Koh Chabang

Koh 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.

What to expect

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 information

Koh 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.