Categories > Guides and Tips
Everything You Need to Know about Hong Island
- Where is Hong Island?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Hong Island
- What to See and Do in Hong Island
- Enjoy swimming around Hong Island’s main beach
- Hike to the island’s 360-degree viewpoint
- Set up a picnic at the island
- Stop by Hong Lagoon
- Paddle your way through the island’s sea caves
- Stay at the island’s small beaches to avoid other tourists
- Circle Hong Island and admire its massive limestone cliffs
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Hong Island
- Bi Le Bar Cafe
- Andalay Beach Bar & Cafe
- Bird’s Nest by Saffron Restaurant
- Where to Shop in and Near Hong Island
- Mother Marché Supermarket
- Ao Nang Night Market
- Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
- Where to Stay in and Near Hong Island
- The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort
- Amari Vogue Krabi
- Banyan Tree Krabi
- FAQs about Hong Island
Hong Island is a breathtaking island destination. This tourist magnet is known for some of Krabi’s most impressive limestone formations, white-sand beaches, and emerald-green waters.
The island’s unspoiled natural beauty is also one of its biggest draws, especially among nature and beach lovers. With its diverse marine life, not to mention upland wildlife, Hong Island is a paradise for exciting nature adventures.
And the best part? Hong Island is only a boat away from Phuket, its head-turning beaches, or the Krabi mainland with its unforgettable tourist spots.
Where is Hong Island?
Hong Island is in the southern portion of Phang Nga Bay. It’s bounded by the Andaman Sea, mainland Nong Thale in the east, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi in the west, and Koh Lao Lading in the north.
Things to Know
Location: Than Bok Khorani National Park, Nong Thale, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand
Phone: +66 75 681 096
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Fee: 300 baht
How to Get to Hong Island
Travelers can only get to Hong Island by boarding a boat from Krabi or Phuket, so be sure to travel to any of these provinces beforehand.
Longtail boat: The standard way to get to Hong Island is to ride a longtail boat from the beaches in Krabi’s Nong Thale and Ao Nang subdistricts. Think Ao Nang Beach, Klong Muang Beach, Nopparat Thara Beach, Railay Beach, and more.
Private/guided boat tour: Private or guided boat tours are expensive but convenient options because all your needs are taken care of so you can focus on relaxing. These tours are also accessible since you can book them from the hotels and resorts in Krabi.
Private speedboat: If you’re traveling from Phuket, a private speedboat is your best option. You can book one from various marinas, ports, resorts, or hotels in Phuket.
What to See and Do in Hong Island
Enjoy swimming around Hong Island’s main beach
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The main beach in Hong Island is known for its fine white sands and shallow clear waters, perfect for swimmers of all ages. You’ll also find dead corals and sea shells on this 340-meter sandy beach, so you can stroll around and pick some up.
We particularly like that the beach’s edge also has lines of trees that you can turn to for cool shade during midday. Of course, the bulletin boards with useful information about the island and a map of its nature trail are a plus.
If you’re lucky, you may also see Asian monitor lizards roaming the beach.
Hike to the island’s 360-degree viewpoint
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If you like hiking, the nature trail in Hong Island won’t disappoint, especially because it leads to a scenic viewpoint. You can find the viewpoint’s trailhead at the main beach, which also has a guide map signboard you can study before starting the hike.
The trail’s simplicity also makes it perfect for casual and serious travelers. It has a metal staircase leading directly to the viewpoint, so you don’t have to worry about navigating your way to the summit.
This viewpoint also has a viewing deck, so enjoying the panoramic 360-degree view makes you feel safe. The viewing deck overlooks the island’s lush forests, limestone rock formations, and numerous nearby islands.
Set up a picnic at the island
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Most boat tours to Hong Island include lunch options, but you can also bring cooked meals, snacks, and drinks to set up a relaxing picnic on any of its beaches. Or you can book a picnic trip to the island so you don’t have to worry about the items to prepare.
