Koh Khangkhao

Ko Khangkhao is a small, uninhabited island off the Klaeng district coast of Rayong province — one of a cluster of reef islets, along with Koh Talu and Koh Kruai, Koh Kham and Koh Plai Tin, that day-boats out of Mae Phim Beach run snorkeling trips to. There’s no jetty and no accommodation of its own; every visitor arrives by longtail or speedboat and leaves the same day.

The draw is the fringing reef around the island’s sheltered side, where snorkelers drift over coral heads and reef fish in water that’s clear enough on a calm day to see the bottom several meters down. Visibility shifts with the tide and recent rainfall, so don’t expect identical conditions on every trip. Boats generally anchor at two or three spots around the island rather than land — the beach itself is a narrow strip of sand backed by scrub, not somewhere to spend the day ashore.

Boats to the island leave from operators along the Mae Phim and Klaeng coastline rather than one fixed departure point, usually as half-day multi-island trips that also stop at Koh Talu or the neighboring islets. Mornings are calmest for both the crossing and the snorkeling — afternoon wind tends to chop up the surface and cut visibility.

Bring your own mask and fins if you have a preferred fit — boat operators supply gear, but it’s shared between passengers and inconsistently sized. There’s no shade, food, or fresh water on the island, so pack both before you board.

Insider Tip: Ask your boat operator for an early departure — 8 AM trips beat both the afternoon wind and the crowds that build once Mae Phim’s weekend day-trippers arrive.

Watch out: Don’t confuse this with Ko Khang Khao (Bat Island) in Laem Son National Park, Ranong, on the Andaman coast — a completely different island roughly 700 km away that just happens to share the same Thai name.