A dreamy day journey to the gorgeous Hong Islands was the spotlight of my month lengthy journey to Krabi, Thailand.
This group of tiny islands within the Andaman sea close to Krabi has dreamy white sandy seashores, clear turquoise waters, gorgeous limestone cliffs, and luxurious inexperienced jungle – an ideal Thai island paradise!
The Hong Islands have to be among the many most lovely locations in Thailand, whereas they don’t seem to be as well-known because the Phi Phi islands they’re nearer to Krabi, much less crowded and simply as spectacular.
In case you’re on the lookout for a blissful island hopping day journey from Krabi, the Hong Islands are ultimate! So on this information to the Hong Islands, Krabi I’ll embrace the whole lot it is advisable to know to go to this slice of tropical paradise for your self!
The place are the Hong Islands
The Hong islands are a part of the Than Bok Khorani Nationwide Park and are positioned within the Andaman Sea, simply off the coast of Krabi in southern Thailand.
These lovely islands are 6km from the mainland and it solely takes about 30 minutes to achieve the Hong Islands from Ao Nang or Krabi City so it’s a super day journey from Krabi.
A number of small islands and islets make up the Hong Islands, however there are 4 islands you could go to. These embrace;
- Koh Hong,
- Koh Lao Lading,
- Koh Pak Bia,
- and Koh Rai.
Koh Hong is the principle island, however the others talked about all have distinctive options and are additionally value a brief go to. One of the best island hopping excursions will go to all 4 islands and embrace a snorkelling cease.
The islands are house to lovely seashores, vegetation and animals, together with a wide range of birds, monkeys, reptiles, and marine life, together with colourful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins.
So ensure you respect the character, put on reef secure solar display, and take all of your garbage with you to assist protect the nationwide park for the long run.
Koh Hong Island
Koh Hong (or Hong Island) is the biggest of the 4 islands and the one I spent essentially the most time on. It’s a good suggestion to go to Hong island to your first cease because it has essentially the most to supply together with a good looking seashore, spectacular 360 diploma viewpoint and an different worldly lagoon.
Koh Hong is house to essentially the most lovely sheltered seashore with silky tender white sand and turquoise water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It’s the proper place to chill out and absorb the paradise island vibes and is sweet for swimming and snorkelling when the tide is excessive.
There may be additionally a nature path, Thai restaurant, cute seashore bar and juice stand, and bathroom services on Hong island. As you’d anticipate for a tiny island in a nationwide park, the costs are somewhat greater than on the mainland, however are nonetheless first rate worth.
Hong Island Viewpoint
One other spotlight of Koh Hong is the spectacular 360 diploma viewpoint. It’s a steep however comparatively quick hike up 420 steps to get to the highest however it’s completely value it for the unbelievable panoramic views over the gorgeous islands and the Andaman Sea. Though it’s a brief hike (15 – 20 minutes) it could get fairly scorching and sticky so take loads of water.
There may be additionally a straightforward, largely flat, nature path round Koh Hong which is an efficient option to discover the jungle should you’re not up for the steep hike to the highest! There’s a floating jetty that makes entry to the island straightforward.
Hong Lagoon
Koh Hong can also be house to the gorgeous Hong Lagoon. This shallow pool of emerald water surrounded by mangroves and rainforest coated cliffs is barely accessible by lengthy tail boat by means of a slim rock opening.
As soon as inside it feels such as you’re in one other world. Most longtail boat excursions will embrace a fast cease in Hong Lagoon – whether or not you possibly can swim depends upon the tide.
Koh Lao Lading
The second largest island within the group additionally has a dreamy seashore nestled in between limestone cliffs with clear blue waters appropriate for swimming.
This island additionally has a jetty making certain easy accessibility and after a brief stroll between the limestone cliffs you might be rewarded with a good looking seashore not that dissimilar from well-known Maya Bay.
If situations are proper you possibly can see a wide range of fish within the waters simply off the shore and there’s additionally a snack bar and bogs on the island.
