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Koh Jum is a Thai island in the Andaman Sea near Krabi. It actually goes by two names, Koh Jum and Ko Pu. The island is the perfect getaway for intrepid travelers looking for calm and peace in the touristy south of Thailand. While only a short boat ride away from busy Krabi and nearby Koh Lanta, this island maintains a local charm and authentic flair. Read on to discover everything there is to do on Koh Jum, how to get there and the best places to stay!
Beach time at Koh Jum Thailand
Koh Jum Island is a hidden gem nestled in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand. This serene and relatively untouched island is divided into two parts, with the upper section referred to as Ko Pu and the southern part known as Koh Jum.
Koh Jum is a tropical paradise blessed with stunning natural beauty. Its pristine beaches, fringed with palm trees and caressed by crystal-clear turquoise waters, offer a picture-perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. The island’s charm lies in its peaceful ambiance and the absence of crowds, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a tranquil getaway.
Koh Jum Beaches
The local community on Koh Jum offers a warm and welcoming vibe. There are only three traditional villages on the island. As a conscious traveler, be sure to visit these villages, where you can still experience the authentic Thai way of life and interact with friendly locals.
A local told me there hasn’t been any case of violence on the island in the past 200 years. this illustrates the haven of peace that Koh Jum is, which is rare in the south of Thailand. The island’s laid-back atmosphere is the perfect place to unwind and immerse yourself in the simple pleasures of island living.
For those seeking adventure, Koh Jum offers an array of activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking. The breathtaking sunsets over the Andaman Sea are not to be missed, casting a mesmerizing golden glow over the island’s tranquil shores.
Ao si beach, Ko Jum
When deciding whether to stay on Koh Jum or Ko Pu, it’s essential to consider the amenities available on each part of the island.
Ko Pu is more secluded and isolated, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a tranquil retreat. However, it’s important to note that Ko Pu has limited infrastructure and fewer amenities compared to Koh Jum. This part of the island is less developed, and there aren’t any supermarkets nearby. The only restaurants you’ll find here are the ones from the guesthouses and resorts.
On the other hand, Koh Jum is relatively more developed and offers a wider range of facilities for tourists. At Koh Jum you can find a variety of accommodation options, restaurants, and small supermarkets, making it more suitable for those who prefer to have amenities nearby.
If you stay in Ko Pu, you will definitely need a bicycle or a scooter if you like to try different restaurants and be able to buy fresh fruits and snacks. It is possible to walk from Ko Pu to Koh Jum to do this but the walk takes a long time and is pretty strenuous in the heat.
I love to stay in more remote places but, having stayed in Ko Pu, next time, I would opt to stay in Koh Jum. I don’t like to rent a scooter and found Ko Pu a bit too isolated. The prices for food at the resort I was staying at were also pretty inflated and I longed for a local restaurant with a 50 Baht Pad Thai.
However, both parts of the island offer stunning natural beauty and a serene atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings of the Andaman Sea.
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There are many beaches on Koh Jum and Ko Pu, one being more isolated than the other; I’ll give an overview below of the various beaches, what you can expect at each beach, and if it’s a good place to stay.
Coconut beach, Ko Pu Thailand
Coconut Beach is located on Ko Pu and is by far the most beautiful beach on the whole island. It is a beautiful small bay fringed by large swaying palm trees and surrounded by lush greenery.
Coconut Beach, Koh Pu Thailand
There are no amenities on Coconut Beach and you’ll need to walk down a gravel road leading to Mupa Resort from the main road on Ko Pu.
The only place to stay at Coconut Beach is the Mupa Resort. Coconut Beach is a great beach to spend a few hours if you’re after solitude and relaxation.
Kuboa beach (sunset beach), Koh Pu island
Kuboa Beach, also called “Sunset Beach” is the main beach on Ko Pu. It is a sandy beach with a lot of rocks in the water making it suitable for snorkeling.
Most of the accommodation on Ko Pu is located here and there are a few nice guesthouses to stay here, like Bonhomie Cottages and Coral Bay Resort.
The restaurant of Bonhomie Guesthouse offers tasty food at decent prices. At the other guesthouses and resorts, the prices were pretty inflated compared to the average prices in Thailand.
Secret Beach
Secret Beach is not an actual beach but rather a rocky inlet that you can reach by foot at low tide. There is a stairs leading to an abandoned house and there used to be a pathway to one of the main walking trails on Ko Pu but it was overgrown.
Ting Rai Bay
Ting Rai Beach is a beach located at the spot where Ko Pu end and Koh Jum starts. It is an isolated beach with three beautiful resorts, On Lee Bungalows, Koh Jum Resort, and Koh Jum Relax Beach.
