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 plush inexperienced jungle – an ideal Thai island paradise!
The Hong Islands have to be among the many most stunning locations in Thailand, whereas they aren’t as well-known because the Phi Phi islands they’re nearer to Krabi, much less crowded and simply as spectacular.
For those who’re on the lookout for a blissful island hopping day journey from Krabi, the Hong Islands are best! So on this information to the Hong Islands, Krabi I’ll embrace all the pieces you have 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 stunning 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 primary island, however the others talked about all have distinctive options and are additionally value a brief go to. The perfect island hopping excursions will go to all 4 islands and embrace a snorkelling cease.
The islands are house to stunning seashores, crops and animals, together with a wide range of birds, monkeys, reptiles, and marine life, together with colourful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins.
So be sure you respect the character, put on reef secure solar display screen, and take all of your garbage with you to assist protect the nationwide park for the longer term.
Koh Hong Island
Koh Hong (or Hong Island) is the most important of the 4 islands and the one I spent probably the most time on. It’s a good suggestion to go to Hong island in your first cease because it has probably the most to supply together with a fantastic seashore, spectacular 360 diploma viewpoint and an different worldly lagoon.
Koh Hong is house to probably the most stunning sheltered seashore with silky gentle white sand and turquoise water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It’s the proper place to loosen up and absorb the paradise island vibes and is nice for swimming and snorkelling when the tide is excessive.
There’s additionally a nature path, Thai restaurant, cute seashore bar and juice stand, and bathroom amenities on Hong island. As you’d count on for a tiny island in a nationwide park, the costs are a little bit greater than on the mainland, however are nonetheless respectable 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 nevertheless it’s completely value it for the unbelievable panoramic views over the gorgeous islands and the Andaman Sea. Although it’s a brief hike (15 – 20 minutes) it might probably get fairly scorching and sticky so take loads of water.
There’s additionally a simple, principally flat, nature path round Koh Hong which is an efficient strategy 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 simple.
Hong Lagoon
Koh Hong can be house to the gorgeous Hong Lagoon. This shallow pool of emerald water surrounded by mangroves and rainforest lined 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’ll be able to swim is determined by 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 guaranteeing easy accessibility and after a brief stroll between the limestone cliffs you might be rewarded with a fantastic seashore not that dissimilar from well-known Maya Bay.
If situations are proper you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to 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 includes 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 amenities or jetties on these small islands and it might probably a bit rocky underfoot the place the boat drops you off so it’s a good suggestion to carry water sneakers when you have them. A dry bag is one other important for any island hopping journeys.
How one can Get to the Hong Islands
The one strategy to attain the Hong islands is by boat – you’ll be able to both rent a personal boat or be a part of a gaggle 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 normally depart from Nopparat Thara Pier however many tour operators additionally embrace choose up from Ao Nang seashore, Railay Seaside, Klong Mueang Seaside, Tubkaek Seaside and Krabi City. It’s also possible to 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 sooner, extra comfy, and costlier, whereas the standard 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. Well-liked 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 fluctuate relying on the kind of boat, group dimension, season, islands visited and actions included. Many excursions additionally embrace choose up out of your lodge, water, fruits and lunch, insurance coverage, and snorkelling gear so it’s fairly good worth. Some additionally supply kayaking.
Bear in mind that entrance to the nationwide park is normally not included within the tour worth. The nationwide park charges of 300 Thai Baht per individual must be paid in money while you step onto Koh Hong. Don’t neglect it!
For those who want having a ship all your self and extra flexibility then you can even 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 individual itinerary, discover the islands at your individual tempo, and begin early to keep away from the crowds.
If you wish to get your Thailand itinerary organised upfront one of the best ways 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 opinions from earlier visitors, and free cancellation.
One other platform that has turn into actually well-liked in Asia is Klook – generally costs might be cheaper right here however ensure to test the inclusions earlier than reserving. Excursions are provided in English, Thai and Mandarin.
You might additionally e-book in individual with native journey brokers or with the boat drivers themselves however chances are you’ll want to barter to get the very best worth.
For those who’re visiting Thailand in excessive season (Dec – April) you’ll get pleasure from the very best climate for island hopping adventures like this nevertheless it’s additionally the busiest time so I like to recommend reserving upfront to keep away from disappointment.
Bear in mind that despite the fact that there are 4 islands visited on Hong island excursions, it is 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 in the future.
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 may be visiting earlier than you e-book!
The Greatest Hong Island Excursions from Krabi
There are a number of choices for Hong Island excursions, from price range pleasant group excursions on a contemporary speedboat to customisable non-public excursions aboard a conventional lengthy tail boat for a extra romantic expertise.
The perfect excursions will embrace stops in any respect 4 of the primary islands, a go to to Hong Lagoon, snorkelling or kayaking, lunch and refreshments. They need to additionally embrace transfers out of your lodge to the boat and an English talking information – simply bear in mind to carry money for the nationwide park charge.
The highest Hong islands excursions from Krabi embrace:
As we needed to keep away from the crowds and create our personal itinerary we select this non-public 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 non-public tour you can even select your itinerary providing you with the choice to go to seven islands in whole. This was the most cost effective non-public tour I discovered however bear in mind that it’s a must to carry/ purchase your individual lunch and make your individual strategy to the assembly level at Nopparat Thara Pier.
Greatest Time to Go to The Hong Islands
The perfect 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 be glorious for snorkeling and diving.
Nevertheless, that is additionally the height season, so count on extra crowds and better costs and ensure to e-book upfront. Bear in mind that as it might probably get highly regarded in April and Might and there may be jellyfish within the heat shallow waters at the moment.
It’s also possible to go to the Hong Islands in the course of the low/ wet season between Might to October. Nevertheless, the climate might be unpredictable, generally heavy rain and tough seas could make island hopping unattainable however generally the climate is gorgeous and you may benefit from the islands with fewer vacationers and decrease costs.
Lodging Choices
As these stunning islands are a part of the Than Bok Khorani Nationwide Marine Park you’ll be able to 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 it’s best to be capable of discover an boat journey to the Hong islands.
The perfect locations to remain in Krabi embrace:
- Ao Nang Seaside – The most well-liked space to remain in Krabi with loads of lodging and consuming choices from the luxurious beachfront Centara Ao Nang Seaside Resort to the price range pleasant @Aonang Guesthouse
- Railay Seaside – Some of the 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 choose.
- Klong Muang Seaside – A peaceable, uncrowded, seashore with laid again resorts like the gorgeous Nakamanda Resort.
- Tubkaek Seaside – Dwelling to the very best luxurious resorts in Krabi, just like the Phulay Bay Ritz Carlton Reserve, and gives gorgeous views of the Hong islands.
- Krabi City – A small riverside Thai city supply a extra genuine vibe and nice worth price range accommodations together with the Krabi SeaBass Lodge and full of life 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 various seashores and islands so take a look at my complete information to the place to remain in Krabi for extra particulars. I used to be there for a month so I received to take a look at numerous locations!
You might additionally keep on the principally 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 price range pleasant choices too like Koh Yao Seaview Bungalows.
I hope this publish has impressed you to go to the Hong islands and given you all the knowledge you have 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 elements don’t look so completely different from well-known Maya Bay!
Plus, should you time your go to proper, you’ll be able to actually really feel like you might be by yourself slice of tropical paradise island – a Thailand bucket checklist dream come true!
For those who’re planning a visit to Thailand take a look at my different blogs for extra suggestions. You may like: