Bangsaphan Attractions and Koh Talu

Beaches, islands, temples and waterfalls The main attraction has to be the endless sandy beach that stretches as far as the eye can see. It is fringed with coconut palms and dotted with the occasional bungalow.

Koh TaluKoh Talu (also spelt Koh Thalu or Ko Taloo) is a private island in the Gulf of Thailand, 30 minutes boat ride from Bangsaphan. It has two beautiful resorts, unspoiled beaches and coconut palms encircling the pristine evergreen tropical rainforest covering the most of it. The shallow clear blue sea with rich marine life is the perfect choice of nature lovers for fishing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, sailing, trekking or just for relaxing.

Half day trips to Koh Talu cost around 350 baht per person and depart from the pier towards the south of the bay at 9am, returning at 1pm. You can book them at a small ticket office the day before.The tours are very popular with locals who travel down from Bangkok at the weekends, they can get very busy.

Coral and marine life around Koh Talu is very impressive with schools of seargent major fish, moonwrasse, parrotfish and all kinds of hard coral. Take a look at our Koh Talu marine life guide. Scubadiving is possible here but the reef is quite shallow with a maximum depth of 12 meters and visibility can be murky (3 to 10 meters). More information on Koh Talu dive sites can be found by clicking that link.

Koh Talu Boat ToursYou can also charter your own boat trip to Koh Talu, the advantage being that you can get away from the crowds, go around the island, stop off at the beach and seek out your own snorkelling spots.

The vessel can comfortably sit 8 to 10 people and life jackets and snorkelling equipment is provided. Food is available also and you can take your own esky of beverages.

You can charter the boat and can decide when you want to leave and return though it may be weather dependent.

Contact Suchat Boat Tour on 081-7594997 ("dude") to make a booking or visit their website: Koh Talu Tours.

You can also book boat yours with Kig Tour who are affiliated with the Marine Resource Conservation Group that carry out a lot of work preserving the local coral reef ecosystem. You can contact them on 081-9953787.

Koh Talu offers crystal clear water, stunning beaches and abundant marine life, you can even stay on the island at the Koh Talu Island Resort which can be booked online.

Bang Saphan BeachesThere are several good beaches further south and the beachtown of Ban Krut to the north which are also worth visiting. Bo Thong Lang (pictured left) cove really is a little hidden away jem of a place, it is set in a cove on a headland in temple grounds. To reach the bay cross the small bridge as you are leaving Bangsaphan for Ban Krut. There is a local temple at the same spot and 4 or 5 small beach restaurants where the food is good. Keep asking directions until you find this one.

Bangsaphan WaterfallsThere are a number of waterfalls in the area these two (Sai Ku andKa-po) are both a short drive south of Bangsaphan. There is anotherwaterfall and swimming hole called Chai Rat just after the Khao Poservice station. More info and photos here: Sai Ku waterfall, ChaiRat waterfall.

Bangsaphan GolfThere is a small driving range in Bangsaphan where youcan practise your golf swing. It is near the Sailom Hotel onthe Mae Rampheung beach road, trays of balls are 30 baht.The nearest golf courses to Bangsaphan are both military 9holes, one at Ao Manao an hour north in Prachuab and theother is an hour south in Chumphon, just off the highwayafter you turn right to Ranong. Costs to play are a couple ofhundred baht.

Temples and CavesWat Tum Marong has an impressive deep cave system with hundreds of Buddha images and a resident bat colony. More photos: Wat Tum Marong Caves

MarketsBang Saphan has a great daytime market which is in the centre of town opposite 7 Eleven. Bustling,friendly and busy.

Tuesday night market - go over the railway lines asthough you are leaving town for the main highway andyou will find the market on the right hand saide after afew hundred metres.

Thursday night market - this is the bigger of the twonight markets where you will find just about anythingand it really is fun looking for it. Located just past allthe banks in the town's main road after you have comeinto town over the railway lines and past 7 Eleven.

Luang SuanThere is a concrete air craft carrier on the beach at Luang Suan which is 65km further south of Chumphon. Not many people are aware of it, the vessel was constructed in celebration of a high ranking military official who was very close to His Majesty the King. It is about a third of the size of a full scale one and a must to see.