Is it possible to visit the Trang islands in November?

One of my guidebooks (yes, I have two) states that the weather makes island hopping between the Trang Islands unsuitable until December.

I was hoping to visit some of the Trang Islands (including Ko Ngai, Ko Mook, Ko Kradan and Ko Libong) although have not yet decided between them.

Does this mean that accessing the Trang islands is difficult in November from the mainland or other islands?

Is island-hopping between the Trang islands out of the question?

I suppose I should probably be asking whether it is a good idea to visit the Trang Islands in November in the first place, if the weather is that bad?

Thank you.

Is it possible to visit the Trang islands in November?

Good question Crickett,

I%26#39;ve only visited between the months of December and February so have no experience in Nov. I would hope that since the Andaman Coast is ending it%26#39;s monsoon season that there would be some good periods in November. Guess it%26#39;s up to the weather gods and hope for your sake it%26#39;s fine.

Is it possible to visit the Trang islands in November?

one of the ways to get between these islands and lanta or Trang is Tigerlinie ferries, they don%26#39;t start operating until the 19th November this year, I guess that is subject to the weather though, so you have that option later in November. If the sea is calm earlier then Mook and Libong are fairly accessible from the mainland with longtails

SEAgypsyLaos, thanks for your input. We have been in Thailand for just over two weeks now, and the weather gods have been smiling on us indeed - only two major showers since we have been here.

Out of curiosity, as you mentioned you had visited the Trang Islands before, would you recommend one over the other? I can%26#39;t quite get a handle on Ko Ngai, for example - some say that it is lovely and laid back, others say that it is now too commercialized.

Paulosusssex, thanks for the transport tips. Unfortunately, our return flight is on 23rd November, so we won%26#39;t have much of an opportunity to take advantage of the Tigerline Ferry this time. I think it might be possible to take longtails between some of the Trang Islands as well? Although I imagine this would be an expensive way of getting around?

Anyone else know if there is a boat service, or perhaps a one way tour that would drop you off at a different one of the Trang Islands?

Thanks!

you can get to some of the northern Trang islands from Kuan Thung Khu pier on the mainland, if you arrange through the bungalow operation you are going to be staying at then the price won%26#39;t be too bad for the trip, there is also a ferry to Mook which is cheap, but it used to go from Haad Samran pier and there wasn%26#39;t much of a schedule, not sure if that%26#39;s still the case. There are speedboats from Lanta that run down to Mook and Rok etc, but I guess that isn%26#39;t going to be cheap. I don%26#39;t think there is a cheap option between the islands in the low season, but if you ask around then you might find that there are longtails making the journey. Certainly Ngai, being fairly upmarket these days has resorts that will get you to the island and Libong isn%26#39;t that far from the mainland and is cheap to get to.

Thanks Paulosussex, very helpful.

I am having a tough time deciding between the many Andaman Islands (especially as we are in Thailand already), but the Trang Islands looked like a good pick - I take it you have been there yourself?

yes, I have been to all the Trang islands, you might find it easier to just explore Lanta or Jum, they will both be quiet right now and they are easy to get to

Hi Crickett,

I%26#39;ve done several of those boat excursions to the Trang islands and have not stayed on them but Ko Ngai seemed very nice since several on our boat had booked accommodations at one of their resorts.

I%26#39;ve gone once from Pak Meng which is closer to Ngai but we%26#39;ve also gone from Ban Chao Mai which is further southwest of Trang town.

There%26#39;s a small island near Ngai that%26#39;s terrific for snorkeling because it%26#39;s got great soft corals because of the currents.

Also, when we were in Lanta in spring, quite a number of the resorts were offering speedboat tours to the Trang islands, too.

Hope this helps.

Oh, and going to Morakot Cave is pretty cool on Ko Muk.

Hi SEAgypsyLaos,

Thanks for the additional information, good to know!

Sorry about the slow response as I am in Laos at the moment, and you don%26#39;t come to Luang Prabang for the speedy internet ;-)

The Trang Islands sound lovely. I had also hoped to visit some of the Tarutao Islands further south, but it seems like some of them are National Parks (Tarutao and Adang) and will not open until late November (after we are gone).

So many islands......so little time......

I think the national park should be open by then but if Taruatao Island and Adang are closed I%26#39;m fairly confident that Ko Lipe near Adang will be in full swing before late Nov.