Koh Hong Island: A Half-Day Boat Trip From Krabi

Are you wondering if Hong Island is worth visiting? Stop guessing around, this article will give you an insightful glimpse and further instruction on a half-day trip.

Nguyen Oanh

Sun, sand, and sea – Koh Hong Island has it all. The best part? It’s just a short drive from Phang Nga Bay and Krabi downtown but it doesn’t get insanely crowded like James Bond Island or Koh Phi Phi.

Even though Koh Hong refers to a small limestone island just off the coast of Than Bok Khorani National Park, most excursions here will also cover the nearby Rai Island, Koh Lao Lading, and Koh Pakbia.

An island-hopping voyage like this only takes you half a day including departure in Krabi. There’s nowhere to stay in Koh Hong so it’s better to pick your accommodation in Krabi and venture out on a tour. Otherwise, you can camp there.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a sample itinerary visiting Koh Hong and the surroundings to give you an idea of what it’s like to have a half-day trip from Krabi.

Hong Island-Hopping Excursion From Krabi

Island-hopping is not an easy task if you do it yourself, especially for those trying to make a getaway from somewhere further afield like Krabi. What I want you to do is sign up for an excursion including pick-up and transport to the island and call it a day.

There should be a variety of possible day trips from Krabi to Hong Island but the best option should cover a glimpse into the Pak Bia Islands and Lading Island as well.

If you like the idea of comparing various options at once, sign up for a tour online before setting out. Online trips allow you to have a thorough look at different itineraries and pricing so you won’t end up running into any hassle later down the road.

On top of that, you’re likely to see them available in either a speedboat, a longtail boat, or a charter boat (which is private if you’re not keen on the idea of sharing your space with someone else).

For me, mass tourism is not a stellar choice for the sake of green tourism and sustainability so I decided to opt for a charter. No rushing, set your own pace, and soak in the beauty of Hong Islands with utmost tranquility making the charter trip even better to look at.

There’s an entrance fee to the National Park on top of the tour and you can pay directly on-site if it’s not included in the tour you purchase.

Not all charter excursions include the drop-off and pick-up like most other group tours so make sure you reach out in advance and request an add-on at an extra fee. Otherwise, you have to arrange your own transport to the meeting venue to see the tour assistant.

Now let’s take a look at my itinerary below so you can have an idea of what a charter voyage to Hong Islands is like!

Charter Excursion To Hong Islands: A Sample Itinerary

Koh Lao Lading

Koh Lao Lading is one of a few swimmable beaches and limestone islands north of Koh Hong, marking the first destination of my arrival by boat around 9:00 am. While most group tours leave at 10:00 am, I got to depart a tad earlier on my charter boat which literally injects the smell of new leather seats in a sparkling clean ambiance. Both my guide and captain speak perfect English. They set up a complimentary ice bucket with beverages and water for me to unwind with the best comfort of home.

Friendly reminder: Change into your swimsuit before the boat docks at the harbor since it can’t reach that far into the sandy shore, otherwise, your trouser legs will get all wet.

There is a limited number of washrooms to change your outfit at Koh Lao Lading though.

The main thrill here is all about swimming and snorkeling. I noticed that most group tours will have snorkeling gear handy but it’s not the case when you go charter. So make sure you have it sorted before setting out.

The benefit of getting there early in the morning is you don’t have to elbow out with the crowds.

Koh Lao Lading is potentially getting more crowded but it still remains a hidden gem compared to the nearby Koh Hong Island. That being said, you won’t be able to find many things to do here rather than immersing in the mystical vibe of this little tropical paradise.

If you’re on a charter trip, you can spend an hour here.

Koh Pakbia Island

Koh Pakbia welcomed me with open arms and lush vegetation just a few miles north of Koh Lao Lading. The entire island is not insanely large and it’s split into two sides with both owning sandbanks where you can enjoy a long walk on the beach and soak up the sweeping wraparound vista.

One side of Koh Pakbia is swimmable with a sandy beach and a little swing hanging off the fallen tree which is great for a couple of photos. Meanwhile, the other one is a little rough with boulders and rocks but it’s perfect for snorkeling.

When the tide is low, the sandbank emerges to connect you with the nearby Rai Island. You can put a tarp down for a picnic here, but be aware of the cheeky monkeys though.

Hong Island Lagoon

I quickly turned to Hong Island as the next jump-off point when the sun started to get more intense. Sometimes when the tide is too low, it’s impossible for the boat to get in but it rather makes a loop around the lagoon so you can get an up-close look at the towering limestone cliffs nestled between the tapered channel between the rocky boulders.

If the weather allows, you can even get down for a swim. The lagoon is large enough so your boat won’t be crashing into each other. My captain was kind enough to dock his boat under the leafy trade so I could enjoy the breezy scene without burning into flame.

Koh Hong Island

Before the sun reached its climax, I finally made it to the final destination: Koh Hong Island. Koh Hong is part of the Than Bok Khorani National Park. So to hop off the island, you’ve gotta pay an entrance fee of THB 300 for an adult before you finally step on the paved floating walkway connected to the island from afar.

My captain kept us posted on what to do here and arranged a pick-up time before he left. This is because no boat is allowed to dock on the island. If your fitness level agrees, you can take on a steep climb for about 20 minutes to reach the viewing platform on top of the limestone mountain and contemplate the sandy white beaches below. Otherwise, there is a shaded trail looping around the park for you to enjoy a walk and forest bathing.

An ideal amount of time to stay at Koh Hong is somewhere around an hour. It was a pleasant experience to enjoy some tropical fruits offered by the captain after we ended the tour around noon time.

Final Words: Is Koh Hong Island Worth It?

Heck yeah! If you don’t wanna run into the hustle and bustle of James Bond Island or Koh Phi Phi, then Koh Hong is an excellent call. From the awe-inspiring limestone mountains to the mystic caves and stunning lagoons, Koh Hong has everything it takes to be your dreamy getaway.

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