All you need to know to visit Koh Kradan

Travel guide to go and visit Koh Kradan

The small island of Koh Kradan is renowned for having the most beautiful beaches in the province. A reputation that is certainly deserved but somewhat undermined by the presence of waste at the top of the beaches far from the area where the resorts are located. The fact remains that its pretty turquoise waters and white sand make it a picture-postcard setting. The calm sea on the east side is also ideal for swimming. And the cherry on the cake is that there are easily accessible snorkeling spots, on foot or by swimming, a little off the beach.

Facing the island of Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, unlike the latter, has no village or local life, there are only small resorts in a row and a minimart (that of the Kradan Beach Resort) on its third belonging to private owners. The rest of the island is part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park with a ranger base where you can camp. The beach with the bungalows is located to the east and allows, if you are an early riser, to often witness beautiful sunrises. It is also in the early hours of the day when the boats of the agency groups have not yet disembarked their tourists that the island is the most pleasant. Koh Kradan being on the program of many tours and in particular the famous tour of the 4 islands, the parade of boats and the invasion for one or two hours of groups can come to spoil a little the tranquility of the place that we fortunately find again at the end of the afternoon (around 4:30-5 p.m.). A phenomenon that has increased since a website in need of buzz elected Koh Kradan beach the most beautiful beach in the world. An exaggerated title, in my opinion, but which brought more people especially Thais for day trips.

On the west coast is the small, slightly rocky beach of Sunset Beach accessible by a path through the forest (10 minutes walk). Every time I went to Koh Kradan, a huge pile of rubbish was at its summit. As there is no hotel, the beach is not regularly cleaned of waste brought by the waves. Really a shame because it could be a beautiful place to enjoy the sea a little away from other holidaymakers and groups from neighbouring islands with in addition the sunken side of the beach which means there are fewer waves. Above Sunset Beach, there is a small viewpoint ideal for watching the sunset.

Hotel in Koh Kradan

Practical information about Koh Kradan

Unlike Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan still has this somewhat rootsy side with more basic and cheaper accommodation. Its tourist development is still limited because it remains mainly an island where tourists stop on day tours, rarer are those who choose to sleep there.

There are no ATMs on Koh Kradan, so plan to have cash before coming knowing that the prices of accommodation and restaurants are easily 2 to 3 times more expensive than on the continent.

At high tide, the water reaches almost to the top of the beaches but the lower the water, the more you can enjoy the wide expanses of sand of Koh Kradan.

From May to the end of October, in low season, Ko Kradan is a bit depressing. For the wetter weather, of course, and really bad between September and November, but especially because most of the resorts are closed and boat tours, especially to the Emerald Cave on the island opposite, are suspended.