Sunrise on Ko Ngai—Ko Ma (Horse Island), Ko Chueak (Rope Island),
Ko Waen (Ring Island), distant Ko Kradan, and the more distant mainland
14 January Ko Ngai (daytrip to Ko Rok)
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Clouds towered over parts of
the mainland during the day, but we enjoyed the usual sunny weather with calm
seas. We returned to Ko Ngai Seafood for breakfast, where I went with French
toast and yogurt, having already started with my own muesli and hot Ovaltine.
Sunrise on Ko
Ngai—Ko Ma (Horse Island), Ko Chueak (Rope Island),
Ko
Waen (Ring Island), distant Ko Kradan, and the more distant mainland
We had heard about excellent snorkeling—some of the best in Thailand—at Ko Rok
and decided to charter a longtail boat there. The trip cost each of us 1,000
baht plus a 400-baht national park fee. Chow, who isn’t into snorkeling, stayed
back on Ko Ngai and went for a hike. We waded out in the shallows to reach our
longtail boat at an 8 a.m. departure. Ko Rok is actually two islands, and we
first stopped on the south side of Ko Rok Yai before any other groups had
arrived. Excellent visibility of about 20 meters made for beautiful underwater
vistas among the many big coral formations. The modest number of fish included
“Nemos,” the anemone clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris). I also saw a deep-blue-color crown-of-thorns starfish
(Acanthaster planci ). Next
we headed to a site off the north coast of Ko Rok Noi, famed for “flowers of
coral” that appear like open cones. They’re better known as ‘lettuce leaf,’
‘leaf,’ ‘cabbage,’ or ‘vase coral’ (Agaricia agaricites). I also saw a
long-spine porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) that can inflate into a spiky ball
when threatened.
We board our boat
for the journey to Ko Rok.
That’s Ko Muk in the distance, where we paddle
tomorrow.
A resort on Ko Ngai
Our captain; a boat boy
came along too.
Ko Rok comes into
view.
Pretty
beaches of Ko Rok
Jungle trees of Ko
Rok
Prolific corals attract colorful fish. (photo by Chris)
Anemone
clownfish are curious, yet cautious. (photo by Chris)
Areeya
floats above the coral paradise. (photo by Chris)
As
does Chris (photo by Areeya)
The
crown-of-thorns starfish is a menace to corals.
And to humans as the spines can inject a
neurotoxin. (photo by Areeya)
Chris
drops down for a close look at the “flowers of coral” (photo by Areeya)
We had lunch at a handy little restaurant near park
headquarters on Ko Rok Yai, and I went with a light meal of an omelet over rice.
Afterward I made two snorkels among the corals and fish off northeast side of Ko Rok
Noi. A school of sleek and teethy crocodile needlefish (Tylosurus crocodiles)
swam by just below the surface.
Back at Ko Ngai, high tide made for an easy
landing on the beach near our resort. In late afternoon I hiked with others over
a jungle ridge to Paradise Beach, then continued through the grounds of a national park station
(Looks like a wonderful place to be stationed!) on a trail to a tiny beach, then
made a stiff climb to a ridge and a viewpoint at trail’s end. A panorama of Ko
Rok and beyond along with a nice breeze rewarded the efforts. On the way back to
our resort, and with daylight fading, Chris walked by a snake—blue with black
patterns—poised to strike. Luckily the snake ignored us. I ended the very full day with a great tofu massaman curry at Koh Ngai Seafood. Afterward the stars came
out.
We return to Ko
Ngai.
After
a short rest we dived into the jungle on this trail to Paradise Beach.
A hornbill watched
us go by.
Hermit crabs left these patterns in the sand.
Eew strolls along
Paradise Beach.
View back to Paradise Beach
View from trail’s
end at the southwest corner of Ko Ngai