Categories > Guides and Tips
Everything You Need to Know about Koh Rok
- Where is Koh Rok?
- How to Get to Koh Rok
- What to See and Do in Koh Rok
- Laze around the pristine Koh Rok Yai Beach
- Swim around the island’s crystal-clear waters
- Snorkel around Koh Rok Yai and Koh Rok Noi
- Go picnicking at Koh Rok’s tree-lined beach area
- Look for Asian water monitors and other animals in Koh Rok
- Check out the waterfall in Koh Rok Noi
- Hike to Koh Rok Yai’s highest point
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Koh Rok
- Barracuda
- Laanta Seafood
- Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant
- Where to Shop in and Near Koh Rok
- Lanta Mart
- Lotus’s Go Fresh Koh Lanta
- HomePro Koh Lanta
- Where to Stay in and Near Koh Rok
- Reef Resort Kradan
- Loft Vintage Chalet Resort
- Pimalai Resort and Spa
- FAQs about Koh Rok
Koh Rok is a snorkeling mecca in the Andaman Sea. Near Phuket and its best beaches, the pristine island is a prime destination for snorkeling and diving trips, thanks to its diverse marine life, vast coral formations, and crystal-clear waters.
The twin island’s beautiful beaches and nature trails are also undeniable assets that keep casual and seasoned travelers hooked. Koh Rok is mostly untouched by modern luxuries, the perfect spot for unspoiled nature adventures.
Sure, you can get there aboard a modern water vehicle, but that’s about it. The rest is between you and the serene nature, making it a most beautiful island paradise minus the crowd.
Where is Koh Rok?
Koh Rok Islands is in the middle of the Andaman Sea and approximately 33 kilometers off the coast of mainland Trang. It’s located south of Koh Lanta, west of Koh Libong, and southwest of Koh Kradan.
How to Get to Koh Rok
Koh Rok is only accessible by boat or ferry from Koh Lanta, Koh Libong, and Koh Kradan, so you must first travel to any of these islands to get there.
Longtail boat/speedboat/ferry: The default way to get to Koh Rok is to ride a longtail boat, speedboat, or ferry at the ports in Koh Lanta’s Sala Dan Pier, Koh Libong’s Banphrao Pier, and Koh Kradan Pier.
The travel time will range between 15 minutes and 1 hour depending on your starting location and ride of choice.
Boat tour/island excursion: A more convenient way to get to Koh Rok is to book a boat tour or island excursion with the hotels and resorts in Koh Lanta, Koh Libong, and Koh Kradan. The guaranteed ride back to your hotel room is a massive plus.
The price and tour inclusions will vary between hotels and resorts.
Chartered boat/yacht: Another option is to charter a private boat or yacht in Koh Lanta. This is a lot more expensive than other options but it lets you explore Koh Rok and any nearby islands as much as you like.
With this, you can also enjoy various water activities like fishing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more.
What to See and Do in Koh Rok
Laze around the pristine Koh Rok Yai Beach
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Koh Rok Yai Beach is the island’s main beach, and it’s definitely worth visiting for its fine white sands, crystalline waters, and lush beachside forest area. Here, you can take your time to soak in the cool ocean breeze and refreshing atmosphere.
We particularly like sunbathing in the beach’s fine sands because it feels soft, especially when lying on a beach blanket. If you bring a hammock, you can also set it up between the trees growing near the coast for a relaxing afternoon nap.
The island’s only restaurant and bar is on this beach as well, so you’re also covered for food and drinks. Ferries to the island also dock here, so the convenience it provides is certainly a plus.
Swim around the island’s crystal-clear waters
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Koh Rok is one of the best swimming spots in Trang thanks to its crystal-clear waters. But what we like most about the water here is that it’s gentle and shallow, perfect for non-swimmers and small children.
If you’re confident with your stamina and swimming skills, you can also swim from Koh Rok Yai to Koh Rok Noi and vice versa. These islands are only 250 meters apart, so it’s doable for the average fit swimmer.
