Koh Mook: The Paradise Island in Thailand!
Koh Mook, often also called Koh Muk, is a small idyllic island in the Andaman Sea in the south of Thailand. Much of the island consists of deep jungle and intact nature, as well as small, charming villages. The coast, in turn, is lined with palm trees, gigantic cliffs and gorgeous beaches that invite to relax. However, the absolute best attractions are the breathtaking Emerald Cave and the snow-white Sivalai Beach, which make Koh Mook one of the most spectacular islands in Thailand and an insider tip for travelers. Here you are still away from mass tourism and can dive deep into the quiet and tranquil island life. The unique combination of fascinating natural scenery and friendly people will also make your visit to Koh Mook an unforgettable experience.
In this travel guide, we give you all the important information about the island of Koh Mook in Thailand. We show you the most amazing things to do and the best beaches. In addition, there are useful tips for getting there and recommended accommodation.
Good to know!
There are not too many places to stay on Koh Mook, and in the high season they are quickly booked out. For a romantic vacation, the Sivalai Beach Resort is a must. Backpackers, on the other hand, love the Koh Mook Bungalows.
You will not find an ATM on Koh Mook until today. Remember to withdraw enough cash in advance and carry it with you on your island trip!
The most famous attraction on Koh Mook is the Emerald Cave, a sea cave that can only be crossed by swimming. A good waterproof backpack is recommended to protect your phone, camera or other valuables from getting wet.
Many people explore Koh Mook as part of a Thailand Island Hopping tour. A great idea to discover the islands in the south of the country, such as Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai nearby.
General Information about Koh Mook
Koh Mook, also named as Koh Muk, is a real pearl of the Trang province in southern Thailand. Situated on the stretch of sea between the famous islands of Koh Lanta in the north and Koh Lipe in the south, this islet is an insider’s tip for those seeking peace and quiet. And for all those who want to discover a unique destination in Thailand! Here you can expect beautiful beaches and an absolutely paradisiacal setting, with the famous Emerald Cave as a must-see. In addition, great reefs where you can even discover clown fish and huge starfish invite for snorkeling.
The island of Koh Mook is relatively small with about 7 square kilometers and so the most important points can be explored quite comfortably by foot, bike or scooter. In Thai, Koh Mook means something like “the pearl” and truly, this little paradise lives up to its name! A large part of the island is protected by the Chao Mai National Park and therefore consists almost entirely of untouched nature and jungle.
The best time to visit Koh Mook Island is from November to mid-April. At this time, it is mostly dry, and you can expect a lot of sun. The rainy season starts at the end of April, but can still partially go into November.
Best Things to Do in Koh Mook
Although this island is relatively small, there are some really amazing things to do on Koh Mook. The island’s main attractions include the small village of Baan Koh Mook, the famous Emerald Cave on the west coast and of course the gorgeous beaches that make Koh Mook so popular. This island also has great snorkeling spots and excursions to offer! Here are the most beautiful attractions of Koh Mook island summarized at a glance:
Sivalai Beach
The famous Sivalai Beach is an absolute postcard motif and probably one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Here, a snow-white headland of velvety sand stretches into the turquoise sea. Directly at its tip is the beautiful Sivalai Beach Resort, the best hotel on the island, which is a real eye-catcher with the palm trees in the background. Depending on the tides, the beach picture changes. Especially beautiful is the sandbank at low tide, then you can virtually walk around the hotel on the beach. But also at high tide the Sivalai Beach is beautiful because then the turquoise water reaches almost up to the palm trees.
Baan Koh Mook Village
Really idyllic is the small village Baan Koh Mook, which is more or less the capital of the island. Since Koh Mook is car-free, it is also really chill here. In addition, the buildings are colorfully decorated, which exudes a particularly charming flair. In Baan Koh Mook you will find a few small cute supermarkets, good restaurants, cozy bars and even a fantastic bakery has settled. Until today, there are no ATMs on Koh Mook. You will also search in vain for an exciting nightlife on Koh Mook.
