I visited Trang much earlier than you might expect. It was only two years after my first trip to Thailand; the province was hardly known to foreigners. I only got the idea to go there because of a cleverly designed AirAsia advertisement on Khao San Road in Bangkok.

I enjoyed the trip, but since it was the rainy season, I couldn't fully appreciate the islands – there were waves for surfing, but not much sun. Furthermore, while the islands were certainly authentic, they lacked comfort (let alone convenient travel).

Is Trang worth a visit? I was there again recently and can therefore answer this question with a clear conscience. A little tip: You'll probably want to pack your bags soon.

A story of two journeys

I will by no means deny in this article that Trang is worth a visit. However, I would like to point out that Trang has two sides – and I will only focus on one of them here: the islands, specifically Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai, and Koh Libong. While the mainland of Trang is charming and authentic, it's not so much that most foreign travelers would want to linger there.

The beauty of the aforementioned islands stands in stark contrast to the atmosphere of mainland Trang. While authentic, it's not entirely different from other southern provinces like Songkhla or Nakhon Si Thammarat. If you'd like to spend some time in this part of Trang, please bear with me, as I will be writing about it in a future article.

The advantages and disadvantages of visiting Trang

Pro: The islands of Trang are not yet tourist traps.

Perhaps it's due to a lack of advertising or their somewhat remote location that the Trang Islands don't seem as hectic as Phuket and Krabi, and not even as crowded as Koh Lipe to the south. Even in peak season, places like Koh Kradan Beach and Charlie Beach on Koh Mook don't feel particularly packed.

Disadvantage: They are no longer cheap.

The quality of the beaches and the low number of visitors make Trang a worthwhile travel destination, but unfortunately, these islands aren't exactly cheap. This is probably due to supply and demand – with the exception of Koh Mook, none of the islands have more than a handful of hotels. This may also be one reason for the low number of visitors.

Advantage: Many of Trang's beaches are among the best in Thailand.

Let's return to the quality of the beaches. In my opinion, the main beaches of Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai are among the most beautiful in Thailand. At low tide, to be honest, they resemble saltwater pools with sandy bottoms more than beaches.

Disadvantage: There aren't many of them.

So, I think Trang is worth a visit even if you only visit Koh Mook or Koh Libong. However, with the exception of Mook's Charlie Beach, these two islands aren't really typical beach islands. The Emerald Cave there is difficult to access and full of jellyfish; Koh Libong is excellent for dugong watching. Sunbathing or surfing? Not really.

Advantage: It is extremely easy to change your location.

The journey from Bangkok to the islands of Trang is long and arduous. However, the connection between the four main islands – Ngai, Kradan, Mook, and Libong – is simple and usually direct. The speed depends on whether you hire a speedboat or a longtail boat, but the one-way trip typically takes no more than an hour.

How to divide your time in Trang

There are basically two ways to explore the islands of Trang. The easiest is to stay on one island. Koh Mook has the most hotels in Trang; it's also my personal favorite. If possible, I'd recommend a hotel on Koh Ngai or Koh Kradan, perhaps the Paradise Lost Bungalows on Kradan, if you can still get a room there. Stay on one island and take day trips to the others.

The other option (which some travelers say makes Trang more worthwhile) is to split your time. With a week or more, you could stay on three or even four of Trang's islands. However, with only three to five days, it's recommended to choose two islands and ideally head to a nearby pier, for example, Koh Kradan and Koh Mook, or Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan.

More frequently asked questions about visiting Trang

Is Trang worth it?

Trang is definitely worth a visit if you want to see the paradisiacal islands of Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, and Koh Libong. The situation is a bit less clear regarding the mainland – it's charming and authentic, but perhaps not as interesting for foreign tourists.

Does Trang have a beach?

Trang boasts one of the largest (and highest quality) stretches of beach in all of Thailand. This is especially true for the islands (Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai are particularly outstanding in this regard), but the mainland also offers excellent conditions for sunbathing and surfing.

Where can you stay overnight on the Trang Islands?

In my opinion, the islands of Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai are the best starting points for excursions in Trang. While the hotels and resorts there aren't particularly noteworthy, the beaches are stunning. Those seeking absolute luxury might find the Sivalai Beach Resort on Koh Mook the best option, although Koh Mook itself is rather unremarkable.

Conclusion

Is Trang worth a visit? Yes, but it's not that simple. The beauty of the beaches on Koh Kradan or Koh Ngai is undeniable, and the authenticity of the local culture on Koh Mook (for better or for worse) is also undeniable. However, these islands aren't necessarily for everyone. They can be difficult to access (making them impractical for short trips); furthermore, there are only a limited number of hotels and resorts, many of which don't meet the standards of other islands. Would you like personal advice on whether a trip to Trang makes sense for you? I'd be happy to help you plan your Thailand trip!