Hat Chao Mai National Park in Thailand
It’s summer time and a vacation is calling. As a person who loves the sound of waves crashing against pristine shores, Hat Chao Mai – an untouched national park in Trang has been on my radar.
Hat Chao Mai is a familiar name for locals, yet an unsung destination for many visitors. Distinctively white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters are features that keep us coming back. Just by looking at pictures, this writer already felt like he couldn’t wait to sit by the sandy shores and watch the water for hours on end.
In case you’re planning a return to Thailand in a big way, here’s our guide on what Hat Chao Mai offers.
Other beaches and islands to explore in Thailand:
- 3 black sand beaches in Thailand for island retreats
- Koh Kood is an untouched beach paradise for weekend getaways
- Angthong National Marine Park is a boat ride away from Koh Samui
A sharp cliff that resembles a shark’s fin
When you first reach Hat Chao Mai National Park, make a beeline for this rugged cliff in the shape of a shark’s fin – an eye-catching monument that visitors will usually snap photos with.
Image credit: th.worldorgs
Called “Khao Bae Na” mountain, it has a viewpoint on top where you can immerse yourself in nature along the way up. Once you reach the peak, you’ll get to peer across the vast blue-green Andaman Sea and its surrounding islets.
Besides Chao Mai Beach, you can also spend time at the other beaches nearby such as San Beach, Yao Beach, Yong Long Beach, Pak Meng Beach.
Image credit: iprahin
Most of these beaches aren’t crowded at all. The feel of the warm sand between your toes, glow of the warm sun and gentle sea breezes will throw you back to that pre-pandemic trip you had at Phuket, sans the eager tourists.
Part of the charm of this untouched paradise is its shallow and clear waters. It’s great for swimming around in, so prep your swimsuit as well.
Not just that, if you are a cave explorer, Hat Chao Mai has one for you.
Swim through Emerald Cave and wade in emerald waters
Located near Kradan Island, Emerald Cave has traditionally been a famous spot amongst tourists even amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Many tourists charter private boats to cruise to this cave.
When coming here, you’ll have to get off the boat and swim with other visitors in line, to enter the cave. If you’re worried about not knowing what to do, there’ll typically be a tour guide to lead you.
After swimming through the cave’s mouth to the other side, look out for a white sandy beach surrounded by cliffs. Looking above, try to see if you can spot a heart-shaped slice of the sky formed by the positions of the cliffs.
Around 10:00AM – 2:00PM, the sunlight will shine through the hollow and cast a beautiful reflection on the water inside the cave.
Once you’re done exploring the pristine beaches and hidden caves, you may be looking for a change of pace by cruising around other mini-islands.
7 islands surrounding Hat Chao Mai accessible by boat
When you’re at Hat Chao Mai‘s central vantage point, you’ll be able to see a few mini-islands surrounding its shores. There are seven islands that you should take a boat ride around to see up close.
What makes these islands interesting are the colorful coral reefs below them.
The water is so clear that you can see the coral reefs in 1080p HD quality, so an activity you shouldn’t miss is snorkeling. Underwater, the aquatic life and rainbow tinted coral reefs are truly a sight to behold.
The seven islands include: Muk Island, Kradan Island, Chueak Island, Pling Island, Waen Island, Meng Island, and Chao Mai Island.
Thankfully the islands aren’t located that far from each other. You can move from one to another easily via boat rides.
Hat Chao Mai is an untouched beach paradise
TL;DR This is one of many marine national parks in Thailand that would offer you a plethora of things to do and see on a summer getaway.
If you’re looking to bask in nature, and be surrounded by crystal waters, eye-catching coral reefs, and forests, this would be definitely be a great place to add to your bucket list.
Great for guests from all walks of life, we’d recommend it for those who’d like to lounge at the beach with The Great Gatsby in hand, or the intrepid adventurer who just wants to get lost in nature once more.
Hat Chao Mai
Address: Mai Phad, Sikao District, Trang 92150
Google Maps
Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Left): th.worldorgs, @shenja_wu, teawlay
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