However, we particularly like renting a longtail boat instead of booking a trip for picnics because you don’t have to follow a strict itinerary. In fact, this lets you have the island to yourself when the scheduled boat trips depart at the same time.
This is the perfect opportunity for couples to enjoy an intimate moment while picnicking on the island’s pristine beach.
Stop by Hong Lagoon
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A trip to Hong Island won’t be complete without stopping by its iconic and picturesque. This lagoon boasts clear emerald-green waters that are great for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
It’s also hidden between a narrow rock cliff, so expect to be surrounded by impressive limestone formations. If you like nature photography, this gives you a chance to capture some postcard-perfect limestone mountainscapes.
During the low tide, the lagoon also becomes shallow enough for visitors to wade through and check out the sea caves under these limestone karsts. Some boat tours stop by the lagoon quickly, so pick one that lets you snorkel or kayak for a while.
Paddle your way through the island’s sea caves
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Hong Island’s massive limestone formations are filled with hidden sea caves that emerge as the water level goes down. These caves are perfect spots to visit while kayaking on the island.
Most visitors kayak at the Hong Lagoon, but you can also find numerous other sea caves around the island. In fact, we like exploring the spots most boat tours don’t go to for a more peaceful experience away from the throngs of tourists.
Many boat tours include kayaks but you can also rent them on the island for an hour. The price of the rental service will vary according to the sea kayak’s capacity because some can carry 1, 2, or 3 people.
Stay at the island’s small beaches to avoid other tourists
If you’re not part of a scheduled boat trip, we recommend staying at the smaller beaches on the northern portion of Hong Island. Most boat tours skip these beaches, so going to one lets you avoid as many tourists as possible.
We particularly recommend this to couples who prefer a more intimate island getaway experience. However, it’s also great for those who like to sunbathe, swim, snorkel, or have a beach picnic in peace.
Circle Hong Island and admire its massive limestone cliffs
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One of our favorite things to do on Hong Island is to circle it aboard our longtail boat. This lets you admire and capture photos of the island’s awe-inspiring limestone karsts and sea caves.
Circling the island also gives you a chance to spot various birds and marine animals. This includes brahminy kites, white-bellied sea eagles, brown-winged kingfishers, Asian monitor lizards, and more.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Hong Island
Bi Le Bar Cafe
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Address: Than Bok Khorani National Park, Koh Hong
Phone: +66 84 305 5301
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for drinks
Bi Le Bar Cafe is a small coffee spot on Hong Island’s main beach. It’s a convenient place to get your daily caffeine fix during your island trip but we also like that they charge reasonable prices considering it’s in a secluded tourist hotspot.
Their drink menu also includes a wide range of teas, sodas, fruit shakes, and mixed fruit smoothies, so you have plenty of refreshing options to try. The espresso and mango shakes are our top picks among their best-sellers.
They also have rental picnic blankets in case you like to enjoy your drink under the shade of the surrounding trees.
Andalay Beach Bar & Cafe
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Address: 6024, Nong Thale
Phone: +66 61 217 9779
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for cocktails
If you’re looking for a lively place that serves excellent mixologies near Hong Island, the Andalay Beach Bar & Cafe in Klong Muang Beach is a solid pick. This place is best known for its fine selection of cocktails with over 20 flavors to choose from.
But their food menu is nothing to scoff at as well. They serve a wide range of Thai and Western food, from authentic Thai curries to Italian pizzas, burgers, and surf and turf meals.
The relaxing live music they play in the evening is also a plus. On weekends, there’s also an exciting fire show that you shouldn’t miss.
Bird’s Nest by Saffron Restaurant
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Address: 279 Nong Thale
Phone: +66 75 811 888
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for romantic dinner dates
The Bird’s Nest in Banyan Tree Krabi’s Saffron Restaurant is a big hit among couples. There, you get a private dining table perched on the treetops, perfect if you want the ultimate privacy and intimacy.
But that’s not all because it also offers a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Andaman Sea, especially if you book it during the sunset. They only serve a tasting menu so you can’t order the a la carte dishes from Saffron’s main menu.
