The island of Koh Jum / Koh Pu is located in the
district of Nuea Khlong in Krabi province. It is called a
crab island and can be found on maps under both Koh Pu and Koh Jum. Koh Jum is geographically located in the Andaman Sea about
half way between Krabi (in the north) and Koh Lanta (in the south). The island is quite small and measures only about 19
km ². From Krabi Town is the island just under 30 km or just under an hour's boat ride
away. It also takes about 1 hour from Koh Lanta to reach Koh Jum. The island has three villages: Baan Koh Jum in the south, Baan
Koh Pu in the north-east and Baan Ting Rai in the south-west (about the middle of the island). The approximately 1500 islanders are
mostly Muslim settlers who live from fishing, plantations and agriculture as well as a bit from tourism. Only
since 2008, the island is permanently powered. So far, there is no ATM ATM here. For shopping, there are only a few small mom and pop shops and
a few souvenir / clothing stores in the villages.
Nightlife is hardly found on the island. There are a few small restaurants, bars and caffees, mostly along the beaches
and in the small villages. In addition to the approximately 400 m high Mount Pu,
there are mainly nature and beautiful beaches to experience. The island is perfect for those seeking peace and
nature lovers.
We stayed at the Golden Pearl Beach Resort on our trip. There are different types of rooms: from a simple bamboo hut with Fentilator to more luxurious family bungalows. We liked the location on the Golden Pearl Beach relatively in the middle of the island.
Koh Jum does not have its own airport. The nearest airports are in Krabi, Trang and Phuket. Although Krabi Airport is an international airport, from Germany you can only travel via the metropolitan airport in Bangkok. Due to its proximity to Phuket and Krabi, Koh Jum can also be easily reached from there by a passenger ferry or by car (minivan / own car / rental car) and ferry. From Trang airport there are also very good transfer possibilities to Koh Lanta / Koh Jum.
Transfer from Krabi (Airport / Krabi Town / Ao
Nang) to Koh Jum:
Krabi Airport is located approximately 8 km
northeast of the center of the provincial capital Krabi. The most convenient option for tourists is
the taxi / minivan to get from the airport Krabi or Krabi Town to the piers
If arriving by larger ferry (for example
Tigerline Ferry) from Koh Lanta or Krabi there are 2 stops off Koh Jum (about 500 m from the beach). From Krabi is the first stop at Koh Pu and the second stop at Koh Jum. The ferries stop at the open sea. From the island about 6 longtail boats are approached to bring the guests to the
respective beaches. The change on the open sea is a bit adventurous. However, the long-tail drivers and
the employees of the ferry company assist in the safe passage over the boats and with the luggage loading!
Transfer from Koh Lanta (Baan Saladan) to Koh Jum:
Siri Lanta Speedboats from Baan Saladan Pier. Departure: 15.00. The journey takes about 30 minutes
Transfer from Phuket to Koh Jum:
Tigerline Ferry from Ao Po Pier at Phuket, departure 8.15am, arrival 9.45am
Transfer from Phuket via Krabi to Koh Jum:
From Phuket Airport it goes directly by minibus and ferry. Usually approached are Klong Jilard Pier, Laem Kruat Pier or Kongka Pier in
Krabi.
Arrival from Bangkok:
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 the bus takes you to Krabi
on one of the piers and then by ferry in a total of about 3.5 - 4 hours to Koh Jum.
Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Khao Lak, Takua Pa,
Ranong):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again.
With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with a larger bus to the "bus station" in Phuket Town or Phuket Airport and from there further in the direction of
Krabi. From Krabi you can continue by boat or ferry. The journey takes between 12 and 15 hours
Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Pattaya, Hua Hin):
From here it is best to book a plane ticket to Krabi or Phuket (via Bangkok). Again, you can book a pick-up service directly from the hotel.
With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with a larger bus up to the "bus station" in Don Muang Airport in Bangkok and from there further in the direction of Koh
Jum. The bus ride takes almost 2 days!
The bus routes between Phuket - Krabi and Phuket - Khao Lak are
served by public buses. Here the fare is much cheaper, but is stopped at many
stops.
Generally applies to all boat connections that time information is without guarantee. Smaller islands
are often approached only in the main season (around November - end of April), since the sea can have high waves, especially in the rainy season. Even during the main season,
individual connections may u.U. due to weather conditions.
As far as the choice of speed boat or long tail boat is concerned, everyone has to make that decision themselves. Most of the time difference is only 15
minutes. We prefer the longtail variant, as the crossings are much calmer and more comfortable. Also, much less gas is consumed, clearly a plus for our
environment. And by the way, the rides in Longtail are on average more than half cheaper!
The island has three villages: Baan Koh Jum
in the south, Baan Koh Pu in the north-east and Baan Ting Rai in the south-west (about the middle of the island). The "liveliest" village is Baan Koh Jum in the very south of the island. Here are some small shops and 'mom and pop stores'. Likewise, there are some small restaurants, bars and caffees. Nightlife is hardly found on the island. Alcohol is
consumed in the restaurants and resorts. Out of respect for
the locals but should be dispensed with extravagant alcohol excesses!
The
approximately 1500 islanders are mostly Muslim settlers who live from fishing, plantations and agriculture as well as a bit from tourism. In the villages one can observe the daily life of the locals. Along the main road from Baan Kuh Jum
to Baan Koh Pu are also some plantations on which latex is recovered and processed.
Mutu Stadium in the middle of the island hosts regular Thai boxing
events. There are also occasional music events with live bands.
In addition to the 422 m high Mount Pu there are mainly nature
and beautiful beaches to explore. Hiking tours are offered to Mount Pu. (Tours take place with a local guide and the walk takes between 1.5 and 2 hours,
depending on the pace). To explore the beaches, rent a bike, scooter or
kayak. The main road is paved and well developed. However, some beaches (including Bonhomie Beach) have
bumpy slopes (not paved), which are only suitable for experienced riders.
Rental price scooter 24 h = from 250 THB
Motorbike taxi (motorcycle with
sidecar) short distances (for example, from one beach to the next) from THB 50, island tour from about 400 THB.
In the north of the island there are the beaches
Banyan Bay Beach and Coconut Beach. All other beaches are located on the
west side of Koh Jum.
At LuBoa Beach, it seamlessly merges with Bonhomie Beach (North Beach).
Here are some quaint resorts and small beach bars. This part of the island has a lot of hippie flair. The beaches are of golden fine
sand. Only at the southern end of the beach is a bit interspersed with stones.
Especially in this part of the island, the road conditions are still bumpy.
Ting Rai Beach offers a small selection of resorts. The beach is interspersed with small boulders.
Magic Beach has several small bungalow resorts.
Ao Si Beach blends seamlessly into Golden Pearl Beach. The beach is beautiful long and fine powdery and lined with palm trees. The water is very clear in the windless months of the high season. Just opposite are the Phi Phi Islands. Along the two beaches there are some beautiful bungalow resorts and restaurants and bars.
Koh Jum Lodge is also home to a Koh Jum Divers diving school. It seamlessly merges with Andaman Beach, which is also home to some resorts.
Long Beach is the longest beach on the island and offers the
largest selection of resorts. The bright, fine sandy beach is interspersed with stones. Along the beach there are shady trees and palm trees. Here is also the
village Baan Koh Jum, in which there are restaurants and shops as well as a diving school and a rental shop for scooters and bicycles.