Thailand: Koh Bulon Le
Koh Bulon Le is considered by many to be the most unspoilt island in Thailand.
And so far, at least, it has managed to hold onto its ‘hidden gem’ title.
I’ve heard that some who have discovered Koh Bulon Le are now reluctant to talk about it for fear of letting out the ‘best kept secret on the Andaman Sea’.
It’s true that this island is picture postcard perfect.
On either side of the powder soft white sand beach are limestone rocky inlets and behind it lays a verdant jungle interior and a fringe of swaying palm trees.
Here there is no evidence of mass tourism.
There are no roads, no traffic, no ATMs, no 7-11 Store.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- KOH BULON LE – A HIDDEN GEM
- CASTAWAY ON KOH BULON LE
- ACCOMODATION ON KOH BULON LE
- THINGS TO DO ON KOH BULON LE
- HOW TO GET TO KOH BULON LE
- THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KOH BULON LE
- TRAVEL TIPS FOR KOH BULON LE
- IS KOH BULON LE WORTH VISITING?
- HOW LONG TO SPEND ON KOH BULON LE
A HIDDEN GEM
Beyond the breathtakingly beautiful tropical scenery, the other side of the island hosts a fishing village, some orchards, and a small school.
Between November and May, tourists can stay in basic guesthouses run by local families, but accommodations are limited so booking ahead is essential.
When I booked to stay a few nights on the island, as part of our epic Andaman Sea Island Hopping Adventure.
We reached Koh Bulon Le after initially setting out from Krabi to Railay Beach and then island hopping by traditional longtail boats to Koh Lanta and Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan.
We reached the greater distance to this island using the Bundhaya Speed Boat Service.
For accomodation on Koh Bulon Le, I had to book directly with our hosts at Bulone Resort via their website as there was no listings on any of the usual accommodation booking websites.
It’s useful to know Koh Bulone Le is also sometimes known as Koh Bulone and Koh Bulon Lae.
Perhaps for this reason and also because of the island’s position tucked away in the southern Thailand Satun Province near Tarutao National Marine Park, is why many travellers inadvertently bypass Koh Bulon Le.
Indeed, the backpacking husband and I were the only ones disembarking on our speedboat at Koh Bulon Le and, as we transferred from the speedboat to a longtail boat to reach the shore, everyone left on board – who were all heading to Koh Lipe – stood up in awe at the island’s beauty.
I heard someone exclaim “Oh my God… this place is incredible”.
And “Okay… so exactly where are we?”
“Where is this?”
“Erm… what’s this island called please?”
We simply shrugged and replied, “It’s paradise!”
We stayed on White Sand Beach at Bulone Resort in a sea-view bungalow.
Anticipating our stay, we booked four nights, longer than the two nights we’d spent on Koh Ngai and the three on Koh Kradan. Our intuition was spot on.
The island’s peaceful serenity and stunning beauty has left an indelible mark on our hearts and our minds as the ultimate tropical paradise.
It was quiet, laid-back, and felt almost other-worldly and timeless.
CASTAWAY ON KOH BULON LE
Early one morning, a peculiar incident occurred.
The backpacking husband and I were sitting on the curve of White Sand Beach at the water’s edge, with the warm sea lapping at our feet while gazing at the sunrise, when a man emerged from the jungle behind us and he was naked.
The man was tall, very lean, and quite elderly, with wrinkled, suntanned skin, long limbs, and matted, straggly hair.
He appeared Western, not Asian.
He resembled a castaway who had lived in the jungle for a long time.
He ignored us entirely as he strode past and waded into the sea, presumably to perform his morning routine.
We averted our gaze, both to give him privacy and because we were unsure whether to feel shocked or envious of his simple island lifestyle.
After a while, he emerged from the sea, walked back across the beach, and disappeared into the jungle.
I watched him, noticing a path marked by a driftwood and seashell dreamcatcher.
I imagined he must have a basic hut in the jungle where he lived.
I often ponder his life and wonder if he is still there.
And I see from comments on my round up post of all the islands in our Andaman Sea Island Hopping Adventure that he’s been seen here before and has lived on the island a long time.
The idea of living on on this island forever with beach access and a diet of fish and coconuts seemed like the perfect life to me!
ACCOMODATION ON KOH BULON LE
I’ve provided some website links to accommodations on Koh Bulon Le where possible for reference.
I have no paid affiliation with these resorts or responsibility for these links.
School Bungalows
Panka Bay Resort
Chao Lae Homestay
Jungle Huts
Bulon Viewpoint Resort
THINGS TO DO
Koh Bulon Le offers a tranquil and picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle and so activities here are all about relaxation and nature.
