Koh Hin Son

Two granite blocks, each the size of a small building, sit stacked on top of each other on this uninhabited islet in Mu Ko Tarutao National Park — shaped by weathering along the rock’s natural fracture lines over thousands of years, not by anyone’s hand. Ko Hin Son sits in the Ko Dong group, about 15km from Koh Lipe, and it’s small enough that most visitors see it entirely from the water: there’s no beach to land on.

Longtail boats slow down here on their way between Koh Lipe and the wider Tarutao archipelago, giving passengers a few minutes to photograph the stacked rocks and, if the group has time, drop in for a snorkel. The water around the base holds a mix of soft and hard coral, and the visibility on a calm day easily runs 10-15 metres. Kayaking around the formation is popular too — paddling close enough to see the join between the two granite blocks makes the balance trick more obvious than it looks from a passing boat deck.

Ko Hin Son works as one stop among several rather than a destination on its own. Boat operators typically pair it with Ko Hin Ngam, Tarutao’s better-known patterned-stone beach, and Ko Adang further along the same route. None of the three has facilities — bring your own water and reef-safe sunscreen, since there’s nowhere to buy either once you leave Koh Lipe.

Insider Tip: Ask your boat driver to circle the formation slowly rather than just idling alongside it — the angle that makes the two blocks look precariously balanced only shows from certain sides.

Watch out: Tarutao National Park closes for roughly four months each year during the monsoon, typically mid-May to mid or late November, and Ko Hin Son closes with it. Confirm the current season dates with your tour operator before booking an island-hopping trip in that window.