Koh Kradan has been named the world’s finest seaside within the “High 100 Seashores On Earth (2023)” by the World Seashore Information.
Whereas that is undoubtedly good news for the island’s residents, who depend upon tourism for his or her livelihoods, it might not bode effectively for the native ecosystem, because the surge in customer numbers that comes with such recognition can have an effect on the fragile steadiness of the island’s ecosystem.
Both manner, I am certain this award has piqued your curiosity and also you’re serious about a go to. On this information, I am going to cowl every little thing you’ll want to know for a visit to Koh Kradan.
Contents
- About Koh Kradan
- How to Get There
- Best Beaches
- Where to Stay
- Getting Around the Island
- Best Snorkeling Spots
- Things to Do
- Nightlife & Restaurants
- In Summary
About Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan is situated within the Andaman Sea, off the west coast of Thailand, in Trang Province. It’s a picture-perfect tropical paradise that boasts crystal clear waters and white sandy seashores, specifically the 2-kilometer lengthy Ao Kradan Seashore, which is taken into account top-of-the-line seashores in Thailand
Koh Kradan is without doubt one of the 51 islands that make up the Hat Chao Mai Nationwide Park, a protected space that encompasses over 200 sq. kilometers of land and sea. The island has a inhabitants of solely round 200 folks, who make a dwelling primarily from fishing and tourism.
The island is comparatively small, with an space of solely about 4 sq. kilometers. It’s formed like a horseshoe and is surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs.
Koh Kradan is written as เกาะกระดาน, and pronounced as “ko kra-daan”
Easy methods to Get to Koh Kradan?
Attending to Koh Kradan is kind of straightforward. The closest airport is Trang Airport, which is a couple of one and a half-hour drive from the island.
From the airport, you’ll be able to rent a taxi to the Pak Meng Pier, the place you’ll be able to catch a ship to Koh Kradan. The boat trip from Pak Meng Pier to Koh Kradan takes about half-hour.
You possibly can simply attain Koh Kradan by speedboat from Koh Lanta, and the identical holds true for the connection between Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan.
Bangkok to Koh Kradan
Getting from Bangkok to Koh Kradan additionally requires a mix of transportation strategies:
- Take a flight or bus from Bangkok to Trang. There are a number of flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Worldwide Airport in Bangkok to Trang Airport, which take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Trang, which takes about 12 hours.
- To achieve Pak Meng Pier from Trang, you’ll be able to take a shared pickup truck known as a “songthaew” or a taxi. The journey usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and the associated fee is roughly 400-500 baht.
- You should buy a ferry ticket to Koh Kradan at Pak Meng Pier, with ferries working a number of occasions per day. The journey from Pak Meng Pier to Koh Kradan usually lasts roughly half-hour. The price of a ferry ticket is usually round 400-500 baht.
Phuket to Koh Kradan
When you’re touring from Phuket, you are able to do the next:
- Take a flight or bus from Phuket to Trang. There are a number of flights from Phuket Worldwide Airport to Trang Airport, which take about 1 hour. Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a bus from Phuket Bus Terminal to Trang, which takes about 5-6 hours.
- From Trang, take a taxi or songthaew (shared pickup truck) to Pak Meng Pier. The journey takes about 30-45 minutes and will price round 400-500 baht.
- At Pak Meng Pier, purchase a ferry ticket to Koh Kradan. Ferries run a number of occasions a day and the journey takes about half-hour. The ferry ticket ought to price round 400-500 baht.
It is essential to notice that the ferry schedules might change relying on the season and climate situations, so it is a good suggestion to verify the schedules upfront and guide tickets early if potential.
Alternatively, you can too rent a non-public switch from Trang to Koh Kradan, which can be extra handy and sooner, but in addition dearer. There are additionally tour corporations that supply bundle excursions from Phuket to Koh Kradan, which may embody transportation, lodging and actions.
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Finest Seashores on Koh Kradan
Here is a curated checklist of the seashores on Koh Kradan. To be honest, all of the seashores listed here are stunning: crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand, and an abundance of tropical marine life.
