Muko Rang

Muko Rang is a scatter of small, uninhabited islands and rocky islets inside Mu Ko Chang National Park, reached by chartered boat from Koh Kood’s piers rather than any fixed ferry route. The park itself spans roughly 650 km² across 52 islands — about 70% of that area is open water — and Muko Rang sits in the stretch between Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak that draws most of the park’s snorkelling and diving traffic.

The individual islands in the group have their own specialities. Koh Yak Yai’s reefs carry blue staghorn coral; Koh Yak Lek is a reliable spot for sea turtle encounters; Koh Mapring has larger plate corals and, on rare occasions, a passing whale shark — worth knowing about but not something to expect on a single day trip. Above the waterline the islands are rocky and largely bare, rising as limestone outcrops with narrow gaps and small coves rather than sand beaches. There’s no accommodation, food, or fresh water on any of them, so day-trip boats carry everything visitors need.

Underwater, expect the usual reef-fish cast for this part of the Gulf of Thailand — parrotfish grazing the coral, schools of snapper moving through the gaps between rocks — rather than a guaranteed big-animal encounter. Because the group sits between three larger islands, most operators sell it as a multi-stop day rather than a single destination, which suits snorkellers better than divers looking for one dedicated site.

Insider Tip: Ask your boat operator whether the trip loops in Ko Kradat or Ko Mai Si as well — most day trips from Koh Kood combine two or three islands rather than visiting Muko Rang alone, so it’s worth confirming the full itinerary before booking rather than assuming a single-island trip.

Watch out: rough-season access can be unreliable. Outside the November-April window, wind and swell can make the crossing choppy or push operators to cancel trips altogether — confirm sailing status the day before rather than assuming a booking guarantees the boat goes out.

Most trips depart from piers near Hat Ban Chuen on Koh Kood, with crossing times varying by exact departure point and sea conditions — ask your operator for a realistic estimate rather than relying on a fixed figure. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, since these are living coral reefs inside a protected national park, and expect a full- or half-day commitment rather than a quick stop.