sappralott2026-09-08
Full-stop braking into relax and enjoyment mode.
General:
The side with the bungalows (approx. 60 units) is the “swimming side.” The other side (there are another 40 bungalows in progress there) is the “snorkeling side.” You can walk almost completely around the island on the beach. For the part where you cannot, you switch to the path until you can go back to the
beach. Walking all the way around takes about 2 hours.
The General Manager "Ali" can be found everywhere; he is extremely nice and helpful. He gives tips, provides support wherever he can, and has an exceptional team.
His staff members are exceptionally friendly and have a very positive aura that helps you start your day well right at breakfast.
They have a sea turtle nursery on the property, which they then release into the wild.
You can sign up at the reception to see them. They are in tanks in the maintenance area. For us, the smallest ones were 7 days old and the largest was about 4 months old.
The snorkeling jetty has not been usable for a long time! A cyclone unfortunately damaged it very badly, but work has been feverishly underway on its restoration ever since.
This naturally limits snorkeling because you have to swim out from the beach. Anyone who wants to can also walk along the jetty over the broken stones and get into the sea at the front. However, it is possible to go in from the beach and snorkel out to the front. According to the manager, the snorkeling pier should be finished in September. According to the manager, the snorkeling pier should be finished in September.
We received two excursions (snorkeling and fishing) for free. No idea if you get one per week of stay or what that is based on. This great offer definitely made us very happy. The companion on the excursions is the magnificent "Achmed" as a tour guide.
We booked and paid for the manta snorkeling excursion separately. Here, too, we received a 20% discount right at the beginning.
Achmed searched until he found a manta, which then swam slowly underneath us. Unfortunately, other guests splashed with their fins and scared it away. It did not come back after that. On all excursions in the ocean, you should move slowly and cause as little noise and waves as possible, because otherwise the fish/turtles will be gone immediately.
Achmed showed us a video from July from the same spot where five mantas are sailing majestically one after another.
There are island herons, many fruit bats, and crows/ravens.
The raven rocker gang consists of 5-6 adolescent crows that squawk, chase away the cool fruit bats, steal food, attack drones, and then even bring in reinforcements.
It is not a big problem; I even found it kind of cool to watch because they act really intelligently and strategically.
They are at the restaurant during breakfast, then at the pool bar, and back at the restaurant again at lunch.
In the ocean, you can see sharks, various rays, turtles, and many other fish. However, we find the fruit bats that regularly circle in front of the Thila Bar and the restaurant especially cool - if the crows let them.
I took beautiful shots with the drone. This is allowed here. However, I recommend (that is how I did it) asking politely by email beforehand. Then you usually get permission with the note to respect the privacy of the other guests and not to fly near the
bungalows because everyone here has an outdoor shower.
=> Just watch out for the crow gang
Absolute peace and quiet
Nobody wants to push anything on you here. No SPA, no excursions, or anything else.
There is a small shop for souvenirs, mementos, and a bit of clothing
Walkability:
Everything is accessible via good paths. The Thila Bar is at the end of the island at one tip and the restaurant is about in the middle of the island. The bungalows are located in between. So you can decide whether you want to be closer to the restaurant or the bar (evening events). We were in number 138 about in the middle. But as described above, you can call a buggy at any time and get a ride.
Restaurant:
You do not need shoes because the floor (even in the restaurant) is sandy and that is very pleasant -
Freedom for the feet.
You get a table further back to start with and then move further forward to the
first row with a direct view of the beach. That is fair and guests who "buy" a table in the front right away with a large tip are not favored.
The food is always nicely presented and freshly made. From grilled fish/meat to ice cream, waffles, and pudding. There are also burgers and hot dogs sometimes, but of course a lot of fish!
Safety:
It is a small island. Every room has a safe. We actually left everything open in the room except for the money. No problem at all
Activities
Various excursion options are offered and there is of course a dive center where you can also rent kayaks or SUPs.
A small fitness area (relatively well-equipped) is also near the dive center. It is air-conditioned, but unfortunately has no window
You can also rent bicycles
Room:
Air conditioning (it is recommended to leave it running because of the humidity) and ceiling fan work well. You can also set the air conditioning so that it does not blow onto the beds.
The room is nicely furnished and has several drawers and two large closets with a safe. A large TV is also there - although that is probably the most superfluous thing in the furnishings.
The rooms are equipped with multi-outlets - so you don't need an adapter (contrary to many reviews).!
You have a direct view of the beach and the sea from the bed; a flashlight, hair dryer, and two umbrellas are also part of the standard equipment of the bungalows.
Bathroom:
Two sinks, toilet with a water hose for spraying - no toilet paper in the toilet!
A beautiful outdoor rain shower. This part of the bathroom is not covered.
There is also a hair dryer and shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and soap.
A multi-outlet for a shaver or toothbrush is also available.
Large towels and also three large bath towels, which you don't have to take to the pool because there are also towels there that are brought to you immediately.
A small drawback that actually every hotel has (completely incomprehensible to me):
There is a drying rack, but no hooks to be able to hang anything up to dry. For two or three people
the rack is simply not enough and you look everywhere for ways to hang something up.
But that is really not a big problem because you have quickly found your "workarounds."
