Thorn Tree travel forum

1

Bump for those who may have missed and be able to help ;-)

2

It sure looks nice on the website. But I reckon 10 days is a bit much - why not spend a few days at Khao Lak which is a very nice area between Phuket airport and Kho Kao? I have a fair bit of info on Lak in the second link below.
Phuket airport is by far the closest.

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

3

I 've seen a lot parents with infants and up by age chilkdren on teh beach at the water edge there. There is absolutely no activities on Koh Khor Khao except strollin on teh ebach and realted, having some massages or going to tours outside teh islands, like Similan Island.The beach is fine, with school of small crabs running in front of you.

In Khao Lak teh sea is rougher - to have tods just near the water, and most hotels do not have anymore sunbeds rights on the beach - they have built up upper level from concrete, so that is how looks nowcentral part of Khao Lak beaches.

4

Cheers for the advice, much appreciated as i can't find that much on the island.

I am heading to Krabi for 7 nights so may just spend the 10 nights there instead and do 7 nights on Kho Kao. My partner is totally happy to do nothing as long as we have good food and a few beers available. I just do not want to travel around too much with our son, we did that in april and it turned in to a nightmare. The water conditions sound perfect for me and my boy to have some fun by the sea. Will just plan a day trip to break up the week and explore the places around.

5

Krabi is more activity destination as to have good beach right near hotel's is by far not always possible, if you get such hotel then you caneasier organize your son pampering.

Food options are in general surely more limited on Koh Khor Kao, than on Krabi, but if you are going to stay at particular hotel and not move too much then it is probably worth to check particular hotels'restaurant menu.

I stayed at Andaman Princess resort, which was new and gorgeous, but had not real beach. So I went few time sto Amanadra Resort beach & had lunch there - the menu was pertty diverse and of good quality - that is about hotel retsuarant.

The Amanadra resort is most remoted on teh beach and Andaman princess is probably firts one, it took appr. 1.5h one way stroll on the beach.

6

Thanks for the responses. So many choices can sometimes be a bad thing!!

Have decided to do 8 nights and it is booked now so im well chuffed, the island looks lush and not yet over run.
Will be heading there from a last minute decision to spend 2 night stay in Phi Phi that partner has requested having never been himself. I was wondering if anyone had any info on getting from Phi Phi to Koh Kho Khao. Im going to google it all now and get even more excited and no doubt then find out ive just agreed to a whole days travlling so my partner can see Phi Phi. Oh well fingers crossed.

7

From Phi Phi to koh khor Kao actully only way is to vai Phuket.

I suggest you take morning ferry from Phi Phi and arrnge with your hotel transfer in advance as to find a reasonably priced staxi at spot for such distance would be not easy - beware it is around 2hrs from Phuket up to your resort.

All that sounds like great trip ahead! Except standrd tour of Phi Phi Lay Is., the good poiunt is to go to Bamboo Is. nearby - teh beach is really excllent, not crowded, shallow water and snorkelling RIGHT at the shore, it's around 20min by longtail boat from main Phi Phi Don Is.

8

Cheers Sergey,
Ive been to Phi Phi many times myself but not since the tsunami so will be interesting to see how different it is now. We are going mainly because my partner wants to go if we are that close and i am sure we will do a day trip. Its seems its going to be a trek for us to get to the next place, but at least we will have 8 days doing nothing at all to get over it. ;-))))

Thanks for taking the time to answer, im very excited now, even with the whole day travelling.

9

You don't have to travel into Phuket and back out to get to Kho Khao from Krabi.
There are inland roads which by-pass the < into Phuket (actullay a -< ) and hit the coast road at Takua Pa, not too far south of Kho Khao. A private car with driver would be the go if you can afford it.
map showing Kho Khao and mountain roads - Krabi is to the south

For budget travellers there are minibuses that do the Krabi-Kho Lak mountain route - from there they can can pick up a govt bus to Takua Pa. But these minibuses are often crowded and cramped and would not be pleasant with an infant. Even if you bought an extra seat there is no gurantee you won't end up nursing the baby.

More comfortable would be the big aircon coaches from Krabi bus station to Ranong, getting off in Takua Pa. timetable. There are also less comfortable non aircon buses.

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

10

The route described by tezza surely is technically , possible, BUT

- don't forget that at Takua Pa you had to take ferry to cross the channel to Koh Khor Khao;
- after arrival to Koh Koh Khao pier, there is no taxi, and perdict excat time of landing probably is difficult - so to ring once on mobile to the hotel to pick up ( there is 1-5km to any of hotels), if that is not local prepaid card, alreday would cost smth.

- ferry Phi Phi - Krabi vs. Phi Phi - Phuket takes twice longer 2hrs vs. 1hr and is slightly more expensive, as well fewer runs per day;

- in general land route from Krabi I guess is longer time in transit;

- the way by two buses will eat obviously really very full day of holiday time;
- waiting gaps between buses adds to teh total time in transit;

I had transfer from Koh Khor Kao hotel to Phuket Airport this January for appr. 2,500 THB - I guess this charge not much than all elements of alternative route by buses, and for travelling with smalll children undoubtfully is much more convenient - ask the hotel what they offer with current oil/gasoline prices.

Phi Phi Don to Koh Khor Kao ferry +waiting at the pier tarnsfer would bring one to the hotel within 3hrs. and gives opportunity for technical stops on the way on request, the way via KRabi defibetly will takes at least as twice of that or even longer from the point of Tong Sai at Phi Phi Don on to the hotel's reception.