Ko Bulon Lae

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Surrounded by relatively clean waters and festooned with bright tropical flowers, countless butterflies, and charming locals who retain the old island ways, Ko Bulon Lae is something special. It might not be for everyone -- none of the resorts have air-con or TV, and electricity only runs from 17:00 to 23:00 each evening -- but for those who seek peace and quiet, or just a peak into one of Thailand's most unique islands, Ko Bulon Lae is well worth a visit. Many come back again and again to enjoy the particular tranquility they've only found here, so don't be surprised if Bulon casts its spell on you.

For travellers with some time on their hands, Bulon Lae is a great place for a longer stay. There are several welcoming and reasonably comfortable accommodation options, with some quality bungalows available for dirt cheap prices. It's a short ride (about an hour) from Pakbara pier, as long as waters are calm. Passengers are typically dropped off on the beach near Bulone Resort, which is situated around the best white sands on the island. Longtail boats meet the ferry and charge 50B per person. This is a rare and important income for Chao Lay drivers, and must be paid.

A handful of laidback resorts are found scattered along the eastern side of the island. All that lies to the west is a tiny fishing village and untouched jungle. The more expensive resorts are based around the best beach to the south while the village and a handful of cheap resorts are found to the north, near quiet Panka Yai Bay.

A sporadically paved path connects points on the island, and the smell of palm oil grows stronger as one heads towards the east. Both coconut oil and rubber continue to be important industries here, and it's a pleasant walk through the rubber trees running up the island's southern end.

Every night generators switch on around 18:00 and Bulon lights up for another relaxed evening. Be warned that the paths are not lit at night, and Bulon has an especially great population of often large monitor lizards, so be sure to bring a torch.

There have also been several reports of shoes -- even those in shabby shape -- being stolen from the porches of bungalows around the island, so it's a good idea to bring shoes and clothing indoors at night time.

Moreso than other islands in the area, Ko Bulon Lae is highly seasonal. It's best to come between late November and mid-April. Even if you show up in mid-October when most area islands are starting to get rolling, expect only one resort to be open with a skeleton staff and very limited eating options.

There are NO banks on Ko Bulon Lae, so be sure to bring enough cash with you.

Get orientated with a map of Ko Bulon Lae, Thailand

Ko Bulon Lae reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

As Sweet as Ever

Bulon is a small and attractive island about 30 minutes by fast boat (there are only speedboats these days) out from mainland Pak Bara in the south Andaman.
Bulon was laid back when I visited in March 07 and early December 09, but the BEACH AREA resorts were largely full in March 2013 (the island has a loyal band of north Euro returnees - apparently they have the two main resorts booked out at peak way ahead).
For the sake of clarity it is easiest to divide Bulon into two areas - THE BEACH AREA (5 resorts) in the north-east, and the PANKA VILLAGE AREA (7 resorts) over the hill to the west.

THE BEACH AREA -- mid March is at the shoulder of high season yet I had trouble finding a vacancy when I jumped off the speedboat from Lipe. Budget SCHOOL BUNGALOWS looked fully taken with no-one around to confirm. Flashpacker BULONE RESORT was full. The older lady in MARINA'S reception didn't even look up from her book as she waved me away with ''NO HAVE!'' Cute business plan. I didn't try flashpacker PANSAND because I'd stayed there last trip. Fortunately the last place, budget BULON HILL had a 1000b bungalow first night and a smaller 400 after that. This place is run by a nice German lady and her Thai husband.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. Katia (Katja) gave me the most detailed and informative introductory bungalow and island briefing I've had in dozens of Thai bungalow visits and was a general mine of information. Her island map was far more informative than those I've been given previous trips. The atmospheric restaurant had prices maybe 20-40% higher than the average at budget bungalows - about the same this visit as at Pansand and a bit lower than Bulone Resort. I avoided Marina's restaurant because I was still sulking about being burned by the old lady. Bulonhill's servings were big, the food very nice.

