Koh Jum
Introduction
Koh Jum is southern Thailand's most accessible hideaway island.
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Koh Jum / Koh Phu is a small island situated between Koh Lanta and Krabi town. Whilst the southern end of the island is known as Koh Jum (‘Jum Island’), the northern part bears the entirely different name Koh Phu (‘Phu Island’).
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This means that when people journey from one ‘island’ to another, they do so on foot. Maybe the people who named the two ‘islands’ can be excused for implying that you can walk on water here as this place feels like a tranquil slice of heaven on earth, and one where it is not unimaginable that natural laws could be transcended.
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Mother Nature did not bestow on Koh Jum the same white sand and spectacular topography as she did on other Thai destinations such as Koh Phi Phi and the Railay peninsula, but the island’s beaches and jungle-clad mountain are still almost perfectly pristine.
Only by the high standards of Thai beach destinations are they inferior – anywhere else in the world Koh Jum would be deemed an archetypically tropical idyll. |
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The western coast is studded with six beaches whose yellowish sand may be judged by connoisseurs to be lackluster compared with the blindingly white powder sands of Railay’s Phra Nang beach but, in marked contrast to Phra Nang beach, Koh Jum’s beaches never get crowded.
The often sublime sunsets on these beaches are an added bonus of staying here, with Koh Phi Phi’s steep limestone cliffs set against the orange sun.
For such a lovely and unspoiled island, Koh Jum / Koh Phu is surprisingly easy to get to, via a short boat-ride from Krabi Town or Koh Lanta. |
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The low visitor density, plus the ease of access from Krabi airport, currently make Koh Jum southern Thailand’s most accessible hideaway island, and one which we highly recommend. This number one ranking does not look set to last, as with the island’s connection to the national power grid big developers are moving in, so visitors who like hideaway islands are advised to go there soon, before the hordes descend.
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Always a good sign for those seeking a pristine tropical idyll, Koh Jum / Phu has no jetty or dock - the ferry from Krabi Town stops offshore and is met by resort longtail boats, into which visitors hop for the ride ashore.
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It is a small island where the few deserted roads are unsealed and pot-holed, posing a challenge for the inexperienced rider.
There is however less need to rent a bike in order to get around these days, as the local taxi service has recently been significantly upgraded: last year the island’s taxi driver added a side-car to his motorbike. |
Beaches
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The best of Koh Jum’s 6 beaches are Ting Rai Beach, Andaman Beach and Golden Pearl Beach, all of which offer broad and un-crowded expanses of soft sand, plus fairly good swimming.
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Things To Do
Snorkelling trips to Bamboo Island take half a day and are easily arranged after arrival on the island. There’s not much to do on Koh Jum beyond a bit of snorkelling, walking and sun-worshipping, and the island has no noteworthy attractions. For the many travellers who make an annual sun-worshipping pilgrimage here, however, that’s exactly the way they like it – with no pressure to get active, there’s no need to make an effort to be ‘on holiday’.
This is a great place for stressed Westerners to do their health a favour by changing down a gear or four. Allow your heart to beat more slowly for a while and your mind to drift. Live in the present, and you may suddenly be struck by the realization of how lucky you are to be right here, right now.
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A bit of gentle exercise, of course, aids recuperation and relaxation. The snorkeling at several spots off the northern beaches is great, with the water so clean and clear that you can see the minnows grazing on your feet in 2 metres of water.
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After snorkelling, the second most popular activity is beach-walking, for which Koh Jum is particularly suitable. It is possible to walk the length of the west coast by rock-hopping between the beaches. It takes less than 2 hours at an easy pace, and the rock-hopping is pretty easy, except at high tide.
Nightlife and Restaurants
There are a few low-key bars dotted along the coast. Bamboo Bar and Coco Bar play chill-out music and serve drinks until the wee hours. Rim Tang Restaurant in Ban Koh Jum has an excellent reputation and stays open late enough for a leisurely dinner.
Resorts
There are no luxury hotels and none of the island’s resorts have air-con. Most have no night-time electricity (so no fans when you need them most), but there are a few resorts on the island where the fans stay on all night. Several of the island's resorts can be highly recommended for good value, exceptionally friendly service, and for the quality of the accommodation and food provided. Those looking for the scarcer family and up-market accommodation are advised to make a reservation in advance, but budget travellers do not need to do this, as there are plenty of budget rooms on the island.
Click on a resort for more information.
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