25 March 2018
There are many beautiful islands with white sand beaches and crystal clear emerald green waters off the coast of Krabi. A day trip to visit a few of these offshore islands for swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, picnic or just lazing on the white sand beach is a must.
We chose to visit the Hong Islands by private long-tail boat from Klong Muang Beach instead of joining the popular but hectic 4 Islands Tour (which includes stops at Tup Island, Poda Island, Chicken Island and Phra Nang Beach at the Railay Peninsula).
The Hong Islands are a small group of tropical Islands located a short distance up the coast from Ao Nang and just off the shores of Klong Muang Beach. It is hence faster and cheaper to go to Hong Island from Klong Muang Beach than from Ao Nang Beach. Since we were staying a few days at the Nakamanda Resort and Spa, located along Klong Muang Beach, we made our trip from there.
We made a verbal arrangement with a boatman we met on Klong Muang Beach a day before our intended trip. Prices are regulated, fixed and posted on signs along Klong Muang beach. No need to haggle or bargain with the boatman and no need to pay any deposit.
Prices of private long-tail boat service to various offshore islands from Klong Muang Beach.
We chose to go to Hong Island (including Hong Lagoon), Pak Bia Island and Lading Island. Cost 2300 THB per boat (for 2 persons), payable at the end of the trip. This exclude the National Park fee of 300 THB per person, payable to the rangers located at Hong Island. The journey to the Hong Islands from Klong Muang Beach should take about 30 minutes.
We left at about 9 AM from the beach just next to our resort. Just like taking the long-tail boat at Ao Nang Beach, we wade out to our long-tail boat in knee deep waters and climbed onto the boat via a metal ladder hung from its side. Our boat was manned by two young men who looked like brothers. They don’t speak English but that is not a problem. They knew the plan and places to visit.
With spray on our faces and wind in our hair, we enjoyed the 40 minutes bumpy ride on the small wooden boat to Koh Pak Bia. It was the furthest island we were visiting on our trip. We passed by spectacular karst islands of various shapes and sizes.
Koh Pak Bia or Pak Bia Island
We landed on a stretch of sandy beach between two islands. There were already 2 speed boats at the beach and no other long-tail boats in sight. So there were not many folks on the island.
Checking out the crystal clear water at Pak Bia Island.
This island is quite scenic, not crowded (yet) and has a few makeshift swings hanging from branches of trees by the beach. The tide was too low for us to swim although the water was crystal clear. We spent some time enjoying the solitude and shooting photos. We left the island just when a few other tour boats arrived.
Koh Lao Lading or Lading Island
Leaving Pak Bia Island, it was a short ride to Koh Lao Lading or Lading Island.
Our boat making the approach to land on a small beach at Lading Island.
We landed in a quiet cove and walked through a jungle footpath to the main beach a few hundred meters away.
Gorgeous scenery at Lading Island. Sandy beach surrounded by cliffs on both ends and scenic karst seascape beyond.
The main beach was packed full of speedboats and long-tail boats. This beach was very scenic and would be paradise, if not for the large number of boats and people.
One speedboat was blaring out offbeat music. What were they thinking? Disturbing the peace on this island paradise.
Thankfully many of the speedboats soon left and some peace and quiet was restored.
We settled down on the white sand beach and I took a swim in the bay. The water was not very clear and I could not see the bottom. Nevertheless, it was still good for a dip to cool down from the hot Krabi sun.
Lading Island would be close to being an island paradise, if not for the crowds. It is paradise no more. A victim of its own beauty.
Hong island
Hong Island was the last island we visited and we spent the most time on this island. We alighted on a floating pontoon, manned by park rangers. Hong Island is part of the Than Bok Khorani national park and a 300 THB national park fee per person was collected on the pontoon.
Floating pontoon and bridge at Hong Island.
It was quite thrilling to walk along the bouncy pontoon bridge to shore. It is safe but a steady pair of legs and steady nerves are needed. I saw a small kid clinging to his mother’s legs in fear at the sight of the floating bridge moving with the waves.
There are 2 beaches separated by a big rock outcrop in the middle. The one near where we landed is not good for swimming since there are some boat traffic. We went to the other beach that was cordoned off for swimming.
The big rock outcrop that we walked past to get to the nice beach for swimming.
This is the beach which is excellent for swimming. A small curved beautiful bay edged by totally scenic rock formations.
There were plenty of trees providing shade at the edge of the beach.
The calm and warm water in the sheltered bay was excellent for swimming. The water was not exactly crystal clear due to the fine sand particles. Nevertheless, I did some snorkelling in this bay.
There were little corals left but I could spot the blue or green lips of a few giant clams amongst rocks, numerous black sea cucumbers on the sandy bottom and some small fishes. Fortunately, there was no sea urchin. And no stinging jelly fish.
Schools of striped fish nicknamed "sergeant major" would come close to us, hoping for hand-outs. We also spotted a school of half-beaks about 1 foot in length. These surface swimmers were shy and stayed clear of us.
Canteen and benches at Hong Island.
Compared to the other islands, Hong Island has more facilities like toilets and canteen with picnic benches. We brought our own water and snacks for lunch and had our picnic by the beach instead.
There was also a nature trail to explore. There were some remnants of wrecked boats and a plaque to remember those who lost their lives to the tsunami that hit Hong Island on 26 December 2004. It also served to remember the survivors and rescuers who toiled together in the aftermath.
Nature trail at Hong Island.
I was fortunate to spot a huge water monitor lizard in the bushes while walking the trail.
There were many signs showing tsunami evacuation route at Hong Island.
We spent about 2 hours at the beach on Hong Island before returning to our boat. More thrills on the bouncing pontoons!
Before heading back to the mainland, we went into the stunningly beautiful lagoon through a narrow entrance way between the rocks cliffs.
Approaching the entrance to Hong Lagoon.
Hong Lagoon.
This is Hong Lagoon, a breath-taking natural lagoon surrounded almost all round by majestic limestone formations and a mangrove forest at one side. Hong means “chamber” or “room” in Thailand and this is where the island got its name.
Motor boats (either long-tail or speedboat) can only enter the lagoon around mid-tide when the water depth is around chest level.
Anchored boat and people swimming near the mangrove forest at one end of Hong Lagoon.
Enjoying a slow ride around the awesome Hong Lagoon.
There is no beach. Although there were boats that stopped in the middle of the lagoon and people wading in the green water, we told our boatmen to just circle slowly round the lagoon.
Our boat approaching the narrow pathway between the rocks cliffs to exit the lagoon.
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