Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Koh Kradan, Thailand! This remote, idyllic island in southern Thailand offers an unforgettable escape to an ultra peaceful paradise, with pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush jungles and NO CROWDS. Here, we’ll explore everything you need to know before you embark on your adventure to this tropical gem. Let’s dive in!
Introduction to Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan, one of Thailand’s lesser-known treasures in the Andaman Sea, is a small, remote island nestled about 12km off the coast of Trang Province. The island is part of the 40 “Trang Islands”, along with Koh Nga and Koh Libong and sits about halfway in between Koh Lanta and Koh Libong. Stretching over only 2.4 square km, Koh Kradan is long and narrow, measuring about 4km long and 300m at its widest point.
Covered in dense jungle, most of Koh Kradan is taken up mainly by Hat Chao Mai National Park. Unlike nearby Koh Muk, there are no villages or ATMs on the island, 1 or 2 small shops that may or may not be open and only 7 small resorts provide accommodation. This tranquil destination, popular for day trips from Trang and surrounding islands, can be mostly explored in just one day. Leaving plenty of time to just relax.
When to visit Koh Kradan – Weather/Crowds
High Season/Dry Season (December-March):
Since Koh Kradang only has 7 accommodation options, there’s never really a time of the year on the island when you’ll find things you would traditionally associate with high season, like massive crowds and bustling nightlife. Because, lets face it, there are only so many people that can stay in these resorts. Even when they are full.
What you will usually find during high/dry season though, is an uptick of day trippers from the mainland and other surrounding islands. These groups will usually arrive sometime around mid day, will usually stay close to wherever their boat brings them on shore and will head off again in the mid to late afternoon. The rest of the time, the island is still practically empty and perfectly peaceful.
Our biggest suggestion for anyone planning on traveling to Koh Kradan during high season would be to book your rooms early. As we mentioned before, there are only 7 small resorts to choose from there and during the high season they do fill up quite fast. Especially during the christmas/new year season. And by fast, we mean months in advance.
As the heading says, high season is also dry season, so if you want to be sure of clear weather and clear seas, for both travel and snorkeling, then you are best off choosing one of the high season months for your trip.
Low Season/Wet Season (April-November):
Low season on Koh Kradan is also wet season, with April being the driest of the wet months and July to October being the wettest.
Some resorts may close during low season, so you definitely still need to book ahead before you go but you can probably get away with not booking quite as early as you would need to during high season.
Most of the day trips that run during high season will also not be bringing tourists to Koh Kradan during the low/wet months, so you are almost sure to have most of the beaches on the island all to yourself.
How to get to Koh Kradan
From Bangkok to Koh Kradan:
If you are coming from Bangkok, or if you are planning to take a flight from anywhere else in Thailand, you will first need to catch a flight to Trang Airport.
From Trang airport you will need to hop on a minibus to Khuan Tung Ku pier. Khuan Tung Tu pier also serves as the departure point for other island in the area. like Koh Mook.
From Khuan Tung Ku pier you will then ned to hire a long-tail boat to take you to Koh Kradan.
From Phuket to Koh Kradan:
If coming from Phuket, You will need to start out with a speedboat from Rassada pier. Depending on the company you choose, the boat will stop and different islands along the way to pick up and drop off other passengers.
Your boat will eventually make a stop at Koh Lanta, where you will either stay onboard and continue on to Koh Kradan, or you will transfer to another boat to finish off your journey.
Make sure to ask when you book your ticket so you know what to expect once you get there.
In total, the trip from Phuket to Koh Kradan should take about 3 hours.
From Krabi to Koh Kradan:
Travel to Koh Kradan from Krabi will start with a boat trip from Klong Jilad pier. If starting in Krabi town the trip to the pier will be about 15 minutes. If coming from the Krabi airport the rip to the pier will take about 30 minutes.
The boat from Klong Jilad Pier to Koh Lanta usually takes about 1 hour.
Once you arrive in Lanta, you will transfer to another boat at Saladan Pier and then it is another 1 hour to Koh Kradan.
From Koh Lanta to Koh Kradan:
If traveling from Koh Lanta to Koh Kradan, you will need to take a ferry from Saladan Pier, which takes about 1 hour.
Alternatively, you could also take a minibus overland from Koh Lanta to Khuan Tung Ku pier in Trang and catch a long-tail boat to Koh Kradan from there.
From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Kradan:
Like Phuket of Krabi, If you are traveling to Koh Kradan from Koh Phi Phi, you will first need to take a boat to Koh Lanta. The boat from Phi Phi will leave from the main Tan Sai pier.
Once you get to Koh Lanta, you will take another boat to Koh Kradan from Saladan pier.
Other Routes to Koh Kradan:
Speedboats and long-tail boats are available from nearby Andaman islands like Koh Lipe, Koh Bulon, Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, and Koh Libong.
How to get around on Koh Kradan
There are no roads on Koh Kradan, making it the perfect peaceful destination for those looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle that you find on most other islands in Thailand. Getting around the island is easy by foot, crossing from one side to the other on either of the two trails in about 10-15 minutes or hiking all the way up or down the east coast in only about 30-40 minutes.
Beaches on Koh Kradan
The beaches of Koh Kradan are among the most beautiful in Thailand, boasting powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. Here are the 5 main beaches you must check out while you’re there.
Paradise Beach:
Also known as Main Beach or Kradan Beach, Paradise beach is the most popular on Koh Kradan. This is where most of the islands few resorts are and where you will first arrive when you get to Koh Kradan.
At about 1.5km long, it takes up most of the east coast of the island.
Paradise Beach is a very popular spot for snorkeling, as the waste deep water extends out about 200m before dropping off into an amazing corral reef.
Ao Pai Beach:
Ao Pai beach is a remote northeastern beach, accessible at low tide from Paradise Beach or by kayak.
Ao Nieng Beach:
Ao Nieng Beach is located on the south coast and can be reached by walking along the shore from Paradise Beach at low tide.
Sunset Beach:
Sunset Beach is located on the west coast of the island and is accese via a cross island jungle trail that start near Kradan Beach Resort. The walk to Sunset beach only takes about 10 minutes. As the name suggests, this is the most popular spot on the island for watching the sunset.
Ewu Beach:
Ewu beach, also known as Mali Sunset Beach, is another west coast beach that is popular for watching the sunset. Ewu beach is located more north than Sunset beach and is accessed via another cross island jungle trail that starts behind Mali resort. This walk also takes only about 10 minutes.
Things to do on Koh Kradan
Snorkeling on Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan is a snorkeling paradise and snorkeling is one of the main reasons many people choose to visit Koh Kradan. There are two main prime snorkeling locations on the island: Paradise Beach and Ao Nieng Beach.
If snorkeling from the shore of Kradan isn’t enough for you, you can also hire a local long tail boat to take you out on day trip to some of the other small islands and reefs in the area that have many other popular snorkeling locations.
Relax
Besides snorkeling and eating, there’s not much else left to do on Koh Kradan except to find your favorite spot on the shore and just relax.
This is actually one of the things that makes Koh Kradan so amazing. Unlike other islands in Thailand, where you can sometimes find yourself overwhelmed with an abundance of things to do and places to explore, the simplicity of Koh Kradan forces you to slow down and simply enjoy the amazing natural beauty and simple peaceful atmosphere of the Island.
Especially if you are there in low season, it’s not hard at all to find a quiet spot on the shore away from the resorts and not see a single other person the entire day. Not something you can say about too many other tourist destinations.
Where to eat on Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan’s dining scene revolves entirely around the resorts, with each offering its own restaurant. Guests are welcome to dine at any resort, even if they’re not staying there.
Some of the most popular spots are:
Kalume Restaurant:
-Popular for their Italian food and Creme Brulle
The Sand Bar at Mali Resort:
-Popular for its western food
-Great pizzas and burgers
Kradan Beach Resort:
-Best for Thai food
-Tom Yum and BBQ seafood is very popular
Sunset Restaurant:
-Located slightly inland at Paradise Lost Bungalows
-Great Thai Food
Where to Stay on Koh Kradan
Paradise Lost Bungalow($)
-The only resort not located on the beach
-Located about 10 minute walk inland, about 500m from Paradise Beach
-On same trail that leads to Sunset beach. About 3/4 of the way across the island
-Garden Rooms with fan and Private Bathroom
-Thai Restaurant on site
-Wifi in restaurant area
-Breakfast included
Ao-Niang Beach Resort ($$)
-Located at the far south end of Ao Niang Beach
-Away from the main beach and other resorts
-Basic beach bungalows with fans and private bathroom
-One or two A/C rooms may be available
-Wifi on site
-Restaurant on site
-Breakfast included
Kradan Beach Resort ($$)
-Located on Paradise beach
-Beachfront and Garden Bungalows
-Bungalows have Balcony and private bathroom
-Some bungalows have air conditioning
-Wifi in common area
-Restaurant on site
-Breakfast included
Reef Resort ($$$)
-Located on Paradise beach
-All rooms come with balcony, private bathroom and air conditioning.
-Resort has wifi in all rooms, a pool and a tour desk
-Kayaks for rent
-Wifi in all areas
-Restaurant on site
-Breakfast included
Sevenseas Resort ($$$-$$$$)
-Located on Paradise beach
-5 modern styles of sea view and garden view bungalows
-All include Wifi, air conditioning and private bathrooms
-Resort has a pool
-Open air bar
-On site restaurant
-Breakfast included
Kalume Eco Boutique Resort ($$$-$$$$)
-Located on Paradise beach
-Resort has both sea view and garden view bungalows
-Modern design bungalows are equipped with a fan and private bathroom
-Wifi in all areas
-Italian Restaurant on site
-Breakfast included
Mali Kradan ($$$$)
-Located on Paradise beach
-Wifi in all rooms
-Modern bungalows are all beachfront
-Bungalows have air conditioning and private bathrooms
-Popular restaurant on site
-Breakfast included
Conclusion
In summary, Koh Kradan is a true tropical paradise, offering a tranquil escape for travelers seeking pristine beaches, clear waters, and lush jungles. With easy access from popular tourist hubs, this remote island boasts amazing snorkeling, enchanting sunsets, and a laid-back atmosphere. Experience the untouched beauty of Koh Kradan and immerse yourself in the serenity of this tropical paradise. Happy exploring!