Koh Pak Bia and Koh Rai
These small islands are positioned so shut to one another you possibly can see them each directly. It’s an extremely scenic spot.
Koh Pak Bia has a small sand bar that connects it to a tiny islet, whereas Koh Rai encompasses a dramatic limestone rock surrounded by jungle with a small white sand seashore at it’s base. You may sunbathe, swim and snorkel right here, relying on the tide.
There aren’t any services or jetties on these small islands and it could a bit rocky underfoot the place the boat drops you off so it’s a good suggestion to carry water sneakers in case you have them. A dry bag is one other important for any island hopping journeys.
Find out how to Get to the Hong Islands
The one option to attain the Hong islands is by boat – you possibly can both rent a personal boat or be a part of a bunch tour. The islands are solely 6km away from Krabi and it takes about half-hour to achieve on an extended tail boat.
A number of tour corporations supply day journeys to the Hong islands from Krabi. These often depart from Nopparat Thara Pier however many tour operators additionally embrace decide up from Ao Nang seashore, Railay Seaside, Klong Mueang Seaside, Tubkaek Seaside and Krabi City. You too can discover some Hong Islands excursions from Phuket and Koh Yao Noi however these are usually not so frequent.
You may select between speedboat or longtail boat excursions and completely different island hopping itineraries. The speedboat excursions are quicker, extra comfy, and dearer, whereas the normal longtail boats are slower and cheaper and generally is a bit noisy at occasions.
Some excursions simply go to the Hong islands while others additionally go to different locations. Standard choices are Phang Nga Bay and the well-known James Bond island, or Railay, Koh Tup, Koh Poda and Rooster Island so test the itinerary fastidiously.
Costs begin at about 1,250 Thai Baht (approx 35 USD) for group excursions however can differ relying on the kind of boat, group dimension, season, islands visited and actions included. Many excursions additionally embrace decide up out of your resort, water, fruits and lunch, insurance coverage, and snorkelling tools so it’s fairly good worth. Some additionally supply kayaking.
Bear in mind that entrance to the nationwide park is often not included within the tour worth. The nationwide park charges of 300 Thai Baht per particular person must be paid in money once you step onto Koh Hong. Don’t neglect it!
In case you want having a ship all your self and extra flexibility then you may also rent a personal longtail boat from Ao Nang seashore or Klong Mueang seashore. Reserving a personal tour permits for a extra unique expertise, permitting you to create your personal itinerary, discover the islands at your personal tempo, and begin early to keep away from the crowds.
If you wish to get your Thailand itinerary organised upfront the easiest way to e-book your Hong islands tour on-line is on Get Your Information or Viator. These platforms supply a wide range of choices for various budgets, actual evaluations from earlier visitors, and free cancellation.
One other platform that has grow to be actually standard in Asia is Klook – generally costs may be cheaper right here however ensure that to test the inclusions earlier than reserving. Excursions are provided in English, Thai and Mandarin.
You may additionally e-book in particular person with native journey brokers or with the boat drivers themselves however chances are you’ll want to barter to get the perfect worth.
In case you’re visiting Thailand in excessive season (Dec – April) you’ll get pleasure from the perfect climate for island hopping adventures like this however it’s additionally the busiest time so I like to recommend reserving upfront to keep away from disappointment.
Bear in mind that regardless that there are 4 islands visited on Hong island excursions, this can be a completely different tour from the favored Krabi 4 Islands tour which visits Koh Tup, Koh Poda, Rooster Island and Phra Nang Seaside in Railay – though some excursions can go to each in someday.
Additionally, there’s one other Hong Island in close by Phang Nga Bay which is a well-liked kayaking cease on the Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island excursions. Make sure that to test which islands you’ll be visiting earlier than you e-book!
The Finest Hong Island Excursions from Krabi
There are a number of choices for Hong Island excursions, from finances pleasant group excursions on a contemporary speedboat to customisable personal excursions aboard a standard lengthy tail boat for a extra romantic expertise.
