Koh Jum: Beautiful, Peaceful, and Authentic Island in Thailand
Koh Jum (pronounced Koh Joem) is a charmingly quiet small island in southern Thailand, and honestly, we’re not sure why it’s so peaceful. But we’re definitely not complaining! Situated in the heart of the stunning Andaman Sea, between Krabi and Koh Lanta, Koh Jum offers lovely beaches and a very relaxed vibe. With a population of around 1,500 to 2,000 people, it’s a small, authentic community.
The best time to visit is from December to April when everything is open, the sun usually shines, and the sea is calm. Even though this is the high season, the island remains wonderfully tranquil.
Koh Jum is made up of two parts: the western Muslim area (Koh Pu) and the southern Buddhist area (Koh Jum). Despite their differences, both communities live together in harmony.

Beaches
Koh Jum has beautiful elongated beaches fringed with jungle, as well as a number of smaller hidden coves. They all have one thing in common: it is wonderfully peaceful there and the water is beautifully clear and blue, just as you would expect from Thailand!
Golden Pearl Beach, also known as Andaman Beach, is the most popular beach on Koh Jum. It stretches along the west side of the island, with Golden Pearl Beach in the south and Andaman Beach in the north, together forming a beautiful coastline also called Long Beach. Here you can enjoy tranquility and nature. Along the beach, you will find small hotels, cozy restaurants, and charming wooden beach bars. The beach is not far from the village of Ban Ting Rai, giving you easy access to more dining options and some small shops.
Our favorite beach on Koh Jum was Sunset Beach — even more secluded, with fewer facilities and accommodations, which we actually liked!
Besides Golden Pearl Beach, Koh Jum has several other pristine beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water. These beaches are still largely undiscovered, without major amenities such as resorts or restaurants. Perfect for going on an adventure and discovering hidden gems. Keep reading and get inspired by the beautiful beaches we visited on Koh Jum!
Accommodations
On Koh Jum island, your choice of accommodation isn’t too crucial since you can easily explore the entire island by scooter, just like we did. The distances are short, making it quick to travel from one side to the other. We stayed near Ban Koh Jum, one of the island’s three charming villages, at COCOA HOME. There, you’ll find beautiful, brand-new bungalows set in a lush tropical garden, all at a reasonable price. While there are some more upscale options like Koh Jum Beach Villas at Golden Pearl Beach, most accommodations are midrange or budget. We found the value for money on Koh Jum better than on many other islands like Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi. So, if you’re looking to indulge a bit, Koh Jum is a great option!
Eat & Drink
Koh Jum is unique for its charming little beach bars, some shaped like boats or perched on rocks in the sea. These spots often reflect a lot of care and effort. The vibe in these bars is wonderfully laid-back—think flip-flops and shorts. We believe visiting these bars is a must, even if just for a refreshing cold shake. Despite the island being mostly Muslim, most bars will serve you cocktails or beer without issue. This isn’t always true for supermarkets and restaurants, where the Buddhist southern part of the island tends to be more accommodating.
The island also offers a variety of good food options, from authentic local dishes in small shops to trendy coffee shops with excellent coffee and surprisingly tasty pizza. Below, you’ll find our favorite places to eat and drink—the spots we kept coming back to!
See & Do
The best way to explore Koh Jum is by renting a scooter and discovering the island on your own. The main roads are quiet and in good condition. There are very few cars since almost everyone rides a scooter here. While Koh Jum doesn’t have major attractions, you can hike with a guide to the island’s highest peak, go snorkeling or take a boat trip to the Phi Phi Islands, or enjoy a five-island tour around the stunning Krabi area. So, you won’t be stuck on the island. And don’t forget to visit some of the great bars on Koh Jum, like The Rock Bar or Rock View Terrace Homestay and Cafe—they’re definitely worth checking out!
Transportation
Songthaew / Taxi Koh Jum
On Koh Jum, renting a scooter is an affordable and popular way to get around the island. We paid 300 baht per day at our hotel. You don’t need a powerful scooter here, since the roads are usually quiet and not very steep. In many cases, there’s no deposit required, and you may not even need to show your passport.
The main roads are in good condition, but some side tracks are dirt roads. We found them still good to ride with the scooter in the dry season.
Would you prefer not to drive a scooter yourself but still want to discover the island? Then you can book a scooter taxi with a sidecar and a roof through your hotel. These sidecar scooters are commonly used on Koh Jum and are especially handy if you’re traveling with children. We saw very few cars, and they are generally not used much by tourists.
To and from Koh Jum
Vanaf Krabi: Er vertrekt meerdere keren per dag een publieke ferry vanaf Laem Kruat pier. De overtocht duurt ongeveer een uur en kost ongeveer 100 baht.
Vanaf Krabi: Er vertrekt meerdere keren per dag een publieke ferry vanaf Laem Kruat pier. De overtocht duurt ongeveer een uur en kost ongeveer 100 baht.
