Ko Bulon-Lae

Part of Ko Petra Islands National Park and located off Thailand’s southern coast near Malaysia, Ko Bulon-Lae offers a peaceful tropical hideaway marked by cozy palm-studded beaches, thick virgin forests and rustic, thatch-roofed bungalows. The island has no roads, but its beautiful hiking trails, which carve through the lush greenery, are easily navigable. White-sand beaches stretch along the eastern and southern coasts, while a small fishing community resides along the island’s northern coast, where the shoreline is rocky. In recent years, erosion has occurred on some beaches, with high tide at times swallowing entire stretches of sand and ...

Part of Ko Petra Islands National Park and located off Thailand’s southern coast near Malaysia, Ko Bulon-Lae offers a peaceful tropical hideaway marked by cozy palm-studded beaches, thick virgin forests and rustic, thatch-roofed bungalows. The island has no roads, but its beautiful hiking trails, which carve through the lush greenery, are easily navigable. White-sand beaches stretch along the eastern and southern coasts, while a small fishing community resides along the island’s northern coast, where the shoreline is rocky. In recent years, erosion has occurred on some beaches, with high tide at times swallowing entire stretches of sand and uprooting trees in the process. However, the turquoise waters and laid-back atmosphere continue to attract a loyal following among foreign visitors, many of whom return annually to Ko Bulon-Lae during high season (November to May). Located in the general vicinity of Ko Tarutao and Ko Lipe, Ko Bulon-Lae can be reached in 45 minutes via speedboat from the mainland in Pak Bara.

About the Expert

Joe Cummings has contributed to more than 35 guidebooks, maps, atlases, phrasebooks and photographic works, including his bestselling Lonely Planet Thailand and Buddhist Stupas of Asia: The Shape of Perfection.