Hey guys! We are Rob & Nat and welcome to our travel guide on the best things to do in Koh Mook! It’s a pleasure to e-meet you. We are both from the south of Brazil, from different cities and states, but we met in Itajai – a beach town famous for surfing and Portuguese heritage. Before starting our worldwide journey, we lived together in Itajai for a few years and have just recently returned here to spend the holiday season with family.
We have been together for over 15 years and blogging for almost 10. It’s safe to say that travel is our passion and way of living, and our business stems from this. Our relationship has been dotted with travel experiences: we traveled through South America, moved to Ireland for two years and then came back to Brazil. It was in 2014 when we decided to sell everything, save some money, create Love and Road, and discover the world!
Our inspiration for this? The world and all the beautiful people, cultures, places and experiences out there. We didn’t start traveling to run away from anything – rather we simply wanted to see as much as possible, and share stories and tips with those who also wanted to explore the world.
Our Special Bond with Thailand
Thailand is one country we have really enjoyed exploring. For us, it was love at first sight! We first visited in 2014, and since then have gone back so many times we have lost count. Between short trips, we also lived in Chiang Mai for three months and in Bangkok for six months. Our last long stay was in Phuket for nine months this year. We chose Phuket as our base and traveled around the south of Thailand from there. Our trip to Koh Mook was part of a week’s itinerary to Koh Lanta, Koh Mook and Koh Kradan.
Why You Should Visit Koh Mook
We were searching for unknown islands on this one week trip, and wanted to have a similar experience to the time we visited Koh Lipe and no one knew about it. Rob found Koh Kradan, and then after doing some research, we decided that Koh Mook would be the best base for our desired experience. We were looking for nature, adventure, relaxation, good food and a nice place to rest our heads at night – and Koh Mook had it all!
Koh Mook is still an island in raw condition, which we loved by the way. In general, the accommodation options are on the basic to mid-range level. There are one or two luxurious properties but most people who travel there seek out small, family-owned guest houses rather than big 5-star hotels.
The main attraction of Koh Mook is its nature and lovely locals! Visitors can enjoy the beaches, swim through a cave and hike through the jungle to a viewpoint. Since the island is small, you can do everything on foot (if you like a good walk) or take tricycle taxis (there are no cars on the island).
The most beautiful beaches in the area, the postcard ones, aren’t located on Koh Mook. For this reason, you have to take boat trips to Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai – both unmissable and ideal for diving and snorkeling. Koh Mook is the most developed of these three islands – and you can find a handful of nice restaurants, small markets, a money exchange, a pharmacy and all the essentials. Whereas, the other islands are more resort-based.
5 Best Things To Do in Koh Mook
1. Watch the Sunset at Garnet Beach (Charlie Beach)
This is the place to end your days in Koh Mook. Because Charlie Beach is located a bit far from the town, you might want to get a taxi to save your legs or take one on the way back when it’s dark. You can also rent kayaks at the beach, drink as many coconuts as you want and have a meal there.
2. Explore the Emerald Cave of Koh Mook
Emerald Cave is near Charlie Beach. Here you venture through a passage filled with water until you arrive at a hidden beach. It’s stunning! You can go with a kayak but be aware of the tide. Another option is to join a boat tour or rent a boat with a captain. Kayaks and boats can’t go through the cave – so unless you are a good swimmer, go with a local guide to avoid problems.
3. Visit Koh Kradan for the Day
A boat tour to Koh Kradan from Koh Mook allows you to see some of the most crystal-clear waters and pristine white sands on Earth! Koh Kradan was named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and when you arrive, you won’t be arguing with that assessment. It’s just magical!
4. Witness the Sunrise on Sivalai Beach
One must-do experience is watching the sunrise over Sivalai Beach. This is the island’s most famous beach due to its shape, as it points out into the sea in the most spectacular fashion! Usually the tide is low, and the orange and purple colors of the sunrise create lovely reflections. It’s a great spot to meditate and relax. For an elevated experience, book your stay at Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort to have the beach on your doorstep.
5. Partake in Some Water Sports Like Snorkeling
It doesn’t matter if it’s snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding or taking a boat ride – the sea around Koh Mook is marvelous and so full of life that you can’t miss it! But be conscious when snorkeling or diving, don’t touch the coral and choose activities that leave a positive impact. This way, you can enjoy paradise and help to keep it pristine for future generations.
Our Favorite Activity in Koh Mook
Water sports were our favorite thing to do in Koh Mook. We spent most of our days in the water swimming and looking for fish. We will never forget the color of the water in the Koh Mook region. When we arrived by boat to Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan, the light blue water was shining so much that it hurt our eyes! Then, when we jumped from the boat into the deep sea, the color was dark blue and full of life. It was an epic experience.
How to Get to Koh Mook
The best way to get to Koh Mook is from Trang. Several port towns offer daily ferries or private boats to Koh Mook. Another option is to go from Koh Lanta, as we did. It’s a nice boat ride and a good option for those planning to visit Krabi, Koh Phi Phi or Phuket on the same trip. I don’t recommend going to Koh Mook just for the day. You need at least two nights. We stayed for four nights and could have easily spent more time here.
Tips for Your Visit to Koh Mook
It’s important to know that Koh Mook is different from Koh Phi Phi, Phuket or Koh Lanta. If you are looking for late-night bars, busy hostels or super luxurious bungalows – you won’t find any of these here. The restaurants of Koh Mook close at 10 pm, and at this time there is no one on the streets. You will see chickens running around, kids playing in the streets, and probably one of the most beautiful and starry night skies in the world!
There isn’t much to do in Koh Mook apart from the beach, sea, sun and endless bowls of curry with prawns. But this is the Koh Mook charm and we loved every second of it! On the practical side, book everything in advance. There are few hotels and the boats go to the island only once a day.
Unlike other Thai islands, Koh Mook doesn’t have much infrastructure – so you need to book ahead of time to guarantee a place to stay and for the transportation on the days you need it. Tours and experiences can be booked once you are on the island. Food is plentiful and delicious. Check Google Maps for restaurants, read the reviews and follow your nose. That is how we chose where to eat and we only had outstanding experiences!
Follow Us on Our Travels Here
Our main platform is our website LoveandRoad.com, which is bilingual so you can read all our guides, stories, and tips in English. You are also welcome to follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X, etc. We are Love and Road on all socials. We have traveled to many places around the world and published content on almost all of them. But without doubt, Thailand has a special place in our hearts and we have a huge selection of guides about it on our blog. You can read all our Thailand Guides here.
