Koh Kradan will always hold a special place in my heart. When I took my sister to Thailand in 2012, it was the first place we visited together outside of Bangkok.

In hindsight, that wasn't exactly wise – and not just because we were there during the rainy season. Koh Kradan was an extremely basic travel destination back then; my sister was (and still is) more the type for five-star hotels than for spartan beach bungalows.

Thankfully, the island has changed dramatically in the last twelve years, as my last trip confirmed. Is Koh Kradan worth a visit? Oh yes, there are countless reasons!

How to get to Koh Kradan

One reason why Koh Kradan is worth a visit, even if you haven't planned a trip there yet, is its easy accessibility. If you're already doing an island-hopping tour in the Andaman Sea, you can make a stop here on your way between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. I personally like to book my tickets in advance through booking portals like Direct Ferries, but of course you can also buy them directly on the island.

Another option is to fly directly from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok to Trang Airport, then take a minibus to Hat Yao Pier and finally a longtail or speedboat to Koh Kradan. Here too, you have several options. Some operators (such as 12go.asia) offer all-inclusive packages, or you can simply negotiate and book à la carte upon arrival at Trang Airport.

Why Koh Kradan stands out

The beach resembles a swimming pool.

Koh Kradan Beach bears this name because it's the only beach of any real significance on the island. While other beaches do exist, none of them are within walking distance of any of the hotels or resorts. The good news: here, quality trumps quantity. And at low tide, the shallow, clear water of this beach is almost like a private swimming pool.

It is located on a popular island-hopping route.

One important reason why I consider Koh Kradan worth visiting is its location on the route for many travelers. For example, if you want to travel by boat from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe, Koh Kradan (along with the nearby islands of Koh Mook and Koh Ngai) is one of the stops for most speedboats and ferries.

But it's (still) not overcrowded.

As I will explain shortly, there aren't many hotels on Koh Kradan. This means that if you manage to get a room, you'll probably hardly encounter any other travelers, except during the day when many people are taking day trips. Once, when I was there with my sister, we were actually the only tourists!

Koh Mook and Koh Ngai are well suited for day trips.

Speaking of day trips: Koh Kradan is worth a visit not only for the island itself, but also for the many other islands that are easily accessible from there. While the aforementioned Koh Ngai (which is quite similar to Koh Kradan) might not be entirely worth the effort, the larger island of Koh Mook, with its Emerald Cave (jellyfish aside), is definitely worth a visit.

You don't need to stay there long.

Whether you're taking a day trip from Koh Mook or Koh Ngai, or spending a few nights in a hotel, you don't need much time to enjoy Koh Mook – or even the entire Trang archipelago. Of course, if you have more time and can find a room with several nights available, you can stay longer!

Accommodation in Koh Kradan

On my first visit to Koh Kradan in 2012, there were only two accommodation options: beach bungalows run by a local family and a day-trip station run by a mainland resort. The good news? Today, there's a much wider selection, ranging from mid-range options like Paradise Lost Bungalows to luxury hotels like the Seven Seas Resort, both located right on Koh Kradan's beachfront.

The bad news? These accommodations usually book up quickly, especially during the peak season between late November and early April. If you're planning a trip to Koh Kradan on your next Thailand vacation, I recommend booking your room soon. Otherwise, the question of whether a visit to Koh Kradan is worthwhile becomes moot! Unless, of course, you're happy with a day trip from another island.

More frequently asked questions about visiting Koh Kradan

How many days does one need on Koh Kradan?

Koh Kradan is a fairly small island; for most travelers, only the main beach is of interest. Therefore, one or two days are usually quite sufficient, although you can of course stay longer if you want to relax thoroughly.

How big is Koh Kradan?

Koh Kradan is one of the smallest islands in the Trang archipelago and indeed in the entire Andaman Sea. Most of the island is inaccessible on foot; unless you take a boat trip to the west and south coasts, you are essentially limited to Koh Kradan Beach on the east coast, which can be circumnavigated on foot in less than an hour.

How do I get from Krabi to Koh Kradan?

The best way to get from Krabi to Koh Kradan is by ferry or speedboat from Ao Nang, Railay, or Khlong Jilad to Koh Lanta. There, you transfer to a ferry or speedboat heading south. Tickets can be purchased either on the day of departure (or ideally the day before) in Krabi or online, for example, from Direct Ferries.

Conclusion

Is Koh Kradan worth a visit? Perhaps more so than any other island in Thailand. If you can snag a room in one of the hotels, I recommend staying a few days to enjoy the stunning main beach in peace and quiet, both before the day-trippers arrive and after they've left. If that's not possible, I suggest booking a private longtail boat from the nearby islands of Koh Mook or Koh Ngai. This way, you can arrive in a relaxed manner and ideally avoid the midday crowds. Need help planning your Thailand trip? I'd be happy to take care of the planning for you!