Khai Nui – Your Private Island For A Day

The ad at my local hostel said that, for 1,000 Baht ($30), we’ll get to stay in a private island for a day. Too good to be true, two of us booked it and set to go on a Wednesday (mid-week), when only few people will be around. That’s what we were told. But, of course, we doubted it. Phuket, in the southernmost part of Thailand, is always crowded; heavily infested with dirty old men looking for or escorted by Thai women they could brag back home. Not to mention the ladyboys and money boys that abound the Paradise Complex near Patong Beach.

While Patong Beach is alive and sleazy at night, there’s not much to do during the day—but go and join on island hopping tours, which mostly include going to Kho Phi Phi or better known as The Beach, named after the movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

A day before we booked our trip to Khai Nui Island, a fellow backpacker and I already did one of those island hopping tours. All we wanted to do on a day before our flight back to our respective universes was to relax in an island where we could do nothing but read, sleep, swim, snorkel, walk, talk and bury our feet on the sand. Both of us never wanted to get our tan. Not because we want to be white (he’s European) but because too much sun causes wrinkles. There, I just spilled one of my secrets to staying young! :))

Khai Nui Island is a private island, thirty minutes from Patong Beach by ferry. 

Khai Nui only measures 200 x 30 meters. It can be circled in 10 minutes or so.  

When we arrived there at ten in the morning, a crowd was already sunbathing and frolicking in the crystal blue waters.

But, our tour leader assured us not to worry because most of these people were island hoppers and will only be allowed to stay for two hours. By noon, only very few of us were there. 

When we set our feet on the island’s white sand, our guide pointed us to some spots to explore first before we find shade under the parasols. 

To get away from the maddening crowd and to feel like we were on our very own private island, my new friend and I strolled for a bit until we found our perfect spot. 

The island has these gothic cathedral of rocks that can be thorny with your bare feet. 

These parasols are a beauty to look at from above—in one of the rock formations. But, don’t be fooled, these colorful parasols will cost you 150 Baht ($5). Better ask your tour leader if the tour fee includes using the amenities found in the island. 

At the center of this tiny island, there are shops selling sarongs and other souvenirs. The food should be included in your tour but when it’s time to eat, don’t be a prima donna. Go and feed yourself. Or else you’ll end up with nothing but water or soft drinks. 

The island also has some rental equipment for snorkeling. 

AMAZING THAILAND AWAITS YOU!