Hong Island or Koh Hong is located in Krabi and is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. This island is actually a group of four islands and is located in Than Bok Khorani national park. Hong Island is further away from Ao Nang in Krabi than some of the other islands and it will take about 45 minutes by longtail boat to get to the island. The island is known for its white-sand beaches, blue lagoon, beautiful limestone cliffs and its newly added 360-degree viewpoint. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about a day trip to Hong Island Krabi!
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How to get to Hong Island in Krabi?
There are two ways of getting to Hong Island, a long-tail boat and a speedboat. These are two completely different options so see which option is better for you:
Speedboat to Hong Island in Krabi
This option is the fastest way to get to the island. It will take about 25 minutes from Ao Nang Beach in Krabi.
However, speedboats are only used for multiple island tours and Hong Island is only a stop on the tour. This means that you won’t spend the whole day on Hong Island. If you want to see more of the beautiful islands around Krabi then this is a good option since you do a boat tour but if you want to spend the whole day on Hong Island this is not a good option.
The speedboats are fast but they can also be very bumpy, especially when the water is choppy. People with back problems or those who are pregnant should make sure it’s okay to go on a speedboat before you book. To book a speedboat to Hong Island you need to visit a tour agency or go online and book in advance.
Book a Speedboat Trip to Hong Island here ↓
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Long-tail boat to Hong Island in Krabi
Long-tail boats are a slower but more comfortable way of getting to Hong Island. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the island from Ao Nang Beach.
These boats are used for multiple island tours all over Krabi and are a good option if you want to spend the day on one island.
These boats are more comfortable than speedboats and more affordable. You don’t need to book in advance and it can be booked at a boat service station on both ends of the street before Ao Nang beach.
Here is what these boat service stations and longtail boats look like.
You can share a longtail boat with other travellers or you can rent your own private longtail boat to Hong island.
If you share a boat with other travellers it will cost 500 baht per person however there has to be a minimum of 6 people. For a private longtail boat, it will cost 4000 baht and you can take a maximum of 8 people on the private longtail boat.
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5 Things to Do on Hong Island in Krabi.
It’s so easy to spend the whole day on an island like Hong Island. There aren’t just beaches but so many other wonderful things to do.
1. Swimming and relaxing at the beach
Swimming and relaxing on the beach here is a must-do. The beach has soft white sand and the water is so clear and beautiful.
There are also fish here so you will occasionally see fish swimming around you. There is a small group of rocks that separates the two bays which just adds to the beauty of this place.
This is one of the best places to swim because you can swim next to the beautiful sheer limestone cliffs. There are also many photo opportunities on the beach.
Watch out for jellyfish, especially during low tide! We have been stung by one here and it was excruciating. If you get stung, pour vinegar over it to take the sting away. Do not pour fresh water over the sting, it will make it worse!!
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2. Hong Island viewpoint
This is a new attraction on the island but the best viewpoint in Krabi. It’s over 300 steps to the top. Don’t let this put you off.
The view is incredible because you get a 360° view of Hong Island and everything around it. You can also see the two beaches of Hong Island.
It will give you a birds-eye view of the magical place and leave you in awe of its beauty.
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3. Hong Island Lagoon
One of the things Hong Island is most famous for is its hidden lagoon. It’s only accessible during high tide because the water is very shallow. The only way to get here is by boat.
The opening to the lagoon is between two cliffs and once inside, you are completely surrounded by mountains. It’s an absolutely amazing feeling.
You can’t swim in the lagoon but the boat skipper stops and gives you time to take it all in and take beautiful pictures.
We have only ever seen other long-tail boats in the lagoon. We are not sure if speedboats go into the lagoon or not.
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4. Snorkelling by Hong Island
There is an area where you can snorkel on the left side of the island, on the same side as the viewpoint. You will have to bring your own snorkelling gear because the longtail boat drivers won’t have any. There is some beautiful sea life in the shallow and deep coral reefs. Beware of jellyfish during low tide.
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5. A Short Jungle Hike
There are some hiking trails on the island where you can see some of the fauna and flora on the island. It’s also a wonderful way to see all of the beautiful limestone formations. The hike is only about 500 meters and it’s a great way to see the island and escape the sun.
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Best time to Go to Hong Island in Krabi
Best time of the year to visit
Southern Thailand has two seasons, wet and dry season. The best time of year to visit Hong Island is during the dry season. The dry season is from November to April. It can still rain during this time but it’s generally dry which is perfect for a tropical island and to experience clear water.
Best time of day to visit
Boat services usually operate from 8 AM to 6 PM. We recommend going to Hong Island as early as possible for two reasons.
Firstly, you get more time on the island. As it’s part of a national park, you have to leave the island at 4 PM because this is when National Parks close in Thailand.
Secondly, you miss the midday heat and have lots of time to swim or hike up to the viewpoint when the sun isn’t too hot.
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Entrance fee for Hong Island in Krabi
Hong Island is part of a National park so it costs 300 Baht per adult and 100 Baht per child (Ages 3 to 13 years old) to enter. You can also use your national park ticket at other islands in Krabi so you can visit multiple islands in a day and only pay the parking fee once.
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Is Hong Island worth visiting?
For us, Hong Island is one of the best islands we have ever been to. It has two beaches next to each other where you can swim and relax. The beach sand is white and soft and the water is an incredible emerald colour.
The water is also crystal clear and a pleasure to swim in. The beaches, much like the rest of the island are surrounded by huge limestone cliffs. This gives the island a mystical feel that no other island has. It truly is a must-visit when in Krabi.
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