Koh Jum (Koh Pu): A Paradise Island Guide
The island Koh Jum, the northern part of the island is also called Koh Pu, is located on the West Coast of Thailand and is an absolute travel highlight. Nevertheless, most travelers and backpackers skip this little paradise on their bucket list. What a pity, Koh Jum is a real insider tip among connoisseurs and it’s really worth a visit. The beaches are lonely and beautiful, the people incredibly warm-hearted and welcoming. In addition, prices are still cheap. One thing is for sure, a trip to Koh Jum is definitely worth it! The mix of nature, lovely people and beautiful beaches will captivate you and not let go so quickly.
In this travel guide we give you all the important tips and information about Koh Jum Island in Thailand. In addition, we show you great pictures and share the best things to do as well as the best beaches!
Good to know!
If you are still looking for a very special place to stay on Koh Jum, then we can recommend the Koh Jum Beach Villas with chic design in the best location on the dream beach.
The best time to travel to Koh Jum is the dry season from mid-November to April. At this time you can look forward to relatively little rain and lots of sun.
The island of Koh Jum covers an area of about 16 square kilometers and thanks to its small size can be easily explored by scooter.
Many combine a trip to Koh Jum with island hopping in Thailand. One of the best ways to explore all the many beautiful islands of the Andaman Sea.
Koh Jum Beaches
There are 9 beaches on this small island waiting for you to be discovered! Here is a list of all the beaches of Koh Jum, ranging from north to south: Banyan Bay, Coconut Beach, North Beach, Ting Rai Beach, Magic Beach, Ao Si Beach, Golden Pearl Beach, Andaman Beach, Freedom Beach.
Tip: The beaches in the southern part of the island can be easily reached by scooter, the northern part has many gravel roads and is more of the beaten path.
Coconut Beach
A real insider tip is the beautiful and very lonely Coconut Beach. The beach is located at the northern part of the island and the perfect place if you like it very quiet. Due to its high palm trees and its heavenly atmosphere, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Jum. Staying at the beautiful Mupa Resort you will have this beach mostly all to yourself.
Golden Pearl Beach
The Golden Pearl Beach is definitely one of the best beaches at Koh Jum. Also, this beach is the most famous one, but still here you won’t find the crowds. Why not enjoy a cool drink at the legendary Fu Bar and so the amazing ambience can be enjoyed twice over.
Ao Si Beach
The soft sand beach Ao Si Beach is probably the most photogenic beach on Ko Jum. Here is the perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing. The beach can be easily reached by scooter and also the colorful Sun Smile Beach Resort is located directly on this beautiful beach.
Magic Beach
Absolutely worth is a stopover at the Magic Beach Bar. Here you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets of Koh Jum. The atmosphere at Magic Beach is really magical and we highly recommend a visit!
Best things to do in Koh Jum
Bathing, snorkeling and exploring the most beautiful spots on the island by scooter, are the most popular activities on Koh Jum. Anyone who is looking for a relaxing place to unwind will love this island. Here, the clocks are running really slow, pure relaxation is therefore already preprogrammed. Since the island is relatively small, the best way to go around is by bicycle or by scooter. So you have the possibility to discover small sleepy villages, have a chat with the lovely locals and swim on the almost secret beaches of the island. The scooter costs you between 200 – 250 baht per day, one liter of gasoline about 40 baht. Almost every accommodation offers scooters for rent.
Sporty people may like to swing themselves onto a bike or some even climb the mountain Pu on a jungle hike. Bike rental can be found all over the island, especially at resorts and travel agencies.
Even the small villages on Koh Jum have a special charm. Here, everyday life is very relaxed, people are happy and especially open to tourists. Koh Jum Village, also called Ban Koh Jum, is the bigger place on the island. Here you will also find some nice shops for souvenirs, travel agencies for trips and transport and a very delicious café, the Luboa.
