If you’re looking for a Thai island that still feels refreshingly untouched, Koh Jum might be exactly what you’re after. Tucked between Krabi and Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea, this laidback island remains one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets.

Koh Jum feels pure and rustic – like stepping back in time to what Thailand was probably like twenty or thirty years ago. There are no large chain hotels, no rowdy beach clubs pumping music until sunrise, no public transport, and not even a 7-Eleven(!). Instead, you’ll find quiet roads lined with small family‑run restaurants and palm trees, where locals relax on their porches in the afternoon. Cats doze in patches of sunshine while chickens wander casually across the road, and scooters weave around them

Being an island, the beaches are naturally a highlight – but on Koh Jum they’re peaceful rather than picture‑perfect. The sea isn’t that unreal, Instagram-famous turquoise you’ll find on islands like Koh Phi Phi, but that’s part of the charm. The water is calm and clear enough for swimming, the sunsets are spectacular, and the whole island feels wonderfully authentic.

My husband and I had planned to spend three days on Koh Jum, but within hours of arriving and seeing the beach, we knew that wouldn’t be enough. We quickly reshuffled our plans, cancelled our accommodation at our next destination, and asked our hotel if we could extend our stay. It felt like we had stumbled upon a quiet slice of paradise in a country known for its tourist hotspots – and we knew Koh Jum deserved more of our time.

While nearby islands like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta attract huge crowds, Koh Jum has somehow remained under the radar – for now. In this guide, I’ll explain why Koh Jum deserves a place on your Thailand itinerary, what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, typical prices, and the best time to visit. 

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How to Get to Koh Jum

The nearest airport is Krabi International Airport, about 30-45 minutes from the mainland pier. Krabi has regular flights from cities across Thailand including Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

From there, you have a couple of options:

1. Ferry from Krabi (high season)

During the dry season (roughly November-April), ferries travel from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi to Koh Jum. Boats often continue onward to Koh Lanta and drop passengers near the island, where longtail boats transfer you to the beach. The journey costs 550 Thai baht (฿) per person one-way. You can book your tickets via 12Go (online payment possible) or via your Krabi accommodation (probably cash only). 

2. Longtail boat from Laem Kruat Pier (year-round)

A more local option is to travel to Laem Kruat Pier, about 30 minutes from Krabi Airport. Longtail boats depart regularly, all year round, and take around 40-60 minutes to reach the island. 

My husband and I took this option as it was significantly cheaper than the Krabi route. There are boats going back and forth regularly, but we got lucky and were able to take an earlier boat with a boatsman transferring supplies to the island. It costs ฿140 per person one-way. Our opportunist boatsman tried to charge us ฿150 each but quickly dropped it to the default price when I showed him this picture!

Note: Although the island is officially known as Koh Jum, the northern half is often called Koh Pu by locals. There’s no physical separation between the two – it’s simply one island with two names, and you’ll often see both used interchangeably.

How Long to Spend on Koh Jum

If you’re looking for a peaceful spot to relax and unwind, Koh Jum fits the bill. There are a few activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking to viewpoints, but most people come here simply to unwind.

Depending on what you’re looking for, I’d suggest: 

• 2–3 days: Perfect if you’re looking to relax after sightseeing elsewhere in Thailand.
• 4–5 days: Ideal if you want a proper beach break with very little planned.
• 1 week – Great for anyone wanting a true escape or digital detox.

What Accommodation Is like on Koh Jum

One thing that stood out on Koh Jum was the mix of visitors. Unlike many Thai islands that cater almost exclusively to backpackers or luxury travellers, Koh Jum attracts a variety of families, couples, retirees and long-term travellers, all looking for the same thing: somewhere peaceful to slow down. 

The island’s relaxed atmosphere is reflected in its accommodation. You won’t find international hotel chains or huge eyesore resort complexes dominating the coastline. Instead, Koh Jum is full of small, family-run places, boutique resorts and elegant villas that blend into the coconut palms and tropical gardens.

Many accommodations are just a few steps from the beach. One thing you’ll quickly get used to is the tap outside your accommodation, where you’re expected to rinse the sand off your feet before going inside – a simple touch that helps keep everything clean.