One of the best excursions will embrace stops in any respect 4 of the principle islands, a go to to Hong Lagoon, snorkelling or kayaking, lunch and refreshments. They need to additionally embrace transfers out of your resort to the boat and an English talking information – simply keep in mind to carry money for the nationwide park payment.
The highest Hong islands excursions from Krabi embrace:
As we wished to keep away from the crowds and create our personal itinerary we select this personal longtail boat tour. We arrived at Hong island within the early morning earlier than any tour teams and loved having this slice of paradise nearly all to ourselves – it was so value it!
With this personal tour you may also select your itinerary providing you with the choice to go to seven islands in whole. This was the most affordable personal tour I discovered however bear in mind that you need to carry/ purchase your personal lunch and make your personal option to the assembly level at Nopparat Thara Pier.
Finest Time to Go to The Hong Islands
One of the best time to go to the Hong Islands is between December and April, when the climate is sunny, dry, not too scorching and the ocean is calm. Throughout this time, the climate is ideal for island hopping and visibility can also be glorious for snorkeling and diving.
Nonetheless, that is additionally the height season, so anticipate extra crowds and better costs and ensure to e-book upfront. Bear in mind that as it could get highly regarded in April and Could and there is also jellyfish within the heat shallow waters right now.
You too can go to the Hong Islands throughout the low/ wet season between Could to October. Nonetheless, the climate may be unpredictable, generally heavy rain and tough seas could make island hopping unimaginable however generally the climate is gorgeous and you’ll benefit from the islands with fewer vacationers and decrease costs.
Lodging Choices
As these lovely islands are a part of the Than Bok Khorani Nationwide Marine Park you possibly can solely go to the Hong islands on a day journey – there are eating places and bogs on the bigger islands however no resorts or lodging choices within the nationwide park.
However don’t fear, there are many choices close by and wherever you keep in Krabi you need to be capable to discover an boat journey to the Hong islands.
One of the best locations to remain in Krabi embrace:
- Ao Nang Seaside – The preferred space to remain in Krabi with loads of lodging and consuming choices from the luxurious beachfront Centara Ao Nang Seaside Resort to the finances pleasant @Aonang Guesthouse
- Railay Seaside – One of the crucial well-known and picturesque seashores in Krabi nestled in between limestone cliffs and solely accessible by boat. The secluded Rayavadee on Phra Nang Seaside is my prime decide.
- Klong Muang Seaside – A peaceable, uncrowded, seashore with laid again resorts like the gorgeous Nakamanda Resort.
- Tubkaek Seaside – Dwelling to the perfect luxurious resorts in Krabi, just like the Phulay Bay Ritz Carlton Reserve, and presents gorgeous views of the Hong islands.
- Krabi City – A small riverside Thai city supply a extra genuine vibe and nice worth finances inns together with the Krabi SeaBass Resort and energetic backpacker hostels like Pak-Up Hostel.
- Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai – These giant, much less developed islands are literally the closest place to remain to the Hong Islands.
Krabi is a various province with many alternative seashores and islands so try my complete information to the place to remain in Krabi for extra particulars. I used to be there for a month so I bought to take a look at loads of locations!
You may additionally keep on the largely undeveloped islands of Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi that are actually near the Hong islands. The unbelievable Six Senses Yao Noi has a tremendous view of the islands, and there nice finances pleasant choices too like Koh Yao Seaview Bungalows.
I hope this submit has impressed you to go to the Hong islands and given you all the data it is advisable to plan your journey.
In some ways the Hong islands are higher than the Phi Phi islands – they’re extra pristine, much less developed and fewer crowded and a few components don’t look so completely different from well-known Maya Bay!
Plus, should you time your go to proper, you possibly can actually really feel like you might be by yourself slice of tropical paradise island – a Thailand bucket listing dream come true!
In case you’re planning a visit to Thailand try my different blogs for extra ideas. You would possibly like:
