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Everything You Need to Know about Koh Bulon

| Last Updated: October 2024

Koh Bulon is an idyllic remote island getaway and snorkeling gem in the province of Satun. It’s an island group boasting pristine white sand beaches and coral reef-filled waters filled with diverse marine life. 

The main island called Koh Bulon Le offers a wide array of tranquil beach resorts and exquisite local restaurants.  Reachable via speedboat from the beaches of Phuket or Krabi, it’s an attractive destination for local and foreign visitors.

As a secluded island, Koh Bulon should remind you of Leonardo di Caprio’s “The Beach”. With its nice blend of unspoiled natural beauty and modern comforts, Koh Bulon is an easy choice for tourists who enjoy exploring Satun’s coastal paradises.

Where is Koh Bulon?

koh-bulon-map
Image Source: Google Maps

Koh Bulon is 12 miles off the coast of mainland Satun. It’s in the Andaman Sea, west of Lala Island, and northwest of Koh Tarutao.

How to Get to Koh Bulon

Speedboat: The only way to get to Koh Bulon is to board the speedboats departing for Koh Lipe at the Pak Bara Pier in Satun. All tourists must travel to this pier first if they want to go to the island.

Longtail boat: Your only alternative is to charter any of the longtail boats at Pak Bara Pier. There’s no standard price so you must negotiate with local fishermen or boat operators.

What to See and Do in Koh Bulon

Enjoy swimming along Koh Bulon’s pristine coastline

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Koh Bulon is known for its pristine coastlines and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming! The water level along the beach is shallow and has gentle currents, so it’s safe for non-swimmers and children.

Avoid the northern coastal area to avoid strong currents. Also, the island’s western coastline is also mostly rocky, so stick to its east end for a more pleasant beach experience.

Gear up and snorkel around Koh Bulon

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Koh Bulon is one of the best snorkeling spots in Satun. In fact, the coral reefs and rocky seabeds around the island are home to a wide variety of tropical fish species!

The most common sightings are reef fishes, but you’ll also see numerous soft and hard corals, sea urchins, moray eels, nudibranchs, and more. It’s best to start at the east end and slowly make your way to Mango Bay.

There are remnants of a sunken water transport container near Mango Bay, so it’s also worth checking out if you like to observe more than just marine animals.

Relax at the island’s palm-fringed beaches

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The palm-fringed beach in Koh Bulon’s east end is a haven for beach lovers. Here, you can enjoy a vast sandy coastline, perfect for numerous beach activities like swimming, sunbathing, sandcastle-making, picnicking, and more.

Some resorts also have available beach cottages for picnics. You’ll also find tree swings along the beach and suitable spots to set up a hammock if you like to enjoy a relaxing afternoon nap.

Explore the Koh Bulon island group with a rental kayak

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Paddling a kayak is one of the best ways to explore all of Koh Bulon’s islands: Koh Bulon Don, Koh Bulon Le, Koh Bulon Pai, and Koh Bulon Rang.

Koh Bulon Le is where most beach resorts and restaurants are located, so it’s where most tourists stay. Meanwhile, Koh Bulon Pai and Koh Bulon Rang are best for other water activities like snorkeling, wading, and diving. 

You can also take your kayak to check out Koh Bulon Le’s sea caves: Bat Cave and Nose Cave. Bat Cave is at the south end near Mango Bay and Nose Cave is at the northwest end near Ao Panka Yai.

Book a diving trip around the island

If you want to make the most of Koh Bulon’s rich marine ecosystem, booking a diving trip around the island is the way to go. The best diving spot in the island group is near the ocean rock west of Koh Bulong Rang called Koh Hin Khao.

This massive white rock is surrounded by a vast and colorful coral reef formation filled with tropical reef fishes, sea urchins, and numerous other marine creatures. You can book a driving trip here via the resorts in Koh Bulon Le.

Create a checklist of the island’s local wildlife

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If you have a soft spot for wildlife, your Koh Bulon trip won’t disappoint. Koh Bulon Le, in particular, is well-known among serious birdwatchers because it has over 50 recorded bird species.

This includes oriental-pied hornbills, pacific-reef herons, ornate sunbirds, Germaine’s swiftlets, and more. But that’s not all because the island is also home to animals like Asian water monitors, dusky leaf monkeys, garden-crested lizards, bats, etc.

Fish around the island

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Koh Bulon’s biodiverse waters make it a solid fishing spot. Most tourists cast a line from the island’s rocky coastlines but you can also rent a kayak to fish in the deeper parts of the Andaman Sea.

But the best way to fish around the island is to charter a longtail boat. You can also arrange a ride with a local fishing boat at the Muslim fishing village in Mango Bay, in Ao Panka Yai, or in Ao Panka Noi.

Where to Eat and Drink in Koh Bulon

The Sense

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Address: 13 Moo 3
Phone: +66 88 919 7336
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
Website

The Sense is arguably the most popular restaurant in Koh Bulon Le. This place has a refreshing alfresco beachfront setting, perfect if you like to enjoy good food and the island’s cool ocean breeze.

