Welcome to the unspoiled island paradise of Koh Mook! A hidden gem nestled between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe in Southern Thailand, this secluded island is a stark contrast to the busy tourist hotspots. Unlike its bustling neighbors, Koh Mook remains an untouched haven, offering a serene retreat for those seeking to escape from the crowds.
The absence of a vibrant social scene in Koh Mook is a testament to its charm. Instead of lively bars and clubs, evenings here are reserved for quiet contemplation and relaxation. Of all the islands we’ve been to in Thailand, Koh Mook wins as the most peaceful one.
Pack your bags and take this travel guide with you: this is your Ultimate Guide to Koh Mook Island!
Best Things to Do on Koh Mook
1. Emerald Cave
Just like Railay’s Princess Lagoon in Krabi, Emerald Cave is a body of water hidden in an open ceiling cave just as hard to reach! There, you need to rock climb down to the lagoon, and here, you have to swim almost 80 meters through a dark sea cave before reaching it. Sounds terrifying, but this added adrenaline makes it a unique adventure!
It is recommended to join a guided tour to visit the Emerald Cave as you’ll need some help navigating through the dark tunnel. The guides also know the best time to visit in between tides, so you don’t get to a dry lagoon during low tide nor get stuck inside it during high tide.
Once inside the lagoon, you will be surrounded by towering cliffs covered in lush greenery. The vibrant green hue of the water gives the lagoon its name. It’s truly a fairytale scenery!
Pro tip: We did our tour with PK Team Tour and for a budget tour (500 baht), we highly recommend it as it also stops at Koh Kradan. If you’re based in Koh Lanta or Koh Ngai, you can also do a day trip tour to Koh Mook which includes the Emerald Cave. We always use Get Your Guide to book these.
2. Sivalai Beach
The island’s postcard, this stunning beach is famous for the white sandbar that appears at low tide and it’s where most of the luxury resorts on the island are located. Sivalai Beach offers spectacular sunset views due to its west-facing location and it’s a great spot for swimming.
3. Charlie Beach
One of the more secluded beaches on the island, Charlie Beach is a serene bay surrounded by tropical vegetation overlooking the cliffs that form Emerald Cave. You can reach Charlie Beach by scooter and the journey take about 30 minutes, mostly through dirt roads.
Pro tip: Charlie Beach is the perfect spot to watch the sunset! Enjoy a beer or two at the Koyao Restaurant deck.
4. Koh Mook Viewpoint
Hiking through the jungle to Koh Mook’s highest point is an incredible adventure! The viewpoint is located right at the center of the island and it is particularly popular during sunrise and sunset, offering great views of the secluded bay of Sabai Beach.
The trail to the viewpoint starts at the Ban Kohmook Nurse House in the village. You can continue from here by scooter up to the start of the jungle hike by following the signposts. The actual trail is marked by red paint on the trees and features a combination of steps and steep rocky terrain. It takes about 30-45 minutes to reach the top, and due to the heat and humidity, we consider it quite a challenging hike.
Tip: if you’re a pro hiker, you can also try this 8.2 km loop trail available on AllTrails – it passes through two secluded bays and the viewpoint on the way back.
5. Sabai Beach
Once at the viewpoint, you have the option to turn back or keep going down to Sabai Beach for another 30-ish minutes. This charming and secluded beach is set right between two cliffs and there’s nothing around but unspoiled nature.
You can also reach Sabai Beach by kayak from Charlie Beach. The journey takes around 45 minutes and you can rent a kayak for about 100 baht per hour.
Pro tip: Sabai Beach is the best spot for snorkeling on Koh Mook, but because of the island’s proximity to the mainland, it might not be the greatest snorkeling experience you’ll have in Thailand. For better snorkeling, take a day trip to Koh Kradan!
6. Koh Kradan Day Trip
Koh Kradan is a stunning island that features some of the most pristine beaches we’ve ever seen. Located just about 20 minutes from Koh Mook, Koh Kradan is usually visited on a day trip that includes the Emerald Cave and a few more snorkeling stops, but can also be reached by hiring a private longtail boat.
Snorkeling and diving are popular activities here, as the vibrant coral reefs surrounding the island are teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other fascinating marine creatures.