Number one thing to do is of course to relax on pristine White Sand Beach – the only beach on the island and the main attraction – where you can lounge white sand, swim in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoy the serene environment.
The island’s waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling with vibrant coral reefs and a variety of marine life just off the shore. We were able to rent snorkelling gear from our resort.
You might want to explore and go jungle trekking and follow the island’s dense jungle trails that lead to various viewpoints and hidden spots. It’s a great way to see the local flora and fauna.
If you are feeling more adventurous, you can rent a kayak and paddle around the island to explore its coastline, hidden coves, and limestone inlets.
Or take a stroll to the island’s small fishing village to get a glimpse of the local way of life and perhaps buy fresh seafood directly from the fishermen.
Go bird watching or wildlife watching as Koh Bulon Le is home to a variety of colourful bird species, large lizards, bats, and tropical butterflies.
Enjoy traditional Thai cuisine served at local restaurants and guesthouses.
Eat fresh seafood – a highlight of the day – with dishes prepared from the day’s catch.
The serene environment makes it an ideal place for a yoga class and to peacefully meditate.
Practice yoga on the beach.
A perfect way to unwind and to rejuvenate is to enjoy a Thai massage by the beach or at your guesthouse.
My favourite way to end the day was to watch the stunning sunset over the Andaman Sea.
The island is small enough to navigate easily so it’s possible to walk everywhere but it’s also possible to rent a bicycle to explore different spots at your own pace.
The lack of light pollution makes this an excellent place for star gazing.
Spend an evening lying on the beach and watching the night sky.
HOW TO GET TO KOH BULON LE
Koh Bulon Le is only accessible in season and by ferry and speed boat.
The backpacking husband and I travelled from Koh Kradan on the scheduled island hopping speed boat transport with Bundhaya Speed Boat from Krabi to Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, and onto Koh Bulon Le, which took about an hour.
From the mainland, the nearest pier is in Pak Meng in Trang Province and transfers of minibus/ferry boat can be arranged from Hat Yai Airport.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
The island is only available to tourists in season between November and May.
My visit was at the end of November and the weather was perfect.
You can find out more in my post The Best and Worst Time To Visit Thailand.
TRAVEL TIPS
Bring Cash: You might be able to pay your accommodation and transportation with cards but there’s no ATMs on the island so ensure you have enough cash for your stay.
Pack Essentials: Due to the island’s remote nature, it’s advisable to bring your essentials such as a reef safe sunscreen and an insect repellent.
First Aid: As there is no medical clinic you should also bring basic medications.
Nature: As part of a national park, it’s important to respect the local environment by not littering and avoiding damage to the coral reefs.
IS KOH BULON LE WORTH VISITING?
While Koh Bulon Le is not a destination for those looking for nightlife or busy activities – or those who might be considered ‘high maintenance’ – it offers a perfect retreat for relaxation, nature exploration, and a slow-paced island life.
I would absolutely recommend Koh Bulon Le as part of your Andaman Sea Island Hopping Itinerary.
It was an experience I still get all dewy-eyed over when I think of this perfect place to relax and enjoy a remote and astonishingly beautiful tropical island and one Thailand’s most enchanting and natural destinations.
HOW LONG TO SPEND ON KOH BULON LE
I would recommend spending at least one night on this beautiful island but if you only stay one night you will most certainly wish you’d stayed much longer.
You have been warned!
As we’d done previously during our Andaman Sea Island Hopping Adventure, we arranged our onward transportation with our hosts the day before leaving.
Our transfer was with Bundhaya Speed Boat onto the next island in our itinerary.
Do continue to travel with me on our fabulous Island Hopping Itinerary in Thailand – from Krabi to Railay Beach to Koh Lanta and Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan and Koh Bulon Le onto the next breath taking paradise island that is Koh Lipe – where the immigration office into Malaysia is right on the beach!
Is Thailand on your travel wish list?
Have you ever visited an island in Thailand?
Let me know – leave a comment below.
I’ll be delighted to hear from you!
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Did you know that the heroine, Lori, in my bestselling series of The Backpacking Housewife books published by Harper Collins also travels to all the islands on this Andaman Sea Island Hopping Itinerary?
I’ve used my very own experiences of travelling through these islands to meld with Lori’s (fictional) story.
I think it is wonderful that readers contact me to say that they too have travelled this route – or plan to do so – after reading The Backpacking Housewife books and being inspired by these travels!
For more on my books visit MY BOOKS PAGE.
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