Koh Jum / Koh Pu


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.

Hotel recommendations


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.

getting there


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

  1. The Pier in Krabi Town is called Klong Jilad Pier (Departure: 11.30am, duration about 40 minutes, Address: Tha-Ruea, Klong Jilad Road, Tambon Saithai, Muang, Krabi, 81000, This boat also stops on Koh Jum / Pu, Price about 400 THB).
  2. Also in Krabi Town there is the Kongka Pier (Departure: 11.00 am, travel time about 40-50 minutes, address: Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Thailand) This boat also stops on Koh Jum / Pu, price about 450 THB).
  3. Tigerline Ferry from Railway Beach West, departure 9.15 am, travel time about 30 minutes
  4. Year-round longtail service from Laem Kruat Pier in Krabi (southeast of Krabi Town) to Mutu Pier on Koh Jum, several times daily between 9:00 am and 6:15 pm.

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:

  • Arriving from Bangkok by plane is possible to Krabi, Trang or Phuket. The companies Bangkok Airways and other local airlines (PB Air, Thai AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Airways and others) serve this route. From the airport you can take the taxi or mini bus + ferry to Koh Lanta.
  • From Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal, there are daily buses to Krabi and Phuket. The fare is between 500 and 900 baht. Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 11 and 13 hours. Due to the air conditioning it gets pretty 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 TBH = approx. 15.- EUR)
  3. VIP buses (inscription "VIP Bus 999") with approx. 24 seats (895 THB = approx. 25.- EUR)
  • Krabi, Phuket and Koh Lanta are not connected to Thailand's rail network. But you can take the train to Surat Thani and from there in about 4 hours with the "Phantip Bus" or the "Phantip Charter" continue towards Koh Lanta. The bus costs from 640 THB (16,00 €). The charter costs from 6,000 THB (150, - €) and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic.

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.

Boat connections - important info


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!

Sightseeing and attractions


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.

Beaches


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.

Impressions