Koh Ngai (Hai) travel guide

This 5-sq-km island is cloaked in jungle and fringed with glorious beaches. It also enjoys fabulous views of the limestone stacks that pepper the sea around it. A coral reef sweeps down the eastern side, ending in two big rocks, between which rips a strong current – but the coral around these rocks is magnificent. Koh Ngai is the clichéd resort island retreat where you wake up, eat and sleep at the same place. There are only three resorts on this island and no local community. If you like this sort of intense group intimacy, Koh Ngai is perfect but guests have complained of cabin fever setting in after a week. It is more suited to honeymooners or those who will stay here as a base and do day trips to other islands. Although Koh Ngai forms the southernmost part of Krabi province and is most easily reached from Pakmeng in Trang province, 16 km away, it is also possible to get there from Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Tourists also stop here on island-hopping day trips to eat at one of the three resorts and to snorkel in the magnificently clear waters which are rich with marine life.

Koh Chuak and Koh Waen (between Koh Hai and Koh Muk) are also snorkellers’ havens – the latter is the best reef for seafan corals.