Ko Kradan

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Set to the south of Ko Muk and Ko Ngai, Ko Kradan is one of the most isolated of Trang province's islands -- or at least of those with accommodation on them. It's a thin slip of an island with a stunning white-sand beach spanning the length of the island's eastern shore. A handful of resorts have popped up along the beach over the last 15 years, but much of Ko Kradan remains (in theory) a national park, and as such if the park rangers stationed there happen to see you exploring outside the main beach area you may be asked to cough up the 200 baht entrance fee, or head back to the beach.

Staying on the beach for your entire stay would not be a bad choice though, and most who visit do exactly that. Ko Kradan's beach is one of Trang's finest: the bright blue-green, crystal clear water is perfect for swimming, and at low tide sand bars form far out into the sea, making for the beach walk of a lifetime.

Because of the isolation, many choose to visit Ko Kradan on a daytrip from Ko Ngai or Ko Muk, but with one particularly great and unique place to stay, it's not a bad spot for a longer break -- especially if you're in need of some time out from the world. If that's the case, bring enough cash for your stay as there are no ATMs here. There are also no villages -- we saw a single private home on the entire island -- so the only inhabitants you'll encounter aside from other travellers are resort workers, longtail boat drivers, park rangers and a few friendly beach dogs.

There's not a whole lot to do on Ko Kradan -- but then again, that's sort of the point. You can easily fill your days lying in the sun and admiring the splendid views out over Ko Muk, Ko Libong and the mainland.

If you're feeling a little more active, you can snorkel out to the nearby reefs in the hope of glimpsing a sea turtle or lionfish. That said, the reefs are pretty banged up around Ko Kradan, so you're more likely to see lots of fish rather than too much in the way of spectacular corals.

There are a handful of isolated beaches on the west side of the island, most of which are only accessible by kayak. Sunset Beach, however, is reachable via a path beyond Paradise Lost Resort, and here you'll find a small but tranquil beach with large pieces of coral sticking out from the sand. Sunset Beach is a good spot for strumming a guitar in the evening and for -- you guessed it -- taking in the Andaman Sea sunset. Plus, it's become somewhat notorious as a popular skinny dipping site. Note that if you go to Sunset Beach during low season expect to see a lot of litter washed in from the tide. Every year in November, though, the Paradise Lost gang clean it up.

Ko Kradan is also the site of the underwater weddings the TAT organise every year, so if you're looking for a unique way to tie the knot, Ko Kradan could be an option.

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Accommodation: Ko Kradan
Kalume Village | Kradan Beach Resort | Paradise Lost |

Text and/or map last updated on 28th December, 2011.

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Ko Kradan reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Koh Kradan - swim, snorkel, relax without the crowds

Hey travelfishers, I stayed on Koh Kradan for a week in April 2011 and loved it. Koh Kradan is beautiful, especially perfect if you like snorkeling and would rather swim off the beach to see the coral and fish rather than book onto a boat tour. Admittedly most of the coral is dead, but there are loads of colourful fish to see. The water was crystal clear and the sand clean and white.
The island is very quiet with only a handful of place to stay. I booked my first few nights at Kradan Beach Resort (www.sawasdee.com almost always has the cheapest rates for Thai hotels), then for the last few nights Kalume gave me a wooden fan bungalow for 1,000 baht which was pretty good considering the location. The restaurant wasn't very well stocked because there were only a few guests so I walked up the beach to Kradan Resort at meal times. As with most islands, the food was expensive (100 baht for phad thai, 40 baht for a can of soft drink, 20 baht for small water).
The beach is narrow at high tide but lined with trees so there is lots of shade in the afternoon. At low tide in several places rocks are exposed so not great for swimming, but if you walk a little to the left or right you'll find a place to get into the water without kicking your toes! Sunset beach on the opposite side of the island is great at low tide and only a 10 minute walk away. Buy yourself a cold beer at Paradise Lost (Wally's) on the way. At the moment Wally's is the only place open all year round, but that may change in the next year or so. Wally's looks nice, beautiful garden setting etc, but I prefer to be on the beach, 10 steps away from the water, if possible.
I flew Nok Air from Bangkok and booked their tigerline ferries island connection which was very convenient and hassle free. The minivan driver stopped at Trang Tesco for an hour for us to shop since there wasn't much at the pier (a good chance to stock up on supplies, there are no shops on the island)
So if you are looking for a quiet place to relax, swim and snorkel for a few days away from the crowds, Koh Kradan is just about perfect.
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By silverwood (dabbler)
Written on 17th April, 2011 after a visit to Ko Kradan in April, 2011

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