Koh Kradan is a narrow, jungle-covered island off the coast of Trang province in southern Thailand. It is approximately 4 km long and less than 1 km wide and lies within Hat Chao Mai National Park. There are no villages, roads, or ATMs. However, the island boasts a long, soft, white sandy beach on its east coast, overlooking turquoise waters and a horizon of limestone islands. The World Beach Guide named this beach the best in the world in 2023.

Several resorts are located along this beach, while the rest of the island is forested. Kradan is about an hour by speedboat from Koh Lanta or 40 to 1 hour 10 minutes from the coast of Trang. The best time to travel is between November and April, and you should book at least one night's accommodation, as the beach is reserved for day-trippers during the day and for hotel guests before and after.

Accommodation in Koh Kradan

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Key facts

November to April

The island-hopping boats from Bundhaya operate from mid-October until about May 20th, and the sea is calmest from December to April.

Bring cash.

There are no ATMs on the island. Resorts may accept card payments, often with an additional charge. Therefore, bring enough baht for food, boats, and parking fees.

A national park island

Kradan is located in Hat Chao Mai National Park. Entry costs 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Tours include entry fees.

Ask before snorkeling.

Following the coral bleaching event in 2024, the park closed the reef off the main beach to snorkelers, and guests report that it remains closed. The southern section is open.

There is a lot of activity at midday.

Day trips from Lanta and the Trang coast arrive from around midday until the afternoon. Early in the morning and late in the evening, the beach is almost deserted.

Two nights is right.

There's only one beach and little else to do – and that's precisely the point. Two nights give you a full day and evening to explore.

The main beach and the sunset beach

Almost all life on Kradan revolves around the main beach, a roughly 1.5 km long stretch of white sand on the east coast. The resorts nestle behind it among the trees. The water is shallow, clear, and calm during the dry season, and the view across the strait extends to Koh Mook and a chain of karst islands. The northern section, in front of the Mali Resort, is the quietest. At the southern end, near the national park, the boats dock and day trips depart.

Kradan faces east, so you'll need to cross the island to see the sunset. Sunset Beach, the most popular cove on the west coast, is about a 15-minute walk from the boat dock. The path starts about 20 meters south of the small river mouth at the end of the Kradan Beach Resort, leads over the hill through the woods, and ends with steps and one or two ropes – so sturdy footwear is recommended. Mali Sunset Beach, a smaller cove, is about a 10-minute walk from the path behind the Mali Resort restaurant. Bring water and a flashlight for the return trip after dark.

Two other beaches are easily accessible. Ao Pai, north of Mali, can be reached at low tide by walking around the headland or at any tide through the bushland. Ao Niang, south of the park station, is best reached by kayak or on foot at low tide and is currently suitable for snorkeling.

Snorkeling on Koh Kradan

Kradan owes its name to a reef that could be reached by swimming from the sandy beach, about 200 meters from the main beach. In May 2024, the park banned snorkeling and all water activities off the island after a marine heatwave bleached approximately 70% of the coral near Kradan. Guests reported in 2026 that the reef off the main beach remained closed, while Ao Niang to the south was open. Check which areas are open when you book and again upon arrival at your resort.

When the coast is open, the best reefs are on the south and east sides, and the larger fish congregate along the drop-off. Resorts rent kayaks for reaching Ao Niang and the reef off the southern tip. Additional diving opportunities include boat trips from the island to the reefs near Koh Chueak and Koh Ma, as well as through the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook. The Seven Seas dive center also organizes trips to even more distant dive sites.

Accommodation on Koh Kradan

The five most recommended addresses, starting with the best-rated. All except Paradise Lost are located on the main beach and are no more than a 15-minute walk from each other.

