide at that spot is a skillful 20m of sandy bottom earlier the rocks too the H2O depth agency y'all are swimming past times this stage.
You quest to larn downwards to approximately Mayalay Resort a chip farther southward of Hai Villa at the start of the far one-half of this shot to ensure to a greater extent than often than non sand, few rocks at depression tide. The H2O is deeper also but y'all silent quest to wade out for skillful swimming. The beach too H2O is non also much inferior adjacent Fantasy too Thanya further south. Near the far headland at that spot are to a greater extent than rocks inward the H2O too it gets a chip shallower depression tide.

The beach next Ngai Fantasy. Note the white sand inward this shot from their website. Sand IS white on this beach too my shots don’t exhibit this to advantage. For a start a lot of my pix exhibit depression tide moisture sand which tends to xanthous too dries whiter – addition I think my novel elcheapo dot too shoot favors yellowish tints. At the same time, professional person website designers aren’t unknown to striking the Potoshop whitener for their publicity pix.


This dry out department of sand inward forepart of Mayalay Resort shot on my Dec revisit sure seems white enough.

MAIN BEACH CENTRAL. This is some other 150m due north of 3. Not also much sand hither at total tide too sure really shallow at depression tide. No resorts inward this strip – a nudist pair was making the sand close that tree stump their base of operations each afternoon inward April. Don't larn also excited nudies - Ngai was running at less than 10% capacity when I visited. It volition live harder to discovery your ain isolated department inward high season.
That’s Ko Muk middle background too Ko Libong far background right. The iii closer karst islets are Ko Ma, Ko Chuak too Ko Waen.

MAIN BEACH CENTRAL-NORTH. This is shot from the same spot as v turning 180 degrees. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 sea wall starts inward this expanse to protect from tempest erosion although at that spot are no resorts for a skillful 300m. Plenty of province for sale or lease however, therefore here's your large chance.
It appears from this shot that the beach ends non also far from photographic idiot box camera but inward fact it curves to the left too runs 900m from camera.
In background are Ko Lanta too some of the smaller islands betwixt it too the mainland.

MAIN BEACH FAR NORTH. This the in conclusion 400m or therefore of the beach heading north. You tin take in the seawall inward forepart of Coco Cottage Resort too Thapwarin Beach Resort which extends all the way to Kohngai Cliff Beach Resort at the northern halt of the beach. No Beach at high tide agency these places receive got their Sun lounges inward a higher house the seawall.

Water fifty-fifty shallower than mid-beach at depression tide - I've read reports of extensive sand flats dotted with stone inward those lowest monthly tide periods of Full Luna too no Luna (which also receive got the month's highest high tides).
Potential guests may live pose off past times the beach here, but these are attractive looking resorts with piece of cake swimming too snorkelling out forepart at total tide too an pleasant walk southward to a nicer department of the beach at other times. UPDATE - I establish swimming inward this expanse inward the higher one-half of the tide fine inward my latest Dec visit.

UPDATE - APRIL 2014
Trip reporter too snorkelling blogger (see link list) wonderingstar just sent me the next update too pix virtually a camping ground house on the far due north beach I for some argue had non featured on this page earlier - I seem to recollect is is associated with a dive outfit: the tents to render lodging for students although no incertitude they would also receive got on non-diving payers:
"Hi Tezza - just dorsum from Ngai. .....worthy of advert is the 'hippy commune' camp-site just South of Cliff-top resort (Freedom Camp.) Actually it was at that spot dorsum inward 2012, but I didn't think it would last. But it's silent going too opened upwardly all twelvemonth round. Tents 200B (negotiable if y'all desire to practise some piece of work approximately the place)."




At the far northern halt of the beach is Kohnai Cliff Beach Resort.

Kohngai Cliff Beach Resort (formerly known as Chateau Hill Resort) has killer views too a overnice puddle to brand upwardly for the depression tide blues out front. Killer rates also (these images came from the old Chateau Hill website which is non functional now) although booking websites often offering attractive deals.