Ting Rai is a good beach if you’re after a quiet escape but in relatively close proximity to a shop or restaurant. The village of Ting Rai is only two kilometers away and can easily be reached on foot via a dirt track.
Magic Beach
This idyllic stretch of sand lives up to its name, offering a magical setting that captivates you for sure. The beach boasts powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, inviting you to relax and unwind in a picture-perfect environment.
Bar at Magic Beach
Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, Magic Beach provides a serene and secluded atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing and swimming. After that, you can enjoy a drink at Lacky Magic Beach Cafe.
Ao Si Beach
Ao Si Beach is an idyllic beach in Koh Jum and would be my preferred beach to stay at the next time I visit Koh Jum. The beach is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and towering palm trees, which provide plenty of shade for those who want to relax and unwind.
It is an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling yet it’s close to one of the villages where you can find great local restaurants and a few shops.
The simple bungalows of Jungle Hill and Sun Smile Beach looked like great places to stay.
Golden pearl beach
If your looking for a true resort experience then Golden Pearl Beach is one of the best beaches to stay at in Koh Jum. It offers a long stretch of powder-white sand and a great view of Ko Pu Mountain.
It’s a beach that is frequented by families with children and travelers who are looking for comfort and a tad of luxury. The Wynn and Koh Jum Beach Villas are the main resorts.
Andaman beach
Andaman Beach is a little furth south of Golden Pearl Beach and caters to the same type of travelers. It’s another beautiful sandy beach that also offers a stunning view of Ko Pu Mountain on one side and the small island of Koh Pe Lat on the other side.
Andaman beach
Andaman Beach Resort is the main resort on this stretch of beach. It seems like there used to be more accommodation options here but they didn’t all open up again after Covid. There were also stretches of beach in between resorts that weren’t cleaned and were pretty dirty.
Long beach
Long Beach is a long stretch of white-sand beach that runs all the way to the southern tip of the island. It offers both a mix of budget bungalows and more upscale accommodations.
Long beach
If you”re looking for a simple bungalow then Joy Bungalows might be a good choice and for more luxury, you can try Koh Jum Delight Beach.
From Long Beach, you have easy access to Koh Jum Village which is a lovely 20-minute stroll through lovely terrain with palm trees.
Freedon Beach is an isolated beach at the southernmost tip of the island. There used to be a resort there but at the time of my visit (February 2023) it was in ruins. A beach is a great place though if you’re looking for seclusion, yet it’s near Koh Jum village for restaurants and shops.
I haven’t visited Banyan Bay during the daytime, only by night so I can’t rally say how it looks. It’s a small bay on the upper northern part on the island in Ko Pu. There’s a large resort near the bay, Banyan Bay Villas, but I would not advise to stay there.
Instead, check out the lovely bungalows of Rock View Terrace. The bungalows are located in a lovely garden, cats are going leisurely about their day and the white terrace overlooking the Andaman Sea is wonderfully peaceful. The cooking skills of the family are also excellent. Try the veggie Tom Yum!
Boats at Ao Si beach
Travelers who visit Koh Jum and Ko Pu are mainly here for one thing: to relax. There are however plenty of things to do on Koh Jum, mainly attractions of the natural kind. Here are the best things to do on Koh Jum and Ko Pu!
Kayaking at Ko Pu
Embark on a kayak adventure and explore the island’s pristine coastline, hidden coves, and secluded beaches. Kayaks can be rented at various accommodation options both in Koh Jum and Ko Pu. Due to the many rocks is kayaking best done at high tide.
The rocky coastline of Koh Jum and Ko Pu makes it a perfect spot for snorkeling. At low tide, you can see a variety of corals, big schools of tiny fish, and popular tropical fish like the sergeant major with its distinct white, black, and yellow stripes.
Hiking at Ting Rai Beach, Ko Pu, Thailand
Hiking is one of the best things to do on Koh Jum and, while the island isn’t that big, it’s impossible to explore everything on foot in just one day. The best way to discover all the beaches is to hike from Kuboa Beach to Freedom Beach via the shoreline when the tide is low and return afterward via the main road.
The best app to check out the roads, hiking trails, and pathways on Koh Jum is Maps.me. It is also possible to book an organized hike through the jungle to the top of Mount Pu. Ask your accommodation to make arrangements.
Koh Jum is not that large and, while hiring a motorbike might seem tempting, it’s much more eco-friendly to rent a bicycle. Bicycles can be rented at various accommodations on Koh Jum for 100 BHT/day. Do note that there are no bicycles for rent on Koh Pu at Kuboa Beach.
Taking a rest at Luboa Beach
Your ultimate goal for coming to Koh Jum is probably relaxing and that is exactly what this island is for. Most of the accommodations are located by the beach and provide chairs and hammocks that overlook the sea. Grab a good book, rub some sunscreen, and get ready to laze your day away at the beach.
