BEACH
Ko Kho Khao is mainly attracted by the beautiful beach that runs along the western coastline. The beach stretches the full length of the island’s west coast with overhanging casuarina trees and some palm trees. The beach is fine for swimming during the dry season and perfect for long relaxing walks.
This beach is still used by turtles from November to February to lay their eggs. The west is more than 15 kilometers long and remains wide, even during high tide. From your beach bed, you can enjoy beautiful sunsets.
WHERE TO STAY
A few resorts and bungalows are spread along this beach, but large parts of the beach are completely deserted. Most of the stays are in the mid to upper range section. Make sure to check the booking sites to decide where you want to go.
Our favorite more upper range stay is Anandah Beach Resort, a beautiful place with a relaxed atmosphere. C&N Khokhao Beach Resort and The Sunset Beach Resort are good alternatives. You will find 3 more mid-range stays: Pranee Beach Bungalows, Cousin Resort and Hapla Beach Cottage, all offering nice bungalows.
For the budget travelers we found a camping site, and River Sand Resort which offers good bamboo bungalows for around 1000 baht.
You can eat at the hotels and at are several restaurants on the island. The further south you go, the more choice there is. We recommend having dinner at the cluster of restaurants near Ko Kho Khao Pier.
ISLAND
Ko Kho Khao is a serene and relatively undeveloped island. It is situated in the Andaman Sea, just off the western coast of the Thai mainland, north of the popular tourist destinations of Khao Lak and Phuket. The island’s tranquillity makes it an ideal place to relax and unwind. Moreover, some accommodations offer wellness activities like yoga and spa treatments.
WHAT TO DO
Ko Kho Khao is a beautiful and largely undeveloped island, but roads running its entire length make the island easy enough to explore. While Ko Kho Khao isn’t known for challenging hikes, you can go on nature walks through the lush, mostly flat landscapes. Keep an eye out for birdwatching opportunities and the island’s natural beauty. The west side of the island is mainly used for agricultural purposes such as coconut plantations, banana plantations and palm oil. The northeast part of the island is hillier with mangrove forests and rainforests.
You can rent a longtail boat and visit the small island of Ko Pa off the west coast. The island is only a small strip of sand but has a beautiful coral reef where you can snorkel well. If you like diving, take a boat excursion to the Surin Islands, Similan Islands or Ko Tachai
Ban Thung Tuek is an architectural site on the southeast side of the island with a small exhibit. The foundations of this site are still visible. There are a few villages around the island, the main village is near the pier and has some amenities such as shops, travel agencies, scooter rentals, restaurants and ATMs.
TRANSPORT
Bang Muang is the best starting place to get to Ko Kho Khao. The bus service between Ranong and Phuket makes a stop at Bang Muang. From the bus station you have to take a motorbike taxi to the pier for less than 100 baht. At the pier a longtail boat goes to the island for 20 baht per person. You can take a scooter on the longtail boat. Alternatively, you can take the car ferry for 150 baht.
Scooter and bicycle rentals are available at the Ko Kho Khao Pier. A taxi can also take you to your stay for 300 baht. Most of the stays provide a free pick-up service.
From Ko Phra Thong you can also arrange transport to Ko Kho Khao, please inquire at your accommodation. If that doesn’t work out, you can contact Mr. Chuoi near Gray Beach. He will take you to a small southern pier at Ko Phra Thong. The first part of the journey is a 40-minute pickup truck ride on narrow trails that lead through the island’s savannah. Afterwards, a longtail boat will take you to northern Ko Kho Khao. This trip costs about 1000 baht.
Only some of the stays have scooter rentals. At the main pier, it is easy to rent a scooter.
