Ko Siboya Voyage Tips and guide

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Ko Siboya (see-boy-ya) is off the regular tourist trail. Other than the island's two resorts, you will find only a few local stalls selling household supplies, snacks, and petrol as you explore the local culture. Ko Siboya is home to about a 3,000 or so residents whose work is mainly in the rubber plantations or fishing. Cement roads and footpaths connect the 4 or 5 small communities on this 3 x 10 km island. The lack of easy access to the island has limited transportation to either motorcycles or walking. A community medical clinic is able to handle minor problems, but the medical staff is there only during daytime hours.

Ko Siboya escaped the destruction of the crushing tsunami of December 2004, as it is leeward of Ko Jum, but it did have to deal with the high water surge which devastated the island's fishing fleet.

From Krabi Town there are three possibilities:

• Take a songthaew to Nua Klong (on the southern highway towards Trang), where you can transfer to another songthaew to the coastal village of Laem Kruad. From there, hire a long-tail or wait for the scheduled ferry over to the east shore of Ko Siboya. Then hitch a ride with a local.
• Charter a private long-tail boat (about 2,500 baht)

Since there is only a pedestrian/motorcycle ferry to the island, you will find only a few working pick-up trucks. Most transport is by motorbike or on foot.

You can also rent a scooter in Krabi, then drive to either ferry pier, take the ferry across, and drive to your resort. This is a great way to save on money, as the scooter tariff rate is very low and they don't consume much gas.

Rural life goes on, little affected by tourism. About a third of the island is planted with rubber trees. Concrete roads connect the 5 small enclaves of population and 2 primary schools.

It's great to sit at one of the 2 or 3 coffee shops (someones front porch) at about 07:30 and watch the island come to life. Workers finishing in the rubber plantations, children getting dropped off for school or just people catching up on gossip. We also advise catching the sunset with a cold beer or coconut from one of the local hammocks along the coastline.

• 7.88373698.9785191 Siboya Bungalows, ☏ +66 81-979-3344, [email protected]. Check the website for current offerings and costs (updated Oct 2024)

• Mobile phones will work here.