What kind of island it is
Koh Lon (เกาะโหลน) belongs to Rawai subdistrict of Phuket city. Rawai Municipality lists it among its places and describes it as another sea destination of Phuket: beautiful nature, clear water and the simple village life that is worth getting to know.
By Thai Wikipedia the island covers more than 3,000 rai (about 4.8 km²) and was once uninhabited and forested. More than a hundred years ago Muslim settlers from Satun arrived, and the village was formally founded in 1937 with 33 households. Today over 80 % of residents are Muslim and about 20 % Buddhist. People lived from orchards and fishing, and fishing is still a big part of life.
There is no resort strip. Thai Holiday Guide describes a small fishing community with a few simple guesthouses, and boats land directly on the beach. A Prince of Songkla University study (2018) says the tourism activities are run by local Muslim fishers to share daily life, culture and skills. A 2026 paper from Rajapruk University (206 residents surveyed) found that residents rate community tourism highly and want better infrastructure and accommodation.
How to spend the day
- Beaches. Calm shallow water and casuarina shade, as Thai Holiday Guide describes it. Wikivoyage warns that away from the guesthouses the beaches are not cleaned of shells and stones, so wear water shoes
- The village on the east side. A fishing settlement, a small shop with the basics and cafes serving seafood. There is no ATM on the island (Thai Holiday Guide), so bring cash
- Paths. There are no roads, only footpaths, and the island is walked on foot (Wikivoyage)
- Local landmarks. Thai Wikipedia mentions multicoloured crabs, hornbills, a small waterfall called Ton Sai (น้ำตกโตนไทร) and villagers’ batik. We did not check whether the waterfall runs in the dry months
- Community programmes. Thailand.go.th describes a homestay: fishing lessons, octopus catching, lobster cages, sweets made to local recipes and natural cloth dyeing. Terms and prices are settled directly with the hosts
- Snorkelling. Modest: Thai Holiday Guide says it is not on a par with Racha Yai, and Wikivoyage notes less clear water
How a day goes
We found no single tour with a timetable, so the day has three parts:
- A boat from Chalong Pier or Rawai Beach, 15-20 minutes each way
- The beach, lunch in the village, a walk on a path, and a homestay activity if you like
- The return at the time agreed with the boatman, ideally before sunset
Thai Holiday Guide says people come for half a day or a day. By our estimate that is 4-5 hours for half a day and up to 8 for a full day, counting the trip to the pier.
When to go
The best time is November-April, when the sea is calmer (Thai Holiday Guide). From May to October the southwest monsoon brings swell and rain, and on some days boats do not go.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| November-April | calmer water, easier landing on a beach with no pier |
| May-October | rain and swell, a boatman may refuse to go |
More in Phuket climate by month.
Getting there and how far it is
Boats go from Chalong Pier and from Rawai Beach. Straight-line distances, our calculation from OpenStreetMap coordinates:
| From | To Koh Lon | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chalong Pier | about 4 km | 15-20 minutes by boat per Thai Holiday Guide |
| Rawai Beach | about 6 km | Rawai Municipality gives about 5 km |
| Coral Island | about 5 km | Thaipedia calculation |
| Cape Promthep | about 8 km | Thaipedia calculation |
English-language guides (Wikivoyage) give 1.5 km from Chalong, which we could not reproduce from the coordinates. You land right on the beach, so the time depends on the tide and the weather. We found no official timetable or pier: boats are hired on the spot or arranged through a homestay.
Do not confuse it with Koh Bulon (เกาะบุโหลน), a different island that is far from Chalong.
Options: longtail, speedboat, homestay
| Option | Time | Who it suits | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longtail from Chalong Pier or Rawai | 15-20 minutes | Anyone travelling independently who wants to return at a chosen hour | The return time and price must be agreed in advance |
| Private speedboat | 15-20 minutes | A group that wants to save time | Wikivoyage only says one may be chartered: check terms locally |
| Homestay on the island | a day and a night | Anyone interested in village life | Terms and prices are set directly, and there is no current register |
| 3-hour longtail hire along the east-coast islands | 3 hours | Anyone who wants Koh Lon with Coral Island | Route and cost are discussed with the manager (Phuket Tour) |
Opening hours and charges
The island has no opening hours: it is a place where people live, not a park. There is no national park fee, and Thai Holiday Guide says entry is free. We found no village or community charge and cannot confirm one. The boatman and the homestay are paid separately, and the price should be named before you leave.
