Information
Landmark: Koh Hin NgamCity: Satun
Country: Thailand
Continent: Asia
Koh Hin Ngam, Satun, Thailand, Asia
Overview
Koh Hin Ngam, known as the Island of Cursed Black Stones, sits in Tarutao National Marine Park near Koh Lipe in Satun Province, southern Thailand, where the smooth, dark pebbles glisten in the sun, meanwhile while nearby islands draw visitors with white, powdery sand, Koh Hin Ngam stands out for its shoreline blanketed in smooth, black volcanic stones that glisten in the sun.They say if you pocket a stone from the island, the spirit of Chao Pho Tarutao-the watchful guardian of Tarutao National Park-will curse you, like a shadow that never lets go, furthermore for this reason, visitors are told not to take even a single stone-smooth or rough-from the island.Koh Hin Ngam, a tiny uninhabited isle in Tarutao National Marine Park, Satun Province, is famous for its smooth black stones that gleam in the sun; you can only reach it by boat from Koh Lipe, spend the day taking photos, wandering the shore, or snorkeling, but you can’t stay overnight-it’s protected land, to boot most visitors come as part of a half- or full-day island-hopping tour from Koh Lipe, often stepping off the boat to feel the warm sand under their feet.How to Get to Koh Hin Ngam: This uninhabited island sits alone in the sea, so you’ll need to hop on a boat to reach its smooth, black stone shore, alternatively in Koh Lipe, you can rent a private longtail boat right from the soft sands of Sunrise Beach or the lively shore of Pattaya Beach.Many island-hopping and snorkeling tours make a stop at Koh Hin Ngam, where smooth black stones gleam in the sun, on top of that from Pak Bara Pier in mainland Satun, hop on a speedboat and skim across the water to Koh Lipe-it’ll take about an hour and a half to two hours.Next, hop on a longtail boat from Koh Lipe, and in about 10–15 minutes-with the spray cool on your face-you’ll glide up to the rocky shore of Koh Hin Ngam, subsequently because the island sits inside Tarutao National Park, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee first-usually at the small booth by the pier-before you can explore.Admission to Tarutao National Park costs 200 THB for foreign adults and 100 THB for children, while Thai citizens pay 40 THB for adults and 20 THB for children; unlike the soft white sand on Koh Lipe or Koh Rawi, Koh Hin Ngam is blanketed in smooth, warm black volcanic stones, simultaneously people think these stones took shape from ancient lava flows, cooling into solid rock millions of years ago.According to local legend, Chao Pho Tarutao-the guardian spirit of the national park-laid a curse on anyone who dares take a stone from the island, even one smooth and warm from the midday sun, moreover legend says if you pocket a stone, trouble follows-illness, accidents, and strange streaks of bad luck-until you bring it back.After sudden streaks of bad luck, many visitors have ended up mailing the stones they took all the way back to Thailand, some wrapped in crumpled brown paper, in conjunction with for that reason, the national park doesn’t allow anyone to take stones-even a smooth gray pebble from the trail is off-limits.As far as I can tell, Top Activities on Koh Hin Ngam-start with a barefoot walk across its smooth, black stones, in conjunction with wander along Black Stone Beach with your camera ready, where the wet volcanic rocks catch the sunlight and shine like polished glass, a little Visitors often stack the smooth, sun-warmed stones into playful towers, but legend whispers that only a pure heart can keep one standing tall, in addition dark stones against turquoise water and deep green foliage create a scene that begs to be photographed.Number two stood there, simple and clear, like a lone digit scribbled in the corner of a page, simultaneously the beach at Koh Hin Ngam may be rocky, but step into the water and it turns to glass, alive with darting fish and bright coral perfect for snorkeling.Around the island, you’ll find snorkeling spots alive with flashes of bright fish, spiny sea urchins, and coral that fans out like tiny underwater gardens, therefore most snorkeling tours swing by Koh Hin Ngam, pause at Koh Rawi’s white sand, and finish with a visit to tiny Koh Yang.Number three, also soak in the calm at Koh Hin Ngam, where the shore often sits empty and still, since few come here to swim or stretch out in the sun.This island’s perfect if you want a quiet escape from Koh Lipe’s busy beaches, where you can hear nothing but the soft rush of waves, to boot the best time to visit Koh Hin Ngam is from November to April, when the dry season brings calm seas and clear skies.Skip the rainy months from May to October-swells can rock the boats hard, and Tarutao National Park shuts its gates, equally important travel tip: leave the stones where they are-whether the curse is real or not, taking one is against the law.Wear water shoes-the stones can pinch your feet and feel slick under each step, furthermore pack your own snorkeling gear-you won’t find a single rental shop on the island, not even a dusty mask behind a counter.Take care of the island-Koh Hin Ngam lies within a protected marine park, so pack out every wrapper, bottle, or scrap you bring, consequently the easiest way to notice Koh Hin Ngam and a handful of nearby islands is to book an island-hopping tour from Koh Lipe-you’ll skim over turquoise water and stop at each shore along the way.Since Koh Hin Ngam lies within Tarutao National Marine Park, island-hopping trips often swing by nearby gems like Koh Rawi, where soft white sand meets clear, turquoise water perfect for snorkeling, therefore Koh Adang offers rugged hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, and sweeping viewpoints where the wind smells of salt and pine.Koh Yang is a tiny island where bright coral reefs glow beneath the clear, warm water, then koh Lipe is the most developed island, with cozy beachside bungalows, lively restaurants, and a nightlife that hums long after sunset.So, why go to Koh Hin Ngam, where the beach glitters with smooth black stones warm from the sun, while a black stone beach like no other, its smooth, sun-warmed pebbles set this island apart from anywhere else in Thailand.Local legends whisper about the cursed stones, said to hum with a strange chill, giving the island an even deeper air of mystery, consequently perfect for photography or snorkeling, with rugged cliffs rising over turquoise water and schools of bright fish drifting below.It’s a quiet retreat far from the tourist crush, nothing like the packed, noisy beaches of Koh Lipe where music drifts from every bar, and if you’re heading to Koh Lipe or exploring Tarutao National Marine Park, don’t miss Koh Hin Ngam, where smooth black volcanic stones glisten in the sun and local legends whisper through the waves.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-09-15
