Cruising Destination Ko Ngai, Ko Muk and Ko Kradan

Excellent snorkelling, white sandy beaches and the incredible Emerald Cave await you at this pretty group of islands. As well as the three main islands there are also four smaller islands and it is here that you will find some of the best snorkelling. Located 60 miles to the southeast of Phuket the islands are best visited overnight and there are plenty of safe anchorages in either season.

The triangular Ko Ngai is the northern most island of the group and probably the most developed, although it’s still pretty low-key and unspoilt. There are resorts and a long stretch of gently sloping white sandy beach along the east coast, two small and shallow bays on the south and a few less appealing rocky bays on the west side. The northernmost resort has a dredged channel leading to the beach while the southernmost one has a private jetty. There is some good snorkelling in the shallow water off the southeast tip of the island the best coral in the area is off the small islands of Ko Ma and Ko Chuak which are less than a mile to the east and have good reefs along their east sides. There are also a few overhangs and sea caverns to explore.

Ko Muk is the middle island of the group and is most famous for the sea cave known as Tham Morakot meaning The Emerald cave. The cave entrance is a small passage in the centre of the islands western side that is accessible by kayak or small tender during low tide. At mid to high you can still enter the cave by swimming. A buoyancy aid and waterproof torch are recommended. The cave itself winds for about 80 meters through the dark before opening onto a clean white beach with a shallow sea water pool which is surrounded by high cliffs. South of the cave there is a beautiful sandy bay with several good restaurants and resorts. The east coast of the island is very shallow and has less appeal with a small fishing village on either side of the long protruding sand spit.

While each island has its own individual charm Ko Kradan is arguably the most beautiful of the group. Stretched out over two miles the island is a collection of four hills with an almost continuous stretch of white powdery sand along the east coast and three secluded bays on the west side. The crystal clear water is ideal for snorkelling with the best coral reefs at the northeast and southeast ends of the island. There are resorts on the east coast and the rustic and unassuming Paradise lost on the southern most of Kradan’s hills. Remember to bring a torch to come back down in the dark. Look for the footpath that begins on the beach slightly north of the eastern most point of the island. This is also the best place to land your tender as there is a gap in the fringing coral reef.