What to do in rain and swell
A boatman may refuse to go in a swell, and landing on a beach with no pier is unpleasant in bad weather. The island has no indoor programme. Move the trip to a calm day, and in the rain stay ashore in Chalong or Rawai.
Safety
- Life jackets. Ask the boatman for one for everyone, especially children
- Landing. The water at the boat is shallow, but the beaches are not cleared of stones (Wikivoyage), so wear shoes
- Cash and signal. There is no ATM and the shops are small (Thai Holiday Guide), so bring water and cash
- Jellyfish and currents. We found no specific warnings for Koh Lon beaches. In the monsoon months ask locals where they swim
- Insurance. We found nothing on a clinic on the island, so carry medical insurance that covers boat trips
Who it suits and who should skip it
Suits:
- Anyone who likes quiet places. A community village without beach clubs
- Anyone curious about daily life. Fishing, local food, crafts
Skip it if:
- You expect a pier and a timetable. There is no departure board
- You want reefs. Choose Racha or the Khai Islands
- You need medical help nearby. We found no information on a clinic on the island
FAQ
How do you get to Koh Lon from Phuket?
By boat from Chalong Pier or Rawai Beach. Thai Holiday Guide gives 15-20 minutes by longtail or speedboat, landing right on the beach. By OpenStreetMap coordinates it is about 4 km from Chalong Pier and about 6 km from Rawai Beach in a straight line. We found no scheduled ferry in official sources, so people hire a boat or ask a homestay to arrange one.
Is there a regular ferry or timetable to Koh Lon?
We did not find one in official sources. Wikivoyage advises going to Chalong Bay early in the morning if you have not booked a boat, and Thai Holiday Guide describes a private return trip with a return time of your choice. Agree the pick-up hour in advance and keep the boatman's number.
What is there to do on Koh Lon?
Swim, walk the paths, visit the village and eat seafood at small cafes. Thai Wikipedia lists multicoloured crabs, hornbills, a small waterfall called Ton Sai and local batik among the island's features. Thailand.go.th describes a homestay programme: fishing lessons, octopus catching, lobster cages and natural cloth dyeing.
Can you stay overnight on Koh Lon?
Yes, there are small guesthouses and a homestay. Thai Holiday Guide mentions a few simple guesthouses and Wikivoyage describes basic rooms at high prices. Check what is open today and on what terms directly, because we found no current register.
What should you wear on Koh Lon?
Dress modestly in the village. By Thai Wikipedia more than 80 % of residents are Muslim, so cover shoulders and knees away from the beach. This is our advice, not an official rule: we found no written code for visitors. Swimwear on the beach by the water is normally fine, but put on a T-shirt and shorts to walk through the village.
Are Koh Lon and Koh Bulon the same island?
No. Koh Lon (เกาะโหลน) is 15-20 minutes from Chalong. Koh Bulon (เกาะบุโหลน) is a different island: speedboats run there from Rassada Pier with stops at Phi Phi and Lanta, about four hours in all (phuketferry.com timetable). Check the spelling when you look for a boat.
Do you pay an entrance fee for the island?
There is no national park fee: Koh Lon is not in the DNP table (edition of 02.06.2023). Thai Holiday Guide says entry is free. We could not confirm any village or community charge, and the boatman and homestay are paid separately.
Is Koh Lon good for snorkelling?
At the shore, yes, but not for reefs. Thai Holiday Guide calls the snorkelling modest and not on a par with Racha Yai, and Wikivoyage says the water is less clear than elsewhere in the region. For reefs choose Racha or Khai.
Sources
- Rawai Municipality. Koh Lon (เกาะโหลน)
- Thai Wikipedia. เกาะโหลน
- DNP. National park entrance fees for individuals (dataset, CSV)
- OpenStreetMap. Koh Lon (way 25 423 080), Chalong Pier (way 149701364), Rawai Beach (node 9428647728)
- Prince of Songkla University. Key Success Factors in Community-based Tourism: A Case Study of Koh Lone, Phuket (2018)
- Rajapruk University. Guidelines for the Development of Community-Based Tourism in Ban Koh Lon (2026)
- Thai Holiday Guide. Ko Lon
- Wikivoyage. Ko Lon
- Thailand.go.th. Lifestyle Tourism: Fishermen at Khao Lon in Phuket
- Phuket Tour. Longtail boat trip (east-coast island routes)
- Phuketferry.com. Phuket to Koh Bulon (speedboat timetable)
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