Their menu focuses on Thai cuisine and local beers but you can also find a few Western-style appetizers like Mexican chicken wings, French fries, and cheese balls. 

But our favorite is their seafood dishes, especially the tom yum goong, deep-fried fish with tamarind sauce, and squid green curry. They also have a full-service bar in case you’re looking for a place to drink with friends.

Panka Noi Pizza

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Address: Panka Noi Bay
Phone: +66 61 134 6127
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Italian food

Panka Noi Pizza is the only Italian restaurant in Koh Bulon Le, so it’s the go-to for pizza and pasta dishes. It’s also an all-day dining place, so they have a dedicated breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu.

What’s impressive is their over 20 options of Italian-style pizzas, perfect for foodies who like full-on variety! The homemade Italian sausage is also a fan favorite.

Other not-to-miss items in their menu are the special grilled meat and seafood offerings. The BBQ fresh fish of the day, in particular, is amazing because they only use fresh fish caught by local fishermen. 

Su’s Corner

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Address: Panka Noi Bay
Phone: +66 98 979 7084
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for pastries

If you’re looking for a good selection of Thai and Western food, Su’s Corner is an excellent option. This restaurant is also known for its cozy alfresco beachfront setting along Panka Noi Bay.

But its biggest selling point is its daily homemade cakes and breads, including banana cakes, chocolate cakes, cinnamon buns, and donuts.

Don’t forget to try their refreshing selection of fresh fruit juices and shakes for a refreshing break!

Where to Shop in and Near Koh Bulon

Lotus’s Go Fresh La-ngu

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Address: 1473 Moo 3, Kamphaeng Subdistrict, La-ngu District
Phone: +66 74 775 467
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
Website

Lotus’s Go Fresh La-ngu is only 18 minutes away from Pak Bara Pier, so it’s a solid option for stocking supplies. It’s a supermarket, so you can find a wide range of fresh food items, perfect if you plan to prepare meals for a beach picnic.

You can also buy cooked food from the food kiosks inside the supermarket. Their inventory also includes other essential items like basic toiletries and disposable food containers you might need during your island escapade.

7-Eleven Pak Bara

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Address: 1119/2 4052, Pak Nam, La-ngu District
Phone: +66 2 826 7744
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Good for essential items
Website

7-Eleven is a well-known convenience store that sells a wide range of products. This branch near Pak Bara Pier is a great option because it’s close to Koh Bulon and has numerous travel essentials.

This includes wrapped snacks, canned drinks, personal care items, toiletries, and more. They also have ATMs outside in case you’re short on cash for your Koh Bulon trip.

Bangtes Seafood Souvenir Shop

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Address: 587 La-ngu-Pak Bara Road, Moo 2, Pak Nam, La-ngu District
Phone: +66 64 126 6889
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for souvenir shopping
Website

If you love cooking or know someone who does, Bangtes Seafood Souvenir Shop is a must-visit. 

This place specializes in Thai seafood products that both home and pro cooks will definitely appreciate. Think bottled crab paste, crab egg chili paste, spicy fish kidney curry paste, and dried fish varieties.

Where to Stay in Koh Bulon

Pansand Resort

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Address: 33 Moo 3
Phone: +66 75 218 035
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Website

Location-wise, Pansand Resort is one of the best hotels in Koh Bulon Le. It’s along the pristine beach on the east end, so expect direct access to the island’s fine white sands and crystalline waters.

Their unpretentious cottage bungalows also blend with the island’s lush environs, perfect for tourists who enjoy serene natural views. They also have numerous units, including some that are especially designed for couples and families.

But their rooms only have fans, so it might be a turn-off for those who don’t like the hot and humid weather. Other services offered here include snorkeling gear rentals, laundry service, ferry booking, and traditional Thai massage.

Bulone Resort

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Address: 6 Moo 3
Phone: +66 62 007 9257
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Website

Bulone Resort is a cozy hotel along Koh Bulon’s east end. It’s perfect for tourists who want direct access to the island’s white-sand beach, palm-fringed coastline, and crystal-clear waters.

They have beachfront wooden bungalows, so expect an exquisite view of the Andaman Sea. These are also fully equipped with air-conditioning units, minibars, and en-suite bathrooms with showers for the ultimate comfort.

The resort’s beachside restaurant, bar, and spa are also attractive amenities. The free kayaks for guests are also a plus!

Marina Resort

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Address: Moo 3
Phone: +66 97 252 6289
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 12 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Website

Marina Resort is the best budget-friendly hotel in Koh Bulon Le. They have unassuming stilted wooden huts with traditional wood flooring and thatched roofs and walls.

These wood floors have gaps so they’re not the best when it comes to privacy, but it’s definitely worth the price if you only need a place for the night. 

Don’t miss their on-site Thai restaurant which serves superb meals!

FAQs about Koh Bulon

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