With the Andaman Sea at your doorstep when you wake up there’s nothing better than to put on your bikini in the morning and go for an early morning dip. High tide is the best time for swimming. It is possible that you will see some jellyfish but they are harmless.
Streets of Koh Jum, Thailand
There are only three small villages in Koh Jum, Ting Rai Village, Koh Jum Village, and Koh Pu Village. Ting Rai is by far the prettiest village with lovely local neighborhoods in the side streets away from the main road. The best restaurants are also located in Ting Rai Village.
Laem kruat pier in Krabi where you take the longtail boat
To get to Koh Jum and Ko Pu you will first have to make your way to Krabi. At the time of our visit (February 2023), there was only one way to get from Krabi to Jum and that was by longtail boat from the Leam Kruat Pier in Khlong Khanan.
I’ve read blog posts that indicated that there are ferries in high season that make a stop in Koh Jum on the way to Koh Lanta but this way not the case when I was there.
To reach Koh Jum, you will have to take a blue songthaew first to Leam Kruat Pier and from there board a local longtail boat to Koh Jum.
If you’re arriving in Krabi by bus, the best place to catch one of the blue songthaews is this location on the main road. Songthaews coming from the center of Krabi will pass by here and pick you up. It is possible that you will have to transfer Songthaews to the village of Nuea Khlong but you will never have to wait long here. A Songthaew ride to the pier costs 140 BHT.
Once in Khlong Khanan, you can board a local longtail boat which costs 140 THB per person. They leave approximately every hour and it takes 45 minutes to reach Mutu Pier in Koh Jum.
In Koh Jum, the longtail boat will arrive at the Mutu Pier. From there, there’s basically one option to get to your accommodation and that is by private or shared taxi.
How much this costs highly depends on where you are staying on the island. Nearby accommodation on Ao si only requires you to pay 50 THB per person for the ride while guesthouses and resorts on Ko Pu cost 250 THB per person to reach.
These prices for a shared taxi are pretty high according to Thai Standards. My advice is to base yourself at Ao Si Beach and explore the island further from there by bicycle. it’s more convenient anyway to stay there since it’s close to shops and restaurants.
Streets of Koh Jum, Thailand
There are four ways to get around Koh Jum and that is by taxi, motorbike, bicycle, and on foot.
A taxi ride from the southern part of the island to Ko Pu will cost around 250-300 THB per person one way. A motorbike costs around 250 THB per day + gas. A bicycle can be rented for 100 THB/a day.
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Thailand:
Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Thailand
Thai Railway: To check timetables and connections for trains
Grab: The Uber of Southeast Asia is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bangkok or Phuket
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from a vegan cooking class in Bangkok to a half-day meditation retreat at a waterfall temple with a monk.
Thailand is very easy to enter because you can stay in the country for up to 45 days with a tourist visa on arrival. If you want to spend more time in Thailand, check out the official Thai e-Visa website.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Thai E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Thailand, the best local prepaid sim card is AIS.
Coral Bay Resort, Ko Pu, Thailand
Where you stay on Koh Jum or Ko Pu highly depends on your own wishes. I personally found Ko Pu too isolated and wished I had in been in closer proximity to shops and restaurants. But maybe isolation is exactly what you’re after and in that case, Ko Pu is the best choice you can make!
Jungle Hill Beach Bungalows, Ao Si Beach
Here are some great accommodation options on Koh Jum. I found Ting Rai Beach and Ao Si Beach the most appealing for conscious and slow travelers like myself while Golden Pearl Beach and Andaman Beach cater mostly to travelers who like a bit of luxury.
Bonhomie cottages, Ko Pu, Thailand
There isn’t that much accommodation on Ko Pu. Most of the options are located on Kuboa Beach. The accommodations are mainly simply bungalows, aside from the Piman resort and the Banyan Villas.
Halal food restaurant
At Koh Pu and Koh Jum, you can still feel the authentic local Thai vibe and this also means that there are no pizzerias, Mexican food, or Indian restaurants on the island as you can find at most touristy places.
The restaurants on Koh Jum are mostly small Thai eateries. At the resorts, you can however find Western food like burgers, fries and pasta.
Golden pearl beach
The best time to visit Koh Jum Island is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions with minimal rainfall and plenty of sunshine. The temperatures are pleasant, ranging from around 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F), making it comfortable for outdoor activities and beach relaxation.
It’s important to note that Koh Jum experiences a monsoon season from May to October, characterized by higher humidity and increased rainfall. During this time, the weather can be unpredictable, with occasional storms and rough seas. Many businesses may also close during the low season.
Here are some more tips and info:
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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