Koh Mook Koh Ngai Island Guide: Trang's Best Beaches

Mostly, the main goal of tourists in Thailand is to explore the magnificent islands in the south of the country.

I have been so many times to Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga. I cannot deny their beauty, with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water, but too many tourists in high season made me enjoy them less and sometimes ignore their charm!

I recently discovered the stunning Trang islands in Thailand, located just south of Krabi. In the center of Trang town, I had a feeling of Bangkok 50 years ago: old beautiful buildings, awesome and cheap food, and friendly locals! I saw only 4 to 5 tourists passing by, which was unbelievably cool! Trang is the perfect gateway that will introduce you to two magical islands: Koh Mook and Koh Ngai.

How to get to Trang:

AirAsia and Nok Air regularly offer cheap promotions to Trang Airport. Believe it or not, flying from Bangkok is often cheaper and much faster than taking an overnight bus! You can also take a comfortable overnight sleeper train from Bangkok directly into Trang railway station.

How to get to Koh Mook and Koh Ngai:

KuanTungKu Pier

Nok Air no longer operates its “Fly’n’ Ferry” service to Koh Mook or Koh Ngai from Trang Airport, so you will need to book your minivan and boat transfer separately after landing.
Tour counters right at Trang Airport offer seamless combined transfers from the airport to the pier and on to the islands.
If you would like to explore Trang town first, head around the train station where many local tour counters offer transfers to the islands (usually 350-500 baht per person).
For a budget option to Koh Mook, catch a shared minivan to Kuan Tung Ku Pier and board the local wooden ferry boat (around 20-50 baht) at 12:30 PM. Make sure to arrive beforehand because there is only one local boat per day!

From Koh Mook to Koh Ngai:

Traveling between Koh Mook and Koh Ngai is quick and straightforward, taking only about 30 to 45 minutes by boat. Your hotel can arrange a private longtail or speedboat transfer, but it tends to be quite expensive. I recommend booking with local tour counters or boatmen on the beach instead, where a ticket on a Koh Mook to Koh Ngai ferry or shared longtail runs around 350 to 500 baht per person. It is also super easy to combine both stops with nearby Koh Kradan for an unforgettable multi-day island-hopping adventure!

Koh Mook to Koh Ngai to Trang Airport:

I recommend arranging your return boat and minivan transfer with local tour counters on the islands at least a day in advance to get the best price. Resort boat transfers are the most comfortable option, but they are also very pricey! Make sure you leave plenty of buffer time for the sea crossing and the 45-minute minivan ride back to Trang Airport before your flight.

Also, keep two crucial travel tips in mind for the Trang islands:

Bring plenty of cash: Koh Ngai has no ATMs at all, and the ATMs on Koh Mook are often unreliable or out of money. Most restaurants and boat operators only accept cash, so withdraw enough Thai baht in Trang before heading out.
Plan around the seasons: The best weather runs during the dry high season from November to April. During the southwest monsoon season (May to October), ferry schedules become limited, rough seas can delay travel, and many island resorts close temporarily.

Koh Mook

Koh Mook offers lively local village culture alongside gorgeous beaches, so be sure to swim into the Emerald Cave before 9:30 AM to beat the crowds!

Koh in Thai means island, and Mook means pearl, so welcome to the island of pearls! Koh Mook has a real, vibrant community with resident villagers, a school, a clinic, local food markets, and charming fishing hamlets that make the island feel truly alive.

There are two main beaches on the island. The most famous is Sivalai Beach, a breathtaking sandbar jutting out at the tip of the peninsula where Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort is situated. This hotel enjoys an idyllic location with powdery white sand wrapping around both sides. I spent a night there, and it was pure bliss! The staff was so friendly and helpful, and you could spot their warm smiles from far away!

Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort on the sandbar tip surrounded by clear turquoise water

Arriving by boat offers an incredible view of Sivalai Beach wrapping around the peninsula!

Bow of a longtail boat facing beachfront bungalows nestled under palm trees on Koh Mook

Kooh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort

Traditional wooden longtail boats resting inside an open-air boat shed on the beach

Rustic boatbuilding shelters show off the everyday fishing village life on the island.

Wooden stilt houses and resting longtail boats at low tide in a Koh Mook fishing village

Fisherman Village

Local longtail boats

Sun loungers lined up along the white sand at Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort

Kooh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort

The other main beach is Charlie Beach (Haad Sai Yao), a quiet and charming bay framed by limestone cliffs. Charlie Beach is the ultimate sunset spot on Koh Mook, offering breathtaking views as the sun drops behind the Andaman Sea. I highly recommend the casual restaurant perched on the rocks to the left of the beach (facing the sea), where you can enjoy an amazing view alongside cheap, delicious Thai food.

The view under the shady thatch roof captures the calm and peaceful vibe of Charlie Beach.

Activities:

Rent a motorcycle or sidecar taxi to explore the lush landscape, secluded beaches, and traditional fishing villages.
Visit the world-famous Emerald Cave Koh Mook (Tham Morakot) early in the morning before 9:30 AM to swim through the dark sea tunnel into the hidden lagoon before day-trip crowds arrive!
Go night squid fishing with local fishermen, and you will have an awesome fresh seafood dinner right after!
Rent a sea kayak from Charlie Beach or take an easy boat trip to explore the pristine coral reefs around nearby Koh Kradan.

Emerald Cave

Amazing hidden beach near the Emerald Cave

Squid Fishing

Map:

Koh Ngai:

Koh Ngai has zero roads or ATMs, giving you pure tranquility with shallow coral reefs and wild hornbills right by your beachfront bungalow!

Koh Ngai (also known as Koh Hai) is technically situated in Krabi province, but strangely, getting there from Trang’s Pak Meng Pier is much closer and faster. Unlike Koh Mook, Koh Ngai has no local village and no roads: it is a quiet, pristine paradise dedicated purely to beachside relaxation. There are around ten beachfront resorts lining the main eastern shore, all offering direct views of dramatic limestone karsts rising out of the water.

Koh Ngai snorkeling is fantastic right off the main beach during high tide, featuring shallow coral gardens and plenty of tropical fish just steps from the sand. Even if you are not swimming, the island is remarkably peaceful. I loved spotting wild hornbills in the trees and watching countless hermit crabs scurry across the sand. It felt like a true desert-island vacation!

I stayed at Coco Cottage, and I was head over heels in love with it! Every detail is creatively designed with rustic, eco-friendly architecture. The staff was very nice, the food was so delicious, and I really could not have asked for more! Take a look at these photos, and you will know why I love this place so much: