Ko Hai Divers Beach

I spent 5 nights here in February and had a fantastic experience. The staff were outstanding—efficient and friendly. There were plenty of good food options, though a bit pricier than on the mainland since everything has to be shipped in. The room was satisfactory, and the location was top-notch. The views from Koh Ngai are truly spectacular, even by Thailand's standards. The beaches are amazing, teeming with sea life, and there are plenty of bats and a resident (quite chubby) monitor lizard. Having visited around 15 islands in Thailand, I can confidently say this is among the best. Surprisingly, it was also easy to get to—just 6 hours door to door from a Don Muang airport hotel, costing just under 1500 THB for two people to get from Trang airport to Thanya via bus and long-tail boat. Definitely worth the effort.

Many Thai islands boast lovely resorts, stunning scenery, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, and delicious food. But trust me when I say I particularly enjoyed THIS resort on THIS island! The staff were exceptional: friendly, helpful, yet unobtrusive. Whenever we requested something, the response was usually 'yes,' and it would be taken care of promptly, even during busy times. It was a delightful surprise to return to our room in the afternoon and find towels artfully shaped into swans with fresh blossoms adorning them! Such a beautiful and thoughtful touch. The location is truly breathtaking, right on the beach with a view of the sea, framed by karsts and other islands. There are plenty of sun loungers available, but if you prefer, you can also enjoy the view from the pool. Breakfast was good, though the coffee was a bit bitter. There was lovely fresh fruit, yogurt, an egg station, and more. We also had lunch at the hotel restaurant one day, and it was delicious. Some might find the island too quiet – there are no roads, fire shows on the beach, nightclubs, and so on. Honestly, I was worried we might get bored. I was wrong! Besides relaxing on the resort's picture-perfect beach, we enjoyed a lovely 20-minute walk through the jungle to Paradise Beach. We also went on a boat-hopping/snorkeling day trip. There are enough restaurants and bars that we ate somewhere different for most meals (we were only there for 5 days, though). In comparison, on Koh Tarutao, there was just one restaurant, and we were the only customers! On Koh Ngai, there were enough people around to create a bit of atmosphere and provide variety for dining out. There are no ATMs on the island, but we were able to use QR codes to pay. If you don't have that option, you'll need to bring plenty of cash. You might also be able to pay with a card, but I'm not sure about that. Traveling to the island on the long-tail boat was fun and easy to arrange from Pakmeng Pier (and back from Koh Ngai).

The resort is situated directly in front of two rocky islands, offering the best view of Koh Ngai. Snorkeling by the beach is fantastic, with an abundance of beautiful fish nearby. The service is excellent, and the restaurant offers a very decent menu. The bungalows are simple yet comfortable. The pool could use minor improvements, such as concealing the water mechanism, to enhance its appearance, but otherwise, there are no issues. I only wish we could have stayed longer!

Our family stayed here for 3 nights in a bungalow near the restaurant end, which featured two queen-size beds. Although the bungalow was a bit older (newly renovated ones are located further back), it was very pleasant and comfortable. The pool is also scheduled for a revamp, which the owner plans to undertake next year. This end of the beach is fantastic, and when the tide is at mid-point, you can easily walk or paddle to the nearby coral for snorkeling and enjoy the colorful fish life. The resort restaurant offers a great breakfast selection, along with lunch and dinner options that include a mix of 'western' and local Thai food. The service and hospitality from everyone here were first-class, from the wonderful reception to the fantastic housekeepers who tidied our room and made delightful towel animals for the kids every day. Highly recommend!

We stayed here for one night, and it was fantastic. This island retreat is incredibly quiet and peaceful. We took a longtail boat from Koh Lanta old town, and they dropped us off right in front of the beach resort. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a smile and a refreshing cold drink. The rooms are constructed from wood and feature wooden floors, making them very spacious. The pool is large, and the restaurant offers good food at surprisingly affordable prices for a remote island location. The island faces east, so we were treated to an amazing sunrise at 6 AM the next morning! The crystal-clear water was stunning, and you can snorkel on your own to see all the sea life.