A dreamy day trip to the stunning Hong Islands was the highlight of my month long trip to Krabi, Thailand.

This group of tiny islands in the Andaman sea near Krabi has dreamy white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, stunning limestone cliffs, and lush green jungle – a perfect Thai island paradise!

The Hong Islands must be among the most beautiful destinations in Thailand, while they are not as famous as the Phi Phi islands they are closer to Krabi, less crowded and just as spectacular.

If you’re looking for a blissful island hopping day trip from Krabi, the Hong Islands are ideal! So in this guide to the Hong Islands, Krabi I’ll include everything you need to know to visit this slice of tropical paradise for yourself!

A Guide to the Hong Islands, Krabi

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Where are the Hong Islands

The Hong islands are part of the Than Bok Khorani National Park and are located in the Andaman Sea, just off the coast of Krabi in southern Thailand.

These beautiful islands are 6km from the mainland and it only takes about 30 mins to reach the Hong Islands from Ao Nang or Krabi Town so it’s an ideal day trip from Krabi.

Several small islands and islets make up the Hong Islands, but there are four islands that you can visit. These include;

• Koh Hong,

• Koh Lao Lading,

• Koh Pak Bia,

• and Koh Rai.

 

Koh Hong is the main island, but the others mentioned all have unique features and are also worth a short visit. The best island hopping tours will visit all four islands and include a snorkelling stop.

The islands are home to beautiful beaches, plants and animals, including a variety of birds, monkeys, reptiles, and marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins.

So make sure you respect the nature, wear reef safe sun screen, and take all your rubbish with you to help preserve the national park for the future.

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Koh Hong Island

 

Koh Hong (or Hong Island) is the largest of the four islands and the one I spent the most time on. It’s a good idea to visit Hong island for your first stop as it has the most to offer including a beautiful beach, impressive 360 degree viewpoint and an other worldly lagoon.

Koh Hong is home to the most beautiful sheltered beach with silky soft white sand and shallow turquoise water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs – not dissimilar to famous Maya Bay!

 

This has to be one of the most mesmerising beaches I’ve ever seen. It’s the perfect place to relax and soak up the paradise island vibes. The inviting water is good for swimming and snorkelling (when the tide is high.)

There is also a nature trail, Thai restaurant, cute beach bar and juice stand, and toilet facilities on Hong island. As you’d expect for a tiny island in a national park, the prices are a little higher than on the mainland, but are still decent value.

Hong Island Viewpoint

 

 

Another highlight of visiting Koh Hong is the impressive 360 degree viewpoint. It’s a steep, but relatively short, hike up 420 steps to get to the top but it’s totally worth it for the incredible panoramic views over the beautiful islands and the Andaman Sea. Even though it’s a short hike (15 – 20 mins) it can get pretty hot and sticky so take plenty of water.

There is also an easy, mostly flat, nature trail around Koh Hong which is a good way to explore the jungle if you’re not up for the steep hike to the top! There’s a floating jetty that makes access to the island easy.

Hong Lagoon

 

Koh Hong is also home to the stunning Hong Lagoon. This shallow pool of emerald water surrounded by mangroves and rainforest covered cliffs is only accessible by long tail boat through a narrow rock opening.

Once inside it feels like you’re in another world. Most longtail boat tours will include a quick stop in Hong Lagoon – whether you can swim depends on the tide.

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Koh Lao Lading

 

The second largest island in the group also has a dreamy beach nestled in between limestone cliffs with clear blue waters suitable for swimming.

This island also has a jetty ensuring easy access and after a short walk between the limestone cliffs you are rewarded with a beautiful beach not that dissimilar from famous Maya Bay.

If conditions are right you can see a variety of fish in the waters just off the shore and there’s also a snack bar and toilets on the island.

Koh Pak Bia and Koh Rai

 

These small islands are located so close to each other you can see them both at once. It’s an incredibly scenic spot.

Koh Pak Bia has a small sand bar that connects it to a tiny islet, while Koh Rai features a dramatic limestone rock surrounded by jungle with a small white sand beach at it’s base. You can sunbathe, swim and snorkel here, depending on the tide.

There are no facilities or jetties on these small islands and it can a bit rocky underfoot where the boat drops you off so it’s a good idea to bring water shoes if you have them. A dry bag is another essential for any island hopping trips.

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How to Get to the Hong Islands

 

The only way to reach the Hong islands is by boat – you can either hire a private boat or join a group tour. The islands are only 6km away from Krabi and it takes about 30 minutes to reach on a long tail boat.

Our tour company offer day trips to the Hong islands from Krabi. These usually depart from Nopparat Thara Pier but many tour operators also include pick up from Ao Nang beach, Railay Beach, Klong Mueang Beach, Tubkaek Beach and Krabi Town. You can also find some Hong Islands tours from Phuket and Koh Yao Noi but these are not so frequent.

You can choose between speedboat or longtail boat tours and different island hopping itineraries. The speedboat tours are faster, more comfortable, and more expensive, while the traditional longtail boats are slower and cheaper and can be a bit noisy at times.

Some tours just visit the Hong islands whilst others also visit other places. Popular options are Phang Nga Bay and the famous James Bond island, or Railay, Koh Tup, Koh Poda and Chicken Island so check the itinerary carefully.

 

Prices start at about (approx 45 USD) for group tours but can vary depending on the type of boat, group size, season, islands visited and activities included. Many tours also include pick up from your hotel, water, fruits and lunch, insurance, and snorkelling equipment so it’s pretty good value. Some also offer kayaking.

Be aware that entrance to the national park is usually not included in the tour price. The national park fees of 300 Thai Baht per person has to be paid in cash when you step onto Koh Hong. Don’t forget it!

If you prefer having a boat all yourself and more flexibility then you can also hire a private longtail boat from Ao Nang beach or Klong Mueang beach. Booking a private tour allows for a more exclusive experience, allowing you to create your own itinerary, explore the islands at your own pace, and start early to avoid the crowds.

 

If you want to get your Thailand itinerary organised in advance the best way to book your Hong islands tour  is with out travel agency.  We offer a variety of options for different budgets, real reviews from previous guests.

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If you’re visiting Thailand in high season (Dec – April) you’ll enjoy the best weather for island hopping adventures like this but it’s also the busiest time so I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Also, there is another Hong Island in nearby Phang Nga Bay which is a popular kayaking stop on the Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island tours. Make sure to check which islands you will be visiting before you book!