1. Paradise Seashore (Kradan Seashore)
Positioned on the north-west facet of the island, that is the place many of the resorts are. The water is gorgeous. You possibly can wade out round 25 meters till you attain a coral reef.
2. Ao Pai Seashore
Located on the northeast of Koh Kradan, Ao Pai is reachable by Kayak from Paradise Seashore, or by wading round at low tide.
3. Ao Nieng Seashore
Nestled on the southern shore of the island, I believe Ao Nieng Seashore to be the crown jewel of Koh Kradan’s sandy stretches. A veritable paradise for beach-goers, this idyllic spot could be simply accessed on foot from the close by Paradise Seashore throughout low tide. Even at excessive tide, you may make your manner right here, however watch out for navigating the rocky outcrop, which can require wading by way of waist-deep waters.
4. Sundown Seashore
As its title implies, Sundown Seashore presents a surprising vantage level for watching the solar dip under the horizon. To achieve this picturesque spot, observe the jungle path that traverses the island, starting simply south of the river adjoining to Kradan Seashore Resort.
After a leisurely 5-minute stroll, you may arrive at Misplaced Paradise Resort, the place you need to veer proper and proceed on for one more 5 minutes over the hill. Whereas Sundown Seashore’s breathtaking surroundings is bound to impress, litter construct up happens right here every now and then, which is actually unhappy to see.
5. Ewu Seashore
Nestled on the northwest nook of the island, Ewu Seashore is a captivating, lesser-known spot to catch the sundown. To achieve this hidden gem, take the strolling path that begins behind Mali Resort and winds its manner over the island, delivering you to Ewu Seashore in simply over 10 minutes.
It is essential to notice that some seashores might have robust currents and waves, so guests ought to at all times be cautious and observe security precautions. Moreover, it is essential to respect the setting and depart no hint when visiting the seashores on Koh Kradan.
The place to Keep On Koh Kradan?
There are simply 8 resort/resort choices on Koh Kradan. It is not actually for the finances traveller, however there are a few mid-priced choices which can be effectively well worth the cash.
That being mentioned, for these touring on a decent finances, tenting on Koh Kradan is an choice, beginning at roughly 400 THB per night time. It’s organized on the nationwide park workplace, and contains gear rental.
Nevertheless, it is essential to notice that tenting on the island could be hazardous given the excessive prevalence of mosquitoes.
Listed here are my 3 prime resort picks.
1. The Sevenseas Resort
Positioned on the west facet of Koh Kradan, The Sevenseas Resort is a 4* luxurious resort with beautiful ocean views. The resort presents numerous room sorts, together with deluxe rooms, pool villas, and beachfront villas. Costs begin at round 10,000 Baht per night time and go as much as 30,000 Baht per night time for essentially the most luxurious villas.
+ See best prices for Sevenseas here
2. Mali Kradan
Positioned on the south of Koh Kradan, Mali Kradan is a 4* boutique resort with beachfront bungalows and rooms. The resort has a restaurant and presents beautiful sea views. Costs begin at round 4,000 Baht per night time for a bungalow and go as much as 6,000 baht per night time for a household room.
+ See best prices for Mali Resort here
3. Reef Resort
Located on the south of Koh Kradan, the Reef Resort is a mid-range choice with beachfront bungalows and rooms. The resort has a non-public seaside space and a restaurant. Costs begin at round 3,500 Baht per night time for a bungalow and go as much as 6,000 Baht per night time for a household room.
+ See best prices for Reef Resort here
Getting Round Koh Kradan
With no vehicles, motorbikes, or roads on the island, strolling is the first mode of transportation on Koh Kradan. Your entire east coast could be coated by foot in simply over half-hour, whereas mountain climbing throughout the island to the west coast seashores takes roughly 20 minutes.
Fortuitously, as a result of island’s compact dimension, every little thing is conveniently situated inside a brief strolling distance.
Finest Snorkeling On Koh Kradan
Snorkeling fans will love Koh Kradan, because it two glorious areas for exploring the island’s beautiful underwater world.