THE VILLAGE AREA - on the central north coast stretches between 2 bays Panka Noi and Panka Yai. You can walk the not too steep hill in 10 minutes -- the path is now paved all the way thru the village to Panka Yai Bay with an offshoot to Panka Noi. I noticed signposting was much improved.
The village has a few budget restaurants, small stores and a couple of bars. There are 7 bungalow resorts with a pretty impressive capacity - maybe 100 huts and they seemed to be running well under 50% when I visited. In order of distance from THE BEACH AREA we have VIEWPOINT, SULAIDA, JIAB, CHAOLAE, PANKA, SAWLEENA and JUNGLE HUT. All look pretty attractive. VIEWPOINT AND PANKA have beach frontage although both bays suffer badly the low tide blues. CHAOLAE can do tents at peak times.
These are more budget orientated -- I was amazed by value at Jungle Hut out on the Mango Bay track - large with bathroom 400, small with bathroom 200 and the pretty girl running the joint told me she does not vary this throughout the season. Restaurant prices were some of the lowest Andaman island asks I've seen in recent years - mains 50-80 baht, big beers 70-80. Had some pretty contented looking travellers hanging about. Travellers told me other village places are pretty good price wise.

THE BEACHES -- Pankas Yai and Noi look okay at high tide but at lowest there is lots of dark rock and sand exposed. Mango Bay 10 minutes south of the village has okay sand, not too shallow at low tide, but is dominated by the fishing industry. Nowhere near as attractive as over at THE BEACH. Snorkelling is said to be okay out towards the bay mouth.

Despite suffering badly in some areas from erosion, THE BEACH region is very nice with lovely white sand, clear water and okay snorkelling. The northern section in front of Bulone Resort has not much sand at highest tide and a fair bit of (clean) sand exposed at low tide. But in between this is a sweet area. Snorkelling is popular -- plenty of people are happy to potter just off the beach when the tide is up -- better stuff is available on the fringing reef about 300m out but the coral and fishies aint world class. Off season storm wave erosion has seen the first 2 rows of beachfront bungalows undermined PLUS the restaurant this past October. The new restaurant is about 30m inland.
The southern section in front of Pansand Resort is similar in character, sees fewer people. Erosion since my last visit has not been marked. Snorkelling on the fringing reef is maybe not quite as good.
Where the beach turns from north to south is THE SPIT AREA. This is where you head if you want plenty of blinding white sand at highest tide. The area in front of the school oval just south is not bad either. The spit does not suffer as badly from the low tide blues. Behind is a nice wooded area -- regulars had about 20 hammocks strung up between trees and there is a camping area -- mainly Muslim families but one Brit outfit. The bloke told me they got water from a well alongside the oval and used a toilet block behind the school.
- Sights & activities
- History & culture
- Scenery & environment
- Eat & drink
- Traveller's scene
- Romance
- Value for money
- I'll be back (or not)
By tezza (dabbler)
Written on 3rd May, 2013 after a visit to Ko Bulon Lae in March, 2013

Also reviewed by tezza: Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park, Coral and Raya Islands, Haad Nopphara Thara, Haad Sai Khao, Kanchanaburi, Khao Lak, Ko Kho Khao, Ko Kut, Ko Lipe, Ko Maak,
Ko Bulon Lae

Yes, a nice island, but not cheap to get there, and when we arrived, virtually no where to stay, unless you want to pay upwards of 8oo baht a night. Also be aware that they have a lot of mosquitoes day and night, with cases of dengue fever.
- Sights & activities
- History & culture
- Scenery & environment
- Eat & drink
- Traveller's scene
- Romance
- Value for money
- I'll be back (or not)
By garthibiza (dabbler)
Written on 23rd January, 2012 after a visit to Ko Bulon Lae in January, 2012

Also reviewed by garthibiza: Ko Libong,
Hidden gem

What a beautiful island. The best beaches I've ever seen, very quiet and relaxed atmosphere. I hope it will stay like this. The whole island is very child-friedly; it seems a lotta Swedish couples with children visit this place.
There's also a village which is kinda nice to hang out in. There's a reggae bar with great sunset views (on top of the hill), there is a pancake woman, and a great Italian restaurant.
You can get here with a speed boat from Ko Lanta, which is kinda pricy (1,600 baht). Our 3-year old twins had to pay half price on the way there but went for free on the way back, so try to argue about this.
It might be cheaper to go over land to Pak Bara and catch a boat from there.
- Sights & activities
- History & culture
- Scenery & environment
- Eat & drink
- Traveller's scene
- Romance
- Value for money
- I'll be back (or not)
By stanhaas (dabbler)
Written on 25th March, 2011 after a visit to Ko Bulon Lae in March, 2011

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