Whoa. I had to pass some fourth dimension inward that puddle too therefore the Dec after my Apr 2012 trip I brought Lady Tezza to Ngai - she doesn't heed backpacker joints but prefers comfort, something which Koh ngai Cliff Beach Resort is non lacking. 
Useful dot for people staying at nearby Coco Hut too Thapwarin and to a greater extent than distant places similarly without pools - the lady managing Cliff Resort told me outsiders are welcome to utilisation this puddle if they purchase some nutrient or drinkable at the puddle cafe. Okay, large Changs were an extra thirty over budget Ko Ngai Villa along the beach but the toasted sandwiches with chips considerably cheaper (and better). Only downside - the puddle is at the really top of the resort which tin live tough going for the less fit. But a nifty house to pass time.
I'll larn Lady T to practise a trip study on our latest see when she gets the chance. 


KOH NGAI RESORT BEACH

Koh Ngai Resort has its ain compact beach inward the south-east of the island. At lower tide levels the beach is considerably wider, stretching all the way to the start of the pier when I visited in conclusion - neverthelss it was non to a greater extent than than 300m long. There is a walkway betwixt this beach too Main Beach top right. 

The beach is okay but can't compare to the southern one-half of Main Beach. This is shot from Ngai Resort's pier which is a pop line-fishing spot for the resort's staff. Ngai Resort has its ain small-scale ferry for transfers, considerably to a greater extent than impressive than the longtails used past times most other resorts (Cliff Beach Resort has a small-scale speedboat), although non as large or fast as Tigerline's boat which many people utilisation (see below).

I was a chip less lazy on my Dec render too walked to the far halt of the beach for this shot.



PARADISE BEACH

Paradise Beach is a pretty overnice 500m strip of sand inward the island's south. This used to live the house to remain if y'all wanted to larn away from it all, with alone ane budget resort. But when I called past times inward Apr too Dec 2012 the house was closed. Still okay as a walk thru the jungle from Main Beach or Ko Ngai Resort. 
Ao Mung is unsettled, rockier too has lots of tempest debris. The bay is a pop anchorage for line-fishing boats.

11 PARADISE BEACH. Note a fair chip of flotsam at the total tide grade – the resort hither was closed inward tardily Apr 2012 too therefore no-one was cleaning the beach.

12 Attractive H2O too beach at Paradise Bay. I pinched this shot off Paradise Beach Resort's website.

Paradise Beach Resort's closed eating theatre inward Apr 2012. If y'all click to expand y'all tin take in some of their bungalows inward background. I was thinking of staying hither that see - I'm glad I didn't lug my pocketbook around. The house gets positive reviews too when I had a repast hither in conclusion century the nutrient was skillful too the prices reasonable. The forepart row bungalows were 800 too the 2nd rowers 500 inward high flavour 2011/12 according to trip reporter wonderingstar.

Still closed early on Dec 2012. There were a duad of guys doing some piece of work on the bungalows inward background but it wasn't clear whether this house aims to opened upwardly afterwards inward the season. Maybe some afterwards visitor could send me a message.
UPDATE APRIL 2014
Good ol' wonderingstar came to the political party with the next update too pix:
"Paradise Resort has been closed down. Apparently they receive got built where they are non supposed to too receive got fallen-foul of the National Park. The forepart rowers receive got been knocked downwards with a sledgehammer too the back-rowers receive got been boarded upwardly all season. An alternative theory is that the lease just ran out, but the 'National Park' story is far to a greater extent than prevalent." 




Note at that spot are a number of smaller beaches on the island, most on the westward coast. But the fact that these are never cleaned too are to a greater extent than often than non inaccessible except past times boat agency they are of lilliputian involvement to visitors. I exhibit a few which tin live walked to inward the trekking section.


TREKKING

For a relatively small-scale island, Ko Ngai has some skillful walking tracks (above inward yellow), much of them thru pretty overnice rainforest. Some decent slopes, shoes preferred but y'all could larn away with less.
Sorry virtually SUNEST (Sunset) Point but it takes me also long to alter ane of these images.

Main Beach to Ngai Resort.

This is a brusk walk along the shore joining the 2 eastward coast beaches. It takes alone 10 minutes or therefore too despite appearances is a pretty piece of cake trek. And surprisingly good lit at dark – I think Ngai Resort realises its invitee desire to sense some of the Main Beach restaurants after dark.

Crikey! What a divergence vii months makes. Early Dec shot - moisture flavour 2012 must receive got been a stone oil one. Unless repairs are done, getting betwixt Main Beach too Ko Nagi Resort volition live hard inward the top one-half of the tide.

At lower tide levels the easiest way to discovery the start of the rail from the Main Beach is to walk the rocks at the halt of the beach too expect for the inward a higher house boardwalk after 100m or therefore ……

….but at total tide the rocks are submerged. So expect for this sign correct at the halt of the sand. Look hard, it's genuinely hard to see. The firstly 10m or therefore is a chip steep but after that it’s fairly piece of cake going.

Sunset Point too Paradise Beach walk.


From Main Beach the start of the rail used to live uncomplicated – it ran upwardly the southern side of Fantasy resort. Now that Thanya resort occupies this province y'all quest to walk inward with Thanya’s eating theatre at correct – the rail goes upwardly the loma inward the expanse of the smoke. Thanya's staff seem used to outsiders seeking this track.

It climbs a brusk but often steep rainforest gradient across the saddle here. After virtually v minutes it meets the rail from Koh Ngai Resort which starts upwardly past times that resort’s staff quarters too generator – just follow the ability lines for a time, don't receive got the branch to the left to the VIEWPOINT (unless y'all desire to larn to the viewpoint. I of late got a message suggesting that this rail is badly overgrown. I didn't receive got fourth dimension to banking concern check it).
The primary rail from Ngai Resort is much steeper, longer too goes higher than the ane from Thanya – it meets the rail from Thanya after a downhill section. The intersection is unsignposted these days, dissimilar my previous trip – plow left.
 Fortunately the route to the start of the rail within  Ko Ngai Resort is good signposted from reception close the pier. Reception tin also give y'all a photocopy of the route – a chip rudimentary but helpful.

From the inward a higher house intersection the rail drops gradually through overnice rainforest for virtually 10 minutes to this intersection…..

.... plow correct for Paradise Beach too Sunset Point, left for Ao Mung which y'all accomplish inward less than 10 minutes.

Ao Mung is a deserted beach on the southward coast of the island. Because it has no resort at that spot is a fair amount of beach litter. Paradise Beach is just over the depression split upwardly inward dorsum of shot – don’t live tempted to climb across as I did on my firstly visit. The bush bashing was no fun at all too took much longer than the 20 infinitesimal walk via the tracks.

Back on the primary rail Paradise Beach too Sunset Point, things at nowadays larn a chip confusing after v minutes or therefore because…

…..you accomplish this farm which has the alone “road” on the island. The farmer told me he is growing cashews or similar, addition rubber,  coconuts, some corn, bananas. This shot is taken from the far northern halt of his route – which turns correct inward background too drops downwards the loma for a similar distance. The owner’s theatre is at the start of the road, pes of the loma – it is just brusk of this theatre coming inward that y'all should plow left too receive got the wider path to Paradise Beach. Unfortunately this plow was non signposted when I called past times inward both Apr too Dec 2012.


The rail to Sunset Point starts at the western halt of Paradise Beach straightaway behind photographic idiot box camera inward painting exhibit eleven upwardly page. It goes thru the National Park Headquarters expanse – stick to the path betwixt the buildings too the sea, non behind them.

 After a few minutes y'all drib downwards to this small-scale beach. Note the beach litter – this is a brusk distance from the National Park buildings too yet they discovery no fourth dimension to ready clean the beach. They practise discovery fourth dimension to collect their 200baht if y'all should chose to come upwardly to Ngai via the pier at Pak Meng. Question is, what practise they practise for it? My observation is they sit down approximately too play cards all day.
If it wasn’t for the junk, this beach would live an okay house to pass fourth dimension too to come inward the H2O to snorkel the rocks approximately Sunset Point which looked similar they could receive got a chip of fringing coral too would sure receive got some fishies.

On to Sunset Point: Take the rail straightaway inward dorsum of the inward a higher house beach which goes upwardly over a really small-scale saddle to…….

.....this beach. This is on the contrary side of Sunset Point too faces due north towards Lanta, dissimilar the previous beach. You tin take in similar small-scale patches of beach upwardly the western coast of Ngai from hither although accessing them would quest a boat too they would receive got the same amount of air current blown flotsam too jetsam.

The concluding climb to Sunset Point viewpoint leaves from behind photographic idiot box camera on the inward a higher house shot. Look for the really steep rail with helper ropes. Fortunately the steep climb alone takes a few minutes too ane time on top y'all tin accomplish 2 viewpoints inside v minutes – ane facing south-west too a meliorate ane as shown below.