The primary location is located about 200 meters from the shore of Paradise Seashore (Kradan Seashore). This reef is teeming with an array of laborious corals, together with putting staghorn corals, and a myriad of marine life resembling colourful fish, elusive eels, and even the occasional octopus sighting.
To profit from your snorkeling tour, start on the northern finish of the reef in entrance of Seven Seas Resort, and let the light ocean present drift you south till you attain Koh Kradan Resort. Make sure you keep on the island facet of the floating buoys, because the reef depth drops off sharply past this level.
The second snorkeling spot is situated roughly 50 meters from the shore of Ao Nieng Seashore. This reef boasts a vibrant assortment of sentimental corals, that are house to smaller reef fish like the enduring clownfish. The common depth of the reef is round 5 meters, nevertheless it drops off steeply about 100 meters from the coast.
Issues to Do On (Close by) Koh Kradan
If you become bored with the superb seashores and need to enterprise out into the ocean, there are a number of close by islands that may be simply reached by way of a brief long-tail boat trip lasting lower than an hour. Listed here are three value visiting.
1. Koh Mook
First on the checklist is Koh Mook, which, aside from the attractive seashores, performs host to the must-see Emerald Cave – an historical pirate hideout.
The Emerald Cave, often known as Tham Morakot is a cave that may solely be accessed by swimming by way of a 80-meter lengthy tunnel that results in a hidden lagoon on the heart of the island. When you attain the lagoon, you may end up surrounded by towering cliffs, emerald-green waters, and a small, pristine seaside.
The cave’s title comes from the colour of the water, which seems to glow an excellent inexperienced as a result of daylight filtering by way of the cave’s roof and reflecting off the water’s floor. The expertise of swimming by way of the cave and rising into the lagoon is actually unforgettable and is taken into account one of many highlights of any go to to Koh Mook.
2. Koh Libong
Subsequent up is Koh Libong, seen within the distance throughout the ocean to the south. Like Koh Mook, Koh Libong has a captivating fisherman’s village, nevertheless it’s most well-known for its Dugong sightings. A Dugong is a big marine mammal, generally known as “sea cows” as a consequence of their herbivorous eating regimen of sea grasses and algae. Koh Libong can be the closest launching level for a day journey to Koh Lao Liang.
3. Koh Ngai
Final however not least, there’s Koh Ngai, which could be noticed throughout the ocean to the north, with its steep cliffs rising into the skyline. This island presents a relaxed environment, improbable snorkeling alternatives, and loads of diving choices.
Nightlife & Eating places
Whereas Koh Kradan presents a handful of cozy eating places and bars, it isn’t the place for these searching for a bustling nightlife. Nevertheless, in case you are a fan of Thai delicacies, you may be glad to know that there are some nice eating choices out there.
Eating places on the island function inside particular hours and are usually open throughout three time slots. These are breakfast from 8-10am, lunch from 12-3pm, and dinner from 6-9pm.Try the Kraden Seashore Resort and Mali Resort for good meals.
Nearly all of resorts on Koh Kradan have their very own eating places the place guests are welcome to dine, no matter whether or not they’re friends of the resort or not.
Moreover, a small grocery store situated close to the principle seaside and the Paradise Seashore Resort presents a collection of refreshments and snacks.
It is value noting that there are presently no ATMs on Koh Kradan, so guests ought to plan accordingly and produce sufficient money for his or her keep on the island.
In Abstract
Koh Kradan’s recognition because the world’s finest seaside is well-deserved, given its pristine seashores, crystal-clear waters, and ample marine life. Whereas elevated tourism might have an effect on the island’s ecosystem, guests can nonetheless benefit from the island’s magnificence and tranquility by taking steps to attenuate their environmental impression.
Whether or not you are arriving from Bangkok, Phuket, or close by islands, attending to Koh Kradan is comparatively straightforward. Koh Kradan is certainly value a go to for anybody searching for a tropical paradise, simply remember to carry all of the money you want, and a few further snacks – as there isn’t any 7-Eleven!