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Everything You Need to Know about Koh Phra Thong
- Where is Koh Phra Thong?
- How to Get to Koh Phra Thong
- What to See and Do in Koh Phra Thong
- Book a guided mangrove tour
- Check out Koh Phra Thong’s popular kayaking spots
- Create your bird checklist of Koh Phra Thong
- Arrange a diving trip to Richelieu Rock
- Enjoy the vast golden sands of Long Beach
- Stroll around Koh Phra Thong’s savanna
- Admire the sunset view from the island’s beach bars
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Koh Phra Thong
- Horizon Restaurant and Bar
- Ginlomchomlay Seafood Restaurant
- Baba Ecolodge Restaurant and Bar
- Where to Stay in Koh Phra Thong
- Horizon Eco Resort
- The Moken Eco Village
- Baba Ecolodge Resort
- FAQs about Koh Phra Thong
Koh Phra Thong is an off-the-beaten natural paradise in the province of Phang Nga Bay. This underrated island is home to dense mangrove forests, a stunning savanna biome, and a lengthy golden coastline, all teeming with local flora and fauna.
The island’s ample resorts and restaurants provide a simple luxury and eco-friendly experience for an unspoiled natural beauty that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. This flexibility is certainly the biggest selling point on the radar of serious backpackers.
Overall, Koh Phra Thong is one of the few places where you can still get a pure feet-in-the-sand tropical experience!
Where is Koh Phra Thong?
Koh Phra Thong is off the coast of Phang Nga’s western Khura Buri District. This island is bounded by the Andaman Sea, Koh Ra in the north, Koh Kho Khao in the south, and Bang Wan Subdistrict in the east.
How to Get to Koh Phra Thong
Ferry: Boarding a local ferry is the only way to get to Koh Phra Thong. Your best option is the ferries departing from Greenview Pier in Khura Buri but you can also hire a private longtail boat at the Thung Laong Fishing Pier and Saphan Phra Pier.
What to See and Do in Koh Phra Thong
Book a guided mangrove tour
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Koh Phra Thong is known for having some of the densest mangrove forests in Khura Buri District so it’s definitely worth exploring, especially if you’re a nature lover. Its lush mangroves are also natural buffers against the sea so they’re important to the locals.
In fact, these mangrove forests are protected under Mu Koh Ra – Koh Phra Thong National Park. That’s why tourists can only explore these natural ecosystems through the island’s local tour guides and resorts.
You must also ride a longtail boat to reach these mangrove forests, so self-touring isn’t possible. This guided tour is great for observing and snapping photos of the island’s diverse aquatic flora and fauna.
Check out Koh Phra Thong’s popular kayaking spots
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Kayaking is one of the most popular activities in Koh Phra Thong. Getting a rental kayak on the island is also a breeze since you can borrow one from many places like the Baba Ecolodge Resort, Horizon Eco Resort, The Moken Eco Village, and more.
Plus, the island has a few distinctive kayaking spots, so there are suitable options for casual and advanced paddlers. This includes kayaking through Koh Phra Thong’s mangrove channels, the Andaman Sea, or the Golden Buddha Bay to Koh Ra.
Just be sure to rent a sea kayak if you plan to paddle your way along the Andaman Sea and circle the island. Here are Koh Phra Thong’s most notable kayaking spots:
- Koh Phra Thong Mangrove channel – A winding channel through the mangrove forest on the southern end leading to the island’s center.
- Koh Phra Thong-Koh Ra channel – An advanced sea channel between Koh Phra Thong and Koh Ra flowing into numerous streams and lakes within both islands. This also offers stunning mountain and forest scenery.
- Koh Pling Islands – These small islands are located approximately 260 meters west of The Moken Eco Village. It’s the easiest kayaking spot in Koh Phra Thong since the islands act as a protective buffer, making them swimmable as well.
Create your bird checklist of Koh Phra Thong
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Koh Phra Thong is a haven for bird lovers. The island’s tropical forest, savanna, and mangrove forest offer plenty of opportunities to observe and photograph various local and migratory bird species.
The savanna biome of Mu Koh Ra – Koh Phra Thong National Park, in particular, is worth checking out because it has over 40 recorded bird species. This includes the red-wattled lapwing, black drongo, Brahminy kite, brown shrike, and more.
Here, you may also spot several rare and threatened species, from the great hornbill to the pale-capped pigeon, gray-headed fish eagle, white-chested babbler, etc. Birds that only fly through the island’s airspace can only be spotted while kayaking.
Arrange a diving trip to Richelieu Rock
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Richelieu Rock is a popular diving spot between Koh Surin and Koh Phra Thong, especially among hardcore divers. In fact, it’s one of the best dive sites in Thailand, so expect a wide variety of tropical fishes and other marine wildlife.
This dive site is particularly known for its large and colorful schools of fish so be sure to bring an underwater camera to capture them in action. Moreover, Richelieu Rock is excellent for whale shark spotting, so you’re most likely to meet this gentle giant there.
We also like that this site is packed with vast coral reef formations.
Enjoy the vast golden sands of Long Beach
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Long Beach is a long stretch of golden sandy beach on the western coast of Koh Phra Thong.
