Koh Kradan: A Travel Guide to Paradise!
Koh Kradan is located on the west coast of Thailand and is one of the absolute dream islands in the south of the country. This jewel is part of the Had Chao Mai National Park and is one of the ultimate highlights in the Andaman Sea. Here you will find, in addition to the fantastically beautiful picture book beach, turquoise blue sea, an intact underwater world, a deep jungle and, finally, a lot of peace and relaxation. Far away from mass tourism, Koh Kradan is a popular island for travelers and backpackers who love to travel individually and discover the most amazing spots in Thailand on their own.
In this travel guide you get all the important information about Koh Kradan, best travel time and accommodations. In addition, we show you in this blog some pictures about the most beautiful beaches as well as the best excursions and activities.
Good to know!
On Koh Kradan there are only a few accommodations, which are quickly booked up, especially in high season. Popular is the Mali Kradan directly on the beach with its own reef!
There are neither shopping facilities nor ATMs on Koh Kradan. Remember to carry enough cash and buy beforehand on the mainland everything you need extra for your island trip.
A good waterproof backpack is the perfect companion for kayak and snorkel tours, as it protects your cell phone, camera or other valuables from moisture.
Koh Kradan, together with the surrounding islands, such as Koh Mook and Koh Ngai, is a perfect place for those seeking tranquility and a popular stop for island hopping in Thailand.
General info about Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan is located in Trang province, on the sea route between the famous islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. The mainland, where the nearest airport is located, is about 10 kilometers away. The island is really small with only 2.5 square kilometers and is still one of the best insider tips of the Thai island world. Stores, nightlife and supermarkets are not to be found here. The island consists mainly of jungle and the beautiful quiet beaches that make Koh Kradan a real must-see place!
Really lovely here are the small resorts and bungalows, which are mostly located directly on the white sandy beach and provide an outstanding island feeling. Most of them have their own restaurant or a quaint beach bar, but they are open to all island visitors. In addition, there are spectacular coral reefs with countless colorful fish that invites to snorkel.
The best travel time to visit Koh Kradan is from November to the end of April. During this time, you can expect fantastic weather and hardly any rain. If you want to visit the island in the rainy season, you have to expect limited ferry connections and closed hotels and restaurants.
Best Beaches on Koh Kradan
The island Koh Kradan has 2 amazing beaches. The main beach, the Paradise Beach is also actually the best beach of Koh Kradan. Here you will find on a length of about 1.5 kilometers a gorgeous white sandy beach and almost unbelievably turquoise blue sea. Already when getting to Koh Kradan, you will see the offshore coral reef out of the water!The beach atmosphere here is almost magical and sure you will also feel right on vacation right away!
Paradise Beach is a really tranquil place and so everyone here finds his lonely place under the bright sun of Thailand. Also plenty cool shady spots are guaranteed along the beach.
The Sunset Beach is another wonderful beach on Koh Kradan. It is located directly across from the main beach, on the other side of the island. This beach is easy to reach, so just take the well-marked jungle trail, about 15 minutes leading from Paradise Beach to Sunset Beach. If you are looking for absolute peace and solitude, then you will be more than happy with this secluded beach. Also, as the name may suggest, you can experience great sunsets here.
What to do on Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan has a size of about 4 square kilometers, and so it is one of the smaller islands in South Thailand. Because of its size, it can be well explored in one day. Nevertheless, the island offers some great activities for a successful holiday, and it’s really worth to stay a bit longer. Just off the beach, you will find spectacular spots for snorkeling. The island has super beautiful and intact coral reefs with a sheer infinite variety of colorful fish. Especially at low tide, snorkeling on the offshore reef is highly recommended.
Also, divers will love Koh Kradan and its underwater world around. The Koh Kradan dive center is located just in front of the Koh Kradan Sevenseas Resort. If you would like to get active, why not rent a kayak and circle the island. On the way you will get a very nice impression of this tiny green island, and definitely you will have the opportunity to take some great pictures of Koh Kradan.
Things to do around Koh Kradan
During a vacation on Koh Kradan, you have the possibility to make great excursions in the surroundings. Not far from Koh Kradan are the beautiful neighboring islands Koh Ngai and Koh Mook. If you plan a visit, you can charter a longtail-boat directly on the main beach and take a boat trip there.
Especially recommended is a visit to the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook, a former pirate hideout and one of the top attractions in the region. This excursion to the Emerald Cave can also be easily organized from Koh Kradan.
Restaurants, shops and ATM
There are a few small restaurants and bars on the island, but don’t expect a vibrant nightlife. Those who like to eat Thai dishes, will certainly find here some great options where to eat. You will also find a small supermarket directly at the main beach right at the Paradise Beach Resort. There you can buy snacks such as cool drinks and snacks.
There are still no ATM on Koh Kradan so beware that you can’t withdraw money on the island. It is best to withdraw enough cash for your trip on the mainland.
Getting to Koh Kradan
Getting to Koh Kradan is either possible from the mainland, about 15 kilometers away, from Trang province from Pak Meng Pier or from the neighboring islands, such as Koh Mook and Koh Ngai. Here the typical longtail boats operate.
Koh Kradan is also easily accessible by speedboat from Koh Lanta, and the same applies to the connection between Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan.
The nearest airport is Trang Airport, where flights from Bangkok land. From the airport you can continue by minibus to Pak Meng Pier, and from there by speedboat to Koh Kradan Island.
All transfer options including prices and departure times and how best to get to Koh Kradan can be found on 12go.asia.
Where to Stay on Koh Kradan
The choice of accommodation and hotels on the island of Koh Kradan is not too big. But you get a unique location directly in paradise, including a fantastic view of the turquoise sea. Many people stay here for a longer time. It is recommended to book your desired hotel in advance because the good places to stay on Koh Kradan can be booked up quickly. Here are our recommendations for an unforgettable vacation…It’s worth a look!
- Resort with House Reef: The Reef Resort is one of the best hotels on the island. It scores with a beautiful beach location, delicious food and its own house reef for snorkeling.
- Eco-Resort on the Beach: The KALUME’ Eco Boutique Resort inspires with beautiful bungalows directly on the beach. A brilliant accommodation for a vacation on Koh Kradan.
- Bungalow Resort on the Sea: The Mali Kradan is a beautiful, new bungalow resort with villas directly on the dream beach and with its own reef!
- Camping: There is the possibility to camp cheaply at the national park building on the island. Here you can pitch your own tent or rent one on site.
Conclusion: Koh Kradan was among other things a highlight of our Thailand island hopping route, and a visit is definitely worth it. The tropical sandy beach is to fall in love with, the hotels are a dream, and the numerous reefs for snorkeling make Koh Kradan unique in Thailand.
Find the best accommodation on Koh Kradan:
More islands around Koh Kradan:
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Koh Lipe: Ultimate Thailand Island Experience
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Koh Mook Island: Paradise found in Thailand!
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Koh Ngai: The Paradise Island Travel Guide!
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Koh Jum (Koh Pu): A Paradise Island Guide
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Koh Bulon Lae Travel Guide: Thailand’s Island Paradise
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