  • 1. Reef Resort Kradan, right on the main beach – The perfect all-rounder. Eighteen rooms with beach and sea views in a garden behind the sandy beach, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for guests, and a seafood restaurant that's also popular with guests from other resorts. The staff is particularly praised. Reef Resort Kradan, 4.7 (322 reviews), open daily 6:00 AM–12:00 AM. Directions.
  • 2. Kalumè Eco Boutique Resort, right on the main beach. Small and quiet, with pizza. Eight wooden bungalows and two sea-view villas, powered by solar energy and equipped with fans instead of air conditioning. The Italian restaurant, serving pizza and homemade bread, is open from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm. Kalumè Eco Boutique Resort, 4.6 (205), open daily 8:00 am–10:30 pm. Directions.
  • 3. Paradise Lost Bungalows, in the forest behind the southern end. Budget-friendly accommodation on the west coast beaches. Simple bungalows with fans and mosquito nets in the jungle, some with shared bathrooms and a well-rated kitchen. The main beach is within walking distance, and paths lead to Sunset Beach and the quiet coves on the west coast. Paradise Lost Bungalows, 4.4 (172), Mon-Sat 8:30 am-7:00 pm. Directions.
  • 4. Mali Resort Koh Kradan, northern end of the main beach, quiet section of beach. Over 20 beach bungalows on 200m of sandy beach, part of the resort group behind the Mali Resorts on Koh Lipe. Furthest from the boat jetty, the path to Mali Sunset Beach begins behind the restaurant. Card payments are subject to a 3% surcharge. Mali Resort Koh Kradan, 4.3 (221), open 24 hours daily. Directions.
  • 5. Seven Seas Resort, south side of the main beach. Pool, spa, and dive center. The island's largest resort offers rooms and villas from approximately 2,500 baht per night on a separate property surrounding a pool. Reviews are mixed: the beach and staff are praised, while the rooms are criticized for being somewhat dated for the price. Therefore, read recent reviews before booking a villa. Seven Seas Resort Koh Kradan, 3.8 (460), open 24 hours daily. Directions.
  • 6. Hat Chao Mai National Park ranger station, southern end of the main beach. This is where the day boats dock. The park ranger station is located on Kradan, where the speedboats and excursion boats depart. From about midday onwards, expect a long line of longtail boats on this stretch of beach. Walk a little further north for more space.
  • 7. Mali Sunset Beach, West Coast: A small cove on the west coast, about a 10-minute walk along a narrow path behind the Mali Resort restaurant. The larger Sunset Beach is about a 15-minute walk over the hill from the boat dock.

    • Food and evenings

    There's no village or restaurant strip, so you eat at the resorts, and you can choose any one of them. The Reef Resort is popular with guests who want to enjoy seafood at reasonable prices, Kalumè offers pizza and pasta, the Kradan Beach Resort serves inexpensive Thai cuisine, and the Seven Seas is the more elegant option. Prices are higher than on the mainland because everything is transported by ship.

    The evenings are quiet. The resorts have a few bars, you can take a sunset stroll along the west coast, and go to bed early. Those who want a wider selection of restaurants and some nightlife should stay on Koh Lanta and visit Kradan on a day trip, or split their nights between Kradan and Koh Mook, where there's a village.

    Arrival in Koh Kradan

    The times and prices listed are from 12Go and include a booking fee. Large speedboats cannot dock at Kradan, so a longtail boat will take you from the boat to the beach; this costs approximately 50 baht if it is not included in your ticket.

    Check the boat connections from Koh Lanta to Koh Kradan.

    12Go lists the speedboats departing from Saladan Pier, including departure times and e-tickets, so you can see which boats are running on your desired date. Prices include a booking fee.

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    From Koh Lanta, Trang and Bangkok

    From Koh Lanta, island-hopping boats head south to Koh Lipe, stopping in Kradan from mid-October until around May 20th. Bundhaya departs from Saladan Pier at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM, with a crossing time of approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Satun Pakbara departs at 10:30 AM, and Tigerline at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. This is the easiest way to get there, and most boats stop at Koh Ngai and Koh Mook along the way.

    From the mainland, most boats depart from Khuan Tung Ku Pier on the Trang coast, about an hour's drive from Trang town. Shared boats take approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, while speedboats take about 40 minutes. Van and boat combo tickets available on 12Go will pick you up in Trang – either in town, at the train station, or at the airport. To get to Trang from Bangkok, you can fly from Don Mueang (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes with Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, or Thai Lion Air) or take the Night Express Train No. 83. This train departs Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) at 6:50 PM and arrives in Trang shortly after 8:00 AM, in time for the morning boats.

    Your resort can also send a longtail boat or arrange a private transfer. It's best to ask about this if you're arriving late or traveling with luggage. Regardless of how you arrive, the larger boats anchor off the beach, and a longtail boat will take you directly to the sand. Therefore, pack light and use a bag you can carry yourself.