7. Fishing Village
Koh Mook is home to a traditional “sea gypsy“ village. This village is primarily inhabited by the Chao Leh, a sea-faring ethnic group of Malay origin that’s also present on the Moken Village of Surin Islands and a couple of other Thai and Burmese Islands. The houses in the fishing village are built on stilts, allowing the villagers to live above the water, and constructed using local materials such as bamboo and wood.
How to Get to Koh Mook
Ferry from Koh Lanta: from Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta, there are several ferries and speedboat services that operate between the islands. The journey typically takes around 1.5-2 hours, depending on the sea conditions, and costs around 900-1000 baht. It is also possible to do a day trip to Koh Mook from Koh Lanta, in case you prefer not to stay on the island.
Ferry from Trang: Trang province is the closest mainland point to Koh Mook, and taking a ferry from here is the most common way to reach the island. From Trang Airport or Trang Town, you can arrange transportation to Khuan Tung Ku Pier, which is the departure point for ferries to Koh Mook, or book a combination ticket from Trang directly to Koh Mook. You can reach Trang by plane, train, or bus from many destinations in Thailand.
Ferry from other nearby islands: Koh Mook is also accessible by ferry from other neighboring islands, such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, and Koh Ngai. However, the availability of these routes may vary depending on the season.
The most important piece of advice for getting to Koh Mook is to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak season. You can either book tickets directly at the pier a couple of days prior, or online through 12Go Asia or Bookaway.
Note: the same ferry that runs from Koh Lanta to Koh Mook and vice versa also stops at other islands such as Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lipe, so you can plan your island-hopping itinerary in Southern Thailand based on it!
Best Time to Visit & How Long to Stay
The best time to visit Koh Mook is between January and March when the seas are calm and visibility is at its best. The rainiest period is between June to October. We would recommend planning at least 2-3 full days on the island to fully enjoy it!
Where to Stay on Koh Mook
Accommodation on Koh Mook ranges from small guesthouses to beachfront resorts. Most of the hotels are located on Charlie Beach, which is the most popular and developed area of the island. Sivalai Beach, on the other hand, is known for its upscale resorts and luxury accommodations, while the main village is where you will find budget-friendly guesthouses, homestays, and smaller hotels.
Getting Around
Despite being a relatively small island, you won’t be able to explore Koh Mook on foot like you can do the tiny Koh Lipe. The best options to explore the island are:
🛵 Motorbike Rental: there are several rental shops on the island where you can rent a motorbike for a day or longer, and they usually cost around 200-250 baht per day. We recommend renting directly with your hotel or at the small shop right before the pier.
🛺 Songthaews: the “tuk-tuks of Thailand“, songthaews work like a small shared taxi. You can arrange one with your accommodation or directly at the pier.
Note: It is important to note that Koh Mook‘s is not as developed and most of the roads are not paved.
Koh Mook on a Budget
🛏️ Accommodation: the cheapest accommodations start at €13-25 a night for budget private rooms. There is only one hostel on the island, and a bed in a shared dorm starts at €11.
🍔 Food: local food ranges between €2-4 while Western dishes start at €5.
🚌 Transport: the ferry depends on where you’re coming from, with the cheapest options being from both Koh Lanta and Khuan Tung Ku Pier at ~€25 each way.
🎟️ Activities: the main activity you can’t miss at Koh Mook is the Emerald Cave which is only accessible by boat. The cheapest tour options go for ~€14.
Note: we visited Koh Mook on a budget in November 2022. We managed to stay at a budget of around €26 per person per day.
Travel Tips for Visiting Koh Mook
- There is only one ATM on the island and it is situated just outside a mini-market in the main village (location here).
- There is only one medical clinic on the whole island – the Koh Mook Health Center, which only treats minor injuries. In most severe cases, you will be transferred back by speedboat to a mainland hospital.
- Bring your own sunscreen! Sunscreen in Asia usually comes with bleaching agents and is much more expensive on the islands.
- Koh Mook has a greater Muslim population, therefore alcohol can be a bit harder to find.
- There are no 7-Elevens on this island (no toasties… ifykyk)