Accommodation on Koh Jum generally falls into three main categories:

Beach Bungalows (Around $20–40 per night)

Beach bungalows are the signature accommodation on Koh Jum, and part of the island’s charm. These simple wooden huts sit right on or near the beach, often rustic in design with gaps in the walls or floors that remind you how close you are to nature. It’s not unusual to spot a few tiny insects inside, and you may even notice gecko droppings on the porch in the morning – though these little residents are actually helpful, keeping mosquitoes and other bugs under control. Most bungalows come with fans instead of air‑conditioning, mosquito nets to protect you at night, and wet‑room style bathrooms where the shower and toilet share the same space.

The highlight of bungalow life is the porch. With chairs, hammocks, and a view of the waves, it’s the perfect spot to unwind – whether you’re reading, watching the sunset, or simply soaking up the atmosphere. As night falls, you drift off to the sounds of nature: monkeys rustling in the trees, cicadas buzzing, and geckos and frogs calling to each other. It’s a surprisingly soothing soundtrack to lull you to sleep.

Mid-Range Boutique Resorts ($50–100 per night)

For travellers who want a bit more comfort, Koh Jum also has several small boutique resorts. These properties usually consist of individual bungalows or small villas set within tropical gardens or along the beachfront. Compared to basic beach huts, they typically offer air-conditioning, more modern bathrooms, and large private terraces or balconies.

Despite the extra comforts, these resorts still maintain the island’s relaxed and quiet atmosphere. Many mid‑range resorts have their own restaurants and small beach bars, making it easy to grab food or a drink at any time without straying far from the sand.

Private Villas ($100+ per night)

At the top end of the accommodation range, you’ll find a handful of private villas on Koh Jum. These are much fewer in number but offer a more luxurious experience. Villas often include spacious bedrooms and living areas, large outdoor terraces, direct beach access, and tropical gardens. Some of them even include private pools. 

They’re a great option if you’re travelling as a couple looking for something special or as a group wanting extra space and privacy.

Where to Stay on Koh Jum

We had a wonderful stay at Cha Cha Bungalows, just a few steps from Ting‑rai Beach. The bungalows were simple but comfortable, with a private bathroom, small fridge, and fans. We especially enjoyed relaxing in the hammock on our balcony and eating at the on‑site restaurant (open daily from 8 am to 9 pm).

The cost felt very reasonable: ฿4500 (≈ $139 / €121) for three nights booked through Booking.com, and then another three nights directly with the hotel for ฿3900 (≈ $120 / €105). Altogether, six nights came to ฿8400 (≈ $259 / €226), which we thought was good value for the experience.

When we considered moving to another hotel for the final three nights, visits to other beaches on Koh Jum convinced us to stay put. Ting‑rai Beach was easily the best we’d seen on the island, and the convenience of being able to stroll from our bungalow straight into the sea was unbeatable.

If Cha Cha Bungalows isn’t available when you visit, here are some popular and well-reviewed accommodation alternatives:

• Koh Jum Beach Villas – The island’s most luxurious option, offering spacious private villas surrounded by tropical gardens right on the beach. We were sorely tempted by these, but remembered we aren’t rich.
• Koh Jum Resort – A hillside resort with sweeping sea views and traditional Thai teakwood villas.
• Jungle Hill Beach Bungalow – A great mid-range option with bungalows set among jungle-covered hills near the beach.
• Coral Bay Resort – A small beachfront property on North Beach with simple but comfortable bungalows.  It is a good idea to rent a scooter if you’re going to stay this far up.

Because there aren’t many hotels on the island, it’s wise to book in advance during the high season.

Restaurants and Food on Koh Jum

Most resorts and hotels have their own on‑site restaurants, which is convenient if you don’t feel like venturing far. You can eat there even if you’re not a guest, so there are plenty of options. Menus usually feature Thai curries, simple Western dishes, smoothies, cocktails, and fresh seafood – though many don’t serve pork, as the local community is predominantly Muslim.

We sampled a few dishes at the Cha Cha Bungalows restaurant, but often preferred strolling ten minutes up to the main road that cuts through Koh Jum. The food there turned out to be surprisingly good, with several spots really exceeding our expectations. We’ve had some fairly average Thai food on southern islands (often with a high price mark-up compared to the mainland) but we found some really decent spots on Koh Jum. 

