Ko Bulon Le

Ko Bulon Le is a small island about twenty kilometres off Pak Bara with a long white beach on its eastern side, some reef, and a resident Chao Le community - sea nomads, historically boat-dwelling people of the Andaman coast, several hundred of whom live on the island alongside a handful of small resorts. There are no cars and no proper roads, only sand paths and a few concrete tracks; walking is how you get anywhere. There is no bank machine, card acceptance is minimal and cash comes with you. Electricity in some places runs on generators with fixed hours. Boats run from Pak Bara in the dry season only and stop entirely for the monsoon, when the island effectively closes. The beach shelves shallow with a large tidal range, so swimming at low water is poor. It suits people who want a beach and nothing else, and disappoints anyone wanting more.

What you actually see

• The eastern beach - a long white strand with a handful of resorts.
• The Chao Le community - sea-nomad families living on the island.
• The absence of roads - sand paths and walking, no cars.
• The reef - patches offshore, reachable by longtail or from parts of the shore.

When to go

November to April; boats stop and the island closes from May to October. Bring cash - there is no bank machine and card acceptance is minimal.

Honest expectations

No bank machine, generator electricity with fixed hours, very few dining options. Shallow water and a big tidal range make swimming poor at low tide. Complete low-season shutdown. Nothing to do beyond the beach.

Nearby

Ko Lipe and Ko Tarutao are south; Pak Bara is the mainland pier.