Vanaf Ao Nang: Je kunt een speedboot of longtailboot nemen die rechtstreeks naar Koh Jum gaat. Dit duurt ongeveer 45 minuten tot een uur.
Vanaf Koh Lanta: Er zijn ook veerboten en speedboten die tussen Koh Lanta en Koh Jum varen. De reistijd is ongeveer 30 tot 45 minuten.
Travel via 12Go
One easy option is to arrange your trip ahead of time with 12Go. You can often find combinations of trains, buses, taxis, minivans, and boats there, depending on the season and what connections are available. This is especially helpful if you don’t want to organize everything on your own or If you want to quickly check which routes to Koh Jum are available.


FAQ
In our FAQ, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions. Do you find it hard to plan your route, accommodations, or transportation on your own? Then have a custom travel plan for your Thailand trip created via info@thailandmagazine.com (subject: Travel advice), or explore our Thailand travel guides for inspiration, useful tips, and beautiful itineraries through Thailand.
The best time to visit Koh Jum is from November to April when the weather is dry and the sea is calm. This period is perfect for beach activities, boat tours, and outdoor adventures. All popular bars and restaurants on the beach are open during these months.
If you want to learn more about the weather in Thailand, take a look at our detailed post here.
The rainy season lasts approximately from May to October. During this period, it can often rain heavily, the seas are rougher, and boat services may be limited. Some accommodations close temporarily. For the best experience, it is recommended to visit Koh Jum between November and April this is the dry season / cool season/ in Thailand.
2 days: enough for a brief introduction to the island, a beach visit, and a short tour.
3 days: ideal for leisurely exploring the island by scooter and experiencing the local lifestyle.
4 days or more: perfect for truly relaxing, enjoying the island’s tranquility, and possibly taking a snorkeling or boat tour in the area.
Certainly! However, Koh Jum is a peaceful island featuring natural, untouched beaches. It isn’t heavily developed for tourism with numerous luxury resorts; instead, it’s cherished for its genuine atmosphere, calmness, and natural beauty.
- Snorkeling:
Around Koh Jum, snorkeling is possible along the rocky shorelines, particularly at Ting Rai Bay. The ideal time is during high tide, as it attracts more fish. The coral reefs near Koh Jum are sparse and lack vibrant colors because of damage. Many resorts on the island offer snorkeling gear for rent or loan. - Snorkelexcursions
To see more stunning coral reefs and clearer waters, consider a boat tour to nearby islands like Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai) and Yung Island (Mosquito Island). - Diving:
To see more stunning coral reefs and clearer waters, consider a boat tour to nearby islands like Bamboo Island near Koh Phi Phi.
Koh Jum remains a peaceful and genuine spot, as it is still one of Thailand’s lesser-known islands. It lacks busy tourist crowds and nightlife. The island mostly draws visitors looking for calm and natural beauty. If you love taking long strolls on nearly empty beaches, watching stunning sunsets, and cruising quietly on scooters, Koh Jum is an ideal destination for you.
Certainly! Families who appreciate peace and nature will find it appealing. However, it’s less ideal for teens seeking nightlife. The lodging options vary from basic to mid-range, offering budget-friendly choices for those traveling with kids, but also luxury options and good facilities are available.
Coverage on the island is generally reliable, though it may be spotty in more isolated locations. Wifi is available in most hotels and restaurants. In general, our Thai SIM cards provided strong reception.
At present, Koh Jum has just one ATM, located beside the island’s hospital/clinic, labeled as “hospital ATM” on Google Maps. While some higher-end resorts may accept credit card payments, they usually charge extra fees. It’s best to bring sufficient cash with you.
There is a small clinic/hospital on the island, but for more serious medical issues, you need to go to Krabi or Trang.
Over smaak valt niet te twisten maar het Golden Pearl Beach is het populairste strand op Koh Jum. Dit strand heeft een rustige, ontspannen sfeer met fijn zand, helder water en een mooie omgeving om te zwemmen en te zonnen en ligt toch dicht bij een dorpje.
Koh Jum is home to different communities, including Muslims. In particular, Muslim populations are found in villages such as Ban Koh Jum and the island’s eastern areas. Halal food and Islamic customs are a regular part of life here. While you don’t need to be fully covered, wearing just a bikini while walking or riding around is not appropriate.
Alcohol is available on Koh Jum, mainly at bigger restaurants, bars, and some resorts. However, places owned by Muslims do not serve alcohol. In the southern Buddhist areas, most minimarkets sell alcohol, but it’s not available in the northern part of the island. All the beach bars we visited served alcohol. It’s important to respect local customs and limit drinking in public spaces outside of restaurants and bars, especially in areas with many Muslim residents.
Koh Jum is home to a diverse community, with a large Muslim population. In particular, villages on the island’s northeast side, known as Koh Pu, have predominantly Muslim residents. People here often follow their traditions and customs, which are evident in their daily lives, culture, and cuisine. That said, in other parts of the island, some restaurants do serve pork.