Experience the enchanting beauty of Coral Island – the most beautiful coral island in Thailand.

Coral Island, known as Koh Lann in Thai, stands out for its stunning beaches with silky smooth sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing scenery of Coral, the most beautiful island in Thailand.

The coastline stretches over 4.5 km from North to South, and over 90% of the island is covered in pristine forest with a diverse ecosystem. With untouched coral reefs, Coral is a dreamy and fascinating destination for a sea island exploration.

Coral Island is renowned for the diversity of its coral and marine life. During our visit, we were able to enjoy marvelous wonders.

Nowhere else can fish and coral be so close to the shore. The water only reaches your knees, yet reaching down, you'll find hundreds of striped fish, pufferfish, starfish, and vibrant coral reefs…

The Journey to Coral Island

On the first day in Phuket, I eagerly examined the map to find my way to Chalong Pier. The plan for the day was to rent a motorbike, drive to the pier, and then charter a private boat to Coral Island.

Phuket boasts numerous piers, but Chalong Pier is the closest to Coral Island. It is approximately 20km from Patong – where I was staying.

In hindsight, chartering a private boat turned out to be a somewhat misguided decision. It consumed a significant amount of time navigating, moving around, spending money on renting a motorbike, fuel, and the high cost of the private boat rental, not to mention the lack of amenities.

For instance, on a guided tour, you have a dedicated transport service, eliminating the need to navigate, and you are provided with all snorkeling gear, along with a complimentary lunch. However, with a private boat, you have to rent snorkeling equipment, storage lockers, and seats separately, incurring substantial expenses.

Initially, things did not go as smoothly as expected, and our spirits were somewhat dampened. However, as we plunged into the sea and witnessed schools of striped fish swimming along the shoreline, all frustrations melted away, making room for excitement and joy.

We found joy blending into the crystal-clear seawater, frolicking with the shoal of striped fish. Having our own boat allowed us to play freely without worrying about being reprimanded by the tour guide.

Hence, true wanderers are said to never harbor expectations. I constantly remind myself of this; expectations sometimes only spoil the journey.

However, the mental battle with expectations is truly challenging. How many actually embark on a journey without expectations?

Private boat rental and tour booking

We've experienced both private boat rental and half-day/full-day tour options. Each has its pros and cons. You can check our information for a suitable choice based on your preferences.

There are two types of boats shuttling between Phuket and the islands: Longtail boats and high-speed speedboats.

Most tourists desire a unique experience at some specific points or the nearby islands. They can approach the boat piers to inquire about renting a longtail boat, with costs ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 bath depending on the distance. The longtail boat can accommodate around 10 people.

High-speed boats, with costs reaching up to 15,000 bath, can transport approximately 30 people. These boats can reach most islands in the area, and they are commonly used for tourist tours to ferry guests around.

Insights into Coral Island

Coral Island (also known as Koh Hay / Koh Hae / Koh He):

– The island is about 10km south of the mainland.

– Travel time is approximately 30 minutes by longtail boat or 15 minutes by high-speed boat from Chalong Pier.

– The island boasts a private resort area with room prices ranging from 950,000 VND to 4,500,000 VND.

– The island features 3 main beaches:

+ Long Beach: Mainly focused on beach activities such as parasailing, banana boat rides, canoeing, underwater walking, and more.

+ Banana Beach: Primarily for beachgoers, offering some scuba diving courses and, notably, free snorkeling to explore the coral area.

+ Freedom Beach: Located on the opposite side of the island, it's very serene and peaceful.

– Nearby islands include Koh Lon and Koh Tao, perfect for day trips.

The cost:

- Rental fee for 1 seat: 100 baht.

- Rental fee for 1 small wardrobe: 100 baht, large wardrobe: 200 baht.

- Average restaurant meal on the island is around 250 baht/dish, lunch buffet: 500 baht/person.

- Complimentary use of showers and changing facilities.

- Private long-tail boat to the island from Chalong pier: 2000 baht/round trip.

Embark on a high-speed boat tour to the island for approximately 1000 baht per person.

Key Notes:

- At Banana Beach, you'll encounter numerous schools of fish near the shore, along with a large coral reef to the east near the rock formations.

- Afternoon tides recede quickly around the coral area, where black sea urchins are densely populated. Beware of getting stung by these creatures.

- In case of a sea urchin sting, apply lime evenly to the affected area for 10-15 minutes; the acid in lime will dissolve the spines beneath the skin. Alternatively, the ammonia in urine serves a similar purpose.

- Around 4:30 pm, marine services and restaurants will close; visitors must board boats to leave the island or head to the resort area for overnight stays.

By Theo Mai Hương from Tuổi Trẻ Magazine

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