2nd Sunset Point viewpoint looking north. That’s Ko Lanta background left too the islands betwixt it too the mainland. They are closer than the shot implies - my elcheapo dot too shoot’s criterion lens setting is genuinely a slight wide-angle which exaggerates depth past times virtually a constituent of 2.


ACCOMMODATION ON KO NGAI

Places to remain on Ko Ngai. The primary eastern beach seems pretty crowded but inward fact at that spot is silent plenty of unbuilt infinite along this 2km+ strip of sand. Not on icon - Ronin Dive, a small-scale performance with tents behind the sea wall just southward of Kongai Cliff Beach Resort.

This smallish isle has no shortage of places to remain from budget thru to top end.
In the budget toll attain is Koh Hai Seafood, Camping, Koh Ngai Villa and Paradise Beach Resort.
Midrange travellers receive got a skillful pick of overnice places inward Thapwarin, Coco Cottages, Thanya, Fantasy, Mayalay too Koh Ngai Resort.
The ane higher-midrange articulation is Kohngai Cliff Beach Resort.

I was doing ane of my budget runs inward the Apr 2012 see too intended to try Camping, but at 500 per tent I decided differently. 500 for a tent inward the tertiary calendar week of Apr which is almost depression season! And they wouldn't cutting a deal. They had no guests, can't think why. 

500 inward high flavour would live okay for people finding it hard to discovery a room. Camping did a genuinely skillful value seafood bbq with candlelit tables on the sand when I visited. Their normal carte prices are comparable with Ko Hai Villa which is belike equal to the lowest degree expensive on the isle - although Konai Cliff Beach Resort could undercut on sure dishes too were non also much to a greater extent than on others. Place obviously gets lively after dark inward peak flavour - backpackers receive got note.

On my firstly see in conclusion century it was Seafood which had the tents – Seafood has shifted location several hundred meters to the due north (it used to live roughly where Mayalay at nowadays is) too receive got newish fan bungalows really similar to the ones inward the pix below, but at yard I headed elsewhere. They had no guests too. TRIP REPORTER wonderingstar tells me that iii weeks after my see the toll had dropped to 800 but the boss lady told him it is 1200 inward high flavour booked upwardly iii months inward advance. Seafood's bungalows expect identical to the Ngai Villa ones inward the next 2 shots, alone newer.

So I ended upwardly at the house I stayed in conclusion century, Koh Ngai Villa. At 700 including a uncomplicated breakfast the basic bamboo bungalows were silent way overpriced, but relatively skillful value compared to the others. Note wonderingstar later managed to larn by 450 including breakfast for precisely the same bungalow inward the 2nd calendar week of May 2012. UPDATE - early on Dec 2012 prices (high season) were 1200 firstly row too yard farther back.

This is the thing virtually the Andaman – southward of the Ranong islands budget joints are way overpriced (okay, y'all tin silent discovery a few skillful value rooms inward Khao Lak too Phuket).  Just over a calendar week afterwards I was paying 300 too 400 for superior bungalows with meliorate views on every bit overnice or meliorate beaches inward the southern Gulf. And inward tardily Apr the conditions is far nicer at that spot too. True, they didn’t include brekka but y'all could practise a pretty skillful breakfast at that spot for 100 to 150.

Note Villa's website shows my bungalow at 800 that fourth dimension of twelvemonth (so I got a discount!), aircon jobs at 1800 too 2000 (strewth!) too guesthouse household unit of measurement rooms inward a longhouse which tin slumber 4 for 1000. Prices are reduced depression flavour (June 1 to Oct14! That's ane brusk depression season) past times 20 to 35%.

Perspective – Agoda booking site showed me I could receive got got an aircon room at Koh Ngai Fantasy which has a overnice puddle too mega inclusive buffet brekka for 1200 baht inward Apr shoulder flavour . Which blows the Ngai budget joints out of the water, peculiarly for a duad which larn the total value of the inclusive buffet. Hell, fifty-fifty for a unmarried similar me it was a skillful larn by – I didn’t receive got payoff of it because I was unsure of the engagement of my arrival. The walk inward charge per unit of measurement was 2200 - Agoda tin sure negotiate a skillful price. Resort administration has non allowed reception staff to practise the same therefore an empty room goes unused. Dudes peradventure never heard of marginal cost pricing too cash flow. Sulk sulk.

