Exploring Koh Maphrao: Phuket’s Hidden Island Gem
Koh Maphrao is so close to Phuket you can see it from the pier, but I’d never bothered to visit until recently. It’s one of those places you always mean to check out but never do. After living here for 30 years, I finally took a longtail boat across and spent a day exploring. Here’s what I found.
Overview of Koh Maphrao
The island is tiny. About 3 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide at most. It sits roughly 850 metres east of Laem Hin Pier, which means the boat ride takes maybe 10 minutes. Locals call it Coconut Island because of all the palm trees, though honestly, there aren’t as many as you’d expect anymore.
Unlike the dramatic limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay, Koh Maphrao is flat and low. No jungle hiking, no dramatic viewpoints. It’s more of a place to do nothing for a few hours.
The island stayed undeveloped for decades. A few local families lived there, some fishing boats came and went, but tourists rarely visited. That changed when the first resorts opened. Now there’s a proper beach club and two hotels, though it still feels quiet compared to anywhere on Phuket’s west coast.
How to Get to Koh Maphrao
You’ll leave from Laem Hin Pier, which is about 8 kilometres from Phuket Town. Grab a taxi or drive yourself. Parking is available at the pier.
Longtail boats run throughout the day. The crossing costs around 100-150 Baht per person for a return trip, though prices vary. If you’re staying at one of the resorts, they’ll arrange a private transfer for you. The boat drops you at Coconut Beach on the north side of the island. That’s where most of the activity is.
The Beaches and Landscape
Coconut Beach is the main one, and the only beach most visitors see. The sand is darker and coarser than Phuket’s west coast beaches. Not white powder, more brown and grainy with some shells mixed in. The water is shallow for quite a distance, which is good for kids but not great for swimming.
I noticed warning signs about stingrays and jellyfish. Shuffle your feet when you walk in, and you should be fine.
There’s another beach on the western side of the island, but it’s harder to reach and has no facilities. I walked part of the way but turned back. Not much to see. One thing worth knowing: there’s almost no shade on Coconut Beach. Bring a hat and sunscreen, or pay for a sunbed at the beach club.
Where to Stay on Koh Maphrao?
Two resorts now operate on Koh Maphrao. Both are mid-range options that work well for families or couples wanting a break from the mainland.
Barcelo Coconut Island
This is the bigger resort, located right on Coconut Beach. They’ve got a proper beach club called Laku with sunbeds, a pool, and a restaurant serving Thai and Western food. Rooms start around 4,000-5,000 Baht in high season. The beach club is open to day visitors too, so you don’t need to be a guest to use it. Read more about Barcello Coconut Island.
Check the rates
Island Escape by Burasari
This one is on the northeastern tip, smaller and more low-key. They have beachfront villas with private pools and a waterslide that kids love. Rates start around 3,400 Baht in high season. Good option if you want something quieter than Barcelo.
Check the rates
Koh Maphrao Video
Subscribe to our YouTube for more videos!
Restaurants and Local Food
On the island itself, you’ve got two main choices at Coconut Beach. Coconut Seafood Restaurant is the bigger one, serving Thai food and some Western dishes. Most mains are under 200 Baht. Pa Yoi Restaurant nearby is similar, with simple food at local prices.
But here’s the thing: some of the best eating is actually on the water between Koh Maphrao and Phuket. Two floating restaurants operate in this area, and both are worth the detour.
Kruvit Raft
This one made it into the Michelin Guide. It’s a floating platform where you pick your fish, crabs, or lobsters from nets in the water. They cook it however you want. The grouper soup is excellent. You reach it by longtail from Laem Hin Pier, about 5 minutes.
Bang Mud Seafood Restaurant
Another floating restaurant, this one serves Halal food. More rustic than Kruvit, just wooden huts on rafts. Blue crab is their speciality. No alcohol here if that matters to you.
Both places feel like old Phuket. No fancy decor, just fresh seafood and water views.
Laem Hin Seafood
Before you even get on the boat, consider stopping at Laem Hin Seafood right at the pier. It’s a big wooden terrace restaurant popular with locals, especially on weekends. Fish, crabs, and prawns come straight from the fishing boats. Get there before 6 pm if you want a table without waiting.
What to Do on Koh Maphrao?
Not much, and that’s the point. You can swim in the designated areas, walk along the beach, or rent a kayak to paddle around the island. Some people bring snorkelling gear, though visibility isn’t spectacular.
The Barcelo beach club has the most going on. Pool, drinks, music. Beyond that, Koh Maphrao is really about sitting around doing nothing. No nightlife. No shopping. No ATMs either, so bring cash. The resorts take cards but the restaurants and boat operators often don’t.
Is It Worth Visiting?
It depends on what you’re after. If you want a proper beach day with good sand and clear water, go to Racha Island or the west coast beaches instead. Koh Maphrao can’t compete on that front.
But if you’re curious about a quieter side of Phuket, or you want to combine a half-day island trip with lunch at a floating restaurant, it works. I’d suggest taking the morning boat, walking around the island, eating at Kruvit Raft, and heading back by mid-afternoon. That’s enough time to see everything.
For overnight stays, the resorts make sense if you specifically want to escape the mainland for a night or two. Families with young kids would appreciate the shallow water and calm pace.
It won’t be the highlight of your Phuket trip, but it’s an easy add-on if you’re already in the area.
Koh Maphrao Info
Location: East coast of Phuket, 850m from Laem Hin Pier Boat crossing: 10-15 minutes from Laem Hin Pier Cost: Around 100-150 Baht return by longtail Best for: Half-day trips, families, floating restaurant lunch
Koh Maphrao Photos
Koh Maphrao Map
More Islands Near Phuket