Emerald Cave
The Emerald Cave is the most important places to see on Koh Mook and also a popular excursion destination from the nearby islands. The highlight of the tour is swimming through an 80-meter-long pitch-dark cave, where you reach an emerald green lagoon with a white dream beach at the end. High cliffs and a jungle surround this unique beach, which was once a pirate hideout. Visiting the Emerald Cave can be easily organized by longtail boat.
The trip usually costs 800 baht per boat and includes an island tour with snorkeling. The best time for the Emerald Cave is in the morning at 8 am or in the afternoon from 3 pm. Then you typically have this little paradise all to yourself, which is really mystical!
Tip: On a visit to the Emerald Cave you should take a waterproof backpack with you. This way you can take your camera and cell phone safely into the cave.
Garnet Beach (Charlie Beach)
The Garnet Beach, formerly known as Charlie Beach or Had Farang, is one of the most amazing beaches on Koh Mook Island. By the way, the name comes from former resorts, which have closed their doors long ago. You will no longer find bungalows directly on this beach, as it has now been declared part of the national park. Nevertheless, you can still relax on this wonderful beach, rent a kayak or enjoy the incredible view from Kayoa Viewpoint. The beach bars are also really cozy, where you can experience the fantastic sunsets of Koh Mook with a cool drink.
Tip: The small island taxis connect the village with the beaches Garnet Beach and Sivalai Beach. A ride currently costs 50 baht per person per way.
Snorkeling & Kayak Tours
Around the island of Koh Mook you will find many coral reefs and good areas for snorkeling, which can be approached via a trip with the longtail boat! In some places you can discover really beautiful colorful fish, such as clown fish and giant starfish. Tours can be booked on site and combined with the trip to Emerald Cave. A trip with the kayak is a cheap and great way to paddle the coast of Koh Mook. You can rent kayaks directly at Charlie Beach. From there you can also visit the Emerald Cave.
Explore the neighboring islands
Not only Koh Mook is absolutely stunning, also the neighboring islands are worth seeing! If you like snorkeling and need a change, you should definitely take a trip to Koh Kradan. The crossing by longtail boat takes just under 30 minutes, and the price is around 800 baht.
A great excursion destination is also the tiny dream island of Koh Ngai. Here you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. The offshore reef is also perfect for snorkeling.
How to get to Koh Mook
There are several options for getting to Koh Mook. Most tourists come by ferry or speedboat from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta or Trang. Tickets can be booked either on the spot, or in advance online at 12go.asia.
From the city of Trang, it is best to take the ferry from Hat Yao Pier with about 15 minutes travel time. The easiest way to get to the neighboring islands, such as Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai, is by longtail boat or speedboat.
From Koh Lanta, Koh Mook is best reached by speedboat in about 45 minutes. If you travel from or to Koh Lipe, you can either take the speedboat or the ferry.
All transfer options including departure times can be found on 12go.asia.
Where to Stay at Koh Mook
On Koh Mook you can find some lovely accommodations for an unforgettable stay. However, since there are only a few good hotels on the island, and they are in high demand, we definitely recommend booking your favorite hotel in advance. So if you are searching for a wonderful place to stay on Koh Mook, we can give you these accommodation tips along the way…It’s worth a look!
- Island’s Best Hotel: The Sivalai Beach Resort is located on Koh Mook’s dream beach and pampers its guests with bungalows at the beach! Certainly, a hotel for the exceptional visit!
- Quiet Bungalows: The Inhale @ Hill is a small, beautiful bungalow complex with only 5 cottages, which promises absolute privacy and tranquility.
- Bungalows in the Jungle: The Nature Hill inspires with wonderful bungalows directly in the forest. Also, the beautiful Charlie Beach is just a few minutes’ walk away.
- Budget Beach Huts: The Koh Mook Bungalows are simple, yet cozy. Here the prices are cheap, and the atmosphere is right – perfect for backpackers!
Find the best accommodation in Koh Mook:
More Islands around Koh Mook:
-
Koh Kradan: A Travel Guide to Paradise!
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Thailand Island Hopping: Krabi to Koh Lipe
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Koh Bulon Lae travel guide: Thailand`s Island Paradise
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Koh Jum (Koh Pu) Guide: Get lost in Paradise
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Koh Lipe: Ultimate Thailand Island Experience
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