Restaurants on Koh Jum
On the island, visitors will find a small but fine selection of delicious restaurants. We especially enjoyed the food at Ban Ban Restaurant. Here you will find both, Thai food and a small selection of Western food. The restaurant is really famous for its home-made cinnamon rolls (so yummy) and the delicious breakfast. If you love good, cheap and authentic Thai food, you should definitely try the Halal Food Restaurant. Also here is everything spotless and hygienic and here you will find the best food on the island. Don’t forget to try the delicious sticky mango rice!
Excursions and day trips
Koh Jum is very centrally located between Krabi and Koh Lanta and is an excellent starting point for trips to Krabi’s beautiful island world. From here, visitors have the possibility to take a tour to the beautiful Chicken Island and Koh Poda Island. Also, trips to the famous Koh Phi Phi Island, as well as Bamboo Island are offered from there. The tours can be booked on site in one of the small travel agencies or at the resorts.
How to get to Koh Jum
In generals, a transfer to Koh Jum is possible by ferry, speed boat or longtail boat. Ferries operate between Krabi Town and Koh Lanta, stopping at Ko Jum which is actually located right in the middle. The trip takes around 1 hour and the stop will be on the open sea. There, some longtail boats take the passengers and bring them to the shore. Therefore, it’s useful to make up your plans on which part of the island you want to stay. We recommend reserving at least the first 2 nights in advance.
Another way to get from Krabi to Ko Jum is via Laem Kruat harbour, only 30 minutes from Krabi Airport. Longtail boats leave for Koh Jum every hour. The price is 100 baht per person.
If you are staying in Phuket or Koh Phi Phi the transport will be a bit longer because there is no direct way to reach Koh Jum. To reach the islands of the south (e.g. Koh Mook, Koh Ngai, Koh Lipe) you always have to take a ferry which will stop at Koh Lanta.
Tip: Tickets for getting to Koh Jum can be found online at 12go.asia.
Accommodation
Koh Jum Island offers just a handful of good accommodations and bungalows, which means they can be fully booked very quickly. Therefore, we recommend booking your favorite accommodation in advance, especially at high season. Under this link you will find the best rated bungalows and hotels at the island.
If you are looking for a reasonable place to stay, we highly recommend the Garden Home Resort. A beautiful relatively new bungalow complex with a wonderful tropical garden. The bungalows are located very centrally and this resort is an ideal starting point for exploring the Island by scooter. In addition, all the beautiful beaches such as Ao Si and Golden Pearl Beach are not far away and easy to reach. Also, some of the best restaurants of the island can be found in that area. For us, the Garden Home Resort was the best place to stay at Koh Jum!
Useful travel information:
- Alcohol: In contrast to outdated information about the island, alcohol is allowed on Ko Jum! It’s sold in most bars, some restaurants and sometimes in shops.
- ATM: We did not find any ATM at Koh Jum. Make sure you bring enough cash to the island!
- Koh Jum with children: Surprisingly, many families with children are visiting the island, and that’s not without reason: The locals are exceptionally friendly and very fond of children. Also, the gently sloping sand beaches are perfect for families with small children!
- Monkeys: Yes, on this Isand you will have the chance to see monkeys. Especially in the north, when traveling by scooter, you will often see them.
- When to go: The best time to visit Koh Jum is from December to April. There is rarely rain and the days are sunny and rather dry. From the end of April, the rainy season begins, many hotels and resorts are closed and the ferry times will change.
If you are looking for a Thailand holiday which is far away from mass tourism, Koh Jum will for sure be the perfect place for you! For sure, one of the best island to stay in Krabi.
Find some nice accommodations at Koh Jum:
More Islands around Ko Jum:
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20 Unique Things to do in Krabi | A Travel Guide
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Koh Ngai – The Paradise Island Travel Guide
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Koh Lanta Guide – The Ultimate Things to Do
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Koh Mook – A Paradise in South Thailand
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Koh Kradan – Travel Guide to Paradise
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Koh Bulon Lae travel guide: Thailand`s island paradise
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Thailand Island Hopping: from Krabi to Koh Lipe
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Koh Lipe – Ultimate Thailand Island Experience
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