Ngai Villa’s budget fan bungalows are arranged inward a U approximately a lawn expanse straightaway due north of the restaurant. Mine is far right..... 

.....a traditional mode thatched wall/roof articulation with just plenty room for 2 people too their gear. Good window screens too a mozzie net. Queen sized bed with theatre but comfy mattress, okay pillows. Okay bathroom, mutual coldness H2O only, western can but bucket flush. Towels, soap, shampoo too can newspaper supplied. Bungalow too surrounds ready clean although the construction was get-go to exhibit signs of habiliment too tear. Quiet at night. Electricity 1830 to 0630.

View from spacious veranda across lawn to bounding main non shabby.

The beachfront has a fair few piece of cake seats too lie-lows, addition plenty of shade from mid-day on, too naturally has the same first-class views. I'd grab a Chang or iii from the eating theatre too banking concern check the sunset calorie-free reflecting off the offshore karst  islets. There is a chip of telephoto inward this painting exhibit – the karst is virtually twice this distance.
There is  a small-scale attractive beach bar on the contrary side of the eating theatre which played cool but non loud music early on evening.

The beachfront eating theatre has similarly overnice views addition the alternative of eating exterior inward front. Service was pretty skillful too the nutrient itself okay. Despite nutrient prices existence 10 to 50% higher than average for budget bungalow restaurants, this house seemed to live the best larn by on the isle with guests from other resorts eating here. 
One exception may live the BBQ with candle-lit tables on the sand which Camping pose on each dark This attracted a crowd of similar people too cheapskates similar me – I got a thick too tasty barracuda steak addition rice for 125 baht which compares nicely to Villa’s 160 lodge sanga too less expensive than similar meals I've had on other islands. Interestingly Camping’s a la carte carte was a chip to a greater extent than expensive than Villa’s – virtually the same as Seafood’s.

WHICH MIDRANGE PLACE?
Got me – they all seem attractive. Maybe Ko Ngai Resort dips out because it is kinda isolated. It also looks to live the oldest. But it does offering skillful slower flavour deals on Agoda, sawadee.com etc.
So practise most of the others, particularly Fantasy.
I’ve e'er fancied Coco Cottage too its neighbor Thapwarin, but the beach/low tide province of affairs is non nifty that halt too they don’t receive got pools at the fourth dimension of writing (see my afterwards comment upwardly page re using nearby Kongai Cliff Beach Resort's pool. Kohngai Cliff Resort has the best views on the isle (and peradventure inward the Andaman) but this house is inward some other toll attain altogether the booking sites often run specials.
The iii places with overnice beach too reasonable H2O at depression tide are Mayalay, Fantasy too Thanya. They also receive got pools. Mayalay is a sis resort to Thapwarin, but is newer too has the nicer beach too the pool. Supposed to live cheaper also but at the fourth dimension I checked the booking sites this was non apparent.
I suppose for many it may live a thing of seeing who is offering the best larn by at fourth dimension of visit, reading user reviews too weighing upwardly some of the location issues mentioned above. If Fantasy tin keep  beating the others price-wise when I select Lady Tezza for a visit, I reckon I mightiness larn for that. Then again, those South Sea type bungalows at Thapwarin and Mayalay do expect inviting.......
UPDATE - all that inward a higher house speculating was inward my Apr 2012 rewrite. As it turned out, I didn't remain at whatsoever of the those joints. Kongai Cliff Beach Resort's puddle too nifty views from the rooms won out too the articulation was affordable to cheapskate me on trouble concern human relationship of my booking site credit dollars too the fact that at fourth dimension of booking it wasn't also much to a greater extent than expensive than the other to a greater extent than upmarket joints.


SNORKELLING
There is reasonable snorkelling along the fringing reef’s drop-off at MAIN BEACH. This is virtually 70-90 m  off the beach but y'all tin wade correct out to the reef at lowest tide (water depth over the coral is alone 1m or therefore at this time). I snorkelled the 400m or therefore from next Fantasy to slightly due north of Ngai Villa. Quality seemed pretty consistent apart from a few breaks inward the reef to facilitate boat entry at lowest tide.
The actual lineament of coral too fish is skillful plenty to go along novices enthralled although people who receive got seen the best volition live underwhelmed. I judged it as way meliorate than the Similans a calendar week afterwards too the Surins same fourth dimension in conclusion twelvemonth (both these places are suffering badly from global warming/coral bleaching at present), non as skillful as the southward beach on nearby Kradan 2 years agone too approximately the same lineament as at Ko Wai inward the eastern Gulf inward March/April of this year.

