Koh Lao Lading & Koh Pakbia – Hong Island’s quiet neighbours

Koh Lao Lading looks as if someone placed a beach in a crack in the rock. The strip of sand is short, the cliffs rise steeply on either side and give shade in the morning or afternoon. The water is shallow, calm and perfect for swimming.

Because the beach is so small, it feels crowded quickly when several boats land at the same time. Arrive outside group times, though, and you sometimes have this mini paradise all to yourself.

Koh Pakbia lies near Koh Hong and is a popular snorkel stop. Depending on the water level, sandbars and shallow patches appear where the water glows in every shade of turquoise. Reef fish live around the rocks and are easy to watch with just a mask and snorkel.

As with every sandbar in Krabi, the tides decide how much sand you see. At low water the area is larger; at high tide more is submerged – but for snorkelling along the rocks the higher water can be more pleasant.

Koh Lao Lading and Koh Pakbia are the ideal complements to Koh Hong. A good order takes the water level into account: the Hong lagoon at higher water, Pakbia depending on whether you prefer sandbar or snorkelling, and Lao Lading as a quiet swim break.

Like the whole Hong archipelago, both islands are at their best in the dry season from roughly November to April: calm seas, clear water and reliable landings. In the rainy season trips are possible on many days, but the captain will then favour sheltered anchorages.

Within the day, the familiar rule applies: early or late. The big Hong tours usually land at Lao Lading around midday – before and after, the beach is much emptier.

For snorkellers, Koh Pakbia is the better choice: around its rocks you will find coral and reef fish, usually with better visibility at higher water. Koh Lao Lading, on the other hand, is more of a swimming island – shallow, calm water that is wonderful for floating.

For relaxing, Lao Lading is hard to beat: the cliffs cast shade on the beach depending on the time of day, and the water is usually mirror-smooth. Bring water shoes, as both islands have rocky entries.

Both islands lie within the area of Than Bok Khorani National Park, so the park rules apply here too: don’t touch coral, don’t feed fish and leave no rubbish behind. Facilities are minimal – bring everything you need and take back everything you brought.

In stronger wind, landing at Koh Lao Lading can be choppy. An experienced captain decides on the spot whether a stop makes sense or whether a more sheltered bay is the better choice.