If you’re in Thailand looking for utter peace and seclusion in an unspoiled natural environment, this is the place to go. Baba Ecolodge is the perfect antidote to the high-density tourism and rampant development found on nearby islands like Phuket and Krabi. With 15 kilometres of empty golden beaches and not a jet ski in sight, the island, although large, is totally undeveloped - when you arrive no buildings are visible. Take an early morning walk along the beach, or swim in a sea turned gold by the sunset, and the place is all yours. Go canoeing along a tidal river or snorkelling in the bath-warm lagoon, and you'll have just hornbills, sea eagles and - if you’re lucky - sea turtles for company.
Practise yoga in an open-air pavilion under the coconut palms; blissful Thai massages are on offer in a shady sala next to the sea. Staying on the island is as close as you can come to having your own tropical hideaway in paradise, without having to cater for yourself and your family.
Highs
- Morning swims on a deserted beach, followed by a gentle massage and a healthy breakfast of exotic fruit
- A range of spacious, private and well-designed wooden houses that suit couples, singles and families alike
- The happy, smiley staff - a symbol of the successful training programme that employs 98% of staff from the village
- Saturday BBQ night is great fun - there's a bonfire on the beach with rum punch and cashew nut roasting
- Exemplary environmental practices including solar energy, sustainable fishing and water purification
Lows
- This is a back-to-nature resort: expect geckoes, tree frogs, monkeys, occasional snakes and black flies (if the weather is unnaturally still)
- There's no pool, but you’ll have miles of beach to yourself
- Rooms don't have air-con, but beachside houses in particular benefit from a sea breeze
- Don’t expect much in the way of nightlife
- The location means travel arrangements need to be planned carefully - worth it once you arrive!
Best time to go
The peak tourist season is November to February, when the weather is slightly cooler (30C) and there is little rain. It's a perfect time for swimming, canoeing and snorkelling, plus there are daily yoga sessions if you want to 'dip your toe in', but are reluctant to sign up to a long course. Sea turtles nest in Dec-Jan and hatch in March and April. The resort closes during monsoon season from the end of April - beginning of November.
Our top tips
Be aware that when you arrive on the island there is no pier so wear shorts or a skirt/trousers that you can roll up - you get off the boat into at least a foot of water.
Yoga guests: no need to bring your own equipment, the platform is fully equipped. But if you would like to bring your own mat, please do.
Yoga guests: no need to bring your own equipment, the platform is fully equipped. But if you would like to bring your own mat, please do.
- Beach Resort
- 27 houses for 2-12
- Restaurant + bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Closed: late April - late October
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Laundry Service
- Kayaks available
- Yoga sala
Rooms
Baba Ecolodge is less of a resort, more a low-density community for nature lovers. Accommodation is in 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom houses, built in traditional Thai style, using tropical hardwoods and natural materials with sliding doors and louvered teak shutters. They are very private, and each has a veranda or terrace - all facing the Andaman Sea.
The houses vary, so we recommend letting the reservations staff guide you - or see the rates section of this page for information or queries about individual houses. All are categorised into either seafront or garden, according to their position, and there are options better suited to couples, and others for families. For larger groups, we’d recommend sprawling seafront Mangorn which sleeps 6 and has wonderful sea views, or Bontemps which can sleep up to 12 and is the biggest garden house.
Bathrooms are open-air, with a shower, a washbasin and a toilet. Most have solar-heated water, but if your house lacks this, the air temperature is generally so warm that this is not really an issue. There are no mod-cons, except for a mini bar with beer and prosecco inside. Mosquito nets and coils are provided, and fans keep the houses cool.
Features include:
- Cots available
- Fan
- In-room treatments available
- Mosquito net
- WiFi
Eating
Meals are eaten in the convivial Clubhouse, a split-level building with idyllic views over the Andaman Sea. The ground-floor dining room opens onto 3 airy terraces, whilst upstairs is a spacious lounge with its own bar - try the fruit shakes, they are as delicious as they are healthy.
A buffet breakfast, served from 7-11am, has a selection of freshly-baked breads and cakes, homemade jams, honey from the savannah, tropical fruit, homemade yoghurt and fresh coconut water. There are also cooked options, including pancakes, organic eggs or French toast.
