Koh Jum Travel Guide

Koh Jum is untouched by mass tourism, enjoys deserted beaches and an experience that few of Thailand’s other islands can match. Read our Koh Jum guide.

Small, quiet and peaceful, Koh Jum is one of Thailand’s most relaxing islands. This tiny island is located halfway between Ao Nang and Koh Lanta and is home to some of Thailand’s most serene and uncrowded beaches, small bungalow resorts and none of the nightlife nearby islands are known for.

With none of the beachside nightclubs and throbbing bass that you’ll find on nearby Koh Phi Phi, Koh Jum is perfect for a relaxing holiday. Pack your sunscreen and some good books to enjoy this serene and peaceful island at its best.

Note that there are no ATMs on Koh Jum, so you’ll need to bring enough money to cover your expenses while on the island. Travel agencies on the island can exchange major currencies for Thai Baht, albeit at a poor rate.

Understand

Ko Jum has three main villages and is home to about 1500 permanent local residents of mostly Chinese or sea gypsy background. There's also a small Muslim minority on the island, and the mosques broadcast a largely ignored Adhan (call to prayer) five times a day. On the west side of the island there are about 30 resorts which provide varying standards of bungalow accommodation. Almost all of the resorts are run by the Chinese, and while efficient, don't expect to find traditional Thai hospitality.

The island appear to attract predominately more mature travellers and young families over the party-goer crowd.

Main Areas of Interest in Koh Jum

Ting Rai Beach
Located in the north of Koh Jum, Ting Rai Beach is where you’ll find two of Koh Jum’s luxury resorts. The banyan trees along the beachfront offer protection from the sun, while the beach itself offers a great view out over Phang Nga Bay.

Golden Pearl Beach
Stretching along Koh Jum’s southwest coast, Golden Pearl Beach is home to several resorts and beachside restaurants. Uncrowded yet convenient, Golden Pearl Beach is a good choice for day trips as its selection of resorts makes dining beside the beach easy.

Andaman Beach
Connected with Golden Pearl Beach, Andaman Beach is a large and uncrowded beach on the southwestern coast of Koh Jum. Several mid range and budget bungalow resorts close to the beach offer convenient accommodation and great views of the sunset.

North Beach
Quiet and secluded, North Beach is home to most of Koh Jum’s budget accommodation. Set back from the beach, you’ll find a selection of simple bungalow resorts. During low tide, North Beach can get quite rugged and rocky.

Banyan Bay Beach
Home to the luxurious Banyan Bay Villas resort, Banyan Bay Beach is a small, rocky beach in the north of Koh Jum. Isolated from the rest of the island and very quiet, Banyan Bay Beach is one of the most secluded beaches on Koh Jum.

Ao Si Beach
Clear water and amazing sunsets make Ao Si Beach one of Koh Jum’s best places to relax and enjoy life. The nearby Jungle Hill Beach Resort is one of the few accommodation options on the beach, with a restaurant and beach chairs available for guests.

Magic Beach
Completely undeveloped, with the sole exception of a small beachside bar, Magic Beach is a beautiful beach located a short walk from the village at Ting Rai. Aside from Loma Bar, there’s nothing on Magic Beach, making it a great place for beach walks, swimming and sunbathing.

Things to Do in Koh Jum

Beaches and Sunbathing
Koh Jum’s quiet and uncrowded beaches are perfect for relaxing and sunbathing. Aside from the occasional longtail boat, there’s little activity on most of Koh Jum’s beaches, making them a serene escape for people seeking warm water and sunshine.

Snorkelling
Koh Jum’s rocky beaches are good places to snorkel. Many of the island’s resorts will have snorkelling gear on hand for guests or available to rent. For an even better experience, go on a snorkelling tour to one of the many small islands in and around Koh Jum.

Diving
There’s one dive centre on Koh Jum: Koh Jum Divers. Some of the best dive sites around the island include Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ha Yai and the King Cruiser Wreck. Koh Jum Divers offers a range of chartered dives and courses, including PADI Open Water Diver training.

Hikes and Beach Walks
The mountainous northern section of Koh Jum is known as Koh Pu to locals. It’s home to a selection of good hiking trails, including a path up Koh Pu Mountain. Koh Jum’s long, sandy beaches are also fantastic choices for evening walks, especially as the sun sets.

Motorbiking
There are a few roads that cover Koh Jum, although the smooth concrete roads you’ll find on the mainland are absent. If you’d like to explore the island, rent a motorbike from your resort and go — there’s very little traffic, making the island’s roads safe and easy to navigate.