Koh Hae - better known as Coral Island - is located in the Andaman Sea about 9 km from Phuket's south coast. The island is a small natural idyll with dreamlike bays and beaches. The water is turquoise blue and crystal clear and very good for snorkeling and swimming. The underwater world is beautiful. At the quieter ends of the beach there are many small fish and starfish. Also from the boat dock you can go into the water and see many colorful fish, some sea urchins, starfish and some corals. On the island there is a small bungalow hotel, a restaurant and a drinks shop. Due to its proximity to Phuket is busy during the peak season from November to March. Many day tourists then besiege the main beach. Likewise, there are a number of boats in the water. The day trips are sometimes offered with parasailing and banana boat ride. Both take place in the middle of the main beach, so that is really extremely busy here. In fact, only the two ends of the beach are suitable for relaxing. The main stands are Long Beach and Banana Beach. Other bays can be reached by long-tail boat. Here it is much more relaxed. Otherwise, the island is poorly developed. In addition to monitors on the beach, hornbills can be seen.

Koh Hae (Coral Island) is not very well developed. Until now, there is only 1 hotel on the island:
Coral Island Resort

The nearest island is Phuket. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge (Sarasin Bridge). So there are many ways to travel by land to Phuket and then on to Koh Hae. Also, Phuket has an international airport and is connected to Thai Airways' hourly flights as well as other local airlines, with the provincial capital of Bangkok.

The boats to Koh Hae start in Rawai and Chalong upon request from the longtail & speedboat riders. Also in Phuket day tours including snorkeling equipment and food and drinks offered.

Day trips with speed boat are offered in Phuket. Prices range from 1,200 to 1,500 THB per person. Some tours include parasailing and / or banana boat ride. Other tours include snorkelling and food.

We visited the island several times and drove from Chalong with the long tail boat. Here are numerous boats and the prices are partially negotiable. In high season, the price per boat is between 1,600 and 1,800 THB. On the boats have 6-8 people and you drive the cheapest when you join a group together. Depending on the weather, the crossing to the island can also be uncomfortable. On one of our rides was bright sunshine, but it was very windy on the sea, so we arrived gossip wet on Coral Iceland. Fortunately, the wind had calmed down in the evening. The best thing to ask before the departure of the boaters, if there are many waves.

Airport transfer to Chalong / Rawai:
The airport transfer is regulated in Phuket. For about 550 Bath, you can get to Chalong / Rawai from Phuket Airport in about 1.5 hours (depending on traffic). By taxi, the trip costs about 1,300 THB. There are no price negotiations with the taxi drivers because the taxi tickets are still issued in the airport building, just before the exit, and the fixed price is charged depending on the destination. There you will receive a receipt and can then board the booked taxi or a (mini) bus / van.

You can also rent a car at the airport. Here are several lenders to choose from. In addition to the common lenders AVIS and Europcar, Thailand's largest lender is Thai Rent a Car. Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already at home.

Arrival from Bangkok:

• Arriving from Bangkok by plane is possible with either Bangkok Airways or another local airline (PB Air, Thai AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Airways, etc.).
• The journey by land is e.g. possible from Bangkok with the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" and takes depending on the traffic between 13 and 16 hours. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. There are 3 different buses at the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok:

1. Standard buses (orange) with approx. 75-80 seats (280 THB = approx. 7.- EUR) (the bus stops in different locations)
2. Aircon buses (blue) with approx. 40 seats (600 THB = approx. 15.- EUR)
3. VIP buses (inscription "VIP Bus 999") with approx. 24 seats (895 THB = approx. 25.- EUR)

• Phuket is not (yet) connected to Thailand's rail network. But you can take the train to Surat Thani and from there about 200 km with the mini bus continue towards Phuket drive. In Phuket we continue to Rawai.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani, take the minibus to the "Bus Station" in Phuket Town. In Phuket we continue to Rawai.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the bus station and from there with the VIP bus to the "bus station" in Phuket Town. In Phuket we continue to Rawai.

Also, the Khao Lak - Phuket and Krabi - Phuket routes are also served by public buses. Here the fare is much cheaper, but is stopped at many stops.

Long Beach - here is the Coral Island Resort and Restaurant. The Long beach is a beautiful, spacious powder-fine sandy beach. In the middle of the beach you can do paragliding and banana boating. At the outer ends of the beach, it is a little quieter. There are monitor lizards on Long Beach. The beach is suitable for swimming, relaxing and snorkeling.

Banana Beach - accessible from Long Beach on a small dirt track (sturdy shoes!) Or by long tail boat. Hornbills (hornbills) can be seen on the way to Banana Beach. The bay is perfect for snorkeling.

Unfortunately, the underwater world u.a. Due to the tsunami in the Andaman Sea, ocean warming and a resulting coral bleaching only partially intact. Increasingly one finds also sources. Likewise, mass tourism is causing further damage.