I also snorkelled Paradise Beach on my firstly Ngai see – the coral was of similar lineament to Main Beach, but the fringing reef is a long way off shore.

Intrepid Scot Fiona (known on move websites as the fearsome SBE), the world's best surface snorkeller, told me she snorkelled all the way from Ko Ngai Resort to Paradise Beach via Ao Mung was non also impressed past times what she saw along the way.

For  a much to a greater extent than detailed embrace of Ngai snorkelling including maps, dozens of underwater too other useful pix, banking concern check wonderingstar's wonderful Ngai snorkelling page at
http://whatsthesnorkellinglike.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/thailand_ngai-hai/


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.

Julie's Trip Report from Dec 2012

-----------------------------------
If y'all see Ngai y'all mightiness also live interested inward nearby:


http://whatsthesnorkellinglike.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/thailand_ngai-hai/


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.

KO LAO LIANG


People going thru Trang volition discovery some basic data on the Ko Kradan page.

------------------------------------------


If y'all take in mistakes or receive got new/extra information non large plenty for a TRIP REPORT, delight postal service it below. 
If y'all receive got whatsoever questions, delight enquire them in http://whatsthesnorkellinglike.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/thailand_ngai-hai/


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.

THE FORUM
 rather than below. I don't larn a guide a opportunity to banking concern check all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll endeavour to monitor THE FORUM regularly. 

http://whatsthesnorkellinglike.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/thailand_ngai-hai/


EXCURSIONS
The park Trang isle longtail trips are available – all resorts tin pose these on. Usually called 4 isle trips they include snorkeling approximately the small-scale karst islets offshore addition a see to Ko Muk’s fabulous EMERALD CAVE too some beach fourth dimension on ane of the other nearby islands, belike Ko Kradan or Ko Mook. Whith a chip of luck y'all may larn to snorkel the south-east reef at Kradan which I reckon is the best unopen to Ngai (note I haven't been to Ko Rok). On my latest trip I establish the kast isle snorkelling had slipped a chip with alone therefore so coral. Ko Kradan was meliorate but non the skillful materials I recollect from the past. But less travelled snorkellers volition relish these places too at that spot is no shortage of fish (although few mid-size too large fish). The cave is really skillful value too involves a swim upwardly a flooded tunnel to a cavern where the roof has collapsed to cast a cliff ringed lagoon, consummate with small-scale beach, rain-forested sides too emerald H2O from the limestone content. Or reflection. Or something. See the photos on the Muk page.
You tin also practise unmarried snorkelling trips to nearby Ko Kradan, whose beaches too coral are the pick of these islands.
It is also possible to practise a daytrip out to Ko Rok  farther westward which reportedly has coral equal to Similans too Surins when those places are non suffering. 


The Emerald Cave is really pop wih day-tripping Thais. Most can't swim, therefore they give them the cool orangish vests too tether them to a rope. Guides with flashlights atomic number 82 them into the cave. The guides usually engineer a flashlight failure mid-passage where it is PITCH dark - hilarious.

GETTING TO NGAI.
Trang has the nearest airdrome too also 2 sleeper trains from Bangkok daily.
Details of trains/planes too buses to Trang tin live found here.
billp recently indicated that the morning time Nok Air flying into Trang is met past times reps from town move agents who volition carry y'all into town too suit bookings/transport. I should imagine they volition run into flights from whatsoever other carriers.
UPDATE DEC 2012 - I saw on a Lanta data poster that Air Asia was shuttling people upwardly to Lanta from its Trang flying on a ferry from Hat Yao pier. Ngai is on the way therefore peradventure y'all could investigate if the ferry drops off at Ngai

