Thailand Travel Pages - Koh Kradan, Andaman Sea, Trang Province

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Koh Kradan, Andaman Sea:

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A 40 min boat ride from the mainland, Koh Kradan is the most spectacular of all the islands off the coast of Trang Province.

Koh Kradan Island, also called Koh Ha by the locals, was declared a national park in 1981. On the east side of the island, the main beach is very long and dazzlingly beautiful with perfectly white powdery sand and blue, blue seas. The water here is very clear and a coral reef fringes the shore, making it an excellent place for snorkeling. The beach gets fairly busy with day trippers, but it is so long that it is always possible to find a deserted spot. At the far end of the beach is small sea gypsy settlement.

About 15 minutes walk from the main beach (via a cross country track) you can find a more secluded beach on the west coast of the island. The beach is much smaller, maybe only 250m across, but it has good, deep water all day. In the rainy season the beach is open to the full force of the monsoon weather, which makes it possible to surf here.

At the southern tip of the island are two more excellent beaches. These can be reached by the track which starts at the small sea gypsy settlement on the eastern side of the island - to get to the adjoining western beaches follow the track along the headland.

Koh Kraden’s picturesque beauty makes it a very romantic spot. It is no wonder then that many people want to get married here, but Koh Kraden specializes in a rather unusual form of wedding - marrying people 12 feet under the ocean. Every Valentine’s Day the island plays host to the annual Underwater Wedding Ceremony, which always draws many participating couples and hundreds of well wishers and spectators. In 2000 the event was awarded the Guinness World Record for ‘The Largest Underwater Wedding Ceremony’. The brides and grooms dive down 12 meters to the white sand of the ocean floor and there they meet with the District Officer who witnesses and approves their marriage. (The ceremony can facilitate both able bodied and disabled couples).

Getting there

There are no direct ferries to Koh Kraden but you can hire a longtail boat from Pak Meng pier, Hat Yao pier (Ban Chao Mai), Kuan Thung Khu pier and Saladan (Lanta Island). Alternatively, you can visit a tour operator and join a snorkeling excursion, which will take you to the island. (Make sure that the package you book includes a trip to Koh Kraden!)