The dry season
November to April: dry, sunny days and the busiest season at the marinas and on the boats out into Phang Nga Bay. The east coast stays calm and sheltered.
Ko Kaeo
District
A subdistrict on Phuket's east coast north of Phuket Town: two marinas, big international schools, mangroves and the seafood piers of Laem Hin.
Also known as Koh Kaew
Ko Kaeo in photographs
Ko Kaeo. Ko Kaeo. Ko Kaeo.
- Children
- International schools on the doorstep
- Access
- About 10 minutes to Phuket Town
- Facilities
- Two marinas with shops and cafés
- Food
- Seafood piers at Laem Hin
- Nature
- Mangroves along the shore
About Ko Kaeo
Ko Kaeo is a subdistrict of Mueang Phuket on the east coast, about 7 km north of Phuket Town. It borders Si Sunthon to the north, Ratsada to the south and Kathu to the west, and faces the sea to the east. Thepkasattri Road, the island's main road between town and the airport, runs straight through it.
Most of the land is flat and was mined for tin in the past; hills rise on the western side and mangroves line the shore. The name means 'jewel island': local history says the land and water were rich in food, and that in the old days people had to cross a deep, fast creek to get here.
Today it is one of Phuket's main family suburbs. The British International School and Finnway International School are here, and two marinas, Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina, have homes, restaurants and shops around their basins. New villa and condo projects keep arriving near the schools.
On the coast, the fishing village of Laem Hin has seafood restaurants on a long wooden pier, with floating restaurants a few minutes offshore by longtail. Beyond them lies Ko Maphrao, Coconut Island: flat, green, about 3 by 2 km, with a few small villages and two resorts.
What is good about Ko Kaeo
Built around the schools
The British International School and Finnway are in the subdistrict, and many families choose Ko Kaeo to keep the school run short.
Between town and the airport
Thepkasattri Road runs straight through: Phuket Town is about 10 minutes away and the airport about 30, outside rush hour.
Marina life
Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina have restaurants, cafés, shops and boat services around their basins, and the sheltered east coast allows boating all year.
Seafood over the water
At Laem Hin, seafood is weighed and cooked to order on a long wooden pier; a free five-minute longtail ride takes you to floating restaurants, one of them listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
Mangroves and Coconut Island
Mangrove forest lines much of the shore, and Ko Maphrao, a short boat ride from Laem Hin, is flat, green and almost free of traffic.
A residential suburb
There is no tourist beach and no bar street: evenings are spent at the marinas or over seafood by the water.
Things to do at Ko Kaeo
Ko Kaeo. Ko Kaeo. Ko Kaeo.
Food and drink
Seafood at Laem Hin
Choose crab, prawns or fish by weight on Laem Hin's long wooden pier, open 10:00 to 22:00. Arrive around 18:00 for a quieter table and the evening sky.
Food and drink
A floating restaurant
From Laem Hin pier a free longtail takes five minutes to the seafood rafts, where fish and shellfish are kept alive in nets under the floor until you order.
Nature · dry season
Coconut Island
Boats from Laem Hin cross to Ko Maphrao in 10 to 15 minutes, about 100 to 150 THB return (2026). The beach is shallow with coarse, darker sand; there are no ATMs.
Culture
Wat Sapam
A working village temple on the hillside, used every day by local families and rarely visited by tourists. Free to enter; cover shoulders and knees.
Culture
Sam Pai Kong Shrine
A village shrine of three joined halls to the officials of heaven, earth and water. The grounds open 08:00 to 17:00, but the hall is often shut on ordinary days.
Family
The Upside Down House
A house turned on its head, its rooms furnished on the ceiling, open 10:00 to 18:00: 470 THB for adults, 240 THB for children aged 4 to 11 (2026).
Food and drink
Lunch at the marina
Boat Lagoon's waterfront has cafés and restaurants with free parking, from Thai dishes to burgers, and a pool club that opens for breakfast.
Boat trips
Out on the water
Charter yachts and speedboats leave from Boat Lagoon and Royal Phuket Marina; the sheltered east coast means trips run in both seasons.
A day at Ko Kaeo
Drop the children at school and take a coffee at one of the marina cafés.
Lunch on the waterfront at Boat Lagoon or Royal Phuket Marina, among the yachts.
A quiet hour at Wat Sapam, or the Upside Down House if it rains. Wat Sapam (Wat Sapam Thammaram)
Watch the sky colour over the east-coast sea from the seafood pier at Laem Hin.
Take the free longtail out to a floating restaurant and pick your seafood from the nets.
Places in Ko Kaeo
Our picks
British International School, Phuket
The island's oldest large international school, on a wide green campus in Koh Kaew between Phuket Town and the airport road.
Finnway International School Phuket
A Finnish-style international school on Thepkrasattri Road in Ko Kaeo, for children from about two to Grade 7.
Wat Sapam (Wat Sapam Thammaram)
Buddhist temple · SapamA quiet working temple on Phuket's east coast where local families come for daily merit-making and meditation.
