Koh Talu

Koh Talu is a small island — about 69 rai — inside Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, off the Rayong coast near Mae Phim Beach. Steep cliffs face west; white sand beaches line the east and south shores. The island takes its name from a natural hole cut through the rock at its headland — “talu” means “through” — and that arch is one of the more photographed features on boat trips out here.

The reef fringing Koh Talu is regularly rated among the healthiest stretches of coral in Rayong’s waters, with snorkelling and shallow-dive spots close to shore. It sits in the same special-fee zone as neighbouring Koh Kudi (Ko Kut) and Koh Kruai-Ko Kham-Ko Plai Tin — all managed together by the national park, and all charging the same higher island entrance rate.

Watch out: entrance isn’t free, whatever older write-ups say. Expect to pay a 40 THB (Thai) or 300 THB (foreign) national park fee for adults on top of the boat charter — this island group carries a higher rate than the park’s general mainland fee.

Access is by chartered boat only — there’s no scheduled ferry. Speedboats run from Ban Phe Pier, from Hat Sai Kaew beach on Koh Samet, or from beaches around Klaeng district, with crossings of roughly 30-45 minutes depending on your starting point. Facilities on the island are basic: toilets and a couple of simple food stalls, nothing more, so bring your own snorkelling gear if you have it along with reef-safe sunscreen and drinking water.

Insider Tip: if you’re already staying on Koh Samet, a boat from Hat Sai Kaew is the shortest crossing to Koh Talu — cheaper and quicker than chartering from the Ban Phe mainland pier.

There’s no accommodation on Koh Talu itself, so this is strictly a day trip. Visit November through April for the calmest seas; boat operators scale back departures once the rainy season’s swells pick up, typically from May.