🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Kradan lies off the west coast of Trang province, an island in the middle of the sea within Hat Chao Mai National Park. Its real draw is the east-facing beach that stretches almost 2 kilometres — soft white sand you can walk barefoot on for ages, water shading from emerald green to clear blue, and best of all, a reef sitting only a few dozen metres offshore. Wade out a little way and you can snorkel straight from the beach, no long boat ride required.
The other thing to be straight about is that Koh Kradan is fairly quiet and raw. There are no roads, no convenience stores, no ATMs, and at some resorts the electricity only runs at certain hours. If you want an island with bars to linger in and plenty of cafés, this probably isn't it. But if you want to escape the noise and actually fall asleep to the sound of the waves, Koh Kradan is exactly that.
Snorkeling at Koh Kradan
What made Koh Kradan famous for snorkeling is the House Reef, the coral that sits right off the east beach. It's so close to shore that you can just put on a mask, walk in from the sand, and find staghorn coral, clownfish, butterflyfish and all sorts of colourful fish. It's great for first-time snorkelers because you don't have to swim far out and the water is fairly shallow.
- East beach (House Reef) — the coral starts only a few dozen metres offshore; you can snorkel on your own at high tide, and it's ideal for beginners.
- Seven-Colour Reef / nearby islands — island-hopping tours usually stop at the reefs around Koh Kradan and the neighbouring islands, where the colours are even more vivid.
- Underwater chapel — every February, Trang's famous underwater wedding ceremony is held here. The rest of the year it's a spot for photos and reef snorkeling.
Snorkeling tip
Check the tide table first. At low tide the coral sits so shallow you risk kicking it — hurting your feet and damaging the reef. Snorkeling on a rising tide is safer and looks better. And remember the island is inside a national park, so don't stand on or break the coral.
Want more out of Trang? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
White Sand and Clear Water
The island's main beach is the east-facing one, almost 2 kilometres long, and it's home to the pier, the resorts and nearly all the restaurants. The sand here is fine and white and easy on bare feet, and in the dry season the water is so clear you can see the sandy bottom and schools of fish. Early morning and late afternoon are when the beach looks best, with softer light and fewer people.
Beyond the main beach, the west side of the island has small, quieter coves that are good for strolling along the shore or paddling a SUP out to catch the sunset. Because Koh Kradan faces the Andaman Sea, you can watch the sunrise from the east beach and the sunset from the west side, all on the same island.
Where to Stay Overnight on Koh Kradan
There aren't many places to stay on the island — roughly split between private resorts and the national park campground. Prices on the island run higher than on the mainland, since everything has to be brought over by boat. Book ahead, especially in high season (November–April), because rooms fill up fast. These are the options that are genuinely open and where people stay often.
The Sevenseas Resort
The most upscale resort on the island, right on the main beach, with a pool and spa and modern villa rooms. A good fit for couples or honeymooners; rates run from several thousand into five figures THB per night in high season.
Reef Resort Koh Kradan
Around 18 beachfront and sea-view rooms in a garden setting by the water, with the Italian restaurant Kalume next door. Mid- to upper-range pricing.
Kradan Beach Resort
Bungalows and cabins in a garden by the beach, simple and close to nature. A mid-range option that a lot of Thai travellers choose.
Paradise Lost
Budget lodging in the forest in the middle of the island, between the east and west beaches. Plain bungalows plus some tents, with a backpacker feel — good for those watching their wallet.
Cash and electricity
There are no ATMs on the island, and some places still don't take cards or QR payments, so bring enough cash for the whole trip. At some resorts the electricity only runs at set hours rather than 24/7, so packing a power bank gives you peace of mind.
Getting to Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan has no deep-water pier, so big boats can't dock — most people transfer to a longtail to reach the beach. The main way over is by boat from the Trang mainland. The two piers people use most are Kuan Tung Ku Pier in Kantang district and Pak Meng Pier; choose based on your itinerary and budget.
- Kuan Tung Ku Pier (Kantang) — a shared speedboat trip to Koh Kradan takes around 45–50 min. This is the route most tours and resorts use, so book ahead.
- Pak Meng Pier — you can charter a longtail, which takes about 1.5 hours, or a speedboat at roughly 30 min. Handy if you're staying around Pak Meng.
- Tigerline / Satun Pakbara ferries — connect Koh Kradan with Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and Koh Libong, and onward to Koh Lipe or Langkawi. Good if you're hopping between several islands.
Before reaching the piers on the Trang side, most people fly into Trang Airport and continue by road to the pier, though you can also come by train or bus to Trang town. The airport-to-pier transfer doesn't take long. Many resorts offer pickup from the airport or town bundled with the boat fare — just ask when you book.
Longtail transfer onto the island
Most ferries don't pull right up to the beach because the island has no deep-water pier. There's usually an extra longtail transfer fee of around 50 THB per person to get to shore, so set that aside — and check with the ticket seller whether it's already included.
A 2-Day, 1-Night Plan for Koh Kradan
You can do Koh Kradan as a day trip, but if you want the beach atmosphere in the early morning and evening when it's quiet, an overnight stay is worth it. Here's a relaxed sample plan.
Arrive on the island, snorkel off the beach
Morning beach, photos, head back
The Best Time to Visit Koh Kradan
The Trang sea is best in the dry season, roughly November to April — calm water, clear seas and open skies, the best time for snorkeling. February brings the underwater wedding ceremony, the island's annual highlight. The rainy season from May to October brings strong wind and waves, and many resorts and boat operators close or cut their sailings, so check before you plan.
- November–April — high season, clear seas, calm water, great for snorkeling and overnight stays, but busy and rooms fill up fast.
- February — the underwater wedding ceremony draws especially heavy crowds; book well in advance.
- May–October — rainy season, strong wind and waves, many resorts and boats closed; always check the status first.
Want to make the most of the Trang sea? Read on with our full Trang travel guide.
See the Trang travel guide →