Koh Kradan is one of Thailand`s best-kept-secret, and I hope it stays that way. The first time I heard about this picture-perfect island was when I was casually browsing the world`s best beaches.
I´d scroll down to the winner, and it turns out the World`s #1 Best Beach is in… wait, Thailand..?!
Yes, Koh Kradan Beach was rated as the best beach in the world. I already had my Thailand travel plans, so I felt obligated to tailor my Thailand itinerary to fit Koh Kradan.
In this post, I`ll share how you can visit Koh Kradan Beach: how to get there, what to expect, day trips to Koh Kradan, hotels around, the snorkeling spots, and more!
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Koh Kradan at a Glance
Day Trip Options to Koh Kradan:
From Koh Lanta: 4 Islands Tour with Koh Kradan Beach
From Koh Mook: Emerald Cave with Koh Kradan Beach
Where to stay on Koh Kradan:
– Few hotels—book early not to miss out!
(We made this mistake and couldn’t stay there)
– Paradise Lost Bungalow (only budget option)
– KALUME Eco Resort (the best choice if available)
What to do on Koh Kradan Beach:
– Relax on the beach
– Enjoy the luxury resorts
– Snorkel and Dive
Location and Getting to Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan is a tiny island located Trang Province, in the south of Thailand. This region is far less developed and visited than the popular destinations like Railay Beach in Krabi.
The nearby islands are just as untraveled Thai destinations as Koh Kradan: Koh Lanta, Koh Mook, Koh Libong, and Koh Ngai are the closest neighbours.
Ferries and speedboats connect Ko Kradan with most islands in the Andaman Sea, including any islands or destinations around Phuket and Krabi.
How to get to Koh Kradan:
Simply visit any tour operator (even in Phuket or Krabi), and they’ll arrange your transfer.
Is it that easy? Yes. In Thailand, everything is this easy.
Arranging the transfer by yourself:
I don`t recommend this option. We travelled by ourselves from Krabi, and it took much longer – not to mention that it cost at least 5 times more because we needed to pay for a private boat to give us a ride.
Relaxing in Paradise Koh Kradan, Thailand
Where to Stay on Koh Kradan
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of not reserving our bungalow in advance, and in the end, we couldn’t stay for the night—everything was fully booked.
From my prior research, I had two top choices. Paradise Lost Bungalow offers great value for money – it is located in the jungle, just a few minutes’ walk from Koh Kradan Beach. Perfect for those who love hidden gems. The owners are an Italian-Thai couple, and I heard they cook great and treat you like family!
Alternatively, as you visit the world`s best beach, you might as well wake up in a beachfront bungalow! Mali Kradan has luxury beachfront bungalows with direct sea views. You’ll witness an incredible sunrise from there, overlooking the ocean.
Don`t wait: book your stay in advance.
Best Places to Stay at on Koh Kradan:
| Budget Hotel | Mid-Range Hotel | Luxury Hotel |
Paradise Lost Bungalow (budget stay, in the jungle!) close to all three beaches | KALUME Eco Resort (best rated & rarely available, adult-only stay) | Mali Kradan (luxury beachfront bungalows, seaview from your room) |
Visiting Koh Kradan as a Day Trip
As we couldn’t stay on Koh Kradan, we visited it as a day trip—twice, in fact—because we found its beach that beautiful. Nearby islands offer organized day trips to Koh Kradan daily.
Koh Kradan Day Trip from Koh Lanta:
You can visit Koh Kradan from Koh Lanta. There is a 4 Islands trip from Koh Lanta every day – it is the best option you can find and includes a visit to Koh Kradan.
Koh Kradan Day Trip from Koh Mook:
In Koh Mook village, they sell a Snorkeling Day Trip which includes the Emerald Cave, Koh Kradan, and some further snorkel spots. It costs 500 baht. If you stay on Koh Mook, you can reserve your place at PK Travel. As I was staying on Koh Mook, I chose this trip and it was great.
>>> READ: if you`re interested in Koh Mook, check out my Koh Mook Travel Guide.
Koh Kradan Beach and Snorkeling – Our Experience
We joined a day trip from Koh Mook to Koh Kradan, focusing on snorkeling and visiting Koh Kradan Beach.
On the days we went, the weather was rather cloudy, yet the water was still a mesmerizing blue. I can only imagine how incredible it must look under sunny conditions.
Our first stop was a snorkeling spot, where we saw many fish and sea snails. However, even in such a remote place, the coral seemed rather unhealthy to me.
Later, I spoke to a local who told me they were only allowed to take us to one snorkeling spot. The other had been closed due to coral bleaching, which was heartbreaking, especially since Koh Kradan is so calm and visited by only a handful of travelers.
After snorkeling, we relaxed on the beach, walked to the end of it, until the mangroves. Koh Kradan has no permanent inhabitants—it’s entirely made up of a few resorts and a small ATM, which also serves as an emergency station.
There are two other beaches on the other side of the island which you can visit if you stay overnight.
Where to Eat on Koh Kradan
There are no standalone restaurants on Koh Kradan. To eat, you’ll have to go to one of the resorts or bungalows.
Koh Kradan is a tiny island with no roads or cars. You can walk anywhere on the island within 15 minutes.
What to Pack for Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan has only resorts and one small shop, where you can basically buy ice cream or a Chang beer. Other than that, there are no amenities on the island.
- Cash: There is no ATM on Koh Kradan. Bring cash, though most resorts accept card payments.
- Essentials: Since you can’t really buy anything on the island, pack whatever you might need. You’ll mostly need swimwear and perhaps some aloe vera gel for after-sun care.
>>> Get ready for your Thailand trip with the Perfect Southeast Asia Packing List.
Weather on Koh Kradan – Best Time to Visit
The rainy season lasts from May until the end of October. We visited in November, and the weather was rainy and cloudy (when it should have been sunny all the time). However, in Thailand, rain can happen at any time, so I would also visit in the off-season.
That said, it’s not a fixed rule. Once, we traveled through Thailand for a full month in May and only experienced rain twice during the entire trip.
>>> For more details, see Koh Kradan`s year weather insight.
Further Thailand Travel Resources
Planning a trip to Thailand? Check out my detailed travel guides I write with great care. I focus on authentic places, hidden gems, and nature destinations.
- Best Island between Phuket and Krabi: Koh Yao Noi
- Best Landscapes: How to avoid the crowds on Railay Beach
- Most Authentic & Best Nature Island: Koh Mook
- Off the Beaten Path: Hidden Gems in Thailand
- A Peaceful Village on Koh Phangan: Thong Nai Pan Travel Guide
Planning your next destination?
Which country suits you more: Thailand vs. Sri Lanka destination comparison
Getting ready for Thailand:
What to Pack: Complete Packing List for Southeast Asia
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