Koh Khe, known to tourists mostly as Coral Island, is one of the most popular islands south of Phuket. As the name suggests, it is well known for its shallow coral reefs and excellent snorkeling conditions. The name of Koh Khe Island doesn't actually mean "Coral Island" in Thai. This name means "Crowded Island". Koh Hye is indeed quite a crowded island, as many tourists come here every day to go snorkeling or just relax on the beautiful beach. However, Coral Island is not always crowded, and there are quiet places where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday.
Video about Coral Island
Coral Island on the map
The beaches of Koh He
The beaches of Coral Island near Phuket attract many tourists here, as they offer excellent opportunities for relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. Despite its relatively small size, Koh He has 3 beautiful beaches at once.
The coral island is 2.5 km long and is almost entirely covered by jungle. There are two good beaches on the north side of the island opposite Phuket, and a small but nice little beach on the south side of the island. In the interior of the island there is absolutely nothing but too dense vegetation and too steep slopes. Therefore, Koh He is not suitable for development or agriculture.
Long Beach
This 800 meter long beach is the most popular on Coral Island. This is where tourists come for excursions. The beach has plenty of sun loungers, a beach volleyball court and even a small water sports centre. There are also several restaurants and bars here. At the eastern end of this beach is the Coral Island Resort, which has small bungalows next to the beach and its own swimming pool. The conditions for snorkeling in the Long Beach area are not really the best on the island, as most of the corals close to the shore have been damaged due to the constant activity of tourists. However, if you sail about 100 meters from the shore, you can see a lot of corals and colorful fish.Banana Beach
If you want to avoid the crowds, then you need to head to Banana Beach. This beach is located east of Long Beach and is about 2 times smaller than it. There is only one restaurant, a toilet and a few sun loungers. The best way to get to the beach is by boat, although there is a path connecting Long Beach and Banana Beach that goes through the jungle. You will definitely need good shoes to walk on it.Banana Beach is a much calmer beach than Long Beach. Snorkeling is possible here right on the shore. The shallow coral reef is an ideal snorkeling spot for beginners and children.
Freedom Beach
If you want to explore the whole island of Koh Khe, you can take a boat to Freedom Beach, located on the south side. It's a small beach with a restaurant and a few sun loungers. The beach is located in a bay with steep hills all around. Sometimes on the beach you can see a giant monitor lizard that comes from the jungle to eat the food left by the restaurant owners. A good place for snorkeling on Freebom Beach is right off the coast, but if you swim a little further, you can see a lot of corals, beautiful rocks and a variety of marine fauna.How to get to Koh He island
Many local tour operators offer trips to Coral Island. As a rule, the cost of these excursions is low and is approximately 1000 baht. However, you can get to Koh Hye on your own. To do this, you need to come to Rawai Pier or Chalong Pier and rent a longtail boat or speedboat. As a rule, many local fishermen do not refuse additional income. If you gather a small group, then a trip to Koh Khe Island on a rented boat can cost you less than if you buy an excursion for each person. Renting a longtail boat should cost you between 1,500 and 2,000 baht, while renting a speedboat will cost around 5,000 baht.
