Thailand has been a tourist magnet for decades, which can sometimes lead to cynicism among repeat visitors: Is there really any place left in Thailand that is truly "off the beaten track"?

The short answer is "yes," although the wording needs to be adjusted in the context of islands. After all, there is no direct route leading to the islands off the coasts of the Trang and Satun provinces in the far south of the kingdom.

You can distinguish between these idyllic spots – and that's exactly what I want to help you with today. Let's compare Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, and Koh Lipe, shall we?

Understanding Thailand's off-the-beaten-path (island trails)

Although there are important differences, Koh Kradan, Koh Mook and Koh Lipe have one important thing in common: if you travel south from Koh Lanta (the last of Thailand's main islands after Phuket, Phi Phi and the mainland beaches in Krabi province), these are the three most important islands to visit.

Lipe is generally the end point for ferry and speedboat services in Thailand, although you can continue on to Langkawi in Malaysia from here if you wish. Mook and Kradan are stopovers on the way south from Lipe, as is the smaller island of Koh Ngai (which is so similar to Kradan that I won't describe it further here; if you like Kradan, you'll probably like Ngai too).

How to choose between Lipe, Mook and Kradan

beaches

I used to think Koh Kradan had the most beautiful beach (Koh Kradan Beach) of all the islands, but now I find Koh Lipe (more precisely Sunrise Beach and the adjacent North Point beach area, as well as the beach on Koh Adang) much nicer. Charlie Beach on Mook is quite pleasant, but most of the other beaches are rather disappointing. This is especially true when they are completely exposed at low tide (and – sorry – quite ugly).

Hotels

The comparison between Koh Kradan, Koh Lipe, and Koh Mook becomes less compelling when you consider the hotels. While Koh Kradan (for example) boasts some excellent hotels (such as Paradise Lost Bungalows), the Sivalai Beach Resort on Koh Mook is far superior. Conversely, the beaches of the Bulow Casa Grand View Resort on Koh Lipe are a hundred times more beautiful than those on Koh Mook.

Restaurants and nightlife

Koh Kradan is clearly the weakest island in this category; you can practically only eat in hotels, and there are no independent bars or clubs. Koh Mook, on the other hand, has numerous restaurants (Miss Island Bakery is the best), but due to the large Muslim population, alcohol isn't served everywhere. Koh Lipe offers the best mix: the restaurants along Lipe Walking Street and the bars (like the excellent Nomad Bar) right on the beach.

day trips

This is another way to compare Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, and Koh Lipe, but I should warn you: there is some overlap. Koh Mook, for example, is often a day trip from Koh Kradan and vice versa. Koh Libong and Koh Ngai, on the other hand, can be reached as day trips from both islands. Speaking of day trips, Koh Mook's Emerald Cave is full of jellyfish (and not photogenic, as you have to swim to reach it). From Koh Lipe, the aforementioned Koh Adang is the most popular destination (although several snorkeling trips are also available if you prefer not to go ashore).

Crowds

Koh Lipe definitely feels the most crowded of the islands, though this is partly due to its small size. Koh Mook probably has almost as many people, although its relatively large size somewhat mitigates the feeling of crowds. Koh Kradan is usually not very busy, but this changes around midday when day-trippers from other islands flock to the main beach (the only easily accessible one).

Alternatives to Koh Lipe, Koh Kradan and Koh Mook

You want to travel off the beaten track in Thailand – er, the speedboat route – but have neither the desire nor the opportunity to visit one of these islands? Here are a few alternatives:

  • Koh Tao: Although it is a more common choice, Tao is the most beautiful (and seems the most mysterious) of the three islands in the archipelago, which also includes Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan.
  • Koh Mak: A successful middle ground between the larger islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood, but with more to do than the tiny island of Koh Wai. This gem in Trat is actually the first island I visited in Thailand.
  • Koh Yai Yai: Whether you stay here or on the neighboring island of Koh Yao Noi, these islands in Phang Nga Bay, east of Phuket and west of Krabi, feel much more deserted than they actually are.

    • More frequently asked questions about Koh Mook, Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan

    Is Koh Muk worth a visit?

    Koh Mook is probably my least favorite of the Trang islands, but it still has its charm. Charlie Beach is fantastic; there's a relaxed and authentic atmosphere that's otherwise missing in the Andaman Sea. On the other hand, the low tide here is extremely low, and the Emerald Cave is a huge disappointment.

    Is Koh Kradan worth a visit?

    For many years I considered Koh Kradan the most beautiful island in Thailand – at low tide, its main beach is almost like a swimming pool in the sea. In some respects, Kradan has improved since then – there are more and better hotels. However, it has also become significantly more crowded.

    How do I get from Bangkok to Koh Mook?

    There are two ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Mook. The first is to fly from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Trang Airport (TST), take a transfer to Hat Yao Pier, and then travel the rest of the way by speedboat or longtail boat. The second option is to fly to Krabi, take a transfer to Koh Lanta, and then take a speedboat from Saladan Pier to Koh Mook.

    Conclusion

    Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, or Koh Lipe – which of these islands is right for you? It's not necessarily about objectively declaring one island the "best," even though I have a pretty strong opinion on that. It's more about aligning your Thailand travel destinations with your personal preferences. For travelers simply looking for a beach that resembles a swimming pool, Koh Kradan is probably the best choice; those wanting to experience some local culture should choose Koh Mook. While Koh Lipe has fewer locals, it offers more activities than Koh Kradan, in addition to its equally stunning beaches. Still can't decide? Then why not hire me?