Sam Pai Kong Shrine
Chinese shrineA village shrine in Koh Kaew to the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth and Water, in three joined halls.
Upside Down House Phuket
AttractionA house built upside down, with furnished rooms on the ceiling, plus a few other playful attractions, on the bypass road near Phuket Town.
Restaurants
Ban Rim Lay Pam
Local eatery · SapamA family noodle shop on a stilted deck at the end of Soi Ko Kaeo 6, on the mangrove edge north of Phuket Town; lunch only.
Bang Mud Floating Restaurant
Floating restaurant · SapamA floating seafood restaurant of large rafts with wooden huts, off Laem Hin on the east coast, reached by longtail from a pier on the shore.
Grind Cafe Phuket
RestaurantA large café-restaurant beside the Junkyard Theatre on the Phuket bypass road in Rassada, right next to IKEA, hidden behind a tall hedge.
Kruvit Raft
Floating restaurant · SapamA floating seafood restaurant of wooden rafts moored between Laem Hin and Ko Maphrao, reached by a short free longtail ride; the only raft in the MICHELIN Guide.
Laem Hin Seafood
Seafood restaurant · SapamA large seafood restaurant on a wooden terrace over the sea at Laem Hin, on the east coast facing Ko Maphrao (Coconut Island), popular with local families.
Lob Baan
RestaurantA small Phuket-cuisine restaurant in a residential area of Ko Kaeo, opened in March 2025; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Cafés
LOCK Coffee Bar
Café · Royal Phuket MarinaA modern café at Ko Kaeo with a panoramic view of the marina and its yachts; resident cats.
Shops
Chic Republic Phuket
Furniture storeA Chic Republic furniture store on Thep Krasattri Road.
IKEA Phuket
Furniture storeThe island's IKEA store, at Bypass Biztown on the bypass road north of Phuket Town; it began as a small pick-up and order point and became a full store.
Premium Outlet Phuket
Shopping mallAn outlet mall of brand stores along a covered walkway, on the bypass road north of Phuket Town.
Villa Market Boat Lagoon
GrocerA Villa Market supermarket of imported and local goods at Boat Lagoon on Thep Krasattri Road, on the east coast.
Work
- No photograph yet
Regus Royal Phuket Marina
Serviced office · Royal Phuket MarinaA Regus business centre at Royal Phuket Marina on Thepkasattri Road: private offices, coworking by the day, meeting rooms and virtual offices.
Kids
Siam Niramit Phuket
Theme parkA stage show of 700 years of Thai history in three acts, on one of the biggest stages in Thailand, with a recreated Thai village and a buffet.
Waylany Kids Cafe
Indoor playground · SapamA children's centre with a café in Thep Krasatti: themed play zones where children can spend several hours, and a menu for children and parents.
Yoga
- No photograph yet
Yoga Baan Dharmachati
Yoga studioA yoga studio in Ko Kaeo, on Rasada Road, whose classes take place in an open pavilion in a garden among trees.
Padel and tennis
Coconut Pickleball Center
Pickleball courts · Boat LagoonA pickleball centre in the Boat Lagoon marina with four courts built for the game, coaching for beginners and matches and tournaments for experienced players.
Oceanic Tennis and Fitness Club
Tennis courts · SapamA tennis and fitness club in Ko Kaeo with courts of several surfaces.- No photograph yet
Royal Tennis Club Phuket
Tennis courts · Royal Phuket MarinaA tennis club with new rooftop courts at the Royal Phuket Marina in Ko Kaeo.
Marinas
Laem Hin Pier
Pier · SapamA small pier on the east coast of Phuket Town, used mainly by longtail boats to the nearby islands.
Phuket Boat Lagoon
Marina · Boat LagoonPhuket's first marina, in Koh Kaew on the east coast about 10 km north of Phuket Town, next to Royal Phuket Marina: a residential marina with shophouses, waterfront restaurants and a boatyard.
Royal Phuket Marina
Marina · Royal Phuket MarinaA yacht marina in Koh Kaew on the east coast, about 10 minutes north of Phuket Town, opened around 2006–2007, with a boardwalk of restaurants around the harbour.
Sports
Morácea Horse Academy
Riding stableA riding school on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew, just north of Phuket Town, teaching riding and horse care for all ages, leaning towards dressage.
- The zone
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Buddhist temple
Chinese shrine
Attraction
Local eatery
Floating restaurant
Restaurant
Floating restaurant
Seafood restaurant
Restaurant
Local eatery
Local eatery
Café
Furniture store
Furniture store
Shopping mall
Grocer
Serviced office
Theme park
Indoor playground
Yoga studio
Pickleball courts
Tennis courts
Tennis courts
Pier
Marina
Marina
Riding stable
Homes in Ko Kaeo
Homes are mainly family pool villas in gated estates near the schools, condos and townhouses around the marinas, and village houses along the old lanes. Several large villa and condo projects launch in 2026, so building work is part of the scenery.
