Ko Wai

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Pretty and primitive, Ko Wai sits about 6kms south of the bottom tip of Ko Chang. White sandy beaches, few people and abundant sealife make the island a favourite hideaway for some travellers fleeing the screaming motorbikes and blaring all-night beats of the larger islands nearby.

There are only four bungalow operations on the island -- all on the north side of Ko Wai. It's from this coast that there are terrific views over nearby island.

If you can, try to decide where to stay before you arrive -- just so that the captain can drop you off at the nearest pier. If you can't decide, don't fret -- Ko Wai is a small place and all of the bungalows can be accessed on foot via a rough patch that runs along the island's northern coastline.

Bungalow operations run on power generators, and only turn the power on in the huts from 18:00 to 23:00 nightly. Some of the bungalows will rent out gas lamps if you want to stay up later.

If you are out late whooping it up, don't forget to take a torch as the paths between bungalows are quite rocky and there is just about nothing in the way of lighting.

Also, keep in mind that Ko Wai is a very small place. There are no 7-elevens, so stock up on the essentials before you leave.

Lastly, while the island may be small, it is home to some of the biggest and nastiest mosquitoes in the region, so make sure you pack some strong repellent or your bee-keeping costume.

Get orientated with a map of Ko Wai, Thailand

Ko Wai reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Full Moon Gathering

I came to, though still just midnight - to myself howling at the full moon. It was the night before my birthday and there was a piece of glass in my foot. Mind you, I should have brought my flashlight as we were not staying at Paradise and instead had to opt for the more expensive digs up the path . . . so I got wasted and even with the full moon I ran aground on a wall of rock - my own fault for not bringing a flashlight. Luckily my buddy Mike was soon to come up behind me and with some preternatural senses he found the path and got us back to the bungalow. . .

So that we could wake up the next day and do some easy-pleasey snorkeling on some pretty coral. But let us be serious, the best part about this island seems to be Paradise, where the sand is nice, the staff is nice, and everyone who is staying there wants to drink and sing and talk and live in this place we've all found. A very good place to escape the Full Moon Party but find the Full Moon Gathering of people who are in Thailand to relax, not just to spaz out.

Let me mention . . on my birthday we buried some treasure . . . X marks the spot . . check off the bucket list . . .there be treasure there.
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By caseyprich (dabbler)
Written on 20th April, 2010 after a visit to Ko Wai in February, 2009

Also reviewed by caseyprich: Battambang, Can Tho, Champasak, China Beach, Da Nang, Don Dhet, Gili Meno, Hoi An, Hue, Kampot,

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