By Kylian Dev
Where is Koh Kradan?
In the Trang islands, in the southern Andaman Sea.
Trang province
ProvinceKoh Kradan belongs to Trang, on the southern Andaman coast
Trang islands
GroupA small group of islands that includes Koh Mook, Koh Ngai and Koh Libong
Hat Chao Mai National Park
ProtectedMost of the island is controlled by the park, which limits building
The nearest islands are Koh Mook, whose limestone peaks face the island’s main beach, and Koh Ngai. The three are visited together on the classic longtail “4 Islands” tour; see our Koh Lanta day trips guide. For the wider group, read our guide to the Trang islands.
Beaches, snorkelling and what to do
The reef is the reason to come.
The main beach is a long stretch of white sand on the east coast, facing Koh Mook. Reefs lie just off it, with clear water and coral visible from the sand, which is the reason to come, and the boat trips of the 4 Islands tour from Koh Lanta and the mainland stop here for a swim.
The reef is protected by the park. Do not stand on coral or take anything from the sea.
What is Koh Kradan like?
Small, quiet, and built around one beach.
Kradan has one long white-sand beach on the east coast, facing the limestone peaks of Koh Mook, with a handful of resorts and bungalows behind it. There is almost no road; you walk between places, and the island’s evenings are quiet.
When is the best time to go?
The dry season, and only the dry season.
In the dry season, from November to April, the water is calm and clear, the boats run and the resorts are open. During the south-west monsoon, from May to October, the sea is rough, boats are unreliable and many resorts on Kradan close.
Kradan is one of the islands that most depends on the season. Check the rainy season guide and do not plan a monsoon trip around it.
How do you get to Koh Kradan?
Through Trang, by boat from the mainland pier.
The usual route runs through Trang province; boats to the Trang islands leave from the Pak Meng pier, so you take a road transfer from Trang town or Trang airport, then a boat. Krabi airport is a good alternative if the flights suit you (see our Krabi airport guide). Your resort knows which pier and boat to use and when the last departure is, so confirm it before you leave the mainland.
In the dry season, boats also link the island with Koh Lanta, which makes Kradan easy to add to an island route; see our Krabi to Koh Lanta guide and the island hopping guide.
Where to sleep on Koh Kradan
A handful of resorts and bungalows, all on or near the beach.
Most places are simple wooden bungalows with a fan, a few steps from the sand. The better resorts add air-conditioned rooms, some with a sea view, and beachfront rooms and villas with the island’s best view of Koh Mook.
Because the choice is small, book early for the dry season. Most guests eat at their own resort. Bring cash and any medication you need; there is no shop to speak of.
Who Koh Kradan is not for
Short list, short island.
- Anyone who wants nightlife or a choice of restaurants
- Budget travellers who like to compare five places on the spot
- Travellers who need to be somewhere on a fixed date in the monsoon: boats may not run
Koh Kradan or the other Andaman islands?
Four small islands, four different holidays.
Next door, Koh Ngai has the more comfortable resorts. Far to the north, Koh Phayam and Koh Yao Yai offer very different, quieter islands. All of them sit on the Andaman side; for the best beaches of the whole country, read our best beaches in Thailand.