A lot of resorts organise their ain transfers from Trang. Some receive got boats leaving Pak Meng (the disadvantage hither is that the National Park booth at the start of the pier demands 200b from SOME western travellers (don’t enquire me why SOME) too from the smaller Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland behind Ko Muk which has no National Park presense.
For the tape I took Ngai Villa’s transfer OUT of the isle inward Apr 2012 - the longtail to Pak Meng cost 350baht (45minutes) – nosotros waited approximately for 10 minutes at Villa’s business office too therefore Blue Planet van picked us upwardly too cruised into Trang for alone 50baht (40 minutes).
In Dec 2012 I hopped on Phetphaillin's daytrip boat as it called inward at Ngai to drib passengers off from Lanta - I went the brusk distance to Ko Kradan just south. Except the captain decided to vary his route too halt off for snorkelling at Ko Ma karst too to see the Emerald Cave at Mook. This is fine except they got existent shirty when I swam into the cave independently - "only for 4 isle payers!" they told me. 

Some independent travellers coming via Trang may prefer to exit to the isle too take in what is available. If so, the lady at KK Travel contrary the railway station inward Trang told in conclusion twelvemonth me she tin suit carry to Ngai (van too boat) for 500. She has since left to start her ain outfit too I receive got no link – let’s promise KK keeps upwardly its first-class service.  tel 075-211198, 223664, 081-8945955.

Thing is, all those places close the staition tin practise this sort of thing.

If y'all desire to larn independently to Pak Meng (some of the resorts receive got offices there) Blue Planet vans leave of absence roughly hourly from a minivan station non also far from the railway station too double-decker station - a motorbike taxi betwixt these is your best bet. Away depression flavour at that spot is a world boat goes out to the isle virtually mid-day. wonderingstar tells me it was running inward tardily Apr but non past times the 2nd calendar week of May - he hitched a ride inward Fantasy's small-scale ferry.
You tin charter a longtail if y'all larn inward also tardily for your resort's transfer boat or Blue Planet ferry but this volition cost a bomb. I'm thinking 1500 inward 2012 prices.

That same Trang  minivan station has hourly world vans downwards to the Hat Yao pier where y'all tin pick upwardly Tigerline, although Tigerline has its ain van carry from diverse places inward Trang.

I'm non sure if the move agents across from Trang station suit their van/ferry transfers via the other pier at Kuan Thung Khu, or past times Pak Meng too Blue Planet boat.


There is at nowadays skillful carry from other Andaman islands.
 The  Trang Island daytrip boat (Phetphailin) has been bringing people downwards to Ngai from Lanta for years – according to its schedule which varies with tide times y'all may larn to snorkel those karst islands just off Ngai too larn into the fabulous Emerald Cave on Ko Muk although these places are to a greater extent than probable on the render trip to Lanta.
Lady Tezza too I came downwards from southern Lanta inward Dec 2012 on a dayrip longtail for 450 baht.
Tigerline run their fast ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi too Lanta inward the due north and  Langkawi/Ko Lipe inward the south. The latter calls inward at Hat Yao pier where people who receive got flown into Trang airdrome etc pick it upwardly (the website shows a shuttle service from the airdrome too I think the station). I used Tigerline to come upwardly downwards from Phi Phi  in Apr 2012. Interestingly it cuts downwards the eastward side of Lanta after calling inward at the pier at Ban Sala Dan, banking thru some of the narrow channels betwixt islands similar an Neverglades swamp raceboat. UPDATE - I noticed Tigerline was going via the westward coast of Lanta inward Dec 2012 - peradventure a few complaints from eastward Lanta re boat launder erosion.
It may pay to Google SPD speedboat to take in whether their Phuket-lanta-Lipe service calls inward at Ko Ngai, although I am non a fan of speedboat transfers on long runs. It tin larn existent uncomfortable too moisture on bumpy days. Definitely Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour speedboats were dropping off guests from Lanta on their daytrip visits.
Plenty of people jump across from the neighbouring islands of Muk, Kradan too Libong on charter  longtails although I establish the daytrip boat would receive got me at a resonable cost - longtail charter operators all think nosotros are Warren Buffet - good peradventure not Wazza who has a skillful olfactory organ for value. Tigerline volition also transfer y'all betwixt these islands although it aint inexpensive – as a thing of fact Tigerline aint inexpensive total stop. But earlier they started upwardly at that spot was no way y'all could brand Ngai from Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi or Lipe inward a twenty-four hours unless y'all were prepared to charter a horrendously expensive longtail from nation Pak Meng – Tigerline takes 2 hours from Phi Phi, worth every baht.

