Be Like Vic: Discover Koh Muk as a Hidden Island Escape While Teaching in Thailand

Teaching in Thailand gives you more than a classroom experience—it gives you access to a country filled with landscapes that feel untouched and deeply personal. For those of us in the BFITS Program, school breaks become the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the usual tourist routes.

If you’re like me and prefer tranquil beaches over crowded hotspots, let me introduce you to a destination that has become my go-to recharge spot while teaching abroad: Koh Muk.

Rethinking Thailand’s Usual Vacation Spots

What do you think of when you think of vacation destinations in Thailand? Pattaya (blech!)? Phuket (ergh!)? Chiang Mai (cough cough!!!)? Ok, I may be exaggerating a little bit (not much 😬), but these places are some of the most visited places in the country by tourists from everywhere.

Now, this is just my opinion, but I find that places that are heavily concentrated with tourists to be quite stale and lacking any sort of soul. I am continuously looking for novel destinations that are off the beaten path, closer to nature, and tranquil. My search has led me to a destination that I would like to share with you, if you are like me 😉

Why Koh Muk Feels Different

So, my number one place to travel to in Thailand is… drum roll, please! Koh Muk! TADAAAAAA!!! This little island (and I will emphasize little) is off the coast of Trang province in the south.

A one-and-a-half-hour (or less) flight from Don Mueang, a 40-minute van ride to a pier, and a 30-minute boat ride is all it takes to reach this island.

To give you an idea of how relaxing this island is, I usually come here right as school break begins to decompress. By the time I leave, I feel brand new. That’s one of the perks when you teach in Thailand with BFITS—when the term ends, paradise is often just a short trip away.

Slow Mornings at Charlie Beach

The island has plenty of activities for someone who is looking to recharge and relax. One of my favorite activities is beach bumming, just lazing on Charlie Beach under an umbrella, taking occasional dips in and out of the crystal clear water.

Charlie Beach is beautiful. Here, you will find hornbills just chilling in the trees, dogs roaming the beach, and pretty tasty piña coladas from the many vendors and restaurants located on the beach. Come around 18:00 and watch one of the most stunning sunsets (it never gets boring).

For teachers who spend months planning lessons, guiding students, and staying on their feet, moments like this feel earned.

Hiking Trails and Hidden Beaches

For those who are explorers, there is a coastal path along the edge of Charlie Beach. This path will take you to Mermaid Beach (lots of shells and coral, but a lovely view), all the way to the eastern side of the island. It takes about one and a half to two hours to traverse the whole path, and there is a fair amount of rocks to climb over.

Another trail is located in the center of the island. This trail is an uphill hike to a viewpoint overlooking Sabaii Beach. If you make it to the top, it only makes sense to go down towards the hidden Sabaii Beach.

Be careful on this trek, as there are two ways to go: one down a steep and precarious hill and the other down a long trail. I found out how challenging the steep trail was the hard way. On my way back up from Sabaii Beach, I took the wrong route and had to cautiously scale up that steep hill—sometimes with the help of ropes and sometimes by using the vegetation as support.

Sabaii Beach is a beautiful sanctuary. Behind it is dense jungle, and to its sides are rock faces. It takes about one and a half hours or more to reach Sabaii Beach from the less treacherous path. If you are feeling adventurous, have good insurance, and don’t mind a workout, the steeper path takes off about twenty minutes.

Dugongs, Fish, and Island Wildlife

While I’m on the island, I also venture to the pier and sit and watch the schools of fish hanging out by the moorings. By the pier close to the shallows, there is a chance to spot rare dugongs feasting on the seagrass.

I have been to Koh Muk four times already, and three out of the four times I have seen dugong. They are by the pier, as I stated earlier, or they are on the eastern side of the island where the fishermen park their boats.

Moments like that—seeing wildlife in its natural habitat—remind you why stepping away from crowded destinations is worth it.

Where to Eat on the Island

On the eastern side of the island, where the fishermen park their boats, is a row of restaurants. Many of them serve very similar dishes, so it is up to you to determine which preparation from which restaurant suits you. I always choose seafood, since, well, I am on an island.

