Ko Hin Ngam (Stone Beach Island)
A tiny islet famous for its beach of smooth polished black stones, ringed by shallow coral popular with snorkeling tours.
- Category
- Diving & Snorkeling
- Entrance fee
- Covered by the Tarutao National Park fee (~200 THB foreign adult, as of 2026 — confirm locally).
- Hours
- Daylight day-use only; a standard stop on snorkeling tours.
- Best time
- Nov–Apr with calm seas and good visibility.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minute stop
About Ko Hin Ngam (Stone Beach Island)
This tiny islet is the odd one out, and that's the appeal. Instead of sand, its beach is covered in smooth polished black stones, and shallow coral rings the whole thing, which is why nearly every snorkeling tour stops here. It's photogenic and genuinely unusual.
One firm rule: do not take the stones. Park rules forbid removing them and local legend says they're cursed, so pocketing a souvenir can land you a fine. Leave them where they are.
Manage your expectations on this one. It's a brief snorkel and photo stop rather than somewhere you'll spend the day, and most tours only give you a short window ashore. Enjoy it for the novelty, snap your photos, then move on to the next island.
Highlights
- Beach of smooth polished black stones instead of sand
- Shallow coral ringing the islet for easy snorkeling
- Photogenic and genuinely unusual
- A standard, easy stop on most snorkeling tours
Tips
- Do not take the stones — it's against park rules and can carry a fine
- Treat it as a quick photo and snorkel stop, not a half-day beach
- It comes built into most island-hopping tours from Ko Lipe
- Best on calm days with good underwater visibility
How to get there
About 40–50 minutes by boat from Ko Lipe, included as a stop on most island-hopping and snorkeling tours.