    A day trip from Koh Lanta

    If you're staying on Koh Lanta, the Four Islands day trip is the easiest way to discover Kradan. Boats depart from Lanta in the morning, snorkeling at Koh Chueak or Koh Ma, swimming through the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook, having lunch on Koh Ngai, and – if you choose the beach option – finishing with about 40 minutes on Kradan. While 40 minutes on an island might seem like a long day, this is how most visitors experience Kradan, and you can then decide whether you want to return for an overnight stay.

    Koh Kradan, Koh Mook or Koh Ngai?

    The three Trang islands, among which most visitors choose, are only 15 to 30 minutes apart by longtail boat, so they can be seen from any of them. Kradan has the most beautiful beach and little else. Koh Mook is larger and home to a Muslim fishing village, budget guesthouses, restaurants, and the Emerald Cave on its west coast. Koh Ngai in the north consists of a long beach with numerous resorts and is the closest of the three islands to Koh Lanta.

    Choose Kradan for a beach holiday, Mook for a bit more excitement and a smaller budget, and Ngai as a convenient stopover on a Lanta trip. If you have four nights, split them: two on Mook and two on Kradan. Use the boats to get between the islands. My Trang Islands guidebook compares all five islands, including Koh Libong and Koh Sukorn.

    When should you go?

    From December to April, the dry season prevails with calm seas and clear water, while February to April are the hottest months. The rainy season subsides in November, and boat services resume. Bundhaya's island-hopping speedboats operate from Lanta and Lipe from mid-October until approximately May 20th.

    From May to October, the southwest monsoon prevails. During this time, island-hopping boats cease operations, the sea becomes rough, and some resorts close or reduce their services. If you are traveling during the monsoon season, check whether your resort is open and how to get there before booking. Every year in February, around Valentine's Day, Trang hosts its famous underwater wedding—a Guinness World Record-holding ceremony where couples, wearing scuba gear, exchange vows on the seabed near the Emerald Cave. Therefore, book well in advance for this week.

    Visit responsibly

    The Kradan Reef is recovering, and the closures are in place to protect the park. Snorkel only in the open areas, do not touch or walk on the coral, and instead use reef-safe sunscreen or a UV-protective shirt. Take your plastic waste with you, as no one is responsible for its disposal. Avoid making noise on the beach after dark when only resort guests remain.

    More beaches and islands.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about the Koh Kradan travel guide.

    Yes, if you're just looking for a beach. The island boasts one of Thailand's most beautiful beaches, voted the best beach in the world by the World Beach Guide in 2023, with only a few resorts and no villages. Spend a night or two there to enjoy the peace and quiet, or take a day trip from Koh Lanta.

    From Koh Lanta, Trang can be reached by speedboat in approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes from the pier in Saladan (mid-October to May). From the mainland, boats depart from the pier in Khuan Tung Ku on the Trang coast. Tickets for vans and boats are available in Trang town, at the train station, or at the airport. Trang can also be reached by plane from Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport in 1 hour 30 minutes.

    Yes, but not everywhere. The park closed the reef off the main beach to snorkelers after the 2024 coral bleaching event, and guests report that it remains closed. Ao Niang in the south, however, is open. Check with your resort before you travel. Boat trips to snorkel at Koh Chueak and Koh Ma are available from the island.

    No. Bring enough cash for your stay, meals, boat trips, and the national park fee. Some resorts accept card payments, usually with a surcharge of around 3%.

    Kradan offers a more beautiful beach and absolute tranquility, while Mook is a village with more affordable accommodation, more restaurants, and the Emerald Cave right on its doorstep. The two places are about 15 minutes apart by longtail boat, making it easy to stay overnight in one and visit the other.

    Two nights. That gives you a full day at the beach, a walk to Sunset Beach, and a boat trip to the Emerald Cave. If you have more time, extend your stay by a few nights on Koh Mook or Koh Ngai.

    More so than on the mainland, since everything is transported by boat and there are no villages to undercut the resort prices. Accommodation ranges from simple bungalows with a fan at Paradise Lost to villas at Seven Seas starting at around 2,500 baht per night, and meals are priced according to resort standards.

    From December to April, the sea is calm and clear. The island-hopping boats from Bundhaya operate from mid-October until around May 20th. From May to October, the monsoon brings rough seas, fewer boats, and some resorts close.

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