Libong Emerald Cave Boat Trip: Review & Snorkeling Tips

Alright, so you’re pondering a boat trip to the Libong Emerald Cave, right? Is that you? It’s very easy to see why, that’s usually how it is. Those glimmering waters and hidden lagoons? Yeah, those will certainly lure anyone in. I went there, it’s my trip. Let me walk you through what you might expect, sharing very useful tips, just, for getting the absolute most from your island hopping adventure. Prepare yourself! It’s quite the story. You may agree, and so may others! We will uncover very interesting points.

Setting Sail: Getting to Libong and Finding Your Tour

Firstly, before any sort of cave exploring commences, you’ve got to arrive on Libong. And you could find Libong in the Krabi Province of Thailand, it’s that simple. I suggest flying into Trang Airport which is located not very far. I guess this makes it an obvious choice! I think from Trang, you’ll get a van or taxi to the pier and hop onto a ferry across to the island, you know, the standard procedure. Once you’re on Libong, plenty of local tour operators offer excursions to the Emerald Cave, including spots at Kradan and Chueak islands. And that’s that. That’s the place, right there. Don’t even get me started on other options, there just aren’t any!

A piece of guidance? Maybe browse a bit and haggle very respectfully to snag a good price, it’s always very much worth it. I’m saying shop around. Plus, think about booking a day or two ahead so, too it’s almost the case that you avoid disappointments, like tours fully booked. Another key decision you’ll want to think over; the kind of boat you prefer: A bigger boat for a group setting, that could be quite fun and cost effective or a super swift speedboat if you want a much more personal experience. Either way, get ready for a seriously gorgeous day out on the water, yet make no mistake: Preparation is absolutely everything, more or less.

The Star of the Show: Swimming to the Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot)

Alright, so the Emerald Cave itself, also called Tham Morakot by the locals, right? It’s definitely the headliner. The highlight you should be extremely excited for! Now, it’s not as simple as just sauntering into it, no. Prepare for a short swim into complete darkness to get inside. That may very well sound scary but hear me out. Your boat is going to park outside of what appears to be just normal cliffs. It’s important you follow your guide to get into the cave, or, perhaps more to the point, not get smashed into the rocks in any way.

You are then advised to swim as part of a group; it is actually very good practice, trust me. After all, you are not alone. As you all enter the mouth of the cave, be aware, the water becomes cool, dark, and a tad mysterious in that regard. The swim is, admittedly, perhaps 80 meters, right? After all, this is only roughly three minutes so, too it’s almost the case that most people are able to do that at a relaxed pace, still, if you’re at all claustrophobic it could be that this is just not very much for you. Having said this, trust me when I point out the final destination truly is rewarding and that’s the magic. One way or another, you should have great fun, don’t stress, in that case!

Upon exiting this tunnel of complete and utter darkness, like, almost as if it never existed, the cave will open directly into a glistening and sparkling secret beach, totally framed by absolutely towering cliffs draped in vegetation. So, too it’s almost the case that sunlight streams straight into the lagoon, and you’re met with water so strikingly green that it appears as though somebody had photoshopped it. Trust me, you’ll find it to be quite surreal. Loads of photo opportunities here, therefore, don’t forget to take a camera!

Kradan Island: Post-Cave Relaxation and Beach Bliss

Having conquered the Emerald Cave, most tours head to Kradan Island next. What’s so good about that, huh? And Kradan, honestly, is just straight up paradise! Its powder soft sand and vibrantly clear turquoise waters. It definitely makes you feel like you have strolled right into a postcard, very wonderful for just having a relax. In fact, don’t let it stop you from just relaxing on the beach! Get some rays or enjoy more of a swim in that super welcoming water. Also, if you’re just feeling active, maybe even have a little snorkel around. It really won’t let you down in any way!

Is that what you think too? You are really rather blessed with some absolutely great spots close to the beach. Fish? Yeah, they’re definitely pretty easy to see when they’re in numbers. Many tours provide a picnic lunch to relish here. Make no mistake about it; it’s pretty blissful eating some tasty local food with your toes in the sand. Be very careful where you stroll! Sunscreen up and, you know, don’t get burnt!

Koh Chueak: Snorkelling and Underwater Wonders

After Kradan, expect a journey to Koh Chueak, or, as it is more often referred to, another truly fantastic stop for snorkeling. What do you think is going to happen there? The waters that encircle Koh Chueak are just absolutely stuffed with coral reefs that teem with sea life, still, be very aware it might get busy at points. A very colourful array of fish might just swim all over the place. It could be anything; the clownfish, parrotfish, it really is all there. Don’t get bored, or else you’ve failed. Just a piece of guidance: Consider wearing a rash vest in that area. After all, that is how to protect from stings from possible jellyfish that seem to hang about in that location.

Those tour guides typically hand out all of the kit, and that would certainly include a mask, a snorkel, also, fins. Should you own personal stuff you are super happy to use? Maybe bring that. In spite of this, use the company gear. This can most assuredly also come down to just preference and nothing more! Don’t panic so much, alright? While you’re very happily snorkeling, remain just conscious of the boat and its propellors, okay? In other words, keep a good distance! Now that, you may agree, would be sensible.

What to Bring: Packing for Your Island Adventure

Are you sat there wondering precisely what to bring on your tour, still? If so, never fear, here are many things that are very much useful, so to speak:

Swimsuit: Obvious, I guess! I mean, very perfect for swimming, for snorkeling, sunbathing.
Towel: You could grab a small, super-fast drying towel. Perfect to pack, too, perhaps more to the point.
Sunscreen: High-SPF to protect you, you may agree.
Sunglasses and a Hat: After all, that can help shade you from that scorching sunshine.
Waterproof Bag: This can be used to protect that camera as well as various other electronics. That seems to be pretty useful as a whole!
Camera: It has to be said, a waterproof action camera like a GoPro would really shine in the situation, to some degree. That may well be something to have a think over.
Cash: Very helpful to purchase drinks, those snacks, and any potential souvenirs.

Now, while all tours actually supply some drinking water, or, perhaps more to the point, the refreshments are also typically accessible available to purchase aboard. Bringing that reusable bottle keeps it, you know, absolutely environmentally friendly as well as very easy! Don’t forget the seasickness meds, alright? When you find rough seas you just might get it! Don’t find out on that very boat! It will likely be just the very worst ever, pretty much.

Making the Most of Your Trip: Tips and Considerations

To make the most of your experience on the islands here are certain tips that may assist.

Go Early: So, you see, mornings tend to be just a little less crowded so, too it’s almost the case that the sea is typically that much calmer. The experience may well be super fun.
Check the Tides: Low tide will typically mean that access may be seriously limited, very true for some beaches as well as the Emerald Cave. Take into consideration where to stand at low-tide or not.
Respect the Environment: The coral reefs must not be touched, nor any form of litter thrown everywhere. Protect the locations that we tend to cherish to continue that sort of beauty for the tourists in the future. Take the garbage and put it in the trashcan in the place that you may just be vacationing.
Hire a Private Longtail Boat: Should you like to go to those locations all alone, consider actually hiring a private longtail boat. In any other case, it gives much more control in respect of the pace along with destinations. Do you concur?

One last bit. Make sure that your chosen tour carries suitable insurance. Then you might very well just have all the assurance that you ought to. Enjoy some Thailand island fun, basically!

The Libong Emerald Cave, Kradan, and Chueak Adventure: Is it Worth It?

So, in the end, must you take that journey over to Libong and do this trip? 100%! With it actually being those super enchanting caves for swimming directly into the idyllic beach as well as those vibrant snorkeling sites? The Libong Emerald Cave has something for really absolutely everyone, wouldn’t you say? This boat trip mixes some adventure with plenty of relaxation, now, that can provide just genuinely unforgettable Thailand memories, generally. The memory you might be craving as we speak, in some respects. Don’t put it off any more!

Key Takeaways:

The Emerald Cave demands a short swim through a dark cave tunnel.
Kradan Island provides some seriously picture postcard-worthy beaches that will stun in seconds.
Koh Chueak possesses brilliant snorkeling with tons of wildlife, maybe rather like your local river.
Essential items may feature sunscreen, and maybe even some underwater camera, perhaps.
Going in the morning, or, arguably, having a tide check could actually improve all pleasure from those days that are very relaxing.