A little Gem in the Gulf of Thailand

Scenic View of the Island

It is not down in any map, true places never are  

Herman Melville

Ko Kham Island is a true tropical treasure paradise belonging in part to the national marine park archipelago of 52 islands set in the Gulf of Thailand and situated approximately 22 kilometres (13 miles) southeast of Hat Bang Bao Bay at the southernmost end of Ko Chang Island and also within reasonably easy reach from Ao Suan Yai beach on the northern shores of the Ko Maak Island.

Introduction

This tiny island is privately owned. It is accessible by boat and there is an entrance fee of 200 Baht.

Ko Kham offers a unique location, low environmental development, a quiet atmosphere, and a prime position with the richness of a long, sandy beaches with sprinklings of tall coconut palms.

It can easily be reached with a sea kayak from Ko Mak or by walking across during low tide. 

This tiny island measures only about 300 metres from its northern end to its southern end and about 200 metres from east to west.

On the island’s western shores you will encounter some mangrove swamps and a variety of wild orchids. On the flat sandbank of the eastern shores, there are two small but stunning sandy beaches where you can simply relax and enjoy a swim amongst countless small fish in the warm crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Koh Kham Island

Snorkeling & Kayaking

Ko Kham Island has some reasonable good places to snorkel, especially around the southern shores. The beach itself is enhanced with a few fairly attractive volcanic black boulders that protrude from the calm blue sea. Swimming is safe during the months from November through to May but high winds and torrential rains batter the island between June and September.

The pleasant sand dunes are excellent for sunbathing. In fact, sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling are the only recreational things to do on the island besides perhaps the occasional kayak ride around the island that should not take you more than 40 minutes or so. Relaxation is the key word here.

Koh Kham Beach

Accomodation – Ko Kham Resort

Ko Kham Resort consisting of some 20 bamboo bungalows, is the island’s only real accommodation situated on a long pristine sandy beach along the island’s eastern shores. The setting is absolutely stunning for those wishing for an atmosphere of sheer peace and tranquillity. There is no traffic, no crowds, no noise, only pure bliss, a lush tropical interior, the scattering of gently swaying coconut palms and warm clear blue waters. 

The resort’s accommodation has several price variations from the very reasonable, the very inexpensive to the ridiculously cheap. In any case, you will find that you have the island practically to yourself ~ pure luxury.

Koh Kham Resort bungalows

Cheaper Accommodation

At the cheap end of the scale, you’ll receive bamboo-thatch huts with coconut frond roofs. Bedding consists of mattresses on the floor, cooling is generated from overhead fans and to keep the mosquitoes at bay, nets are provided.

Value Accommodation

At the reasonably priced end of the scale, there are large two-tier wooden huts or bungalows with blue corrugated roofs. Separate sleeping quarters come in the form of lofts. Cooling in the form of real air-conditioning is powered from the island resort’s generator. The outdoor showers are a pure Bali-style.

Prices for Accommodation

Prices also depend on location, location, location. Some units are beach fronted while others are simply scattered amidst a well-maintained garden. The resort is completed and complimented with the island’s only restaurant serving both Thai and European type cuisine. Of course, fresh seafood is the best option.

Koh Kham Beach
Canoes on the Beach

Getting to Ko Kham Island

Between November and May, various boats sail daily from Laem Ngop’s Naval Monument Pier on Thailand’s mainland to Ko Kham around 3:00 pm.

The return trip leaves around 8:00 pm. A one-way trip takes about three hours at a cost of around 250 Baht. There are also daily short taxi boat trips leaving the island of Ko Maak from Ao Nid Pier during the same period.

A place to relax on Ko Kham Island