My favorite restaurants on this side are Miss Island (get your baked breads and smoothie bowls here!), Perfect Bar (great food and drinks!), and Fisherman Kitchen (great seafood that you can select from).

Closer to the pier, I prefer to go to Koh Muk City Center. This place has great fresh seafood you can select yourself, and the owner and staff are very friendly and welcoming.

More towards the Charlie Beach side, you will find HillTop Restaurant. Go to Hilltop for those classic Thai dishes and larger portions. I love the pad see ew from Hilltop 🤤

Right on Charlie Beach, there is a beach bar called Fanta Bar, which serves food from the restaurant Koh Yao Viewpoint. The food is good here, the drinks are tasty, the umbrellas are shady, and it is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

Emerald Cave and Snorkeling Adventures

I know I have given the impression that I am this beached human who is unable to leave the beach once I arrive at Koh Muk, but this is only half-correct.

Besides hiking to the secluded beach, I have also gone to the Emerald Cave, to Koh Rok for snorkeling, and I have also done a bit of fishing.

I would suggest visiting the Emerald Cave. This cave must be reached by boat, and you must swim in a dark, watery cavern until you come to the lagoon inside. Inside is a mini jungle, where you may find monkeys scaling the far walls. It is breathtaking to see this mini habitat located in an unexpected place.

I would suggest arranging a tour to visit here, due to the timing of the tide. You can rent a kayak and go without the tour, though. Maybe, just wait until you see some boats heading towards the cave and paddle over to time it correctly.

For the snorkelers, take the Koh Rok snorkeling tour. The tour will take you to several different snorkeling sites: one is on Koh Kradan, and the other two are at Koh Rok, the site of a nationally protected park. There are so many fish of all shades, and some are quite curious, as you may feel them nibble on you a bit 🤭 The coral and the other creatures living amongst it are so colorful and provide a beautiful living portrait to awe at.

Fishing Trips and Fresh Catches

I have seen fish, and I have also fished for fish during my stays at Koh Muk. Here, I have caught many small colorful fish, some of the brown-spotted groupers, and the larger kingfish. Everything was edible.

After the 4 or so hour fishing trip, I was able to bring my catch back to my lodging, and the owners cooked it up. Eating fish only been out of the water for a few hours is as fresh as it gets.

If you are interested in fishing here, I would suggest speaking to the reception of your lodging for them to coordinate a trip for you. The owners of the bungalows I stayed in organized my trip.

Staying at Bamboo Bungalows

As mentioned earlier, I have been to Koh Muk 4 times, but have stayed in the same lodging each time. Now, there are plenty of lodging options, from the luxurious bungalows to hostels. I happened to choose Bamboo Bungalows, close to Charlie Beach.

This little village of bungalows hosts a garden with a full spectrum of flower colors and butterflies, which will keep you visually delighted. The owners, Kukgai and Oun, are quite friendly and very accommodating. They will help you organize tours to Emerald Cave, snorkeling, fishing, and organize motorbike rentals.

The price of these bungalows is quite reasonable, around 800–900 Baht per night during the high season of December to April. Each bungalow has a front porch with chairs or a hammock and tables. This place does not have air conditioning, but during the night, an open window and a fan are pretty comfortable.

I really enjoy the atmosphere here as I feel welcomed by the bright garden and warm owners. An additional activity I’m keen to partake in is sitting on the porch in the hammock while drinking a coffee in the morning. It’s just so serene.

Recharging While Teaching Abroad

The serenity of Koh Muk is novel. Its size and what it has to offer, for me, make it a picturesque location that is difficult to come back from.

For those of us who have outlived the crowded tourist destination vacations, this is an ideal place to recharge and give yourself some peace and quiet. One of the underrated benefits of teaching abroad in Thailand, especially with BFITS, is discovering places like this—destinations that allow you to reset, reflect, and return to the classroom refreshed.

Because when you live and teach in Thailand, your work is meaningful. And meaningful work deserves meaningful rest.