Heading downwards to Ngai from Kantiang Bay on the daytrip longtail, Dec 2012. Tattooed lady was therefore impressed y'all could remain on the isle that she too iii friends returned next twenty-four hours too stayed at budget Ko Hai Villa for 2 nights.


WHEN TO GO.
Like the residue of the Andaman, dry out flavour which is ordinarily some fourth dimension betwixt mid-late Nov too mid-late Apr into May is best. I discovery shoulder inward this menstruum has fewer crowds, meliorate deals too all accommodation too carry running (although Tigerline is sometimes a chip deadening starting upwardly inward the novel season). Early shoulder ends virtually mid December, tardily shoulder starts March.
This is a meliorate isle than many inward the Andaman for WET SEASON inward that its best beach faces eastward too is sheltered past times the hills behind from the prevailing monsoonal westerlies which sometimes larn blustery too brand exposed beach conditions upleasant too the surf dangerous. Quite a few Ngai accommodation places remain opened upwardly depression season. Google is your friend for finding which ones.



WHICH IS BEST - NGAI, KRADAN OR MUK?
A  tough call.

All iii receive got overnice beaches. I’d nation Kradan’s primary eastern beach has a very slight payoff sand too H2O wise. Like Ngai, it faces eastward with a backing of hills too has spectacular views dorsum towards the mainland. Muk's Farang Beach faces westward too is exposed inward moisture flavour - it has an outlook towards Kradan which is less scenic than the others. Muk's Sivalai spit is to a greater extent than protected inward moisture season.
Accommodation wise all iii receive got a skillful selection these days although Muk's Farang Beach expanse is a chip brusk on midrange – Charlie is a flashpacker pretending to live midrange. Some of the novel places over on the Sivalai spit appear lower midrange - the Sivalai itself is top end. Kradan’s Seven Seas is genuinely a midrange pretending to live top end. Muk has a greater attain of budget joints too the prices tend to live to a greater extent than reasonable - really reasonable genuinely - some of the best inward the central-southern Andaman.
Both Ngai too Kradan receive got overnice rainforest walks, but Kradan's are much shorter.The rainforest is hard to access on Muk. However it has longer walks on its route organization too has 2 hamlet areas where y'all tin banking concern check local culture.
Snorkelling is best at Kradan, non bad at Ngai, non much off the beach at Muk.
Muk has the incomparable Emerald Cave, but y'all quest a boat from accommodation on that isle therefore it won't live all that much meliorate than boating inward from Ngai or Kradan.
All iii are tranquillity islands  with non much inward the way of nightlife. However Muk has 2 bars at Chill Out Divers and Koyoo on the southward headland of Farang Beach which are non bad places to hang. Maybe the midrange places on Ngai plus Ngai Villa’s beach bar tin offering the same. I was cutting the  ZZZZZs non also long after sunset too wouldn’t know.
Muk is easier too cheaper to access from the mainland - really much therefore inward depression season.

Thing is, if y'all remain at ane y'all tin easily see the others on the daytrips just virtually every resort tin arrange. And if I had a calendar week inward the expanse I would split it betwixt 2 islands (but therefore I discovery iii days inward ane location plenty too similar to motion on oft – y'all may prefer sitting dorsum too relaxing). I would brand ane of my 2 Ko Muk – the others are sufficiently unopen inward grapheme to brand either a overnice contrast to Muk.

I pinched this shot off the at nowadays defunct Chateau Hill website too. The newly renamed Cliff Beach Resort hither may receive got the worst department of beach but the views are definitely the best.
 

I didn't receive got to larn raiding for this one. Imminent sunrise from my lower Konai Cliff Beach Resort room inward Dec 2012. Maybe 50% zoom used hither - Ko Ma too Ko Mook aren't quite that close.
I usually similar to halt my page with a sunset/sunrise shot but .......


....... I reckon this ane perfectly captures the vacation spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a gap of half-dozen years betwixt my firstly study on Ko Ngai too this page. If y'all see Ngai too receive got time, delight consider doing a trip study for that department of this site. I'm finding it hard to revisit all these places often plenty to go along information upwardly to date. Just a few shots with captions volition do. Check the TRIP REPORT SECTION for to a greater extent than details.

Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/

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