Our favorite is their afternoon tea sets with 3 different themes: Western, Thai, and vegetarian. Their signature and locally crafted cocktails are also a must-try.
Where to Shop in and Near Hong Island
Mother Marché Supermarket
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Address: 14 Moo 2, Nong Thale Road
Phone: +66 64 626 4051
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for daily supplies
Mother Marché Supermarket is a chained-brand retail store focusing on food items and essential supplies. Expect to find a wide selection of basic toiletries, frozen and dried meat products, beverages, packed pastries, and more.
They also have basic household items like replacement battery packs, stationery items, kitchen utensils, and cleaning tools. It’s a great place to shop for some travel essentials and ingredients in case you plan to make picnic meals and snacks for your trip.
It’s close to Klong Muang Beach, so you have easy access to the boats for Hong Island. Plus, it has branches near Ao Nang Beach, Nopparat Thara Beach, and Ao Nam Mao Beach so you can ride a boat from these locations too!
Ao Nang Night Market
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Address: Moo 2, Ao Nang
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs and street food
This bustling night market is near Ao Nang Beach, so it’s a convenient shopping spot if you plan to visit Hong Island. Ao Nang Night Market is packed with local vendors selling Thai street food, fresh produce, clothes, toys, and more.
You can also buy household goods like ceramic and wooden dishes, home decor, and air fresheners. Plus, it has many stalls selling postcards, mugs, keychains, paintings, and other souvenir items.
Except for food items, you can also haggle when buying the products sold in this market, perfect for testing your shopping skills.
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
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Address: Nopparat Thara Beach, Ao Nang
Phone: +66 88 982 8899
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenirs and street food
Ao Nang Landmark Night Market is a popular nightlife spot in Nopparat Thara Beach. It’s also known for its wide array of local shops and stalls selling souvenir items, Thai street food, clothes, accessories, etc.
You’ll also see many vegetable and fruit stands and a massive food court where shoppers can enjoy the numerous street foods sold here. The live music on the main stage also adds a lively vibe to the already bustling market atmosphere.
Where to Stay in and Near Hong Island
The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort
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Address: 123 Moo 3, Nong Thale Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 628 456
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples and families
If your ideal accommodation has stylish rooms and close access to Hong Island, stay at The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort. This chic resort boasts southern-style rooms with artsy walls, teakwood floors, pitched ceilings, and sleek Thai furnishings.
We also like their lush tropical garden, perfect for nature lovers who enjoy strolling around. They also have a romantic beachfront restaurant where you can have candlelit dinners with your boo and soak in the fresh ocean breeze on Tubkaek Beach.
This resort also has many extra amenities like a relaxing library, artisan shop, full-service spa, cooking school, and more. The private longtail boat trip they offer to Hong Island is a plus.
Amari Vogue Krabi
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Address: 149 Moo 3, Nong Thale Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 607 777
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples and families
Amari Vogue Krabi is an upscale hotel in Tubkaek Beach.They have modern That-style rooms with Lanna-inspired furnishings and sleek teakwood interiors.
Try booking their luxury suite with lounge quarters, whirlpool tubs, hot tubs, and en-suite spa rooms for an extravagant experience. Guests can also expect an Italian restaurant on site!
The 5-star experience they offer here is more affordable than other resorts in the area.
Sadly, it doesn’t provide boat trips. But, it’s close to Klong Muang Beach where you can find longtail boats for Hong Island.
Banyan Tree Krabi
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Address: 279 Nong Thale Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 811 888
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples and families
Banyan Tree Krabi is one of the best luxury hotels near Hong Island. It’s also close to the famous Dragon’s Crest Nature Trail, so staying here gives you a chance to embark on an exciting hiking adventure before or after your island getaway.
This resort also provides swanky suites and private villas with top-of-the-line amenities. Think spacious living rooms, cozy hot tubs, private pools, decked-out kitchens, and more.
Plus, they have private longtail boat trips to Hong Island. This includes a beach picnic for lunch and snorkeling at the lagoon.