Ko Kaeo through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: the east coast is sheltered from the south-west monsoon, so boats keep running, but heavy showers are common and some low-lying streets hold standing water after a downpour.
Ko Kaeo with children
Families choose Ko Kaeo for the schools: the British International School and Finnway are here, Phuket Town's big hospitals are about 10 minutes away, and the marinas give weekends on the water.
- The British International School, Phuket, and Finnway International School are both in the subdistrict.
- Bangkok Hospital Phuket, in Phuket Town, is about 10 minutes away.
- The Upside Down House is a rainy-day favourite with children.
- Coconut Island's shallow beach is a short boat ride from Laem Hin; heed the signs about jellyfish and stingrays.
Getting to Ko Kaeo and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 25–35 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 25–40 min
- From Phuket Town
- 10–20 min
Thepkasattri Road, the main road between Phuket Town and the airport, runs through Ko Kaeo. A car or scooter is the norm; the orange airport bus stops here on its way to and from town.
- By car. Phuket Town is about 10 minutes away and the airport about 30; the main road is busy at school times.
- The local bus. The orange airport bus stops at Ko Kaeo between the airport and Phuket Town, about hourly; fares run from 30 to 100 THB by distance, cash only (2026).
- Grab and taxis. Ride apps work across the area and are the easy way to the west-coast beaches, 30 to 40 minutes away.
- By scooter. Practical for short trips, but Thepkasattri Road carries heavy, fast traffic.
- By boat. Longtails leave Laem Hin pier for the floating restaurants (free) and for Ko Maphrao (about 100 to 150 THB return, 2026).
Parking. Free parking at the marinas and at Laem Hin's restaurants; the old village lanes are narrow.
Who will love Ko Kaeo, and who will not
Will love it
- Families with school-age children who want a short school run.
- Families with teenagers at BISP or Finnway.
- Long-stay residents who want town, hospitals and the airport within half an hour.
- Yacht owners and buyers of marina homes and large pool villas.
Will not
- Beach lovers: the mainland coast has no swimming beach, and the west coast is 30 to 40 minutes away.
- Night owls: there is no bar street, and Patong is 25 to 40 minutes away over the hill.
- First-time visitors on a short holiday: the beaches and most sights are elsewhere.
Tips for Ko Kaeo
Plan around the school run
Thepkasattri Road and the junctions near the schools are slowest at drop-off and pick-up times; do errands in between.
Go early for seafood
Laem Hin's pier fills on evenings and weekends; arrive around 18:00 for a quieter table.
Priced by weight
Seafood at Laem Hin and on the rafts is charged per 100 g; ask for the weight and the price before it is cooked.
Cash for Coconut Island
There are no ATMs on Ko Maphrao; bring cash for the boat, food and drinks.
Heed the signs
Ko Maphrao's shallow beach has warning signs for jellyfish and stingrays; ask locally before you swim.
See a home after rain
Some low-lying streets hold water after heavy monsoon rain; look at a house after a downpour before you rent.
The last bus to the airport
The orange airport bus leaves Phuket Town for the airport for the last time at about 18:00 (2026); later, take a taxi or a ride app.
Rainy-day outings
The Upside Down House and the marinas' cafés make easy wet-weather plans with children.
Questions about Ko Kaeo
Where is Koh Kaew in Phuket?
On the east coast, about 7 km north of Phuket Town, in Mueang Phuket district. It borders Si Sunthon to the north, Ratsada to the south and Kathu to the west.
Is Koh Kaew an island?
No. Despite the name, which means 'jewel island', Ko Kaeo is on Phuket itself. It does include a real island: Ko Maphrao, Coconut Island, a short boat ride from Laem Hin.
Which international schools are in Koh Kaew?
The British International School, Phuket (BISP) and Finnway International School are both in Ko Kaeo.
How far is Koh Kaew from the airport?
About 30 minutes by car on Thepkasattri Road; Phuket Town is about 10 minutes away. The orange airport bus also stops here.
Is there a beach in Koh Kaew?
Not a swimming beach on the mainland: the coast is mangroves, piers and marinas. Ko Maphrao has a shallow beach, and the west-coast beaches are 30 to 40 minutes' drive.
How do I get to Coconut Island?
By longtail from Laem Hin pier: 10 to 15 minutes, about 100 to 150 THB return per person (2026). Bring cash; there are no ATMs on the island.
Where can I eat seafood in Koh Kaew?
At Laem Hin: restaurants on a long wooden pier, and floating rafts reached by a free five-minute longtail ride. Seafood is priced by weight, and Kruvit Raft is listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
Does Koh Kaew flood?
Some low-lying streets can hold water after heavy monsoon rain, but the area is not known as flood-prone. Look at a specific home after a downpour.
Is Koh Kaew a good place to live?
For families, yes: international schools, Phuket Town's hospitals about 10 minutes away, marinas and new housing. The trade-offs are no beach on the doorstep and busy main-road traffic.