Monkey Island

📍 Location of Monkey Island 🚘 Directions to Monkey Island

About Monkey Island

The island of Ko Kao, located in Thailand, is a hidden gem that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. This island is home to a large population of playful monkeys that are known for their mischievous behavior and love for water. Visitors often find themselves in the company of these monkeys, who are not shy about interacting with humans. They are known to approach visitors, often in large groups, in search of food. This can be a thrilling, albeit slightly intimidating, experience for first-time visitors.

The monkeys are particularly fond of coconut meat, which visitors often bring along to feed them. However, be prepared for a crowd of monkeys if you decide to do this. Despite their playful nature, these monkeys can be quite persistent when it comes to food. They are known to follow visitors around the island, often asking for more food. This interaction with the monkeys, combined with the stunning views of the island, makes for a truly memorable experience.

Visitors are advised to bring towels along, as the monkeys are known to jump on people, especially when being fed. This can be a fun experience for older children, although younger ones might find it a bit frightening. The monkeys are also known to be quite bold when it comes to food. They have been known to rush towards boats as soon as they arrive, in search of food. This can be quite a sight, with hundreds of monkeys swarming the boat, ripping open bags in search of food.

Monkey Island is a popular destination for day trips from Pattaya. The journey by boat takes about an hour. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by more than a hundred monkeys waiting on the shore. The tour guides often bring along buckets of food scraps, such as pineapple and watermelon skins, and bags of nuts to feed the monkeys. The monkeys are particularly fond of nuts and can get quite excited when they are brought out.

The monkeys are known to jump on visitors, often from behind, and sit on their backs, heads, shoulders, hands, and arms. They don't stay in one place for long, often moving on after a minute or two. While they are mostly friendly, visitors are advised to avoid touching or pushing them. It's also worth noting that the monkeys can leave crumbs and liquids from the food they are eating on visitors, so it's a good idea to bring a towel along.

Despite the occasional bite, which is usually light and painless, visitors generally find the experience to be fun, albeit for a short time. After the visit, many choose to go for a swim to clean off the sand and food residue. There are several tour operators in Pattaya and Bang Saray that offer trips to Monkey Island. The trip usually takes half a day and is considered a must-do for anyone visiting the Pattaya area.

Visitors can also arrange for a boat trip to Monkey Island from the 4 Palms resort in Bangsaray. The monkeys are known to swim to the boat to be fed, which is a sight that many find well worth the visit. The island is also close to the stunning Koh Khram, making it a great destination for a day trip.

Despite its popularity, Monkey Island remains an underrated destination. It offers a unique experience that is hard to find elsewhere. Visitors get the chance to interact with friendly monkeys in their natural habitat, all while enjoying the beautiful ocean views. However, visitors are advised to come early to avoid the crowds and to bring bananas if they want to get up close with the monkeys. It's also important to remember not to touch the monkeys and to wash up after leaving the island. Despite the occasional challenges, a visit to Monkey Island is sure to be a worthwhile experience.