Welcome to my Koh Kham mini guide! My name is Eve, and I live in Finland with my husband and two cats. I have been working in the recycling industry for over eight years now and my passion for travel started in 2015 when I flew to Australia for my first ever solo trip. The following year, I went backpacking in Southeast Asia with a couple of my friends. That was also the first time I traveled to Thailand. We loved it so much that we ended up spending most of our backpacking trip exploring that beautiful country.
What attracted me to Thailand was the beautiful islands! I also fell in love with Thailand’s rich culture, kind people and delicious cuisine. After my first trip, I have visited Thailand four more times and I already have another flight booked there! I have visited most of the islands in Trat Province, Phuket and a few of its nearby islands, Bangkok and Rayong.
The Unspoiled Island of Koh Kham
I stumbled across Koh Kham when I was traveling in Koh Mak and found out that Koh Kham is located right next to Koh Mak. As soon as I discovered that tiny island, I wanted to go there and explore it. Koh Kham is a small, unspoiled, paradise island with crystal-clear waters, delicate white sand, and coral reefs which are perfect for snorkeling and diving. The beach there is the most outstanding attraction since the sand is unbelievably white!
Koh Kham consists of volcanic rock which is a rarity in the area. Huge lava rocks line the shore, making the contrast with the white sand dramatic and attractive. It’s only possible to visit Koh Kham by taking a boat trip as there are no hotels, just an unfinished resort with dozens of undone exclusive villas with private swimming pools and huge glass frontages. The resort was 70% complete and then the construction suddenly stopped.
Most of the workers went home and just a few remain whose job it is to keep the place in good order, water the plants and sift the spectacular white sand. The last time we visited Koh Kham, a couple of glamping tents had also popped up but at that time they weren’t in use – so I’m not sure if they are going to rent them out for overnight stays at some point or not.
But why is the sand so white in Koh Kham? The answer is the beach is man-made. Many white sand beaches aren’t completely natural but made of imported sand, and Koh Kham is one of them. I don’t know where the sand is from but I remember talking with a local from Koh Mak a few years back and, if I recall correctly, he said they import the sand from Vietnam.
Top 5 Things To Do in Koh Kham
- Go Snorkeling on the Eastern Side: The coral reefs are located on the eastern side of the island. The clear water makes it easy to snorkel, and there are many different colorful fish and other species living there.
- Take a Walk on the Beaches: Koh Kham boasts around 300 meters of coastline on the eastern and southern sides of the island. The beach on the east side is the most beautiful since the sand is super white and, when the tide goes out, there is a white sandy ridge separating the sea.
- Sunbathe and Swim in Koh Kham: What would be more relaxing than spending the day lying in the sun, and going for a swim every now and then on this paradisiacal island?! There is even a small kiosk here where they sell beverages (both alcoholic and non) and small bites (noodles, for example). The kiosk can be easily reached from both beaches.
- Kayak on the Crystal-Clear Waters: If you are not a fan of snorkeling, the shimmering waters around the island and the coral reefs can also be seen by kayak. Kayaking around Koh Kham is the perfect way to see all sides of the island and get unique photo opportunities/perspectives.
- Explore the Abandoned Luxury Resort: There is something fascinating about the empty resort on the island! It’s possible to explore the place and even go inside the unfinished villas, again making for cool photos.
My Favorite Activity on the Island
My favorite activity in Koh Kham is snorkeling and I can happily spend the whole day exploring the reefs. I have visited the island three times now and every time it amazes me how beautiful it is! One of my favorite memories from our trips was when we did a yoga session on the beach with my sister.
How to Get to Koh Kham
The easiest way to reach Koh Kham is from Koh Mak. It costs 300 baht and tickets can be bought from Koh Mak Resort. The price includes the boat ride, entry fee and a drink. It’s also possible to get to Koh Kham from Koh Chang or Koh Kood, but the distance from those two islands is longer.
Need to Know Before You Visit
Make sure you take sunscreen, cash, water, and a towel and hat with you. There are sand flies on the beach, so I recommend taking insect repellent with you as well. If you want to go snorkeling, be sure to bring your snorkel equipment with you. Koh Kham is a private island, so there is an entry fee.
It’s also a good idea to have cash so you can buy something from the kiosk. If you don’t want to pay for the boat trip to the island, it can also be reached by kayak rented from Koh Mak. But keep in mind that it will take a long time and you will still have to pay the entrance fee to access the island.
I hope this mini guide helps you if you are planning on visiting Koh Kham! I welcome you to follow me on my Instagram page (@emmmunen), which is the only social media account I run. I’m currently working on my own travel blog too – hopefully it will be ready to be published at the start of next year!