It’s a vast palm-fringed beach, so you can enjoy numerous activities here, from beach walks and building sandcastles to swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and more.
Just know that there are no establishments on this side of the island, so be sure to bring food and drinks during your visit. Bring a hammock so you can set it up easily between the beach’s palm trees!
Stroll around Koh Phra Thong’s savanna
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Koh Phra Thong’s savanna biome is one of its most distinctive features. We particularly like to stroll and jog around this area because there are plenty of interesting things to see, from unique-looking trees to wildflowers, a natural pond, and more.
You can also tour this savanna on a vintage military jeep or horseback. This service is available via the island’s resorts.
Admire the sunset view from the island’s beach bars
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The best way to enjoy Koh Phra Thong’s stunning sunset view is from its beach bars. This way, you can soak in the dramatic scenery while enjoying an ice-cold drink or a mouth-watering dish.
But that’s not all because you can also do a short hike to Turtle View Point for an even more impressive view. It overlooks Long Beach so you can also admire the island’s golden coastline from this vantage point.
Plus, the place is known for its turtle sightings, perfect for animal lovers. Just note that the trailhead for this viewpoint is near Baba Ecolodge Resort.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Koh Phra Thong
Horizon Restaurant and Bar
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Address: Koh Phra Thong
Phone: +66 81 894 7195
Pricing: ฿฿
Good to know: Good for cocktails
Horizon Restaurant and Bar is a scenic beachside food spot in Koh Phra Thong. This restaurant specializes in local cuisines like pad Thai, som tum, spicy Thai squid salad, tom kha noodles, and more.
Their portions are also reasonable, so you don’t have to order multiple dishes unless you’re a heavy eater. It’s also worth noting that this is an all-day restaurant, so you’re covered for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Ginlomchomlay Seafood Restaurant
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Address: Bang Wan, Khura Buri District
Phone: +66 85 395 1544
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for seafood
Ginlomchmlay Seafood Restaurant is an excellent seafood spot near Koh Phra Thong. It’s next to the fishing pier in Bang Wan, so you get a superb ocean view from its open-air dining area, especially at night or during sunset.
This restaurant focuses on Thai seafood, so your options include stable dishes like som tum with crab and fermented fish, stir-fried squid with salted egg, tom yum fried rice, etc.
If you don’t like seafood, they also serve classic holy basil chicken, pork larb, and more. Ginlomchmlay Seafood Restaurant is also a great drinking spot because it serves a wide range of local and imported beers.
Baba Ecolodge Restaurant and Bar
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Address: 131 Ko Phra Thong
Phone: +66 81 892 2208
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for fans of organic food
Baba Ecolodge Restaurant and Bar is known for its ever-changing blackboard menu. They focus on dishes made from the best seasonal ingredients but you can expect their menu to always have a soup, 3 to 4 starters, 4 to 5 mains, and 2 desserts.
We also like that most of their ingredients are grown in their organic farm. Another selling point of this food spot is the special breakfast menu offered in its clubhouse bar, consisting of buffet options and various a la carte dishes.
On Saturdays, they also have special barbecue sessions where guests gather around a beachside bonfire and indulge in grilled seafood and cocktails. Don’t worry, they also have vegetarian-friendly options so there’s something for everyone.
Where to Stay in Koh Phra Thong
Horizon Eco Resort
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Address: Koh Phra Thong
Phone: +66 81 894 7195
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 12:30 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for families and couples
Horizon Eco Resort is a fan-favorite among travelers who frequent Koh Phra Thong. In fact, this top-rated resort’s guests are mostly repeat visitors because its friendly and accommodating owner is well-known on the island.
This resort has 5 private bungalows designed for couples and 2 family bungalows that can accommodate up to 4 guests. These units have private bathrooms and balconies with a direct view of Koh Phra Thong’s Crescent Bay or Golden Buddha Bay.
They also offer daily tours, from kayaking to island snorkeling, savanna tours, and more.
The Moken Eco Village
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Address: Koh Phra Thong
Phone: +66 81 895 6186
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 1 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for families and couples
The Moken Eco Village is the best choice for snorkeling fans. This beachside resort boasts easy access to Koh Phra Thong’s best snorkeling spots: Koh Pling Lek and Koh Pling Yai.
But what we like most is their distinctive eco-friendly bungalows. Each unit offers unique interior designs inspired by the island’s natural sceneries and wildlife, from savanna to hornbill, hermit crab, and more.
Their bungalows are for two guests by default but offer extra bed options for adults and children, perfect when traveling with family or friends. The additional guests also get a complimentary breakfast which is a massive plus.
Baba Ecolodge Resort
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Address: 131, Koh Phra Thong
Phone: +66 81 892 2208
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for families and couples
Baba Ecolodge Resort is the priciest accommodation in Koh Phra Thong but it’s definitely worth it for its stylish bespoke villas. Depending on your needs, you can get a family-size villa or private hideaway lovers will certainly appreciate.
Their villas also have private gardens and wooden viewing decks, so you can make the most of the island’s tropical scenery and vibes. You can also enjoy their full-service spa, on-site bar and restaurant, and open-air yoga studio.
They also offer recreational activities like Thai cooking classes, ceramic workshops, and fishing trips.
