Kradan Beach, Koh Kradan

Koh Kradan's main beach runs almost the length of the island's east coast: fine white sand, shallow turquoise water, and behind it forest rather than development. There is no village on Kradan and only a handful of places to stay, which is much of the point.

What sets the beach apart is the reef directly off it. Living coral starts a short swim from the sand, so snorkelling here needs no boat - unusual for the Andaman islands, where the reefs are normally offshore. The view east is of the mainland karsts across open water.

The island is part of Hat Chao Mai National Park and a fee is collected. Coral is fragile and much of it lies in very shallow water: swim above it, and do not stand on it.