Snorkel around Koh Rok Yai and Koh Rok Noi
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A trip to the Koh Rok Islands won’t be complete without trying to snorkel around at least once. After all, Koh Rok Yai and Koh Rok Noi are well-known snorkeling spots among tourists who frequent Phuket, Krabi, and Trang.
Vast coral reef ecosystems surround these islands, so expect to see a wide range of tropical fishes and other marine life. This includes moray eels, blacktip reef sharks, sea horses, black-banded sea kraits, and more.
Plus, all boat trips to Koh Rok are snorkeling adventures so you’re already covered for all the gear you need for this activity.
Go picnicking at Koh Rok’s tree-lined beach area
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Though there’s one restaurant on the island, it’s still highly recommended to bring packed meals during your Koh Rok trip. This also allows you to enjoy a relaxing picnic along the island’s fine white sands, especially before most visiting tourists arrive.
But if you don’t like to stay at the sandy beaches, there are free outdoor chairs and tables at the ranger station in Koh Rok Yai. This area has plenty of trees, so you have natural protection from the harsh sunlight during midday.
Look for Asian water monitors and other animals in Koh Rok
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Asian water monitors are common sights in Koh Rok, especially Koh Rok Yai, so they’re hard to miss while you’re there. These majestic animals are also used to human presence, so you can observe closely without scaring them off.
But bear in mind that these are still protected wild animals, so you must always keep a safe distance and avoid physical contact. You can also spot several bird species all over the island and hermit crabs roaming the sandy beaches.
Check out the waterfall in Koh Rok Noi
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One of the most unique sights in Koh Rok Noi is the waterfall flowing from the tall rock cliff on its west end to the Andaman Sea. Plus, this cascade only appears a few times each year, so it’s definitely a must-see while you’re there.
This spectacular 130-meter waterfall is said to appear more likely between September and October, so it’s best to visit during this time for the best chance to see it. But you can only admire it from the sea so be sure to let your boat trip’s operator know about it.
Otherwise, you can charter a sailing vessel in Koh Lanta to circle the islands as much as you like.
Hike to Koh Rok Yai’s highest point
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If you love to hike nature trails, Koh Rok Yai will scratch your itch for nature adventures. From the island’s ranger headquarters, there’s a trailhead leading to its highest point, perfect if you want a stunning view of its lush forest and surrounding waters.
It’s called Pa Samet Daeng Nature Trail and the island has an information board for it in case you want to study it before the hike. But it’s a straightforward trail with concrete stairs and walkways, so it’s certainly harder to lose your way while hiking.
The trail lets you see a variety of plants and plant-like organisms, from mosses to ferns, lichens, epiphytes, and more. However, it also has some rugged and steep terrain, so wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Koh Rok
Barracuda
Media from barracuda_kohlanta
Address: Moo 1, Sala Dan Subdistrict, Koh Lanta
Phone: +66 87 469 3128
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for family and group dinners
Barracuda is a popular restaurant near Sala Dan Pier that tourists frequent for its incredible seaside view and exquisite Thai menu. It’s particularly well-known among vacationing families and friends, so it’s usually packed during the dinner service.
It’s also one of the best drinking spots near Koh Rok with a wide range of labels, cocktails, and local and imported beers.
Among its biggest sellers are Thai curries, especially its massaman and green curry. But if you want more variety, you can also try their Western-style dishes, from spaghetti pasta to pizza, lasagna, and steak.
Laanta Seafood
Media from laanta_seafood
Address: 73 Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 75 668 411
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for seafood
Laanta Seafood near Sala Dan Pier is a fan-favorite among serious seafood fanatics. But this restaurant is also well-known for its great selection of fresh seafood dishes, Thai food, and European cuisine, perfect for foodies who like full-on variety.
Our team’s foodies particularly like their various Thai seafood dishes, especially the stir-fried clam in roasted chili paste to grilled lobster, seafood green curry, and spicy squid salad.
The best part? They also let you pick which fresh seafood from their inventory to cook. They also serve excellent cocktails at reasonable prices.
Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant
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Address: 495 Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 92 741 3218
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Italian food
If you love Italian cuisine, Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant is the sound choice. This restaurant has an expansive menu with a wide range of staple Italian dishes, from pizzas to pasta, grilled fish and meats, ice creams, and more.
Their pizza menu, in particular, consists of over 32 pizzas so they most likely have a flavor that fits your tastebuds. We also recommend their calzone in case you’re eating solo and a full-size pizza is too much for you.
The other food items to watch out for are the bruschetta, lasagna, and ravioli al caprese. For dessert, our go-to is their signature gelato, affogato al caffe, and tiramisu.
Where to Shop in and Near Koh Rok
Lanta Mart
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Address: Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for budget shopping
Lanta Mart is near Sala Dan Pier. This local supermarket also sells a wide range of affordable products, so it’s a great place to stop by for supplies you’ll need on your boat trip.
This includes wrapped snacks, bottled wines, toiletries, and vacuum-packed meats for beachside cookouts. It also has numerous local shops beside it in case you’re looking for some cheap beach apparel, accessories, toys, street food, and more.
Lotus’s Go Fresh Koh Lanta
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Address: 456, Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 62 605 6841
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for grocery shopping
If you’re searching for a place where you can buy all kinds of products, Lotus’s Go Fresh Koh Lanta is your best option. This retail store offers a wide selection of grocery items, from frozen foods to dairy products, canned goods, fresh produce, and more.
They also sell a variety of travel essentials like toiletries, skin care products, bottled water, and over-the-counter medications. This supermarket also sells numerous pet foods, perfect for tourists traveling with their furbabies.
HomePro Koh Lanta
Address: Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District
Phone: +66 63 309 1408
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for home supply shopping
If you’re in the market for home improvement products, HomePro Koh Lanta is the nearest option from Koh Rok. They sell a wide range of home goods, from appliances to furniture pieces, kitchenware, and hardware items.
You can check out their website for ongoing promotions as well.
Where to Stay in and Near Koh Rok
Reef Resort Kradan
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Address: 221/2 Moo 2, Koh Lyon, Kantang, Ko Kradan
Phone: +66 90 067 4400
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples
Reef Resort Kradan is a casual seaside resort near Koh Kradan Pier, so it’s a great choice for tourists who plan to visit Koh Rok. They offer modern airy rooms with direct sea views, minibars, private terraces, and open-air bathrooms with rainfall showers.
They also have an on-site restaurant, casual beachfront bar, sundeck, and lagoon-style outdoor pool. You can also enjoy various services like massage, kayak rentals, and local tours for couples who like to do everything together.
They offer daily boat excursions and snorkeling trips to Koh Rok!
Loft Vintage Chalet Resort
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Address: 238 Moo 5, Ban Klong Hin, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 81 719 9972
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples
Loft Vintage Chalet Resort is one of the best hotels in Koh Lanta, and it’s definitely a solid option if you’re searching for accommodation near Koh Rok. It’s also close to a few of the island’s beaches so you can enjoy a bit of beach-hopping during your stay.
This includes Klong Nin Beach, Kantiang Beach, and Klong Hin Beach. Their property also has a beautiful garden so it’s great for tourists who like to go on morning and afternoon strolls or jogs.
We also like their cozy couple-size rooms with minimalist interiors and modern amenities. Think air conditioning, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, and safety deposit box.
Pimalai Resort and Spa
Media from pimalaikohlanta
Address: 99 Moo 5 Ba Kan Tiang Beach, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 75 607 999
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for families and couples
If you don’t worry about hotel prices, Pimalai Resort and Spa is an excellent option, especially if you want the ultimate comfort and luxury. This exclusive resort is known for its chic rooms, suites, and private villas.
Our team particularly likes their room’s polished teakwood floors and private balconies with a direct view of Kantiang Beach. If you upgrade to a suite or villa, you also get a private garden, direct beach access, and up to 3 bedrooms with 4-poster beds.
They also have 2 swanky restaurants and bars, an open-air spa, a poolside cafe, and a dive center. But that’s not all because they also offer daily island excursions to Koh Rok for 6 to 24 people.
