Hong Island, also known as Koh Hong is one of the most beautiful islands to visit in Krabi!
With incredible karst cliffs, soft white sand, crystal clear water, a 360-degree viewpoint, and an emerald lagoon, Hong Island is a must-visit on any Krabi itinerary.
This guide will show you exactly how to visit Hong Island Krabi, including what to see and do, tips on how to get there, entrance fees, and more.
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Looking for the most cost-effective way to get to Hong Island?
This Hong Island day trip by speedboat includes hotel transfers, lunch, water, snorkeling gear, and visits to Hong Lagoon, Koh Lading, and Pak Bia Island.
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How to get from Krabi to Hong Island?
Hong Island is one of the best day trips from Krabi. The cheapest way to get from Krabi to Hong Island is by taking a public longtail boat which costs 500 baht (USD 13.90) per person.
You can book tickets at either Ao Nang Longtail Boat Service or Ao Nang Boat Service Club. Just keep in mind that the boat will only depart when there are at least 6 people.
Alternatively, if you’re traveling with a group, you can instead rent a private longtail boat for the day for 3,000 baht (USD 83.40) for a maximum of 6 people.
Note: Both the public and private longtail boats operate between 8 a.m and 4 p.m, daily.
Another way to get to Hong Island is to join a guided tour. These tours are available by longtail boat or speedboat, the latter being slightly more expensive.
Taking a Hong Island tour is the most cost-effective way to get there since hotel transfers, lunch, snorkeling gear, and visits to Lading Island and Pak Bia Island are also included in the price.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HONG ISLAND TOUR
The trip duration from Krabi to Hong Island is about 50 minutes by longtail boat or 30 minutes by speedboat.
If you’re staying in Phuket, you can instead book this Hong Island tour from Phuket which also includes visits to James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay.
Hong Island Entrance Fee & Opening Hours
Since Hong Island Krabi is located within the Than Bok Khorani National Park, there is an entrance fee of 300 baht (USD 8.34) for adults and 150 baht (USD 4.17) for children.
Most of the time, the entrance fee is not included in the tour price, so make sure to have some cash when you get to the island.
Hong Island is open daily from 8 a.m to 4.30 a.m.
Related post: Best islands to visit in Krabi province
Hong Island Krabi (Koh Hong)
Hong Island (or Koh Hong), is one of the most popular islands in Krabi. Most people visit as a day trip from Ao Nang or Phuket but you can also get there from the islands of Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai.
Part of the Than Bok Khorani National Park, it boasts one of the most stunning beaches in Krabi. The beach is divided in the middle by a limestone rock formation.
The sand is super soft and white and the turquoise lagoon is great for swimming and snorkeling as the ocean is calm and shallow.
Tip: I recommend snorkeling on the left-hand side of the beach, near the viewpoint entrance, since this is where you’ll find the most fish.
If you want to avoid the crowds, be sure to visit early in the morning. In case you can’t get there early enough, I recommend visiting Hong Island at least before 2 p.m when the tide is still high.
This is because swimming will be much more enjoyable and the scenery is far more spectacular during high tide.
Note: Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to snorkel above the coral reef area during low tide, so be sure to get there early if you want to see the colorful fish.
Apart from swimming, you can also rent kayaks on Hong Island or explore the small jungle trail to spot some wildlife and admire the rock formations.
There’s also a small restaurant and a beach bar on the island. Prices are quite decent and I was able to get lunch for about 100 baht (USD 2.78).
Drinks are more expensive than on the mainland though. For example, a small water bottle costs about 30 baht while fruit shakes cost between 80 and 120 baht. There’s also a toilet/changing room not too far from the restaurant.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HONG ISLAND TOUR
Hong Island Viewpoint
The latest attraction on Koh Hong Island is the 360-degree viewpoint which can be accessed through a metal staircase consisting of 400+ steps.
The Hong Island viewpoint is located on the eastern end of the island and is totally worth the hike for a stunning 360-degree view of the lagoon and neighboring islands.
I saw a sign at the entrance saying that the hike takes around 45 minutes but I was able to reach the top in 15 minutes. So, as long as you’re relatively fit, you should be able to get to the top in less than 30 minutes.
Related post: How to spend 4 days in Krabi?
Hong Lagoon
Hong Lagoon is another popular stop on the Hong Island tour. The lagoon can be accessed through a narrow opening between the limestone cliffs.
The scenery here is truly spectacular as the turquoise lagoon is surrounded by tall limestone cliffs. The water is extremely clear, making it a great spot to swim and snorkel.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HONG ISLAND TOUR
Related post: 15 top beaches in Krabi Thailand
Where to Stay?
Since Koh Hong Krabi is part of a national park, there are no accommodations on the island. You can instead stay in Ao Nang and take a day trip to Hong Island from there. Below are a few recommendations for where to stay:
- Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villa: Located on Pai Plong beach in Ao Nang, this hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms with either a pool or ocean view. It’s slightly on the higher end but worth every penny if you’re looking for a romantic place to stay in Krabi. Check the latest price and availability here
- Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort: This hotel is great for families and has a nice swimming pool with fun water slides. The location is perfect – right on the beach and within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Check the latest price and availability here
- Wake Up Ao Nang Hotel: This is the perfect option for budget travelers since room rates start from US$ 25. It offers clean and spacious rooms with a private bathroom. The location is ideal since there are lots of restaurants nearby and the beach is found just a few minutes walk away. Check the latest price and availability here
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN KRABI
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Hong Island is from November to March as you’ll have near-perfect weather but note that there will be more tourists during this time.
If you don’t mind the occasional rainfall (luckily, they don’t last long), you can instead visit during the shoulder months of April/May or September/October.
I hope you found this guide to visiting Hong Island in Krabi helpful. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comment section below.
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