Koh Kradam

Koh Krada, or Koh Kradam, is probably the most beautiful island among those scattered along the coast of Trang province. It’s a very small island, about 4 km from its northern tip to the south and less than a kilometre in its point of maximum width. The island lies about 12 km from the mainland and very close to Koh Mook, 6 km to northeast, and Koh Libong, 13 km to southeast, both of which can be seen from the island's eastern coast. There are no villages on Koh Kradam, the few seasonal residents are employees of the handful accommodations, and there are no roads and vehicles for rent. No banks or ATMs, there is only one small shop selling basic necessities. Most of the island belongs and is under the protection of Hat Chao Mai National Park, only few parts belong to private sectors, which explains the rubber and coconut plantations that have replaced a small part of its natural forest. At the small Ranger Station there is a campsite, with tents for rent available, and the first aid point. Ultimately, the tiny island is a true tropical paradise still uncontaminated, one of the last islands in Southern Thailand untouched by tourism development. Despite everything, Koh Kradam is beginning to arouse a good interest from tourists mainly thanks to its amazing white sandy beaches surrounded by emerald crystal-clear water. Paradise Beach located on eastern coast, with its fine and soft sand as talcum powder is considered by many one of most stunning beaches in southern Thailand. The two-km long beach is surrounded by crystal clear waters and a stunning shallow coral reef that begins shortly far from the shore. The beautiful soft and hard corals teeming with marine life make it a popular site for snorkelling. On the south-eastern tip there is an 800-metre-long beach known as Ao Niang, which hosts a beach resort. On the western coast there is a nice bay, Ao Chong Lom, well-known for the beautiful sunset that can enjoy from it, in fact its short stretch of white sandy beach is known among tourists as Sunset Beach. Given the small size of the island, to reach it are needed only a few minutes of walking through the lush vegetation. There is another small but very nice beach on the north-western coast, called Ao Pai. At present, there are eight resort accommodations on Koh Kradam, in addition to the campground. At present, there are eight resort accommodations on Koh Kradam, in addition to the campground. The majority are located along the eastern beach, one in the south beach, and just one in the centre of the island, along the path to reach Sunset Beach. The handful accommodations range from the very basic huts with fan for backpackers to more comfortable air-conditioned bungalows, as well as four-star resorts with pool for the most demanding taste. Like all other islands belonging to Hat Chao Mai National Park there is a fee to be paid when you reach Koh Kradam, 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child.
Getting there - Trang is the main jumping off point to reach Koh Kradan. In high season, from 1st November to late April, there is a useful service, all inclusive, from the city until Koh Kradam, which consists of minibus from the train station area and a shared long-tail boat from Khuan Tung Ku Pier, the closer to island located along Trang's coast in Kantang district. The minibus departures from Trang are at 09:00 and 11:00, with an additional departure at 16:00 dependent on demand, about an hour trip to travel 50 km. Upon arrival at pier the tourists are immediately transferred to island with one-hour cruise. The combo ticket costs 450 THB. The return trips depart from Koh Kradam at 09:00 and 12:00. During the same period, Tigerline and Satun Pakbara connect Koh Kradam directly to the surrounding islands, and even to farest Phuket, Phi Phi and Koh Lipe. Satun Pakbara operates a daily speedboat from Rassada Pier on Phuket, with departure at 08:30, that makes a stopover at Phi Phi Don, Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai at 11:10, Koh Mook at 11:20, Koh Kradan at 11:35, Koh Bulone at 12:35, before reaching Koh Lipe at 15:30. Tigerline Ferry operates a daily ferry from Rassada Pier, with departure at 08:00, stopping at Phi Phi Don, Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai at 11:30, Koh Kradan at 12:30, Koh Mook at 12:30, Trang, before reaching Koh Lipe at 16:00. Both boats leave Koh Lipe at 10:00 for the return trip and moor on Koh Kradam at 12:00 and 14:00, and then reach Phuket at 15:00 and 18:00. Ticket prices range from 400 THB to the nearby Koh Mook to 1,800 THB for Phuket. It is possible to reach the island hiring a long-tail boat privately at Khuan Tung Ku Pier or at any other piers along the Trang's coast, like Pak Meng Pier and Had Yao Pier. The cost of the boat is around 2,200 THB per one-way from the closer Khuan Tung Ku Pier. This is also the only option avaiable during the low season. All boats that reach Koh Kradam pick-up and drop-off in front of Kradan Beach Resort, on the eastern coast, with the exception of Tigerline that stops further south near the National Park headquarters.Read More