Throughout the rest of the day, there’s a single daily menu chalked up on the blackboard. The food, mostly Thai but with some Western offerings, is one of the highlights of the resort, and is freshly prepared using seasonal, local ingredients. Expect fresh fish, Thai curries and vegetarian options. On Saturdays a BBQ is held.
The thatched Bay Beach Club stays open throughout the day and serves stone-baked pizzas, as well as salads, smoothies and ice creams. Or, if you prefer, Tiffin boxes of crab fried rice, fruit and spring rolls can be delivered to your Baan at lunchtime.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Meal delivery service
- Restaurant
- Vegetarian options
Activities
If you enjoy the simple things in life, there's no shortage here…
- Swim and sunbathe along 15km of golden sand on 2 different beaches
- Try one of the twice-daily yoga classes led by certified yoga instructors
- Have a traditional Thai massage or herbal treatment at the massage sala next to the beach
- Spot over 400 different species of birds, including horn bills and bee-eaters
- Climb up Hornbill Hill to visit the lovely airy sala and check out the views
- Visit the nearby island of Koh Ra to trek through its virgin rainforest, enjoy a picnic lunch and swim on a secluded beach
- Kayak or SUP at high tide to discover the bay and the mangrove creek
- Rise early for a jeep safari into the white-sand savannah to spot deer and crane
- Learn the technique of Batik painting at the village school, whilst the school-children practice their English with you
- Spend the day snorkelling the azure waters of the Surin islands, 50 km from the resort and a designated National Park
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Wildlife
- Yoga
Kids
If you don't mind the long journey, Baba Ecolodge is an ideal place to bring a family. i-escape's editor spent a very happy fortnight here, with his 3-year-old son, staying in Beach Back Jai Yen. The Thai staff are very kind and caring to little ones and the chef is always happy to whip up meals for her younger guests. The island is car free, so children can wander about freely without fear of traffic, and the sea and jungle are on your doorstep.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Jai Yen is best for young children (under 4s), as it is the only house with safety gates. There's a single bedroom linked to the master bedroom and 2 sofabeds in the sitting room. It's also close to the clubhouse facilities.
The other houses are stilted with stairs/drops so are not suitable for very young children. Yuth, Mangorn, Marina, Metha, and Dee are our recommendations for families of 4-6, as they all offer plenty of space. Note that no houses have baths, and whilst most have solar-heated water, some don't.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available, and is done by the local staff who have limited English.
Baby equipment:
- 3 cots available
- Baby bedding
- High chair
- Bottle warming
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
Food is available all day, and a special kids menu features spaghetti, egg fried rice and homemade chicken nuggets. There's a discount of 50% for meals for under 12s, and under 3s eat free.
Kids Activities on site:
- Set right on a long beach (some waves/undertow) with a safe shallow bay a short walk away
- Great swimming, snorkelling and kayaking (some kayaks seat 2 adults + 1 child; small lifejackets are available)
- Beach toys, snorkels and masks, and inflatables are available
- The jungle is on your doorstep, with monkeys, iguanas and hornbills easily visible
Kids Activities nearby:
- Rainforest trekking
- Jeep tours
- Day trips to local villages and schools
Families Should Know:
It's a remote hideaway, we suggests that you bring everything you need with you (including nappies, extra baby food, arm bands etc) as you won't be able to buy it here. The houses are built on stilts above the shoreline so there are unprotected drops in most; you'll also have to be confident with your children in the water and in the jungle. Sandy tracks mean that pushing buggies is difficult, a baby carrier would be a better option. Kids need to be good travellers - the airport is 4 hours away.
Distances:
- Airport: 4 hours
- Hospital: 2 hours
- Doctor: 45 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Baba Ecolodge is on the island of Koh Phra Thong, which lies off Thailand's west coast near the town of Kuraburi.
By Air:
Fly to Phuket or Ranong from Bangkok.
From the Airport
Travel overland to Kuraburi. From Phuket, the journey takes 2.5 hours; from Ranong it takes just over an hour (Baba Ecolodge can arrange for a minibus/private car).
By Sea:
From Kuraburi pier, take a longtail boat to Ko Phra Thong (Golden Buddha Island), which takes approximately 90 minutes. Note that they only operate at certain times of day. Booking in advance is highly advised as Kuraburi is not a main passenger pier.
Detailed directions will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed with i-escape.
Airports:
- Phuket 160.0 km HKT
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 15.0 km
- Restaurant 15.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape