Koh Muk - 'Emerald Cave'
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Fri 10 Dec 2010 03:40
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07:22.516N 099:17.150E
Friday 10th December
After our relaxing walk along the beach at
Rok Nok we clambered back on board Jackamy in the rolling seas and soon upped
anchor again to head to Koh Muk which was 15 miles away. The primary reason for
us visiting this island is the 'Emerald Cave' (Tham Morakot), which can be
entered through a narrow opening. This needed to be tackled at low water so we
planned to do it first thing in the morning. We chose an anchorage just north of
the cave with a tiny beach, surrounded by steep cliffs, it was lovely and very
peaceful. We decided to take the dinghy round to the south of the island though
in search of a restaurant for a late lunch. We had a choice of two and the one
didn't accept credit cards so that narrowed it down for us, Charlie's Bar
it was then! We chose the beach bar and sat, as the name would suggest, on the
edge of a glorious beach. The food was absolutely delicious and very cheap
so Paul and Jack decided to order about six dishes between the two of them
and that was on top of a starter!
 What about that for an
anchorage!
 Bliss!
 On the north of the island we
found a tiny hut, said to be the home of a man who is on a contract to protect
birds nest caves from possible pirates
First thing in the morning after
another attempt to unblock our toilet, we hadn't actually cured it the first
time round, we set off for the cave with Blue Magic and Sol Maria. The aim was
to get there before all the day-trippers turned up in the long tail
boats from other islands. At the mouth of the cave we tied on to mooring
buoys for the long tail boats and suddenly looking at the cave entrance it all
became a bit daunting - we had to swim 80 metres through a cave! There was no
time to dwell as it wouldn't be fun to be left behind to find a way through
alone. The swim through wasn't as easy as expected because there was
a surge which seemed to pull you back more than push you forward but it was
all very do-able. After the blackness of the tunnel we could see daylight and
the cave opened up to an inland beach where the 'emerald' colour water was
surrounded by steep cliffs. It was incredible! It was only discovered during a
helicopter ride not very long ago and is thought to have once been a pirates
lair and you can see easily how no-one ever knew about it. Completely surrounded
by steep cliffs the beach is a secret haven and definitely a must do.
 About to enter
 The
start.........Darkness
 The secret
hideaway
 Can you see Jack stood at the
base of the cliff to the left............Completely surrounded
  Private beach..........Making
our way back
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