Koh Chabang

Ko Chabang is a small, uninhabited outcrop in the Mu Koh Adang-Rawi group inside Tarutao National Marine Park, about 20 minutes by longtail from Koh Adang. There’s no beach camp, no jetty building, and nobody living here — it exists on island-hopping itineraries purely as a snorkel and dive stop.

Experience

The draw is what’s underwater. Submerged rocks around the island sit at 15-30 feet (roughly 4.5-9 metres), shallow enough to see clearly from the surface but deep enough for a casual scuba dive alongside the snorkelers. Soft coral and sea anemones cover the rock faces, and reef fish move through in loose schools rather than the picked-over patches you get on more heavily-visited stops near Koh Lipe. Bring your own mask if the fit matters — rental sets on day-tour boats see heavy use.

Atmosphere & Timing

Nobody stays overnight. Boats pull in for an hour or two, snorkelers go over the side, and the group moves on — often to Koh Adang or the paired Koh Adang-Koh Rawi islands, or further south to Tarutao National Park. November to April is the window — the Andaman is calm and visibility is at its best. From May to October, monsoon swell makes the crossing rough and some operators skip the outer islands entirely.

Insider Tip: Ask your boat operator to anchor on the sheltered side of the rocks — the current on the exposed side picks up fast once the tide turns, and it’s easy to drift further than you meant to.

Watch out: There’s no ranger station, no first-aid post, and no phone signal out here. Snorkel with a buddy and stay within sight of the boat crew.

Practical

Ko Chabang isn’t on a public ferry schedule — every visit is a chartered longtail or speedboat arranged from Koh Lipe, usually as one stop on a multi-island day trip. There’s nothing to buy on the island itself, so bring water, reef-safe sunscreen, and cash for the boat operator.