Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island)



Koh Maphrao, or Coconut Island, is still like Phuket was 30 years ago, before all the tourists arrived.

Koh Maphrao is on the east coast of Phuket, a peaceful place with agro-tours and homestay with local families available. The island's mangrove forests can be explored by boat.
This island is perfect for those who want to get away from it all and have a look into local island life. It is known as Coconut Island which is due to the palm trees on the island and also because of the island’s shape.
A few residental developments and a hotel is beeing built on Koh Maphrao now.

Between Phuket and Koh Maphrao there are some floating restaurants with live seafood held in submerged pens.These floating restaurants are popular with both locals and tourists.



I paddled around this island which is 3 km. long and 2 km. wide and all I saw of tourism and traffic was 1 hotel and 1 car. I started from the pier in Laem Hin, on Phuket's east coast.


From the end of this pier it is only 500 meters over to Koh Maphrao.

Halfway out on the pier in Laem Hin is a quay where the boat from Phuket and out to The Village Coconut Island resort on Koh Maphrao departs.


I am launching my kayak from the pier and begins paddling towards Koh Maphrao.
On Koh Maphrao they are building a new pier in concrete to replace the old wooden pier.

From the pier I'm paddling along Koh Maphrao's beach towards the only hotel on the island .


I am passing some small houses,


before I arrive at the long sandy beach that runs along most of Koh Maphrao's northern coast.

Villas in The Village, Coconut Island project.



I'm paddling in to the beach and I go ashore.


Kayaks and sailboats for rent.





The hotel.


From the hotel's lobby there are fine views out over the sea and out to the nearby islands.

Villas located close to the hotel.



Unfinished villas.



The restaurant. 



The beach pool.


I go gown to the beach and continue paddling around Koh Maphrao.





I am paddling past a fishing village,





before I am approaching a nice, sandy beach.




I continue paddling,


and I am passing Koh Maphrao Noi,

a small uninhabited island.

After passing Koh Maphrao Noi I am paddling along Koh Maphrao's East coast.


Out fishing on the east coast.



A small hut down by the sea and a gravel road leading to a construction site further up.

I paddle on and I'm approaching the Jindarin Beach Club & Resort on Koh Maphrao's south side.



I am paddling along the south coast.



Arriving at a small beach where I have a few minutes rest.



I start paddling towards a small village located at the edge of the mangrove forest.




A seafood restaurant is under construction.

The only car I saw on Koh Maphrao.


I paddle in, go ashore and have a look around in the village.



On the other side of the bridge there are some children that are playing on the beach, they are shouting at me that I have to take photo's of them. And I do..........................






The village.






I am paddling on towards the mangroves,




and I continue paddling towards the pier in Koh Maphrao when I have passed the mangroves.
       I meet a longtailboat on my way,

and I am passing the floating restaurants between Laem Hin and Koh Maphrao,

before I arrive at the village that is located near the pier




I am paddling  out to the old wooden pier where barge next to the pier is about to set concrete piles for a new pier.


Several long tail boats are moored at the pier.





I am almost back to where I started from and I am paddling the last 500 meters towards the pier in Laem Hin.

                           
                                      http://www.kajakkiphuket.blogspot.com/

5 comments:

  1. This is a fantastic blog! I have only recently visited Coconut Island and I am currently writing an article about the community on the island. I would love if I could get a quote from you about your experience! Is there a way I can get in contact with you - an email perhaps?

    ReplyDelete
  2. please email me: allemcmahon@hotmail.com

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  3. Great blog! Very useful for kayakers in Phuket, amazing job.

    ReplyDelete