Hong Island day trips on the Andaman Coast
By Kirsty Turner
Kayaking around Hong Island's lagoon is a must
Meaning ‘the island of rooms’, the enchanting Hong Island or Koh Hong in Thai is located just an hour to the north of Krabi’s mainland. This is the perfect place to take a daytrip, and visitors who have a strong sense of adventure will be able to take part in a number of different activities both on the island and in the cool, clear waters that surround it.
This small yet perfectly formed island is famed in Thailand for its intense natural beauty. Hong Island is blessed with shallow coral reefs, making this the perfect place to try snorkelling. The water here is particularly clear, and visitors who take the time to explore the aquatic underworld will be greeted by the sight of marine creatures in a wide range of colours. The fish here are extremely inquisitive, and will even eat treats such as bread and pieces of banana right out of your outstretched hand.
A number of pristine sandy beaches are located on the very edge of Hong Island, and these are perfect places to simply spread out and soak up the sun for a while. One of the most enchanting of these is Pelay Beach, which is renowned for its fine white sand, enticing surf and waving palm trees. Colourful coral can be found just off the beach, which is home to several varieties of tropical fish.
Hong Island has been formed in the shape of a half circle, and a stunning natural lagoon can be found in the very centre. The lagoon is framed by dramatic limestone cliffs, and this gives the area a delightfully enclosed feel. While some visitors are content to simply sit on the beach here and work on their tans or share a picnic with friends, others will have the chance to climb the cliffs or take part in water sports such as snorkelling, kayaking and perhaps sailing. More on sailing around Krabi.
Hong Island is blessed with two main beaches, with one at the front and the other at the back of the island. Boats tend to moor at the first of these two islands, and visitors will want to follow the winding paths to the other side of the island to swim, sunbath and perhaps paddle around the lagoon in a canoe.
Trips to the enchanting Hong Island are offered by a number of different operators on Krabi. These excursions tend to depart from Ao Nang, Talan or the neighbouring islands of Koh Yao Yai and Noi (big and small). Lasting for either half-a-day or an entire day, these excursions are the perfect way to see the intense natural beauty of the area. More on Krabi day trips.
Snorkel off Hong Island's pristine beaches
The trip from Ao Nang to Hong Island typically takes around an hour by traditional longtail boat, but can be longer by wind-powered yacht. Trips are usually limited to a dozen people, meaning that there will be plenty of space to spread out on the boat and watch in wonder as the scenery slides part.
Excursions are usually run by knowledgeable local guides, who will talk about the area on the way, highlighting points of interest. Lovers of bird’s nest soup may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of men risking life and limb as they shimmy up bamboo poles to collect these treaures that can be found hidden in the cliff faces of Hong Island.
After taking the time to fully explore all that Hong Island has to offer, visitors who have booked a daytrip of the area will now have the chance to visit some of the other surrounding islands.
Next on the list is Pakbia Island, which offers stunning views of the area. While the island is often deserted, well-worn sandy paths lead the way to the top of tall cliffs, and visitors who make their way to the very top will be able to gaze out at the ocean and the tiny splits of land that are scattered across its surface.
Landing island is also just a few minutes away by longtail boat, and this also offers pristine white sandy beaches. Visitors who are feeling the scorching effects of the sun on their skin will want to take the chance to cool down here with a swim in the waiting waters. More on Phuket activities.
There is no accommodation on the island at the current time, limiting the amount of visitors that travel here. For now at least, this is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life for a while. Anyone who entertains fantasies of living on a deserted tropical island for a while will find that Hong Island is close to heavenly.
