Ko Ra

Ko Ra

Unspoilt island wilderness

Despite its relatively close proximity to the town of Khuraburi along Thailand’s west coast, the long, thin and rugged island of Ko Ra is one of the country’s more remote islands with accommodation, and is a good choice for those seeking an offbeat, eco-minded destination. With most of the island protected as a wildlife sanctuary, this is a chance to experience a lush, untamed landscape.

More on Ko Ra

Ko Ra Ecolodge, which offered a wide range of activities, has recently closed and though we haven’t visited it yet, we’ve been told of another place that looks great - Koh Ra Beach Camp.

Ko Ra’s quiet and peaceful setting indeed make it an ideal place to retreat from the world for a while. The Eco Lodge was situated at the island’s northeastern point near a small beach that’s endowed with surprisingly clean, clear and very swimmable waters given how close it is to the mainland. A couple of larger beaches stretch across parts of the island’s west coast.

Though quite thin from east to west, Ko Ra stretches about two km in length from north to south, and most of the interior is rocky and rugged, although a small region of flat white sands savannah landscape is found near the northeastern point. Ko Ra is slowly catching on as one of Thailand’s premier bird watching destinations, and many other forms of wildlife, such as monkeys, giant white boar, sea turtles, and snakes of many varieties may be spotted throughout the island.

Orientation
Ko Ra is typically reached from a pier in nearby Khuraburi.

Ko Ra is a remote island. There are no roads or motorbikes, only small foot paths, kayaks and one longtail boat for getting around. There are most definitely no banks or ATMs on Ko Ra, so be sure to bring enough cash for your stay.

While it’s possible to visit on a day trip during rainy season very few (if any) travellers do.

62 other destinations in Southern Thailand

Learn more about Ko Pha Ngan

Ko Pha Ngan

More to it than Full Moon Parties

Learn more about Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park

Wise old wilderness

Learn more about Ko Chang Noi

Ko Chang Noi

The other Ko Chang

Learn more about Ko Yao Noi

Ko Yao Noi

Leave the crowds behind

Learn more about Ko Yao Yai

Ko Yao Yai

A bay all to yourself.

Learn more about Ko Lao Liang

Ko Lao Liang

Let’s keep this one a secret

Learn more about Ko Jum

Ko Jum

Ready to relax?

Learn more about Ko Surin

Ko Surin

Breathtaking above and below the water

Learn more about Ko Phra Thong

Ko Phra Thong

Golden Buddha island

Learn more about Natai

Natai

Fancy pants beach time

Learn more about Ko Rawi

Ko Rawi

Pristine beaches and jungle

Learn more about Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Land of 300 peaks

Learn more about Ko Bulon Lae

Ko Bulon Lae

The tranquility runs deep

Learn more about Phetchaburi

Phetchaburi

Caves, beaches and a palace

Learn more about Ko Samui

Ko Samui

Dozens of beaches to choose from

Learn more about Ko Tao

Ko Tao

A popular spot to learn to dive

Learn more about Krabi

Krabi

Lively gateway to the islands

Learn more about Railay Beach

Railay Beach

Rock climbing paradise

Learn more about Ko Phi Phi

Ko Phi Phi

Popular party island

Learn more about Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta

Where the beaches stretch for miles

Learn more about Ko Muk

Ko Muk

More to it than the Emerald Cave

Learn more about Ko Libong

Ko Libong

Great choice for the quiet life

Learn more about Songkhla

Songkhla

Relax by the sea

Learn more about Ko Phayam

Ko Phayam

One laid-back island

Learn more about Kaeng Krachan National Park

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Thailand‘s largest national park

Learn more about Ko Sukorn

Ko Sukorn

Settle into a slower pace

Learn more about Ko Kradan

Ko Kradan

Great beaches, pricey food

Learn more about Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan

Mountains to the west, ocean to the east

Learn more about Ban Krut

Ban Krut

Set your internal clock to Thai time

Learn more about Khao Lak

Khao Lak

A family favourite

Learn more about Ko Kho Khao

Ko Kho Khao

No need to leave that beach chair

Learn more about Khanom and Sichon

Khanom and Sichon

Just kick back

Learn more about Similan Islands

Similan Islands

Say hi to the sea turtles

Learn more about Takua Pa

Takua Pa

Crossroad between islands and mountains

Learn more about Ko Rok

Ko Rok

Unspoilt twin islands

Learn more about Hua Hin

Hua Hin

Mainstream tourist hotspot

Learn more about Trang

Trang

Before you hit the islands... Eat!

Learn more about Ko Lipe

Ko Lipe

Welcome to paradise

Learn more about Ko Tarutao

Ko Tarutao

Awesome

Learn more about Ko Adang

Ko Adang

Ko Lipe’s wild neighbour

Learn more about Ranong

Ranong

Wave to Burma

Learn more about Ko Ngai

Ko Ngai

A comfortable island getaway

Learn more about Nakhon Si Thammarat

Nakhon Si Thammarat

Unadulterated Southern Thailand

Learn more about Phuket

Phuket

Thailand’s biggest and busiest island

Learn more about Narathiwat

Narathiwat

Muslim fishing life

Learn more about Bang Saphan Yai

Bang Saphan Yai

Low-key beach town

Learn more about Phattalung

Phattalung

Mountains, lakes and no tourists

Learn more about Ko Si Boya

Ko Si Boya

Take a break from it all

Learn more about Phang Nga Town

Phang Nga Town

Your base for Phang Nga Bay

Learn more about Hat Yai

Hat Yai

Largest city in Southern Thailand

Learn more about Satun

Satun

Don’t miss the local iced tea

Learn more about Cha-am

Cha-am

Like Hua Hin lite

Learn more about Chumphon

Chumphon

Gateway to Ko Tao

Learn more about Ao Nang

Ao Nang

Beach holiday hotspot

Learn more about Pattani

Pattani

Once a proud kingdom

Learn more about Betong

Betong

Almost Malaysia

Learn more about Yala

Yala

A low key spot

Learn more about Surat Thani

Surat Thani

Gulf coast island gateway

Learn more about Sungai Kolok

Sungai Kolok

Gateway to Malaysia

Learn more about Khuraburi

Khuraburi

Gateway to little-known islands

Learn more about Pakbara

Pakbara

Gateway to the Satun islands

Learn more about Tak Bai

Tak Bai

Historic for more than one reason