Koh Poda – insider guide to the postcard island off Ao Nang

Koh Poda lies southwest of Ao Nang and belongs to Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. By speedboat you are there in about 15 to 20 minutes in calm seas, a little longer by longtail. A national park fee is usually charged when you land.

The island itself is small and largely natural. There is a main beach on the east side, shade under the trees and, depending on the season, simple snack stalls. You cannot stay overnight on Koh Poda – which is what makes the early and late hours so special.

The free-standing rock off the southern end of the beach is the motif. It looks best early in the morning, when the sun hits the rock face from the east and the water is still calm. At noon the light is harsh and the beach is lined with boats anchored right in front of the view.

From a boat you get other angles: the rock in front of the island, with the silhouettes of Chicken Island and the Railay cliffs behind. From a drone you see the whole palette of sand, reef and deep blue.

Around the rocks at the edges of the beach you will find coral and fish – not a world-class reef, but lovely for a relaxed snorkel with children or beginners. Visibility is best on calm days in the dry season. Watch out for boats: swim only in marked or quiet areas and never in the longtail landing zones.

Most day trips from Ao Nang reach Koh Poda between late morning and early afternoon. Before and after that it gets much quieter. Leave early and you often get half an hour with only a few people on the beach.

A real insider tip is the late afternoon. When the group boats head back to Ao Nang, the island goes quiet. The sun sinks behind Koh Poda, and from the boat you watch the sky behind the rock turn gold and pink. Depending on the season, the sun sets right over the open sea.

For safe swimming, use the middle section of the main beach, away from the longtail landing zones at either end. The water shelves gently and is crystal-clear on calm days. You will find shade under the trees at the back of the beach – ideal for a break between snorkels.

The best snorkelling is along the rocks at the northern and southern ends of the beach: reef fish, sea urchins in the crevices and small coral heads. The water is clearest in the morning and in the dry season after windless days.

Koh Poda combines perfectly with its neighbours: Chicken Island and the Tup sandbar are just a few minutes away by boat, as are Phra Nang Cave Beach and Railay. Thanks to the short ride, Koh Poda is also a popular base for a sunset trip or an evening outing to see bioluminescent plankton.