Hong Island Lagoon
Krabi, Krabi, Thailand
The lagoon at the center of Hong Island, off Krabi, Thailand, is a hidden pool ringed by limestone cliffs, reached by kayak or on foot at low tide through a gap in the rock. The beach fronting the island has soft white sand and calm, shallow water, and it's one of the more sheltered stops on Krabi's island hopping circuit.
The lagoon itself is a genuine standout among Krabi's island stops, but it runs almost entirely on tour boat traffic, so solitude depends on timing a visit around the group schedules.
Go early or late in the day. Midday brings a steady rotation of speedboat tour groups, and the lagoon entrance can get congested with kayaks around lunchtime.
There's no independent access by car. Longtail boats and tour speedboats depart from the Ao Thalane pier or from Ao Nang, and most visitors come as part of a half day or full day tour.
The main beach is a flat, easy walk from where boats pull up, but reaching the inner lagoon means either a kayak paddle or wading through a rocky gap that's only passable at the right tide.
November through April is Krabi's dry season and the calmest window for the boat crossing and the lagoon paddle. The southwest monsoon from May through October brings rougher seas and more days where tours get cancelled.
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