I personally recommend:

• Alnuwr The Light Cafe – We ate here twice and stopped by several times for ice cold drinks. They serve up fresh and healthy vegan and vegetarian dishes, full of flavour and using ingredients grown on the island. They also have great ice coffee, Thai tea, and fruit tea. I particularly recommend the spicy tofu salad (similar to the Thai dish laab/larb) and the tofu and aubergine/eggplant dish. It’s a friendly mother and daughter team welcoming us, taking orders and doing the cooking.
• Family Restaurant – As the name suggests, this casual restaurant is run by a friendly, welcoming family. There’s a huge menu with lots of Thai and Western dishes. We tried several Thai curries, along with their freshly-made smoothies, and were so impressed we ate there for lunch and dinner on the same day. 
• Pinwa – We ate here several times and every dish was a winner. They offer a wide range of dishes, including Southern Thai curries, and noodle dishes. In the evenings, they grill chicken skewers directly outside the restaurant, costing just ฿30 per skewer. I strongly recommend their homemade pandan custard and coconut milk dessert – it’s warm, comforting and a delicious combination of flavours.
• Zareena Cafe – A very modern air-conditioned cafe offering a variety of iced tea and coffee, along with very affordable meals and desserts. There are also some very sweet cats to pet while you wait for your food. 

I haven’t tried these myself, but here are some of the places that come highly recommended:  

• Mama Halal – a tiny local spot known for its noodles and spring rolls
• Chai nui Restaurant – praised for fresh seafood and generous portions.
• Halal Food – a simple roadside spot serving authentic halal Thai dishes.
• Nur Aini –  popular for homestyle cooking and friendly service. 
• Sunrise Bistro – known for hearty breakfasts and relaxed beachfront views.
• Drift Wood Koh Jum – a rustic restaurant offering grilled fish and cold drinks.
• Lee restaurant Koh Jum – popular for its traditional Thai flavors and casual atmosphere.
• Koh Jum Lucky Restaurant – reviews praise its tasty curries and welcoming staff

A few beach bars appear around sunset, but most restaurants close by around 9-10pm. FU BAR is the island’s most popular evening spot, with cocktails and a lively yet laidback vibe, while resort bars like Oon Lee Bungalows are perfect for sunset drinks.

Grocery Shopping on Koh Jum

Shopping is very limited in Koh Jum. You’ll mainly find small village shops, basic grocery stores, and fruit stalls. Our hotel only gave us bottled water every other day (very unusual for Thailand – most places give you daily water bottles) so we bought a 6 litre bottle from a nearby shop for about 50 THB. Otherwise we found a small market to buy some bottles of beer for 70 THB and snacks. 

As I mentioned before there is no 7-Eleven, which is a bit inconvenient as we often go there for cheap meals (the micromeals there are surprisingly good!), snacks, soft drinks, beer, toiletries and other bits and bobs. If you need any items from a supermarket or 7-Eleven, it’s better to buy it on the mainland and bring it with you to Koh Jum.

Important tip: ATMs are extremely limited on the island. During our week-long stay we only saw one and weren’t sure it was even working. It’s best to bring enough cash with you. You can find banks and cash machines on the Krabi mainland (around Krabi Town or Laem Kruat pier) or on nearby islands such as Koh Lanta. 

A few guesthouses can arrange cash advances or exchange foreign currency, but it’s easier (and cheaper) to withdraw money on the mainland before you arrive. On the island, most businesses prefer smaller notes (฿50, ฿100) rather than large bills.

When to Visit Koh Jum

The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April, when skies are sunny and seas are calm. More specifically, December-February has the best weather, and most ferry connections. We were there in March and definitely had some very warm days – 40 degrees Celcius throughout our stay with high humidity. We avoided walking around during the day because the sun was really intense.

May-October is the rainy season, so you should expect rougher seasons, fewer ferry connections, occasional heavy rain and some resorts and restaurants being closed. However, this period can apparently be beautiful and very quiet if you don’t mind the weather.

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Is Koh Jum Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Koh Jum is one of the most peaceful islands in southern Thailand, and it has quickly become a personal favourite of mine – easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited.

If you’re after buzzing nightlife, beach clubs, and a packed itinerary of activities, this probably isn’t the island for you. Destinations like Phuket or Koh Phi Phi would be a better fit. But for peaceful beaches, laid-back island vibes, welcoming local restaurants, and truly unforgettable sunsets, Koh Jum is hard to beat.

I’d hate to see it go the way of Phuket, Koh Samui, or Koh Phi Phi – transformed by mass tourism. So my advice is – visit Koh Jum within the next five years while it is still magical and unspoiled. You won’t regret it!

While you’re planning your trip to Koh Jum, check out my other Thailand travel guides – including Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khao Sok and more.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow